High Perf Computing Mod Pgm (HPCMP)

The High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative managed by the Army, designed to provide advanced computational capabilities to support the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) communities across all military services. The primary goal of the HPCMP is to ensure technological superiority and maintain military dominance by enabling rapid and precise resolution of complex scientific and engineering challenges. This is achieved by deploying state-of-the-art high performance computing (HPC) systems that directly support the DoD's National Defense Strategy priorities, such as hypersonics, directed energy, autonomy, and artificial intelligence.

The program's objectives are centered on the procurement and modernization of HPC resources to enhance the DoD's ability to conduct modeling, simulation, and analysis for weapons system development. In FY 2026, the HPCMP budget line supports the acquisition of three new HPC systems at three Defense Supercomputing Resource Center (DSRC) locations. These systems are selected based on their architecture to meet the specific needs of each center, ensuring that DoD scientists and engineers have access to current-generation supercomputing capabilities.

The modernization of these resources is critical for improving the understanding of materials, aerodynamics, chemistry, fuels, acoustics, electromagnetics, and other research areas relevant to defense applications.

Another key component of the HPCMP is the funding of DoD HPC Project Investments (DHPIs). For FY 2026, the program supports two DHPIs or exploratory HPC systems. DHPIs are targeted investments that address unique computational requirements or classification needs that cannot be met by shared HPC systems. These investments may also include exploratory systems that investigate new use cases beyond traditional modeling and simulation, such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and tactical edge computing. This approach allows the DoD to remain agile and responsive to emerging computational workloads and mission requirements.

The Defense Supercomputing Resource Centers (DSRCs) are the primary facilities where these HPC systems are deployed. Each DSRC provides centralized, secure, and high-capacity computing resources to a broad user base across the DoD. The selection and procurement of HPC systems for DSRCs are based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or government off-the-shelf (GOTS) solutions, with system architecture and cost varying by location and mission needs.

The program uses streamlined contracting mechanisms, such as basic ordering agreements through the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), to accelerate procurement and deployment timelines.

The HPCMP is justified by its direct impact on the DoD's ability to maintain a technological edge. By modernizing supercomputing resources at laboratories and test centers, the program enables advanced test and evaluation environments, including synthetic scene generation, automatic control systems, and virtual test environments. These capabilities are essential for rapidly prototyping and refining new weapons systems, reducing development risk, and supporting acquisition decisions with high-fidelity data and analysis.