Autonomous Multi-domain Adaptive Swarms-of-Swarms (AMASS)

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the Autonomous Multi-Domain Adaptive Swarms-of-Swarms (AMASS) program. The program aims to create the ability to dynamically command and control unmanned, autonomous swarms with a common C2 language for Theatre-level counter-Anti-Access / Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities. The two-phase program will be experimentation and scenario focused, including incremental and progressive development, integration, and demonstration of capabilities with increasing quantities of different swarms and complexity of mission scenarios.

Work Details
AMASS seeks to create an effective, cost-efficient counter-A2/AD capability utilizing a large number of autonomous UAV, USV, and UGV platforms orchestrated through a Theatre-scale, distributed C2 system. The program will focus on demonstrating this capability for specific regional Theatre-level scenarios. It will build upon previous DARPA and Service investments to create a swarms-of-swarms system that will simultaneously threaten multiple high-valued adversary assets, introduce intolerable cost-exchanges, and enable Joint Force and Coalition operations within the A2/AD bubble. The program will leverage lessons learned from DARPA’s System-of-Systems Enhanced Small Unit (SESU) program and will focus on planning and executing missions that utilize thousands of autonomous entities in the degradation or defeat of adversary A2/AD capabilities. Additionally, it will be adaptable to new threats and Theatres of operation through the use of open software and hardware interfaces that can be rapidly modified.