The Critical Gap in Modern warfare: Cloud-Independent Distributed Systems
The U.S. military’s future hinges on a capability that’s currently shockingly underdeveloped: cloud-independent, local distributed systems. While the demand for this technology is growing,messaging remains unclear,hindering progress.This isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a foundational prerequisite for the modern warfighting approaches our nation is pursuing.
Consider this: each branch of the U.S. military - the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Space Force – bases its core operating concepts on the ability of dispersed forces to coordinate at machine speed. these concepts include Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Mission Command, All-Domain Operations, and the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).They all assume a robust, distributed infrastructure will make this seamless coordination possible.
Why Distributed Systems Matter: the Rise of Swarming
The need for these systems stems from the potential of “swarming.” This refers to collaborative, autonomous adaptation to rapidly changing battlefield conditions. It represents a significant leap forward in military operations and is highly likely to be decisive in future conflicts.
If you believe in the promise of these advanced warfighting concepts, you need to be asking critical questions of your elected officials, defense acquisition leaders, and political leadership. Specifically, demand a clear plan to integrate “cloud-independent, resilient distributed systems” into collaborative autonomy and all mission-critical defense infrastructure.
The Risks of Inaction
Without a firm grasp of current capabilities and a clear vision for the future, the united States risks wasting significant resources. We could end up designing systems and strategies that are misaligned, vulnerable, and ultimately unprepared for the challenges ahead.Think of it this way: swarming is the logical next step in the evolution of military capabilities. The nation that prioritizes and invests in this technology will gain a decisive advantage.
Here’s what’s at stake:
Resilience: Cloud dependency creates a single point of failure, vulnerable to disruption.
Speed: Local processing and dialog minimize latency, enabling machine-speed coordination.
Security: reducing reliance on external networks enhances data security and operational integrity.
Autonomy: Distributed systems empower platforms to operate effectively even when disconnected.
Investing in cloud-independent distributed systems isn’t simply about adopting new technology. It’s about securing our national defense and ensuring our military remains at the forefront of innovation. It’s a challenge we must address with urgency and strategic foresight.
About the Authors:
Emma Bates is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cachai, a pre-seed software startup focused on licensing self-contained distributed systems infrastructure for national security applications. Her prior experience includes roles at the Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Army Futures Command, and the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
S.Ryan Quick is the founder of Providentia Worldwide, a professional services firm specializing in the intersection of distributed systems, hyperscale technologies, Web3, distributed cybersecurity, and data safety. He has a proven track record of solving complex problems for clients including Oak Ridge National Lab, Samsung, L3Harris, Paypal, and Ebay.
Image: Midjourney
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