The Honorable Dr. Bruce Jette Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)

At a January 10, 2019 Defense Writers Group breakfast, the Army's top civilian leader on acquisition, logistics and technology  said a new approach to missile defense, being developed in collaboration with the new Army Futures Command, will lead to a better designed overall system to protect ground forces, responding to the rapidly changing threat environment.

"The threat has become much more complicated. It's not just tactical ballistic missiles or jets or helicopters. Now, I've got UAVs, I've got swarms, I've got cruise missiles, I've got rockets, artillery and mortars," said  Army Assistant Secretary Dr Bruce Jette.  Despite concerns among some about getting artificial intelligence into targeting decisions, Jette said AI will need to be part of the new approach, in order to save lives.

"Let's say you fire a bunch of artillery at me, and I can shoot those rounds down, and you require a man in the loop for every one of the shots," he said. "There are not enough men to put in the loop to get them done fast enough."

Army Times: Here’s how the Army acquisition chief plans to equip soldiers for the next war

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/01/10/heres-how-the-army-acquisition-chief-plans-to-equip-soldiers-for-the-next-war/

Defense Daily: Jette: New Acquisition Approach With Futures Command Driving IBCS, Indirect Fire Protection Progress

http://www.defensedaily.com/jette-new-acquisition-approach-futures-command-driving-ibcs-indirect-fire-protection-progress/

Military.com: Acquisition Czar: Army Closer to Fielding New Approach to Air Defense

https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2019/01/11/acquisition-czar-army-closer-fielding-new-approach-air-defense.html

Army Looking at AI-Controlled Weapons to Counter Enemy Fire

https://www.military.com/defensetech/2019/01/10/army-looking-ai-controlled-weapons-counter-enemy-fire.html

Breaking Defense: 12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019

https://breakingdefense.com/2019/01/2019-forecast-12-moments-of-truth-for-army-modernization/

Jane’s: US Army’s ASA (ALT) shop examining AI management questions

https://www.janes.com/article/85646/us-army-s-asa-alt-shop-examining-ai-management-questions

Federal News Network: Army says it must hold on to medical research facilities to protect soldiers from disease

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/army/2019/01/army-says-it-must-hold-on-to-medical-research-facilities-to-protect-soldiers-from-disease/

Inside Defense: Rheinmetall, Rafael competing in Stryker APS 'rodeo' next month

https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/rheinmetall-rafael-competing-stryker-aps-rodeo-next-month

Business Insider: The Army wants armed AI to return fire if US soldiers come under attack

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-army-wants-ai-to-return-fire-if-soldiers-come-under-attack-2019-1