# U.S. Army Advances AI Modernization

The U.S. Army is accelerating its artificial intelligence (AI) modernization efforts through major initiatives such as Project ARIA and the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) program, with investments totaling nearly $4 billion for NGC2 and nearly $30 billion for Pentagon-wide AI infrastructure upgrades in Fiscal Year 2027. These efforts aim to enhance operational speed, decision-making, and integration of AI across command-and-control, logistics, and acquisition processes. The upcoming 2026 Army Summit on June 18 in Arlington, Virginia, provides a key engagement platform for contractors and industry partners to connect with senior Army officials and explore opportunities in AI, autonomy, cybersecurity, and mission systems integration.

- **Why this matters:** The scale and scope of Army AI investments signal significant contracting opportunities for companies specializing in AI technologies, cloud computing, and secure data infrastructure.
- Contractors should prepare to engage with Army decision-makers at the 2026 Army Summit to align offerings with modernization priorities.
- The emphasis on faster technology development cycles under Project ARIA indicates a shift toward agile procurement and rapid delivery models.
- Organizations supporting command-and-control modernization and AI supercomputing infrastructure can expect increased demand aligned with the Army's multi-billion-dollar funding commitments.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Services
**Published:** May 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Army Contracting Command
- DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL)
- U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
- Pentagon

### Vendors
- Seekr (prime contractor)
- Exiger (prime contractor)
- Greystones Group (industry partner)

### Key Quotes
> The 2026 Army Summit offers a critical opportunity for contractors supporting AI, cloud computing, autonomy, cybersecurity, command-and-control, and mission systems integration to engage directly with decision-makers shaping the future of Army modernization.
> — COL (Ret.) Joel Babbitt, VP, Army & SOCOM Programs, Seekr

> Project ARIA represents a major shift toward faster and more agile technology development cycles by partnering directly with leading AI firms to deliver solutions in months instead of years.
> — CW4 Reginald Oliver, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Capability Program Executive, Aviation, U.S. Army

### Sources
- [The Army’s AI Push Is Redefining Future Warfare](https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/articles/army-ai-project-aria-ngc2) - Potomac Officers Club