# Department of War Launches ACME AI Pilot

Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg directed an AI-enabled pilot of the Air Force-developed Automated Classification Management Environment (ACME) in an October 5, 2026 memo, with the Air Force secretary serving as executive agent and an initial capability due within 180 days—approximately April 3, 2027. The pilot builds on an Air Force request for information issued in August 2026 to explore an AI-enabled classification-management ecosystem. No contract value, award, or current solicitation has been announced, so the near-term procurement signal is a potential follow-on opportunity rather than a confirmed award.

- Companies with secure AI, classification-management, cybersecurity, and data-integration capabilities can use the August RFI and pilot scope to shape potential follow-on offerings; no proposal deadline is specified in the signals.
- The pilot’s stated focus on sensitive information makes accuracy, cybersecurity, and continuing human oversight important considerations for any future solution.
- The initial capability is due within 180 days of the October 5 memo, approximately April 3, 2027. The Air Force’s executive-agent role is relevant to firms assessing where program coordination may occur.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DOW)
- Department of the Air Force (DAF)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

### Key Quotes
> Outdated procedures for the classification and declassification of documents and data are endangering the DoW’s ability to achieve its mission.
> — Steve Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of War

### Sources
- [Pentagon launches pilot program that will use AI to manage sensitive information | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/10/07/pentagon-launches-ai-pilot-program-automated-classification-management) - DefenseScoop
- [Steve Feinberg Issues DOW Memo on AI Classification Pilot](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/feinberg-dow-memo-ai-classification-pilot-acme) - ExecutiveGov