SBIR

The United States Army has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to enterprise browser developer HERE to build an artificial intelligence–based data interoperability layer for Army command-and-control systems, the company said on January 21, 2026. According to a press release from HERE, the project will use the company’s Enterprise Browser platform as a secure foundation to connect separate Army information systems, modernize legacy data formats, and enable data sharing across multiple military applications without replacing existing infrastructure. The work is intended to address long-standing integration challenges across Army command-and-control networks, where systems often operate in isolation due to security and compatibility constraints. The SBIR award authorizes HERE to develop a browser-based integration layer that allows users to access and exchange data across platforms while maintaining security controls. The company said this approach is designed to unify access to information while preserving existing systems, rather than requiring costly replacement or redesign. As noted by the company, the project will be carried out in partnership with Stony Brook University, involving the university’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) and its Applied Mathematics & Statistics Department. Dr. Manoj D. Mahajan, director of special programs at CEWIT, and Dr. Pawel Polak of Stony Brook’s AMS department will support research and development for the effort. HERE said the collaboration will focus on developing AI-enabled tools that can operate across multiple data environments while avoiding vendor lock-in, a recurring issue in military information systems. The company described the system as “AI agnostic,” allowing the Army to integrate different models and tools without being tied to a single provider. “We’re honored to support the U.S. Army’s modernization priorities through our enterprise browser platform,” said Chuck Doerr, co-founder and chief information officer at HERE, in a statement released with the announcement. “This award validates our technology’s ability to solve complex integration challenges in mission-critical environments where security and performance are paramount.” Dr. Mahajan said the joint effort will focus on improving analyst workflows by reducing friction between disconnected systems. “This will increase productivity of workflows between separated systems to assist analysts in a timely, reliable, and accurate methodology using new applied AI technologies,” he said in a statement. The U.S. Army has prioritized command-and-control modernization as part of broader efforts to improve multi-domain operations, where land, air, sea, space, and cyber forces rely on shared data to coordinate actions. Legacy systems, many of which were built for specific missions or commands, have historically made real-time data sharing difficult, particularly across classified and unclassified networks. HERE’s approach centers on using a secure enterprise browser as an integration point, rather than introducing new backend systems. The company said this allows the Army to modernize access to data while keeping existing command-and-control architectures intact. The browser-based model is intended to provide controlled access to multiple systems from a single interface, reducing the need for separate logins and manual data transfers. The SBIR award reflects HERE’s expanding presence in the U.S. defense sector. The company said it has previously worked with highly regulated industries, including global financial institutions, and is now applying similar security and compliance models to military environments. The firm said its technology has been designed to operate in environments where data sensitivity, auditability, and access controls are critical. The Army has increasingly relied on commercial technology firms to address software integration challenges, particularly in areas where legacy military systems lag behind commercial innovation. Browser-based solutions have gained attention as a way to provide secure access to distributed systems without rewriting underlying software. HERE said the project will focus on developing a production-ready integration layer that can be deployed across Army command-and-control environments, supporting both operational units and analysts.

SBIR

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SBIR

U.S. Army funds AI-based interoperability for C2 networks

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About The Defence Blog