Forge Institute and AFRL Join Forces to Enhance Cyber Resilience and Intelligence
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – February 6, 2025 – Forge Institute has entered a multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Information Directorate, aiming to bolster cyber resilience and intelligence capabilities within the U.S. Air Force. The collaboration will focus on advancing analytic techniques for publicly available information (PAI), a critical component in strengthening national security and modern warfare strategies.
A Strategic Alliance for National Security
The initiative aligns with U.S. military objectives to integrate PAI analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to enhance intelligence gathering and decision-making processes. This partnership could significantly impact future multi-domain operations by refining cyber defense strategies.
Key collaborations will take place with the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (188th ISRG) at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Colonel Michael Martin, commander of the 188th ISRG, emphasized the importance of leveraging advanced digital tools such as robotic process automation, AI, and cloud capabilities to enhance analytical methodologies.
Brigadier General Olen C. Bridges, Arkansas Adjutant General, underscored the necessity of private-public partnerships in maintaining a technological edge. “Collaborations like this provide our military missions with cutting-edge capabilities,” he said. “We are always seeking a competitive advantage across all domains—land, air, and cyberspace—to equip decision-makers with the best intelligence available.”
Advancing Next-Generation Cyber Capabilities
Under the CRADA agreement, the Forge Institute and AFRL will work together to develop advanced analytic methods that integrate AI and cloud technology into cybersecurity operations. The partnership will also enhance training programs and intelligence methodologies that support the U.S. Air Force and broader intelligence community.
Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO of Forge Institute, highlighted the broader impact of the agreement. “This CRADA with AFRL fosters innovative exchanges that not only support our warfighters but also stimulate economic growth in Arkansas. We are proud to serve the U.S. Air Force and the intelligence community in advancing national security capabilities.”
By merging technological innovation with mission-driven collaboration, Forge Institute continues to play a crucial role in strengthening America’s cyber resilience and defense preparedness.
