Tactical autonomy university affiliated research center (uarc) management

The Department of the Air Force is procuring management services for the Tactical Autonomy University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) under a $6,387,561 contract to advance research in autonomous systems across air, space, ground, sea, and cyber domains, focusing on trust, platform collaboration, and human-machine teaming. This effort, led by Howard University as part of a broader $90 million, five-year IDIQ contract awarded in 2023, supports the transition of research into practical military applications and enhances STEM talent development at HBCUs. Strategically, it aligns with DoD priorities to maintain technological superiority in great power competition by integrating autonomy with battle management systems for multi-domain operations in contested environments.