The U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) hosted its third Innovation Oasis competition on September 18, 2024, at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. This exciting event, designed in a Shark Tank-style format, brought together the best and brightest innovators from across the military to present groundbreaking solutions aimed at enhancing the U.S. military’s warfighting capabilities. A distinguished panel of judges, including Dcode’s own CEO Meagan Metzger, evaluated each solution’s potential to transform defense operations. Competitors, including servicemembers and civilians, vied for the chance to have their innovations implemented across USCENTCOM.
With cutting-edge ideas ranging from AI tools to GPS resilience, Innovation Oasis III underscored the critical role of emerging technologies in maintaining the U.S. military’s competitive edge. Judges, including senior military leaders and industry experts, evaluated the presentations and selected the most promising innovations that will help shape the future of defense.
What Is Innovation Oasis?
Innovation Oasis is an innovation competition spearheaded by USCENTCOM to foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving within the command. In the months leading up to the event, subordinate and component commands held their own competitions, selecting their top innovators to compete at the final event in Tampa.
Since its inception, Innovation Oasis has led to the successful implementation of several innovations within USCENTCOM. The competition serves as a platform for bringing fresh ideas to life and supporting operational improvements through technology and process enhancements.
Competitors Showcase Groundbreaking Innovations
This year’s Innovation Oasis III featured seven finalists who presented solutions to challenges faced in various military domains. The innovations included software, AI tools, and new hardware technologies aimed at improving efficiency, accuracy, and combat readiness.
Among the notable innovations:
1. TSgt Gavin Chase (AFCENT): Presented a streamlined system for Automated Aircraft Movements Tracking, reducing a labor-intensive 92-step process to just five steps. This software solution promises to save thousands of man-hours annually while enhancing operational accuracy.
2. CPT John Stockdale & CW2 Jimmy Martinez (ARCENT): Introduced Classiflyer, an AI tool for counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) detection and classification. This tool improves threat identification, reduces analysis time, and saves hundreds of hours annually in intelligence efforts.
3. Ms. Holli Foster (NAVCENT): Focused on increasing the resilience of GPS systems in contested environments with her project, Low Cost GNSS Resiliency for Attributable Surface Assets. Her innovation aims to protect unmanned systems from GPS jamming and spoofing, which is critical in modern warfare.
4. Maj Jonathan Bowman (MARCENT): Developed Naval Strike Missile Rapid Infiltration (NAVRAIN), an innovative solution to make maritime strikes more efficient by integrating missiles into Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) systems.
These innovative solutions reflect the depth of talent and ingenuity within the U.S. military and demonstrate the ongoing effort to address both current and future threats.
Judges and Their Role in Selecting the Winners
In addition to Meagan, the panel of judges at Innovation Oasis III included some of the most respected names in both military and industry. General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, Commander of USCENTCOM, led the panel, accompanied by experts such as Fleet Master Chief Derrick “Wally” Walters and Dr. Mike Foster (Chief Data Officer, USCENTCOM), among others.
The judges were tasked with evaluating the practical potential, scalability, and overall impact of the innovations. Their diverse perspectives, ranging from military operational experience to commercial tech expertise, provided valuable insights for identifying the most viable solutions.
Why Innovation Matters to USCENTCOM
As General Kurilla noted, “It’s imperative that we empower our people to innovate and look to the future.” Events like Innovation Oasis are central to USCENTCOM’s broader mission of maintaining a competitive edge in modern warfare. By encouraging creativity and collaboration within its ranks, USCENTCOM ensures that it remains adaptable and forward-thinking in an era where technological advancements are rapidly reshaping the battlefield.
The innovations presented at Innovation Oasis not only enhance military readiness but also create pathways for collaboration between military and industry. This is critical for the U.S. military as it seeks to incorporate the latest advancements in AI, data analytics, and other emerging technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Looking Ahead
Dcode’s mission is to empower the federal government with the best emerging tech by working at the nexus of government, tech companies, and venture capital.
For more information on how Dcode helps emerging tech companies navigate the federal space and engage with opportunities like Innovation Oasis, read about our Federal Accelerator program here.