USMC AXE - Multi-Level Security (MLS) Innovation Challenge
Challenge ended
Description
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Aviation Expeditionary Enablers (AXE) seeks innovative solutions to enable secure, integrated, and scalable Multi-Level Security (MLS) capabilities supporting aviation expeditionary operations in contested environments.
Overall Objective
The prototype aims to develop an Multi-Level Security (MLS)-enabled Enterprise environment that supports rapid force development, secure collaboration, and operational agility. This effort will bridge current capability gaps by delivering a flexible and threat-informed framework that advances aviation command and control in joint and distributed operations.
Problem Statement
The Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 and associated campaign of learning have identified critical capability gaps in aviation command, control, and integration—particularly in Multi-Level Security (MLS) environments. As operational complexity increases against peer threats, current structures lack the flexibility, security, and speed to support emerging requirements across Special Access Programs (SAPs) and joint operations. Existing systems are siloed, slow to adapt, and unable to provide seamless interoperability or scalable innovation across the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). To address this, the USMC must prototype a dynamic MLS framework that facilitates secure collaboration, rapid concept development, and system integration while maintaining compliance and enabling data-driven decision-making across distributed operations.