DIA outlines latest MARS initiative breakthrough

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) officials recently outlined the latest breakthrough regarding its Machine-assisted Analytic Rapid-repository System (MARS) initiative, touting efforts to provide strategic advantages.

The MARS initiative would aid military planners, senior leaders, and warfighters via the transformation of existing system housing foundational military intelligence into a cloud-based system pairing humans with machines.

The process would automate routine processes and enable the artificial intelligence and machine learning needed to make sense of big data while creating analytic bandwidth.

“MARS is another example of how DIA relentlessly pursues every means to gather and analyze all possible information on foreign militaries in support of our military planners, operators, and policymakers,” DIA Director Lt. Gen. Scott D. Berrier said. “I am incredibly proud of the team’s ability to lead this critical transformation and not let pandemic-related constraints slow them down.”

Officials said the latest MARS development represents another successful entry for DIA’s flagship effort to create a data environment transforming defense analysis.

MARS is credited with providing national-level decision makers greater confidence in their plans, officials indicated, adding the endeavor equips leaders with the best information available. The insights are important as the nation faces more and sophisticated advances by China and Russia.