DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program

In 1990, Congress ordered the Department of Defense’s Research and Engineering Enterprise to update the computational abilities available to the Department of Defense. This led to the 1992 establishment of the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP), created as a response to congressional mandates to update the federal agency’s high performance computing laboratory to modern standards.The primary goal of the High Performance Computing Modernization Program is to accelerate technological development and transition the agency into greater defense abilities through the strategic application of high performance computing, networking, and computational methods. Over the program’s 20 years of existence, leadership has been managed by several DoD entities including the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Assistant Secretary of the Army. With a commitment to protect the nation, HPCMP has outlined its mission set into 5 goals: Maintain Leadership, Expand the Base, Increase Customer Productivity, Exploit Next Generation Technologies, and Develop the Workforce.

Main points in each of these goals include:

Maintain Leadership: Keep consistency in the deliverance of high performance computing capabilities to Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation. In addition, find new avenues of delivery models specific to customer requirements.

Expand the Base: Expand the use of High Performance Computing to areas that are not located within traditional Department of Defense ranges.

Increase Customer Productivity: Through the use of portal tools, create a seamless execution of workflows, make High Performance Computing services easily useable, and address any possible security barriers.

Exploit Next Generation Technologies: Develop new software investment strategies for efficient use of future computing and communication abilities.

Develop the Workforce: Train and develop a technical workforce for the Department of Defense by offering materials and experiences with the goal of computational literacy. In addition, investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs will be made to entice a future workforce.