Army Launches Digital Engineering Innovation Challenge

The U.S. Army's Capability Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test and Threat (CPE ST3) is announcing the Army Training Verse Innovation Prize Challenge, a multi-phase competition to accelerate development of the Army's Digital Enterprise Engineering Environment (DE3). The initiative aims to modernize how the Army designs, tests, and fields capabilities through an integrated, AI-enabled digital environment for modeling and simulation. A virtual information session is scheduled for July 15, 2026.

"This competition will help to strengthen the unity of effort across the Army enterprise and enable the Army and its workforce to refine requirements, develop, test, and field cutting-edge capabilities faster than ever before," said Donnie Ryan, CPE ST3 public affairs officer.

The Army Training Verse concept establishes a persistent, cloud-accessible environment connecting simulation engines, engineering artifacts, and data services, reducing fragmentation and shortening the time needed to convert engineering data into training scenarios.

CPE ST3 Chief Technology Officer Marwane Bahbaz said, "The Army Training Verse will enhance the effectiveness of our immersive products to simulate complex, modern battlefield scenarios combining live, virtual, and constructive environments to counter emerging threats and prepare our Soldiers to win on the battlefield."

The competition will award $450,000 across four phases, progressing from a digital platform for hosting and sharing simulation data, to an AI-enabled pipeline converting engineering data into executable content, to Unmanned Aerial Systems mission scenarios, to a fully integrated ecosystem supporting at least 10 concurrent users.

The timeline includes a September 4 submission deadline, semifinalist selection on September 18, finalist notifications on September 30, and final Demo Days scheduled for December 1–3, 2026. Up to 10 semifinalists will present, with submissions evaluated on feasibility, innovation, maturity, speed to delivery, and cost.

CPE ST3, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is comprised of 980 Soldiers, Army civilians, and contractors supporting the Army's modernization efforts.