Birds of a Feather

Engaging with HPC in the DoD

Authors: Kevin Newmeyer (HPC Modernization Program (HPCMP), US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)), Leslie Leonard (HPC Modernization Program (HPCMP)), Ralph McEldowney (US Department of Defense HPC Modernization Program), Sunita Batra-Allwerdt (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Lloyd Slonaker (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Frank Witzman (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Ronnie Hedgepeth (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Frances Hill (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Benjamin Parson (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Dave McDaniel (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program), Roy Campbell (DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program)

Abstract: The DoD has invested significant time and funding to acquire HPC systems, software, and networking to support a large base of DoD and industry users on HPC-backed projects. This BoF will use interactive lightning talks about current and future research, technology acquisition plans, and software development needs that align with DoD goals. These interactive talks are intended to help external organizations and researchers connect with DoD HPC leadership, encourage partnerships, strengthen diversity, and collaborate with problem solving. External engagement will help DoD users and HPC sites enhance expertise and connect to the larger HPC community.

Long Description: The DoD has invested significant time and funding to support a large base of users and HPC-backed projects for the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Defense Agencies. With basic and applied research happening in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Chemistry, CFD, FEA/FEM, Hypersonics, and Space-based awareness, keeping internal users and external partners current on DoD thrusts and plans is difficult. This BoF is an opportunity to connect the DoD HPC leadership and user base with the larger community in an informal setting. Stronger internal and external lines of communication will keep the DoD up-to-date on recent advances and will keep industry partners and external researchers current on DoD priorities and opportunities. New technologies can have a large impact on existing applications and research thrusts, but the domain-specific groups may not have the knowledge or ability to get started using the new technologies. This forum is an opportunity to connect internal and external experts to accelerate innovation and to find solutions to the pressing issues facing DoD HPC. By giving external organizations insight into DoD priorities, new partnerships, research, and funding opportunities may arise. The outcome of this BoF will be a report to the DoD HPCMP leadership summarizing the discussions and potential opportunities. At the leadership team’s discretion this report may be published for consumption by a wider audience and included in HPCMP leadership presentations to internal and external groups. The intended audience for the BoF is DoD users, other federal government employees, current and potential industry and academic partners, and external researchers whose work may benefit from collaboration with the DoD. Topics of discussion may include GPUs, Machine Learning, Cloud, application portability, performance portability, parallel programming, performance optimization, future hardware needs, and networking. Of particular interest to Program and DoD leadership is enhancing the development and diversity of our high end computing workforce. We intend to highlight recent changes to our internship programs towards those goals.

Website: https://www.hpc.mil