The United States military is advancing its efforts in autonomous combat systems with a new $4 million contract awarded to BAE Systems' FAST Labs by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This contract is part of Phase 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program, aimed at enhancing tactical autonomy for beyond visual range air combat missions.
Michael Planer, a principal investigator at BAE Systems, stated, "Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles." The project will utilize machine learning to train models for dynamic decision-making, ensuring AI pilots are reliable and trusted by human counterparts.
Development will occur in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts, using modified F-16 aircraft as testbeds. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between the U.S. Air Force and Navy to develop unmanned aerial systems that can support manned fighters, potentially serving as cost-effective solutions amid rising concerns over the Next Generation Air Dominance program.
The significance of these advancements lies in their potential to enhance combat effectiveness while addressing budget constraints, signaling a shift towards innovative unmanned platforms in military operations.