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more realistic scenarios,” said Corey Hendricks,
senior solutions architect at Raytheon. “The
ultimate vision is to create a dynamic envi-
ronment that forces the users to adapt as the
training adapts and changes.” [ REPORT ]
AI presents several potential advantages
over one-size-fits-all methods such as upload-
ing training materials online or focusing on rote
memorization. With AI technology, training can
adapt more readily to the individual learners.
An AI-based adaptive learning experience will
recognize the individual learner’s strengths and
weaknesses, and provide the material best
suited for that soldier. Hendricks anticipates
using AI and ML to help commanders on the
battlefield, giving them, at their fingertips, the
Army’s combat doctrine and knowledge from
the Center of Army Lessons Learned.
it allows cost-effective training even during mission preparation.
A visual language with AR symbols shared over the tactical network “The military has tons of doctrine — everything
allows GPS-independent, pinpoint targeting, while AI algorithms and from how to wear your uniform to complex
data fusion enable decision support. The system selects optimal multi-domain operations,” Hendricks said.
routes, plans missions, detects and simultaneously manages mul- “Now, if I had machine learning and AI read all
tiple targets, and enables the crew to continuously alter autonomy that doctrine and all those lessons learned,
levels. then I was faced with a situation where I had
to attack the enemy, I could use my AI-powered
China Can't be Far Behind intelligent tutor to help plan and prepare for
China’s Ministry of National Defense has established two major the attack."
new research organizations focused on AI and unmanned sys- The U.S. Army Contracting Command had
tems under the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT). recently called on potential vendors in industry
The National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology (NIIDT, and academia to submit ideas to help build its
an NUDT subsidiary), has established and is rapidly growing two Advanced Targeting and Lethality Automated
Beijing-based research organizations focusing on the military use System (ATLAS), which a Defence Department
of AI and related tech. China’s government sees AI as a promising solicitation said would use artificial intelligence
military “leapfrog development” opportunity. Despite express- and machine learning to give ground-combat
ing concern on AI arms races, most of China’s leadership sees vehicles autonomous targeting capabilities.
increased military usage of AI as inevitable and is aggressively "This will allow weapons to acquire, identify, and
pursuing it. China’s Artificial Intelligence Development Plan (AIDP) engage targets at least 3X faster than the cur-
strategy document states that China will “Promote all kinds of AI rent manual process,” according to the notice.
technology to become quickly embedded in the field of national Last year the U.S. Defence Advanced Research
defense innovation.” Projects Agency (DARPA) had selected a BAE
China already exports armed autonomous platforms and sur- Systems-led team to develop a new battle man-
veillance AI. According to the Pentagon, Chinese companies are agement application for U.S. armed forces,
already exporting to the Middle East advanced military aerial designed to leverage artificial intelligence
drones, which are marketed as capable of conducting lethal, tar- technologies to consolidate and co-ordinate
geted strikes. multi-domain combat assets into a single com-
mand picture.
The U.S. and AI
The U.S. Department of Defence is looking for a few, good ways to Currently in phase one of development, the
harness the power of artificial intelligence. "We will use AI-enabled Multi-domain Adaptive Request Service (MARS)
information, tools, and systems to empower, not replace, those software and application tool will eschew
who serve," according to the DoD's artificial intelligence strategy, "manual processes to assess availability and
released last February. coordinate use of sensors, communications,
The Defence Department wants to use AI for a wide range of weapons, and other assets across domains"
applications, including predictive maintenance, image analysis, and transition them into an AI-enhanced system.
cybersecurity and training. The U.S. Army will use AI-enhanced Developed in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon
training to improve military readiness and help troops remain ready University, phase one of the MARS programme
to “fight tonight,” according to several Raytheon experts in the field. is slated to last 12 months at an expected cost
“The biggest benefit of AI in military training is the introduction of of USD3.1 million, said Chris Eisenbies, product

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY January/February 2020 | 7