Under the agreement, the company will leverage machine learning technology to produce simulation models of existing electronic warfare solutions, sensors, and weapons in “dynamic” and operational environments.

The approach will cover related physics of aerial maneuvers and systems to finalize processes for rapid design, testing, and delivery of future software products for the program.

BAE’s autonomy segment FAST Labs will lead works for the contract in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts.

“Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles,” FAST Labs Principal Investigator Michael Planer explained.

“Using machine learning, we will train the models used to make dynamic decisions – ensuring that the Artificial Intelligence pilot is tested and trusted by human pilots.”

Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements Program

The latest deal will be facilitated as part of DARPA’s Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) Phase 1 initiative.

The effort will address and enhance the US military’s autonomy requirements to match the “fast-paced and uncertain environment” inherent to modern aerial combat.

Resulting AIR solutions will be demonstrated on F-16 Fighting Falcon testbeds and applied for beyond-visual range tactical missions on unmanned aerial systems.

Partnership With Lockheed Martin

In July 2024, DARPA awarded Lockheed Martin $4.6 million to develop AIR tools for 18 months.

Similar to BAE, the firm will apply machine learning techniques to create proxy models of aircraft sensors and electronic warfare capabilities for testing in virtual environments.

Lockheed will also provide its proprietary ARISE family of integrated toolkits to engineer “digital twins” of planned program components.

The post BAE Systems to Support DARPA AI Airborne Combat Program appeared first on The Defense Post.

The trials are being held to validate the certification-ready aircraft for real-world operations according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 23 Standard Airworthiness Certification on Normal Category Airplanes.

During the event, the Caravan and its corresponding autopilot are expected to function “seamlessly and as intended,” with the collected data to be used for additional refinements and assessments.

“Merlin emerged from a broad field of experimental demonstrators, and is now uniquely turning in a ‘final draft’ with the flight test campaign of the industry’s first certification-ready Cessna Caravan,” Merlin Founder and CEO Matt George stated.

“What we’ve installed on this aircraft is not a prototype as this is no longer R&D. This is the actual certification configuration including design data, hundreds of drawings and substantiation reports, custom racks and structures, compliant wiring, and more.”

Preparation for the campaign began with an integration check flight in June 2024. It was followed by the finalization of the automatic flight control system’s open, inner, and closed looping test flights.

“With this aircraft we are validating takeoff to touchdown advanced automation, which for pilots, represents a system that is truly ‘set it and forget it,’” George said.

“At the end of the campaign with this certification configuration we will ultimately return this aircraft to service in the Supplemental Type Certificate configuration. This is part of our steady push towards our certification and commercialization goals.”

Combining Autonomy With Caravan

For the campaign, Merlin converted the Caravan’s glass cockpit with new sensors, a communication system, and advanced avionics.

The platform also incorporates dual redundancy solutions found in the FAA’s Part 25 transport aircraft category to improve “reliability and safety standards,” an integration tested aboard the US Air Force’s C-130 J Super Hercules and KC-135 Stratotanker planes.

“We stripped everything out of this Cessna Caravan and replaced the instrument panel and legacy systems…and custom hardware and software for the Merlin Pilot,” Merlin Chief Engineer Sherif Ali explained.

“This includes an air data computer, inertial navigation system, heading system, radar altimeter, all of which were integrated at an incredibly high level of quality in order to meet certification standards.”

“With these systems onboard, the Merlin Pilot is able to understand where the aircraft is, where it’s going, and more. This information goes into our flight control computers and is processed such that the Merlin Pilot can ultimately fly the aircraft where it needs to go, when it needs to go there.”

The post Merlin Kicks Off Flight Test Campaign of Auto-Piloted Cessna Caravan Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

The project will evaluate data between simulation-based and real-world tests for a “comprehensive and continuous feedback loop” to further enhance AI piloting systems being developed for future unmanned applications.

The navy noted that the decision to leverage the Kratos drone was due to its lower unit cost and cost per flight hour, allowing progress at an “accelerated pace.”

The technical demonstration is scheduled in late 2025.

‘Groundwork’ for Naval Aviation

The trial is part of a contract awarded to the California-based company in March for the integration of its proprietary autonomous system “Hivemind” into the BQM-177A.

Work to complete the test will be facilitated in partnership with the navy’s Strike Planning and Execution program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets program (PMA-208).

“This collaborative effort between PMA-281, PMA-208, and Shield AI not only expands and improves the existing spectrum of validation but also offers a scalable solution that benefits the entire naval aviation community,” PMA-281 Program Manager Capt. Jerick Black explained.

“By laying the groundwork for future advancements, this initiative ensures that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological innovation and operational excellence in naval aviation.”

Autonomy Projects With US Defense

Shield AI demonstrated its Hivemind software to operate two Kratos MQM-178 Firejet aircraft autonomously a few days before the BQM-177A test.

Simultaneously, the firm signed a $198.1-million contract to supply V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing systems to the US Coast Guard.

In August 2023, Shield AI teamed with the US Air Force to assess the swarming capability of three V-BATs in a wildfire surveillance scenario.

Two months earlier, the company revealed a collaboration with Kratos to equip and market an AI pilot with the XQ-58 Valkyrie unmanned aerial system for US and allied forces.

The post Shield AI, US Navy to Demo AI Pilot With BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target appeared first on The Defense Post.

The planes were flown by the company’s Hivemind artificial intelligence pilots, collaborating to execute coordinated maneuvers under realistic combat scenarios. 

All computing was executed on board, and communication “seamlessly integrated” on board the aircraft, the San Diego-based firm said.

“In the next decade, AI pilots will command and maneuver all unmanned systems, enabling the US and our allies to deploy millions of intelligent, resilient drones,” Shield AI President Brandon Tseng commented.

He called the flight tests a “key milestone” in the company’s goal of bringing autonomy to the world.

“What’s awesome is that the algorithms are not limited to the number of aircraft. For test objectives and budgetary reasons, we limited the number of Firejets to 2, but it could have been 4, 8, 16, 32, and so on,” he added.

Building on Earlier Successes

The “first ever” autonomous teaming trial builds on multiple flight tests completed with the Kratos aircraft earlier this year, now the sixth flown by Shield AI’s Hivemind AI Pilot. 

In June, the US Coast Guard announced it had awarded the company a $198.1-million contract to deliver its V-BAT drone to the service.

The deal supports the coast guard’s efforts to employ autonomous craft from its cutters for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. 

A Shield AI team also completed its inaugural Live Virtual Constructive integration in the same month, which bridges live platforms with virtual environments and enables dynamic interactions across different domains.

In September last year, the company completed an autonomous swarming demonstration of three V-BATs in an autonomy project led by AFWERX.

The post Shield AI Demos Autonomous Multi-Jet Aircraft Collaboration appeared first on The Defense Post.

The project will combine large language models operated under Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service with Palantir’s AI Platforms suite for government and classified cloud environments.

The integrated suite will be deployed throughout the community’s existing Azure Government, Azure Government Secret Impact Level 6, and Top Secret clouds.

Cloud computing and language models under the initiative will be applied for use case-building capabilities to enable safe and efficient AI-based operations in logistics, contracting, action planning, and other deployments.

The consortium noted that services provided by the agreement are subject to completion of authorization and accreditation by covered government agencies.

“This expanded partnership between Microsoft and Palantir will help accelerate the safe, secure, and responsible deployment of advanced AI capabilities for the US government,” Microsoft Americas President Deb Cupp stated.

“Palantir, a leader in delivering actionable insights to government, will now leverage the power of Microsoft’s government and classified clouds and robust Azure OpenAI models to further develop AI innovations for national security missions.”

Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar added that the consortium’s support “is a step change” to enhance the performance of the US government’s defense and intelligence teams.

“Palantir AIP has pioneered the approach to operationalizing AI value – beyond chat — across the enterprise,” Sankar said. “It’s our mission to deliver this software advantage and we’re thrilled to be the first industry partner to deploy Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service in classified environments.”

The post Microsoft, Palantir to Supply AI and Cloud Solutions for US Defense and Intelligence Community appeared first on The Defense Post.

This revolutionary technology represents a paradigm shift in how command, control, communications, and computers (C4) are approached within intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

Driven by Resecurity’s dedication to overcoming the shortcomings of current AI frameworks, particularly in security applications, Context AI accelerates decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, enables parallel cybersecurity operations across units, and supports scalability.

By harnessing the power of AI, Resecurity is poised to redefine the capabilities of military and defense agencies, empowering them to navigate the complexities of modern warfare with unmatched precision and effectiveness.

Comprehensive Solution

Context AI is not just another analytics tool; it’s a transformative solution crafted to empower military and defense agencies with unparalleled insights into emerging threats and security challenges.

At its core lies a sophisticated Generative AI-based framework and proprietary Large Language Model that leverage operator input to deliver contextual intelligence tailored to specific mission requirements.

By drawing upon a vast dataset of 40 billion records sourced from Dark Web indexing, actor-centric intelligence collection, and analysis of foreign malign activities, Resecurity’s experts have mitigated the risk of AI hallucinations that plague many open-source and commercial frameworks lacking relevant security context.

Enhancing Operational Effectiveness and Cost Efficiency

One of Context AI’s most significant advantages is its ability to lower the entry barrier for operators and warfighters, regardless of their expertise.

By streamlining the analytical process and delivering actionable insights in real-time, Context AI not only enhances operational effectiveness but also optimizes expenses associated with building and maintaining production-ready C4ISR systems.

This optimization ultimately reduces the total cost of ownership for these systems — a crucial consideration for defense agencies operating within budgetary constraints.

Key Applications of Resecurity’s Context AI

Resecurity’s Context AI boasts a wide range of applications that significantly enhance military intelligence and national security efforts.

Supporting Mission-Critical C4ISR Systems

Context AI empowers mission-critical C4ISR systems by providing advanced analytics capabilities tailored to the unique needs of national security operations.

Augmenting Intelligence Analysis

By leveraging AI-generated insights, intelligence analysts and operators involved in signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), and geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) can refine their decision-making processes and gain a deeper understanding of complex threats.

Forecasting Social Unrest and Geopolitical Events

Leveraging machine learning algorithms, Context AI predicts social unrest, protest activity, and geopolitical events in volatile regions, empowering agencies to take proactive measures to mitigate potential threats. 

Geospatial Intelligence Enrichment

Through the integration of geospatial data, Context AI enhances the intelligence-gathering capabilities of defense agencies, providing critical insights into geographic threats and vulnerabilities.

Automating Decision Processes

Context AI streamlines decision-making processes by automating tasks such as network traffic analytics, file classification, and mail classification, allowing operators to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

 Identifying Misinformation and Foreign Influence Operations

By analyzing publication context and text patterns, Context AI effectively identifies misinformation campaigns and foreign influence operations, enabling defense agencies to safeguard against manipulation and disinformation tactics.

Addressing the Challenge of AI Hallucinations

While the potential of AI in the defense sector is undeniable, it also comes with its own set of challenges.

One significant concern is the phenomenon of AI hallucinations, where systems generate irrelevant or random information that can mislead operators and compromise decision-making processes.

Recognizing this critical issue, Resecurity has proactively implemented measures to tackle it head-on, ensuring that its AI solutions deliver reliable and accurate intelligence.

Furthermore, Resecurity understands that contextual awareness is vital for reducing AI hallucinations.

By leveraging metadata to inform Large Language Models about the context in which they generate text, Context AI delivers more accurate and relevant insights. This approach not only minimizes the risk of hallucinations but also ensures that the intelligence produced is reliable and actionable.

Context AI in Action

Resecurity’s Context AI is currently used by eight governments where the solution is implemented to accelerate operations of national security, intelligence, and law enforcement organizations.

The company has an established footprint in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several countries in Africa, including Senegal.

Senior advisors of the company include Maj Gen Richard Lake USMC (Ret) and Rear Admiral JMSDF Teisuke Hayano (Ret).

Intelligence Needs More Context

Resecurity’s integration of artificial intelligence into C4ISR marks a groundbreaking advancement in military intelligence and national security.

With Context AI, defense agencies have access to a powerful tool that enhances operational effectiveness and cost efficiency while effectively addressing the challenges associated with AI-generated intelligence.

As the threat landscape continues to evolve, Context AI stands ready to empower defense agencies with the critical insights they need to stay ahead of emerging threats and protect national security interests.

The post Resecurity Implements Artificial Intelligence for C4ISR appeared first on The Defense Post.

Maven is an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tool that fuses information from various sources into a unified interface to provide faster and much-improved battlefield analysis.

It can identify military points of interest more rapidly than other battlefield analyzers, speeding up the work of intelligence analysts.

Work for the contract is expected to be completed by 2029.

Once developed, the Maven battlefield analyzer could be integrated into the US military’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) to help commanders make faster and better decisions.

Project Maven

Project Maven was launched in 2017 to address major challenges with existing AI solutions in the US military inventory.

It reportedly became the “epicenter” of American AI military efforts, utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf technologies and machine learning to automatically identify potential targets.

Among the data sources it fuses are satellite and drone imagery, full-motion video captured by other surveillance platforms, geolocation data, and intercepted communications.

Though originally designed for training only, the project garnered tremendous support from industry partners because its computer vision algorithms have proven effective in scanning targets in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.

The 18th Airborne Corps became a key testing ground for the Maven system, providing feedback that allowed the project to become a program of record by the US Department of Defense.

“AI is able to assist by filtering specific user defined parameters, sifting through large amounts of data, extracting what is relevant, and providing analysts … with near-real time data,” an army news release stated.

The post Palantir Awarded $480M to Prototype US Army’s ‘Maven’ AI Battlefield Analyzer appeared first on The Defense Post.

The collaboration will see BlueHalo equip its proprietary autonomous capabilities with various Kraken platforms.

The project encompasses the K3 Scout low-cost, low-signature multi-mission sea drone, the K4 Manta long-range surveillance submarine vehicle, and the K5 Kraken littoral gunship.

Alongside the AI/ML technology, the vehicles will incorporate BlueHalo’s Titan and SkyView radio frequency-based counter-drone payloads, protecting Kraken’s fleet against airborne threats during maritime operations.

“This expansion into the maritime domain is one of several initiatives we have been planning as part of our long-term strategic vision,” BlueHalo CEO Jonathan Moneymaker stated.

“The ability to rapidly and seamlessly adapt current leading technologies to adjacent domains allows us to out innovate adversaries and extend BlueHalo’s ring of protection.”

“Kraken’s innovative spirit and passion for customer success align directly with our DNA and we are excited to be bringing these disruptive offerings to the mission.”

Addressing Market Demand

The consortium wrote that BlueHalo’s AI/ML products will be the “primary core” of Kraken vehicles’ autonomous operations.

This strategy will enhance situational awareness, autonomous navigation and multi-vessel swarming while supporting hybrid maritime and “marsupial” operations.

Furthermore, combining the technologies is expected to produce innovations in maritime autonomy and other novel littoral solutions for national security applications.

“Partnering so closely with BlueHalo…has demonstrated clear synergies in both vision and expertise,” Kraken Technology Group CEO Mal Crease remarked.

“With this combined effort, Kraken and BlueHalo are working together to expand these innovations across our other vessels and pursue even more opportunities to meet critical customer needs.”

“Game-changing capabilities deployed at pace is our sole objective, and this partnership will ensure our ability to deliver against exponentially growing market demand.”

Recent Kraken Projects

Kraken worked with defense industry partner L3Harris in 2023 to reconfigure and modernize the Manta submarine drone prototype, further improving its performance of carrying 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of cargo over longer distances.

In 2022, the British firm signed an agreement with Thales to enhance the K5 Kraken’s maritime precision capabilities. Part of this initiative is the integration of the French company’s sensors and the lightweight multi-role missile into the vehicle.

The same year, Kraken announced it had secured additional funding to support its K5 gunship production. The investment was leveraged to construct a dedicated factory in the UK, matching the increased demand for the platform.

The post Kraken, BlueHalo to Equip Surface and Submarine Drones With AI, Machine Learning appeared first on The Defense Post.

The drill saw the effectiveness of VirTra, a simulation platform offering ballistics and arms qualification courses for both military and law enforcement personnel.

Participants involved soldiers from the 10th Special Force Group – Airborne (10th SFG-A), an unconventional warfare and counterterrorism unit.

Scenarios included high-risk entry, active threat, hostage situation, and threat identification missions.

Throughout the practice, the VirTra simulator analyzed every troop decision and adjusted it in future rounds to hone their skills further.

Modernized Immersive Trainer

According to the US Army, the VirTra is an upgrade over the agency’s aging Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), a laser-based, indoor marksmanship training system equipped with legacy simulation components.

“[VirTra] allows us to pair marksmanship with a variety of different training environments where they are coupled with a strength coach to simulate physical stress,” 10th SFG-A Cognitive Performance Specialist Jake Blumberg explained.

“[Operators] are then able to create a variety of different ranges and targets to really hone their craft.”

“This [technology] provides what the EST can in terms of weapons qualification and flat range practice. But VirTra also incorporates different types of drills, from reaction drills to threat-not-threat scenarios.”

Maintaining Readiness

The US Army wrote that the 10th SFG-A is the only unit with full-time access to the capability.

This localized opportunity allows operators to sustain “fundamentals and increase their personal shooting skills” on any schedule without reserving ranges or procuring supplies for practice.

“Everything comes down to increasing lethality, so the more triggers we pull in the correct manner, that’s what we want.”

“Practice makes permanent – ultimately we want to be training the fundamentals all the time and this is another venue for guys to pull their personal weapon and become better at the basics.”

The post US Army Special Forces Complete Marksmanship Training Using AI Simulator appeared first on The Defense Post.

The army has hinted at what the new tech is being used for, with spokesman Daniel Hagari saying last month that Israel’s forces were operating “above and underground simultaneously.”

A senior defense official told AFP the tech was destroying enemy drones and mapping Hamas’ vast tunnel network in Gaza.

New defense technologies, including artificial intelligence-powered gunsights and robotic drones, form a bright spot in an otherwise dire period for Israel’s tech industry.

The sector accounted for 18 percent of GDP in 2022, but the war in Gaza has wreaked havoc, with an estimated eight percent of its workforce called up to fight.

“In general the war in Gaza presents threats, but also opportunities to test emerging technologies in the field,” said Avi Hasson, chief executive of Startup Nation Central, an Israeli tech incubator.

“Both on the battlefield and in the hospitals there are technologies that have been used in this war that have not been used in the past.”

But the rising civilian death toll shows that much greater oversight is needed over the use of new forms of defense tech, arms expert at Human Rights Watch Mary Wareham told AFP.

“Now we’re facing the worst possible situation of death and suffering that we’re seeing today –- some of that is being brought about by the new tech,” she said.

More than 150 countries in December backed a UN resolution identifying “serious challenges and concerns” in new military tech, including “artificial intelligence and autonomy in weapons systems.”

‘Angry Birds’

Hamas on October 7 launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Hamas also seized around 250 hostages, and Israel says some 132 remain in Gaza, including at least 29 believed to have been killed.

Israel’s military response has killed nearly 28,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry.

Like many other modern conflicts, the war has been shaped by a proliferation of inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, which have made attacks from the air easier and cheaper.

Hamas used them to drop explosives on October 7, while Israel has turned to new tech to shoot them down.

In a first, the army has used an AI-enabled optic sight, made by Israeli startup Smart Shooter, which is attached to weapons such as rifles and machine guns.

“It helps our soldiers to intercept drones because Hamas uses a lot of drones,” said the senior defense official.

“It makes every regular soldier — even a blind soldier — a sniper.”

Another system to neutralize drones involves deploying a friendly drone with a net that it can throw around the enemy craft to neutralize it.

“It’s drone versus drone — we call it Angry Birds,” the official said.

Hamas Tunnels

A pillar of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s vow to “destroy” Hamas is quickly mapping the underground tunnel network where Israel says the group’s fighters are hiding and holding hostages.

The network is so vast that the army has dubbed it the “Gaza Metro,” and a recent study by US military academy West Point said there were 1,300 tunnels stretching over 500 kilometers (310 miles).

To map the tunnels, the army has turned to drones that use AI to learn to detect humans and can operate underground, including one made by Israel startup Robotican that encases a drone inside a robotic case.

It is being used in Gaza “to enter into tunnels and to see as far as the communication lets you,” the senior Israeli defense official said.

Before the war the technology did not allow drones to operate underground because of issues sending images to the surface, the official added.

The conflict has raised human rights concerns but also cemented Israel’s status as a world-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge defense systems.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the United States — Israel’s main international ally and provider of billions of dollars each year in military aid — was training its own soldiers to shoot down drones using Smart Shooter’s optic sights.

In late January, three US soldiers were killed in a drone attack on a base in Jordan.

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