DVIDS – News – Coding to Win – NSWCDD Hosts First Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Innovation Challenge in Dahlgren

Excitement, innovation and potential ignited as 10 university teams gathered at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Dahlgren Campus for the inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren . Students battled for three days to secure a spot on the leaderboard.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) includes Carnegie Mellon University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, Cornell University, Virginia Tech, Tarleton State University, Virginia State University, and the University of Virginia William and Welcomed the team from the University of Mary and the University of Mary Washington. Compete for a total prize pool of $100,000.

NSWCDD’s Joint Cognitive Operational Research Environment (JCORE) team diligently prepared and developed a challenge for students to tackle. Three different scenarios involved a large number of ships and a number of threats, challenging students’ decision-making.

NSWCDD Engineer Brett Vercher said, “The assignments increased in difficulty day by day to test the students’ knowledge and critical thinking.” “The problems posed to the students simulate the real problems that sailors are trying to solve today, which they may not be able to do in the classroom.”

The 3-day event focused on teaching, challenging, and developing Al/ML algorithms for automated scheduling and coordination of simulated directed energy, hypervelocity projectiles, and other advanced weapon systems . This challenge has created an opportunity for universities to come together and unleash their creativity.

A bounty challenge enabled validation of new and advanced Al/ML algorithms through modeling, simulation and wargaming. This broadened students’ knowledge of the design and development of Al/ML algorithms, engagement coordination, and the integration of hard and soft kill weapons.

The team also had the opportunity to develop algorithms using JCORE, a Navy internal “real” video game. The software provides medium-fidelity simulations of fleet-level maneuvers, bridging the gap between tabletop wargames and high-fidelity modeling and simulations to deliver repeatable, faster-than-real-time solutions. Did.

NSWCDD Technical Director, SES Dale Sisson Jr. said: “It is very encouraging for our country and Navy to see these talented people focused here on our mission and challenges.”

The event provided the Navy with the need for automated weapon engagement against threat pairs to effectively protect Navy assets and defeat looming threats, while also providing an opportunity for students to expand their learning. . It was also a great opportunity for NSWCDD to expand its academic engagement.

“Many of our students approached this artificial intelligence innovation challenge in ways we hadn’t yet considered,” said Jennifer Clift, Chief Technology Officer at NSWCDD. “Students have had the opportunity to learn from some of the Navy’s brightest scientists and engineers, and we have learned from them.”

The focus of day one missions was survivability. Students were tested to see if they could defend the ship in a maximum assault scenario. On days two and three, the team had to deal with depleted missile inventories. As the intensity increased, the focus shifted to elimination processes, defense strategy, and fleet safety priorities.

“It was refreshing to see the next generation of data scientists contributing directly to the future design of the Navy,” said Dr. George Foster, Chief Engineer for Battle Control.

The Virginia Tech team naturally banded together for the game. “We felt like we had grown together, worked together, formed a team even before the tournament,” senior Daniel Reale said. “We’ve decided this is our senior year, so let’s take advantage of this experience and go on a journey to see what we can do!”

The challenge also provided a way for teams to connect and network, creating an atmosphere of mutual support among the competitors.

“It’s great to connect with other students here,” said Reale. “We quickly realized that we still support each other because we still have the same goal of providing an algorithm that NSWCDD can use.”

Kelsey Shearon of Christopher Newport University said: I am grateful for the opportunity to compete here and would love to participate again if the opportunity arises. “

The Carnegie Mellon University team took first place and $50,000. Virginia Tech was his second place winner, $30,000, and William and Mary were his third place winner, earning him $20,000.

“The prize money was intriguing, but we were more focused on doing well and gaining knowledge. The prize money was just a huge bonus,” said William & Mary student Joseph Lee. Told. “It may sound crazy, but it feels like the ideal vacation for me because it allows me to really focus on what I’m really passionate about.”

Apart from awarding prize money, the event also allowed one student to get an on-the-spot internship offer from NSWCDD. After completing the on-site interview and tour, the department expects additional offers.

“The challenge for this Innovation Award has far exceeded my expectations,” said Clift. “I was very impressed with the competition and willingness to learn of the students who participated. Our future is bright!”