The first AUKUS artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy trials were held with the aim of rapidly bringing these technologies into responsible military use.
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Press Release, Porton Down, May 26, 2023: The first AUKUS artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy trials were held with the aim of rapidly introducing these technologies into responsible military use.
The work saw an early joint deployment by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. [AUKUS] AI-enabled assets within the joint fleet detect and track military targets in real-time in representative environments. Accelerating the development of these technologies would have a significant impact on Allied military capabilities.
Organized by the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the trial achieved world-first achievements, including live retraining of in-flight models and the exchange of AI models between AUKUS countries. Our collaboration with AUKUS aims to rapidly introduce these technologies into military capabilities.
The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Pillar (known as Pillar 2) promotes a trilateral program of work on a range of advanced technologies and capabilities to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Through Pillar 2, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States will work together to promote a collective understanding of AI and autonomy technologies to promote robust and trustworthy AI while adhering to our shared values of safe and responsible AI. and accelerated understanding of how to quickly apply autonomy to complex operations. .
Autonomy and AI will transform how defenses operate. The strategic environment is evolving rapidly. This means that technology must adapt quickly to maintain operational excellence. By mutually sharing AI and the underlying data that enables it, Australian, British and US militaries can access the best AI, reduce duplication of effort and ensure interoperability.
The event was attended by key leaders of AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, General Rob McGowan (UK), Deputy Chief of Defense Staff (Financial and Military Capabilities), Abraham (Abe) Denmark (USA), and Senior Advisor to the AUKUS Secretary of Defense. bottom. , Hugh Jeffrey (Australia), Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry.
Deputy Chief of Defense Staff and Military Capabilities Lieutenant General Rob McGowan said: “This test demonstrates the military superiority of AUKUS’ advanced capabilities as we work together to identify, track and counter potential adversaries from a greater distance and more quickly.” Soldiers, scientists and engineers from the three nations worked together to develop and share critical information to enhance commanders’ decision-making.
“Accelerating technological advances will deliver the operational advantages needed to defeat current and future threats across the battlefield. We are fully committed to working with our partners to ensure we achieve it.”
Abe Denmark, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for AUKUS, said: “We recognize the critical importance of this cooperation in enhancing the collective national security of our two countries. It has the potential to change the way you work.
“Demonstrating this capability is truly a collaborative effort and an important step in our joint initiative to stay ahead of emerging threats. It will ensure that our armed forces are equipped with the latest and most effective tools to defend our country and uphold the principles of freedom and democracy around the world.”
Australian Undersecretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry Hugh Jeffrey said: “The AUKUS AI and Autonomy trial at Salisbury Plain demonstrated that AI algorithms operate with mission-tailored adaptive capabilities. developed, tested and evaluated, operating various domestic platforms on the battlefield.
“We are thrilled to see AI models quickly updated at the tactical edge to incorporate new objectives, which are then instantly shared across our three partners, providing decision-making advantage and being able to respond to changing mission requirements. This cooperation under AUKUS Pillar 2 achieves greater capabilities than any one country could achieve alone, and this is the rationale for a working AUKUS partnership in practice. is.”
More than 70 military, civil defense and industrial contractors participated in the April 2023 exercise. The tests included the Blue Bear Ghost (UK) and Boeing/In-Situ CT220 (AUS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Challenger 2 Tanks, Warrior Armored Vehicles, Viking Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and commercially adopted Includes the FV433 Abbott self-propelled artillery and the ex-Eastern BMP OT-90.
The three-country team worked together to develop a joint machine learning (ML) model, apply a test and evaluation process, and fly it on UAVs from different countries. ML models were quickly updated to include new objectives, shared across the coalition, and added AI models that were retrained to meet changing mission requirements.
Background ~ The organizations participating in the trial are:
- UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
- UK Defense Artificial Intelligence Center (DAIC)
- United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
- Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)
- U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Office of Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E)
- Australian Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
- UK Suppliers: Blue Bear and Frazer-Nash Consultancy
- Australian Suppliers: Boeing and Insitu
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