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BAE Systems Awarded $4 Million from DARPA for Tactical Autonomy Program

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

Artificial Intelligence Reinforcement (AIR) program to advance autonomous air combat

MERRIMACK, N.H., Sept. 10, 2024 — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded BAE Systems’ (LON:BA) FAST Labs™research and development organization a $4 millioncontract for Phase 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program.

To overcome the fast-paced and uncertain environment that is inherent to air combat and presented a challenge for autonomous agents, the DARPA AIR program aims to advance dominant tactical autonomy for beyond visual range air combat missions. Autonomy solutions will be developed and demonstrated on F-16 testbeds.

“Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles,” said Michael Planer, scientist and principal investigator at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs. “Using machine learning, we will train the models used to make dynamic decisions – ensuring that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) pilot is tested and trusted by human pilots.”

Under the AIR contract, BAE Systems will use machine learning (ML) to innovate simulation models of existing sensors, electronic warfare systems, and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments. ML techniques will also capture the underlying physics of aerial maneuvers and systems. The company will then create the processes needed to rapidly design, test, and deliver future iterations of AIR software products.

Work on the AIR program, which is part of BAE Systems’ autonomy portfolio, will take place in Arlington, Virginiaand Burlington, Massachusetts.

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Artificial Intelligence in Convoy: Rheinmetall Takes First Place at ELROB 2024

Friday, August 30th, 2024

Rheinmetall has once again demonstrated its expertise in the field of artificial intelligence. It achieved a significant success in connection with the Interoperable Robotic Convoy (InterRoC) project. In the European Land Robot Trial 2024 (ELROB) competition, the Rheinmetall InterRoc team consisting of the Research & Technology division of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Canada Inc. won first place in the “Automated Convoy” category. The combination of HX truck and integrated PATH autonomy kit proved its worth.

The Rheinmetall PATH autonomy kit (‘PATH A-Kit’) is an AI-supported navigation system that can be installed in almost any vehicle. It has already proven itself several times in trials in various platforms, including in the Mission Master robotic vehicle family. Just last year, it was successfully used in the 2023 Estonia Unmanned Ground Systems Autonomy Trials. At ELROB 2024, the PATH A-Kit controlled two of the highly mobile HX logistics vehicles as part of the convoy scenario. Both HX vehicles were also equipped with a drive-by-wire system.

ELROB is one of the most demanding open international competitions in the field of robotics, sensor technology and autonomy. Every two years, participants from universities as well as civilian and military manufacturers compete against each other. The aim is to test the capabilities of modern robots. This year was the 12th edition. It took place from 24 to 28 June at the German Armed Forces Technical Center for Land-Based Vehicle Systems, Engineer and General Field Equipment (Wehrtechnische Dienststelle WTD 41) in Trier. 19 teams took part. Rheinmetall subsidiaries Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Canada competed in a tactical leader-follower scenario and an actual real-life scenario.

The level of difficulty of this year’s tasks was significantly increased compared to the 2022 competition. The autonomously driving trucks and the convoy commander had to react to dynamic obstacles, alternative routes and various electromagnetic interferers, among other things. However, the system was able to solve all tasks in an exemplary manner.

The HX vehicles had to overcome eleven different obstacles on a 6 km circuit. The most difficult challenges included narrow paths, transitions between on-road and off-road driving, navigating through open and dense forests, communication interference, reversing and driving around obstacles. “The course was very challenging. The organisers did a fantastic job of making the competition a realistic military scenario and our performance shows that the Rheinmetall PATH-A kit is ready for real-world use cases,” said Paul Rocco, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Provectus. The company was acquired by Rheinmetall Canada in 2019.

The competition organisers also surprised the Rheinmetall team by bringing a car into their convoy. This forced the following truck to slow down and navigate around the moving obstacle. The convoy was also broken up, so the team had to remotely control the following truck on a parallel path and reconfigure the convoy to make the remote-controlled truck the new convoy leader. “The 2024 ELROB scenario was considerably more challenging than the scenario for the 2022 ELROB participation, for example,” commented Sebastian Elze, Rheinmetall Landsysteme Research & Technology division’s project manager responsible for the overall autonomous InterRoC system, among other things.

Despite these challenges, the team completed most of the route in convoy mode without GPS, as the terrain was overgrown with dense foliage. “This is the first time we have demonstrated this new specific capability, which is a significant upgrade for the PATH A kit,” said Luc Brunet, Director of Robotics and Autonomous Systems at Rheinmetall Provectus. “We were able to seamlessly switch between GPS-enabled and GPS-free environments without any degradation in functionality or noticeable change in operation.”

Although ELROB is a non-competitive event focussed solely on research and development, an award ceremony was held at the end of the trial. This is intended to give participants the opportunity to receive feedback and insights from the judges. This year, Rheinmetall received the prize for the best convoy performance, a first for the company and an important milestone for the PATH A-Kit.

In addition to the evaluated scenarios, the area of autonomous driving was also demonstrated to the many visitors – including generals and other military personnel from various countries, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and WTD41 – in the open presentation area. The vehicles in the competition, which were also on display and available for demonstration drives, were very popular with the visitors and aroused great interest

The Research & Technology division of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH from Unterlüß took part in this event for the first time as Team InterRoC in 2022 as part of the InterRoC project in the field of automated convoys. At that time, the team took the 2nd place with an American autonomy kit provided by BAAINBw and integrated by Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH.

The InterRoC project was launched four years ago in order to derive customer requirements for future autonomous logistics vehicles. It is continuously being expanded by the BAAINBw through supplementary orders with regard to system capabilities. Among other things, it includes two military HX2 trucks equipped with autonomy kits and drive-by-wire, which follow each other in a leader-follower principle. In view of this competition, the PATH autonomy kit developed by Rheinmetall Canada Inc. was also installed in the vehicles so that participation in the competition could take place with a complete “Rheinmetall solution”.

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Zapata AI to Deliver Real-Time Intelligence for Warfighters

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024

The collaboration aims to enhance real-time intelligence and decision support for USSOCOM’s Hyper-Enabled Operator and Force programs with state-of-the-art AI on the edge

BOSTON, Aug. 13, 2024 — Zapata Computing Holdings Inc. (“Zapata AI”) (Nasdaq: ZPTA), a leading provider of industrial-grade software for enterprise AI, has entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Special Operations Command (“USSOCOM”).

Key Highlights of the CRADA include:

• Empowering USSOCOM with advanced AI tools to enhance situational awareness, real-time decision-making, and operational readiness in challenging environments and contested spaces.

• Accelerating USSOCOM’s ability plan, create, and deliver AI-driven advantage to align closely with specific mission objectives and parameters.

• Deepening Zapata AI’s existing relationship across the United States Department of Defense innovation ecosystem.

Under the terms of the CRADA, Zapata AI will leverage its Orquestra® platform to speed up the model development lifecycle (MDLC) and create AI and ML applications that enhance mission performance for USSOCOM’s Hyper-Enabled Force (HEF) initiatives. The decision-support capabilities developed by the partnership will run on the edge in low connectivity environments on ruggedized high-performance computing (HPC) hardware.

“We are proud to support the brave men and women of USSOCOM in defending our national security around the world,” said Christopher Savoie, CEO and co-founder of Zapata AI. “Our battle-tested Orquestra platform, our ability to ingest and process vast amounts of streaming data in real-time, and our experience in rapidly deploying AI solutions in challenging environments will enhance USSOCOM’s operational readiness with cutting-edge intelligence capabilities.”

The collaboration with USSOCOM builds on Zapata AI’s success in supporting Andretti Global’s complex race intelligence and advanced analytics needs. In both cases, Zapata AI deploys an ensemble of small, specialized AI models at the edge, providing real-time analytics and decision support in environments with limited or unpredictable connectivity. Zapata has proven in its production solutions that deploying an ensemble of targeted models, rather than a single large, generalized AI model, delivers superior performance for mission-critical applications where speed and accuracy are paramount.

The CRADA deepens Zapata AI’s existing relationships across the United States Department of Defense landscape. As the only company participating across all tracks of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Quantum Benchmarking program, Zapata AI has led the groundbreaking work to estimate the economic utility and resource requirements for high-value quantum computing applications. In June 2024, Zapata AI and its collaboration partners published the findings from Phase II of the program.

For more information on Zapata AI, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn or X.

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Armaments Research Company Kicks Off Effort to Revolutionize Small Unit Resupply with Army DEVCOM

Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

Highlight:

• ARC artificial intelligence-enabled weapon sensors support efforts within Contested Logistics to explore novel methods for resupplying tactical units.

Washington, D.C. – August 5th, 2024 – Armaments Research Company (ARC) is transforming small unit resupply operations in collaboration with Army DEVCOM. This initiative addresses the longstanding challenge of efficiently maintaining combat units supplied at the front line. By leveraging innovative AI-enabled sensors and warfighter feedback, ARC’s solution automates the ammunition aspect of the standard ACE report for infantry units.

“ARC’s vision for the capability is drone delivered speedballs (ammunition and water) and providing commander’s at every echelon with novel solutions to the centuries old problem of keeping combat units supplied at the front.” – Kyle Rice, ARC CTO.

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Applications Open for US Army Artificial Intelligence Scholars Program

Monday, August 5th, 2024

The Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center (AI2C) is seeking applicants for their Artificial Intelligence Scholars Program (AISP) Cohort 6.

Open to Active Component officers (Lieutenant to Major) with exceptional academic foundations in computer science, math, and engineering.

There are two programs currently available, the AISP Graduate Degree and the AISP PhD Program.

The AISP Graduate Degree is a highly competitive, 20-22 months of Advanced Civil Schooling at Carnegie Mellon University or the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Degree opportunities include: Masters of Computational Data Science; Masters of Information Systems Management-Business Intelligence Data Analytics; AI data Engineering, and Autonomous System AI Engineering. Advanced Civil Schooling is followed by a 24-month utilization tour at the AI Factory in Pittsburgh, PA.

The AISP PhD Program is an elite 36-month program at Carnegie Mellon University followed by a 3-year utilization tour at the AI Factory. The purpose of this program is to train officers to conduct independent research in AI or related fields. Graduates will extend the body of AI knowledge, apply cutting edge AI research to Army problems, and lead development of Army AI plans and proofs of concept.

Applications are due no later than August 9, 2024: www.hrc.army.mil/content/BOP

For additional information or to begin the application process reach out to: usarmy.pittsburgh-pa.afc-ai2c.mbx.workforce-development@army.mil

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Air Force Special Operations Command and Armaments Research Company Successfully Complete Prototyping Effort

Wednesday, July 24th, 2024

(A Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team member with 27 Special Operations Wing demonstrates firing from cover. Source: 371 Special Operations Combat Training Squadron)

Highlights:

• Milestones completed in collaboration with the 371st Special Operations Training Squadron.

• Technology integration supports future developments for Enhanced Situational Awareness combined with small unmanned aerial systems.

• ARC artificial intelligence-enabled weapon sensors support training for austere airfield defense within Agile Combat Employment.

Washington, DC – July 22, 2024 – Armaments Research Company (ARC) announced today that it has successfully completed a prototyping effort with the United States Air Force Special Operations Command to enhance training for austere airfield defense.

“Over the past year, we’ve worked to develop and demonstrate a tool that will enable connectivity, situational awareness, and decision-making at our tactical echelon. In future conflicts, the USAF must rapidly maneuver our bases and elements across the battlefield to generate combat air power in an expeditionary environment. That level of maneuver requires our tactical leaders command and control their forces, secure their location, and generate combat power.” – Lt Col Sean M. Williams, 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron Commander.

Through ARC’s Engage capability, Airmen are enabled to collect tactical scenario training data in real-time related to orientation of weapons, ammunition consumption, and maneuver of friendly forces.

The effort focused on leveraging advanced technologies and simulation systems to replicate real-world scenarios, providing aircrew members with immersive training experiences that closely mirror operational environments. AFSOC aims to empower its personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in high-intensity, rapidly changing combat situations within emerging Agile Combat Employment doctrine.

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OKSI Awarded USSOCOM and AFRL Contracts for Precision Guidance Seeker for Munitions

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

LOS ANGELES, July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — OKSI has been awarded multiple contracts totaling nearly $6 million from USSOCOM and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for their ARMGDN seeker. ARMGDN is a capability enhancement to BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit, providing passive target acquisition and tracking for precision engagements. APKWS is a guidance kit for the 2.75 inch Hydra-70 rocket. Together, the APKWS with OKSI’s ARMDGN seeker will facilitate rapid engagements of multiple air or ground targets via ripple fire of multiple precision- guided rockets in rapid succession.

BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit integrated with OKSI’s ARMGDN launch during a test demonstration.

OKSI’s ARMGDN provides DoD with a low-cost precision-guided munition designed to defeat small drones and other unmanned systems. Warfare is on the brink of a major paradigm shift where low-cost robotic systems, UXS, and swarm tactics are an imminent threat and will be used to overwhelm and confuse the opposition. ARMGDN enables rapid engagement of multiple threats simultaneously to thin out swarms and protect personnel and equipment.

“The ARMGDN seeker transforms our defense strategy from a costly war of attrition to a cost-effective campaign of precision,” says Chris HolmesParker, CEO, OKSI. “By harnessing existing rocket inventories, it dramatically cuts the expense of countering UAS threats, aligning our expenditures nearly 1:1 with the drones they counter. This shift from deploying prohibitively expensive munitions to utilizing ARMGDN’s affordable capabilities marks a pivotal move towards sustaining our defense without the economic strain.”

OKSI’s ARMGDN seeker is designed to accommodate a variety of warhead configurations for both a standard air to ground armor defeat capability as well as hard kill of UAS threats. OKSI’s advanced seeker technologies brings not only a new, impressive capability to bear, but also keeps the overall system’s cost at or below the cost of the targets it is designed to defeat.

Learn more at www.oksi.ai

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/oksi-ai

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OKSI’s Seeker Technology for Guided Munitions & CUAS

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Lately we’ve been talking about Artificial Intelligence and ways it can make a difference in warfighting. To illustrate our points, we’ve discussed the capabilities of the OMNISCIENCE AI/ML portfolio from OKSI. But that’s not all OKSI does; they also put a lot of effort in enhancing existing warfighting systems with new capabilities.

In addition to the OMNISCIENCE AI/ML portfolio we’ve already mentioned, OKSI also provides seeker technology for guided munitions and unmanned aerial systems defeat. Once again, the technology isn’t taking over, but rather enhances existing capabilities to make them faster, more accurate, and more capable, even in electromagnetically contested environments.

OKSI Booth at AUVSI 2024 (left: ARMGDN Seeker right: 81mm Mortar with PGK)

OKSI has many Passive Seeker Technologies, some examples are their 81mm Precision Guidance Kit, a screw-on EO/IR guidance system for the 81mm Mortar and the ARMGDN, a bolt-on intelligent EO/IR seeker for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). These systems provide the ability to accurately employ precision munitions and effects even in the absence of GPS or laser guidance.

OKSI’s seeker technologies provides multi-role capability (air to ground, air to air, ground to air, and ground to ground) and adds passive EO/IR guidance to existing munitions that previously only had GPS or laser guidance. They can also be used to provide detection, tracking, and terminal intercept.

The screw-on 81mm PGK allows warfighters to precisely guide mortars onto the desired impact point or predesignated target via OKSI ATAK targeting plug-in. The mortar’s guidance system is able to find, fix, and lock onto target then uses control surfaces to steer the mortar down onto the tracked target. It transforms an inaccurate area weapon into a precision munitions with first round effects.

81mm PGK Test Launch

ARMGDN is a capability enhancement to BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guidance kit, providing passive target acquisition and tracking for precision engagements. APKWS is a guidance kit for the 2.75 inch Hydra-70 rocket. This fire-and-forget capability is also effective, via proximity fuzing, for hard kill of UAS threats.

BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit integrated with OKSI’s ARMGDN launch during a test demonstration.

Photo courtesy of NAVAIR

These mature technologies have been around for the past couple of years and are ready to employ today with capabilities validated via recent contracts with USSOCOM and USAF.

For more information, visit OKSI.ai.
Follow them on LinkedIn.

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