Robot Technology News
ROBO SPACE
Skunk Works and University Of Iowa demonstrate AI-commanded mission
stock illustration only
Skunk Works and University Of Iowa demonstrate AI-commanded mission
by Staff Writers
Iowa City IA (SPX) Sep 12, 2023

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), in conjunction with the University of Iowa's Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), completed an artificial intelligence (AI) demonstration using two piloted L-29 aircraft (acting as surrogates for uncrewed systems) performing jamming support in a simulated air-to-ground mission. The successful execution of the electronic attack task by AI agents shows how autonomous uncrewed aerial systems can operate in coordination with crewed tactical platforms in future combat operations, creating a powerful, unified team to address complex threats.

This project, named Enhanced Collaborative High-Frequency Orientation System (ECHOS), was sponsored by Lockheed Martin's 21st Century Security Demonstrations and Prototypes (D&P) organization.

"ECHOS is a terrific example of using artificial intelligence and UAS to further enable the DOD vision of Joint All Domain Operations (JADO), providing new capabilities to identify targets and deliver effects," said Joe Villani, Lockheed Martin D&P vice president.

The L-29s were flown by experienced OPL pilots, following instructions from the AI agents in the form of heading, altitude, and speed cues. Demonstrating how AI can provide data for rapid decision making and increased mission effectiveness by reducing pilot workload. The pilots maintained the option to stop following AI cues if at any point they felt unsafe, or the agent tried to go outside acceptable operating conditions.

"This was an awesome experience, and the event went smoothly. It was an exceptional example of industry and academia working together on a cutting-edge project. We're excited to take this to the next level," said Tom "Mach" Schnell, OPL founder and director.

The AI agents were trained using advanced deep multi-agent reinforcement learning techniques, incentivizing emergent collaborative tactics. There is minimal reward shaping on these agents, emphasizing mission completion. Agents were able to learn these tactics with sparse rewards, ensuring the best possible tactics for the mission were executed.

This demonstration focused on sim-to-real transfer to train an AI agent in a simulated environment, fly it on real aircraft and test the behavior. The tests successfully demonstrated AI agents can be trusted to deliver high performance and reliable behaviors.

Throughout day one of testing, the agents aligned between the fighter and target within a very tight tolerance, never allowing the radar to get a track on the fighter. The team successfully completed all test cards ahead of schedule in three days of testing.

By the end of 2023, the Skunk Works and OPL team will test AI in an end-to-end Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD) mission. Lessons learned will inform follow-on AI/autonomy development in support of future programs such as the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), as well as ongoing crewed-uncrewed teaming development. This work furthers Lockheed Martin's 21st Century Security vision to deliver integrated, mission-focused capabilities with speed and efficiency to keep our forces and allies ahead of ready.

Related Links
Lockheed Martin
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROBO SPACE
Robot fried chicken: entrepreneur seeks to improve S. Korea's favourite food
Seoul (AFP) Sept 11, 2023
In fried-chicken-obsessed South Korea, restaurants serving the nation's favourite fast-food dish dot every street corner. But Kang Ji-young's establishment brings something a little different to the table: a robot is cooking the chicken. Eaten at everything from tiny family gatherings to a 10-million-viewer live-streamed "mukbang" - eating broadcast - by K-pop star Jungkook of BTS fame, fried chicken is deeply embedded in South Korean culture. Paired with cold lager and known as "chimaek" - a ... read more

ROBO SPACE
Beat traffic by air: Israel flies drone taxi over Jerusalem

Kyiv fends off new wave of overnight drone attacks

Russia: Two Ukrainian drones shot down near Rostov-on-Don

One killed in Russian drone attacks on port district: Ukrainian governor

ROBO SPACE
Apple to update iPhone 12 in France over radiation

UK Lords hand govt defeat in homebuilding pollution vote

AI-driven tool makes it easy to personalize 3D-printable models

Scientists pursue drug to protect US troops from radiation sickness

ROBO SPACE
Five things to know about British chip champion Arm

TSMC plans $100 million investment in Arm IPO: board

US chip giant GlobalFoundries opens $4 bn Singapore plant

SoftBank supremo eyes rare success with Arm IPO

ROBO SPACE
Rwanda inks deal to build nuclear reactor

Kazakh leader calls for rare vote on nuclear plant

Sweden to clear obstacles for new nuclear reactors

Ukraine nuclear plants fully operational for winter: operator

ROBO SPACE
U.S. blacklists family network funding Hezbollah in Latin America

UK terror suspect in court over prison escape

UK police probe 'inside job' theory for terror suspect escape

Britain to designate Wagner Group as a terrorist organization

ROBO SPACE
UN maps out decarbonisation of polluting construction sector

World falling dangerously short of climate goals: UN

G20 fails to agree fossil fuel phase-out despite warnings

Africa climate demands zero in on finance, debt and taxes

ROBO SPACE
French firm nets 2 bn euros for major battery factory

Alumnus' thermal battery helps industry eliminate fossil fuels

Jeep owner Stellantis invests $100 mn in US lithium

DoE announces $112 million for research on computational projects in fusion energy sciences

ROBO SPACE
Tianzhou 5 spacecraft burns up on Earth reentry

Crew of Shenzhou XV mission honored for six-month space odyssey

China solicits names for manned lunar exploration vehicles

From rice to quantum gas: China's targets pioneering space research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.