BAE Systems has been awarded a $4 million contract by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for Phase 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) programme, which aims to advance autonomous air combat capabilities, according to a press release.
The AIR programme seeks to address the challenges of fast-paced and unpredictable air combat by developing autonomous solutions for beyond visual range missions.
BAE Systems’ research and development team will lead the effort, with testing to be conducted on F-16 testbeds.
“Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles,” said Michael Planer, a scientist and principal investigator at BAE Systems.
He added that machine learning will be crucial in training models that allow AI pilots to make dynamic decisions and ensure they are tested and trusted by human pilots.
BAE Systems will use machine learning techniques to simulate sensors, electronic warfare systems, and weapons in realistic combat environments. These techniques will also model the physics of aerial manoeuvres, supporting the development of processes to design, test, and refine future iterations of AIR software products.
Work on the AIR programme will be conducted at BAE Systems’ facilities in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts, as part of the company’s broader focus on developing autonomous military technologies.
