The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organisation a USD 4 million (EUR 3.63 million) contract for Phase 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) programme.
DARPA’s AIR programme aims to advance dominant tactical autonomy for beyond-visual-range air combat missions, with autonomy solutions to 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,” Michael Planer, scientist and principal investigator at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Using machine learning (ML), 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 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 manoeuvres 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 programme, which is part of BAE Systems’ autonomy portfolio, will take place in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts.
