Dstl and UK
armed forces collaborated with Australia and the US in an
AUKUS trial
to accelerate the adoption and understanding of artificial
intelligence (AI)
and autonomous systems.
The AUKUS Trusted
Operation of Robotic Vehicles in Contested Environments
(TORVICE)
trial aimed to identify and resolve vulnerabilities of robotic
vehicles and sensors that affect autonomous systems.
Understanding and mitigating the impact of such threats is
critical to effective and reliable use of such systems on future
operations.
The
TORVICE trial follows the first AUKUS
AI and autonomy
trial held in the UK in April 2023. In December, AUKUS defence
ministers announced their intent to integrate Resilient and
Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies (RAAIT)
into national programs in 2024. The
TORVICE trial takes us a step closer to adopting these
technologies in the land domain.
During the trial, US and UK autonomous vehicles conducted a large
number of missions, such as, route reconnaissance while subjected
to a range of effects generated by Australia. Outcomes will
improve the resilience of AUKUS
AI and autonomy
systems when subjected to electronic warfare, laser and position,
navigation and timing (for example, GPS) attacks. This will also
ensure systems reliably deliver capability in the testing
environments of the modern battlefield.
Guy Powell, Dstl’s
technical authority for the trial, said:
“The
TORVICE trial aims to understand the capabilities of
robotic and autonomous systems to operate in contested
environments. We need to understand how robust these systems are
when subject to attack. Robotic and autonomous systems are a
transformational capability that we are introducing to armies
across all 3 nations.”
Dstl military
advisor, Lt Col Russ Atherton, said:
“The science and technology will be an absolute game-changer and
give us operational advantage. The ability to deploy different
payloads such as sensors and logistics across a larger
battlespace will give commanders greater options than currently
exist.”
Accelerating the development of these technologies is expected to
have a massive impact on coalition military capability while
reducing risk to warfighters.
This collaboration enables all 3 AUKUS nations
to access the best resilient AIand autonomy:
- improving interoperability
- streamlining efforts
- benefiting from each other’s science and technology expertise
AUKUS is
a landmark defence and security partnership between Australia,
the UK, and the US that supports security and stability in the
Indo-Pacific and around the world.
Our work to deepen cooperation on a range of cutting-edge
military technologies, known as AUKUS Pillar
2, will help deliver enhanced military edge for us and our
allies, making sure we have the capabilities needed to defend
against rapidly evolving threats. Through Pillar 2, our
countries are collaborating to accelerate collective
understanding of AI and autonomy
technologies, and how to rapidly field robust,
trustworthy AI and autonomy in complex
operations while adhering to international law and ensuring the
safe and responsible use of AI.
Find out more about
Dstl’s
AI success with
AUKUS
