The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) led a major
trial on behalf of the British Army, which allowed bomb-disposal
experts to conduct their mission faster through rapid detection.
The trial demonstrated that AI models can be rapidly retrained to
recognise new threat types and adapt to different environments.
And so UK military personnel could be better protected on the
battlefield as a result of these trials.
More about the trial
Conducted with 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal
and Search) at their Essex base, the trial took place over
several weeks and saw dozens of replica mines and ordnance placed
across varied terrain and land environments.
Data captured by sensors onboard small uncrewed aerial systems
was relayed to Army operators, who used AI tools to locate and
identify the munitions.
The trial also successfully demonstrated the ability to rapidly
retrain AI models to recognise emerging threat types and
adapt to different environments - a capability that is critical
in fast-evolving modern warfare. This has also been seen in
Ukraine, where drones and explosive devices are reshaping the
battlefield at pace.
Through the Strategic Defence Review this government is
doubling investment in autonomous platforms, from £2bn to
£4bn this parliament.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, MP said:
This trial is exactly the kind of innovation the Strategic
Defence Review calls for - harnessing AI, drones and autonomous
systems to boost deterrence and make our Armed Forces
stronger.
We're on a mission to exploit new technologies, removing our
people from harm's way while increasing the speed and
effectiveness of their operations. This is defence innovation
working at wartime pace, and it is delivering exciting results.
Dstl's technical lead for the trial said:
The threat posed by explosive ordnance is constantly changing and
so must the tools and techniques required to deal with it safely.
Dstl brings a comprehensive understanding of the science and
technology, as well as the specialist industry suppliers who
provide the different elements.
We are testing, adapting and demonstrating this technology so
that, working closely with the end user, we can develop concepts
that let our forces compete on the modern battlefield.
Major Mark Fetters, British Army Future Counter-Explosive
Ordnance Capability lead, said:
The modern battlefield is littered with explosive ordnance. The
equipment being developed by Dstl will allow EOD operators to
conduct their mission faster and will remove people from the
explosive hazard.
We are also looking to understand how the capability will grow as
other technologies mature. As different types of sensors become
lighter, more power-efficient, and smaller, they will be able to
fit on to smaller uncrewed aerial systems - constantly improving
the capability available to our EOD and Search personnel.
What the trial demonstrates
The trial demonstrates how AI, human-machine teaming, robotic and
autonomous systems, and advanced sensors can reduce risk to Armed
Forces personnel.
Next steps
Building on these results, further trials will take place this
year to mature the technology and guide the procurement of a
deployable capability that can be placed directly into soldiers'
hands.
The government has committed to the British Army delivering a
tenfold increase in lethality over the next decade by harnessing:
- firepower
- surveillance technology
- autonomy
- digital connectivity
- data
The trial is part of a broader transformation of UK defence
capability, driven by lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and
set out in the SDR.
Find out more about what we do and our
capabilities.
