The funding aims to revolutionise the way warships make
decisions and process thousands of strands of intelligence
and data by using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.).
Nine projects will share an initial £1 million to develop
technology and innovative solutions to overcome increasing
‘information overload’ faced by crews as part of DASA’s
Intelligent Ship – The Next Generation competition.
Defence Minister said:
The astonishing pace at which global threats are evolving
requires new approaches and fresh-thinking to the way we
develop our ideas and technology. The funding will
research pioneering projects into how A.I and automation
can support our armed forces in their essential
day-to-day work.
Intelligent Ship is focused on inventive approaches for
Human-AI and AI-AI teaming for defence platforms – such as
warships, aircraft, and land vehicles – in 2040 and beyond.
DASA, on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology
Laboratory (Dstl), is looking at how future defence
platforms can be designed and optimised to exploit current
and future advances in:
- Automation
- Autonomy
- Machine learning
- Artificial Intelligence
These key areas of research will look to address the
complex and constantly evolving threats to national
security.
This work will inform requirements then develop
applications essential to the future force in an
increasingly complex and A.I. driven environment. Although
titled Intelligent Ship, a warship is just the prototype
demonstrator for this competition – the project will inform
development relevant to all defence equipment and military
services.
Julia Tagg, Dstl A.I. Lab, said:
This DASA competition has the potential to lead the
transformation of our defence platforms, leading to a sea
change in the relationships between AI and human teams.
This will ensure UK defence remains an effective, capable
force for good in a rapidly changing technological
landscape.
Crews are already facing information overload with
thousands of sources of data, intelligence, and
information. By harnessing automation, autonomy, machine
learning and artificial intelligence with the real-life
skill and experience of our men and women, we can
revolutionise the way future fleets are put together and
operate to keep the UK safe.
The competition, currently backed by a total of £4 million
over two phases, has the potential to transform the way the
Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force equipment
platforms are designed, work together, operated and manned
by the 2040s.
Innovations developed in phase 1 of the competition could
later help determine the different platform types, size and
role of future platforms as well potentially being adapted
and integrated into the existing fleet.
DASA Delivery Manager Adam Moore said:
DASA brings together the brightest minds in science,
industry and academia to turbocharge innovations to keep
the UK, as well as those who protect us, safe from
emerging and evolving threats to our way of life.
This project will ensure the Royal Navy and all our Armed
Forces stays one step ahead of our adversaries.
