Army seeks AI solutions to manage complex airspace operations
Gettyimages.com/Anton Petrus
By
Nick Wakeman
A new request for information calls for both immediate "fight tonight" capabilities and long-term machine learning tools to ease the burden on commanders.
The Army is looking for ways to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to manage airspace operations and situation awareness.
In a new request for information posted Wednesday, the Army describes various pressures on human managers as the airspace becomes more complex with the variety of manned and unmanned aircraft.
“This RFI is focused on addressing the cognitive burden faced by commanders in managing complex airspace operations and maintaining situational awareness in a rapidly evolving battlefield environment,” the notice states.
The Army is asking for two types of responses. One of them is called “fight tonight” opportunities, which the Army describes as solutions that are ready to go now.
A second set of objectives is focused on long-term capabilities that can integrate AI and ML tools into next-generation command-and-control systems.
Some of the unique challenges and needs the Army has include:
- Multi-domain operations
- The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems and other emerging platforms
- Contested and congested environments
- Dynamics mission requirements
- Integration of fires and effects
- Data-driven decision making
“AI-enabled airspace management solutions have the potential to address these challenges by leveraging machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation to enhance situational awareness, optimize airspace allocation, and enable rapid decision-making,” the RFI states.
The Army wants to analyze data from multiple sources in real-time, predict airspace usage patterns and recommend proactive steps to improve safety, efficiency, and mission effectiveness.
Some of the goals include real-time conflict detection and resolution, integration of UAS, loitering munitions and autonomous platforms in the Army’s airspace. The service branch also wants greater coordination among fires, effects and airspace users.
Other objectives include resilience against countermeasures, including electronic warfare and jamming.
Responses to the RFI are due Aug. 29.
The Army is also looking for companies with solutions that can be demonstrated in November at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center.