Future of AI for Military & Modern Warfare

How is AI used in the Military?

Recently, countries like the USA, China, and Russia have shown key interests in deploying new-age technologies for military and defense. Although, due to the pandemic many of these projects may be on hold to aid their respective citizens. 

In 2019, the Defense Department of the USA published its very first AI strategy. Hence, this initiated the use of AI systems and technologies for the military, defense, and research.

Here are some of the popular AI-based military projects already in action:

• Project Maven: It uses AI and ML techniques to comprehend massive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data. Moreover, it is a project by the Pentagon.
  Hence, it is a technology used across various intel and operational agencies. Additionally, it is also known as “Algorithmic Warfare”.
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency: DARPA’s Squad X Experimentation program aims to design, develop, and validate systems and technologies that are at initial stages. As a result, it works with autonomous prototypes, sensing tools, etc.
  
  Moreover, Squad X focuses on precision and non-kinetic engagement. Hence it also helps with squad sensing and squad autonomy projects.
• ATLAS: ATLAS is a project which stands for Advanced Targeting and Lethality Automated System. The project reflects the Army’s desire to build autonomous vehicles for modern warfare.
  
  Moreover, it is also an attempt to build combat robots to fight alongside or even instead of human soldiers.

Scope of AI Applications for the Military and Defense Sectors

Artificial Intelligence has proven to be a revolutionary technology. As a result, it has transformed industries to make them more accessible and human-friendly.

Therefore, expanding the horizons of AI in the military. Moreover, investing heavily in the research and development of evolving modern technology for applications.

As a result here are the real-life applications and use cases of AI for the military:

Platforms for Warfare

Many countries across the globe are using AI to build weapons and other systems. Moreover, these countries are working towards developing weapons that function on land, naval, air, and space.

Consequently, using AI-based weapons and systems can help develop efficient warfare solutions. As a result, modern technology has proven to be more synergized and enhanced.

However, weapons are made to be less human reliant and require very little maintenance. Hence, Artificial Intelligence aims to raise autonomous, high-quality, and high-speed weapons to fight modern warfare.

Training and Simulation

In any military or defense field, training certainly plays a critical role. Although, it is recommended however not always feasible to train cadets for each and every scenario they may face.

As a result, simulation is one such solution that could help prepare individuals. Above all, simulation combines system engineering, software engineering, and computer science to develop models. Hence, these models familiarize soldiers with different systems in combat used in various military operations.

Furthermore, the US Army and Navy have conducted several warfare analyses. Therefore, this has brought about a considerable use of sensor simulation programs.

Most importantly, organizations like Leidos, SAIC, AECOM, and Orbital ATK have been employed by the US Navy. Similarly, the US Army training is abetted by CACI, Torch, SAIC, and Millennium Engineering.

Target Recognition

AI has played a very important role in developing equipment to improve target recognition. Moreover, it is an important ability in a complex combat situation.

Above all, AI helps the military to gain an in-depth knowledge of real-life operations and their environments. Therefore, it analyzes reports, documents, and other scattered information for better results and outcomes.

Furthermore, AI enhances the efficiency of target recognition systems for the military. In addition, the military uses these AI-enabled systems to predict and identify the environment during a battle.

For example, Machine Learning techniques help DARPA’s TRACE program to identify and locate targets. Moreover, it is an automatic system that utilizes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images.

Healthcare

Are you aware that a lot of our healthcare facilities and solutions are a result of the war? Earlier, soldiers would suffer tissue damages, burns, and critical injuries which lead to heavy blood loss. Later, the concept of blood transfusions helps save many lives and still impacts our modern healthcare system.

Similarly, the use of AI in the military is now for Robotic Surgical Systems (RSS) and Robotic Ground Platforms (RGPs). As a result, this provides an enormous opportunity to execute surgeries for remote emergencies and evacuation operations.

The US military has been heavily investing in RGPs, RSS, and other AI systems for a superior battlefield healthcare facility. Hence, this would pave the way for AI systems to gather a soldier’s medical information during critical conditions on the battlefield.

For Example, IBM’s Watson collaborated with the US Veterans Administration. Therefore, they aim to develop a clinical reasoning prototype called EMRA. It stands for Electronic Medical Record Analyzer.

Moreover, the technology would use AI and Machine Learning techniques to process medical records. Hence, it would automatically identify and classify health problems according to their cruciality.

Cybersecurity

Did you know that Cyberspace has now become a new platform for warfare? In addition to land, sea, and air, cyberspace is a new front.

Moreover, militaries and defense organizations are now heavily investing in securing networks. As a result, data protection has now become a critical aspect.

Now, defense and military regimes focus on using AI and ML techniques for data security and protection. Consequently, these techniques forecast and protect against any unauthorized breaches.

As a result, using AI and ML-based techniques help procure accuracy while classifying breaches.

Logistics

Logistics and transportation play a key role in the military and defense. Above all, aspects like transportation of goods, ammunition, armaments, and troops determine the success of any military operation.

Recently, AI has transformed the logistics business. Moreover, companies like Amazon have heavily utilized this opportunity to deliver products.

As a result, with a little enhancement in technology, AI can also improve the scope of military transportation. Moreover, it can help save costs on transportation while reducing human efforts in operations.

Consequently, military fleets help identify anomalies or any discrepancies that may lead to failure. 

For instance, the US Army and IBM’s Watson joined efforts to utilize AI for a military mission. The mission was to identify any maintenance issues in Stryker, an Infantry Carrier Vehicle used for combat. 

The Path Forward and the Future of AI for Military and Modern Warfare

The Pentagon aims to allow DOD to spend $874 million on AI and ML technologies for military and defense. Moreover, the Pentagon invests a part of $2.3 billion of the science and technology research budget in AI for the military.

As a result, the investments in AI will be for cyber weapons, unmanned technologies, direct energy, hypersonics, etc. 

Subsequently, an increase in the funds supporting AI research for military agencies has showcased a rise in the use of the technology. Therefore, AI will play a very important role in modern warfare handling immense amounts of data while automating systems. 

In addition, the AI market share in the Military was estimated at $6.3 billion dollars in 2020. Hence, the market may reach $11.6 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 13.1%.