Robots could fight on the front line for Navy and RAF
The Royal Navy and RAF will soon be ready to put robots 'on the front line' after a successful battlefield test of the technology, the Government has said.
The Ministry of Defence has spoken of 'rapid progress' in developing combat uses for artificial intelligence-powered assistance for pilots and sailors following a five-day trial, the largest of its kind ever conducted.
One of the main uses of AI in the field will be automatic detection of targets and assistance commanding military vehicles.
The MoD has also said that using AI on the battlefield will also reduce 'cognitive load' for service men and women. Cognitive load refers to the multiple systems that, for example, a pilot needs to pay attention.
A pilot in control of a plane is expected to fly, analyse potential threats and manage communication systems. The Government claims the AI-powered battlefield tech that was successfully tested will be able to do much of this, reducing the pilot's 'cognitive load'.
The trial, which took place in early March in Portland Harbour, Dorset, involved relying on AI in several 'mission-based scenarios' and testing its effectiveness compared to human combatants.
It raises the prospect of robotic combatants eventually replacing human roles in parts of the Armed Forces, though sources said the possibility was still 'a little way away'.
The trial came under the remit of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership between Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
American and Australian military experts were also present during the practice missions, though no representatives from Canada or New Zealand attended.
Maria Eagle, the Defence Minister, suggested that after the successful trial the new technology could soon be deployed 'on the front line'.
Defence experts in government have also said the rollout of AI on the battlefield will give British forces 'operational advantage' and improve 'mission success'.
AI and drone technology are expected to feature prominently in this year's Strategic Defence Review, which will set out equipment and manpower priorities for the Armed Forces.
In November the Government warned that Britain was in an 'AI arms race' with Vladimir Putin's Russia.
In a speech on defence Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said of AI 'as we develop this technology there's a danger it could be weaponised against us. Because our adversaries are also looking at how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield'.
The Government recently announced that a fleet of AI-powered battlefield robots would be built in a new plant in south-west England.
Ms Eagle said: 'We can all see how AI has the potential to impact our lives and enhance our war-fighting ability, and UK defence is embracing this leap forward in technology to better support our personnel on the front line.
'Significant trials like this, working with international and industry partners, demonstrate the rapid progress we're making to utilise new technology for keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.'
Dr Paul Hollinshead, the head of the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), said: 'This innovative trial represents a significant advancement in how we develop and test defence technologies. By bringing together multiple domains and partners, we're not just collecting data – we're creating the foundation for mission success and operational advantage that will protect our forces for decades to come.'
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