AUKUS Achieves World Firsts at AI & Autonomy Trial

The trial saw the initial joint deployment of Australian, UK and US AI-enabled assets in a real-time collaborative swarm to detect and track military targets in a representative environment By DA Staff / 02 Jun 2023

Tactical UAS

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 4 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
UK Hosts Inaugural AUKUS AI & Autonomy Trial
Follow DA

In April 2023, the UK hosted the first AI and autonomy trial under the Australia, UK and US (AUKUS) agreement at Salisbury Plains, with the aim of driving forward these technologies into responsible military use.

The trial saw the initial joint deployment of Australian, UK and US AI-enabled assets in a real-time collaborative swarm to detect and track military targets in a representative environment.

The AUKUS team believes accelerating the development of these technologies will have a massive impact on coalition military capability.

Organized by the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the trial achieved world firsts, including the live retraining of models in flight and the interchange of AI models between AUKUS nations. 

The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Pillar, known as Pillar 2, is pursuing a trilateral program of work on a range of leading-edge technologies and capabilities to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Through Pillar 2, Australia, the UK, and the US have collaborated to accelerate collective understanding of AI and autonomy technologies, and how to rapidly field robust, trustworthy AI and autonomy in complex operations, while adhering to the shared values of safe and responsible AI.

Autonomy and AI is expected to transform the way Defense operates. By sharing AI – and the underpinning data to enable it – with one another, Australia, UK, and US militaries can access the best AI, reduce duplication of effort, and ensure interoperability.

More than 70 military and civilian defense personnel and industry contractors were involved in the exercise in April 2023. The trial utilized a variety of air and ground vehicles to test target identification capability, including: Blue Bear Ghost (UK) and Boeing/Insitu CT220 (AUS) UAVs, Challenger 2 tank, Warrior armoured vehicle and Viking UGV, along with a commercially hired FV433 Abbot self-propelled gun and former Eastern Bloc BMP OT-90.

The trilateral teams collaborated to develop joint Machine Learning (ML) models, apply test and evaluation processes, and fly on different national UAVs. The ML models were quickly updated to include new targets and shared among the coalition and AI models retrained to meet changing mission requirements.

The event was attended by senior AUKUS Advanced Capabilities pillar leaders – General Rob Magowan (UK), Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability), Abraham (Abe) Denmark (US), Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for AUKUS, and Hugh Jeffrey (AUS), Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy, and Industry.

UK Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Military Capability, Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, said: “This trial demonstrates the military advantage of AUKUS advanced capabilities, as we work in coalition to identify, track and counter potential adversaries from a greater distance and with greater speed. Service personnel, scientists and engineers from our three nations combined to develop and share critical information to enhance commanders’ decision making. Accelerating technological advances will deliver the operational advantages necessary to defeat current and future threats across the battlespace. We are committed to collaborating with partners to ensure that we achieve this while also promoting the responsible development and deployment of AI.”

US Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for AUKUS, Abe Denmark, said: “We recognize the immense importance of this collaboration in strengthening our collective national security of our nations. The development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to transform the way we approach defense and security challenges. This capability demonstration is truly a shared effort and is thus a critical step in our collective initiative to stay ahead of emerging threats. By pooling our expertise and resources through our AUKUS partnerships, we can ensure that our militaries are equipped with the latest and most effective tools to defend our nations and uphold the principles of freedom and democracy around the world.”

Australian Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Policy and Industry, Hugh Jeffrey, said: “The AUKUS AI and Autonomy trial in Salisbury Plains demonstrated AI algorithms working in a mission-tailored adaptive capability. The AUKUS research and operator teams collaborated to develop, test and evaluate joint machine-learning models, and operate our different national platforms on the battlefield. I was impressed to see AI models rapidly updated at the tactical edge to incorporate new targets, which were immediately shared among the three partners to deliver decision advantage and meet changing mission requirements. This cooperation under AUKUS Pillar II will deliver a capability greater than any one country could achieve alone, and this really is the rationale for the AUKUS partnership at work.”

Find tactical UAS manufacturers and suppliers of military UAS for defense>>

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Advanced Sonobuoys to Enhance Anti-Submarine Warfare

Thales has signed a contract with the French Defence Procurement Agency to supply the French Navy with several hundred SonoFlash sonobuoys, designed to enhance France's strategic anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Feb 06, 2025
Creomagic Demonstrates Secure Backhaul Technology for Tactical Communications

Creomagic has successfully demonstrated a robust and secure backhaul solution for mobile LTE base stations, leveraging its CreoLand MANET technology in collaboration with a key defense partner

Feb 06, 2025
New Contract to Supply NVGs to British Armed Forces

Instro, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems UK, will supply additional XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles to the British Armed Forces under a £16 million contract

Feb 06, 2025
Spectrum Control’s Solutions for Managing Electromagnetic Spectrum

Defense Advancement showcases Spectrum Control's solutions including SCi Blocks, RF Conditioning and Distribution, Power Distribution, and EMI Protection

Feb 06, 2025
FlySight to Make Aero India Exhibition Debut with Mission Console & Live ATR Demo

FlySight makes its Aero India debut, showcasing the OPENSIGHT Mission Console and live Automatic Target Recognition, demonstrating cutting-edge AI-driven target detection and mission management capabilities

Feb 05, 2025
INVISIO Enhances Soldier System Integration with Acquisition of Software-Defined Hubs

INVISIO has acquired Ultra PCS’s UltraLYNX™ product line of software-defined hubs for $3.5 million, enhancing soldier-worn device integration and improving interoperability

Feb 05, 2025

Featured Content

Greensea IQ Expands Defense Leadership with Record Growth

After successful contracts for the Bayonet AUGV with the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and foreign militaries, Greensea IQ has closed a record-breaking year of growth in 2024

Jan 31, 2025
Latest Software Bundle Released for ISR Quadcopter

PDW CORE is the latest software package from PDW featuring a user-friendly touch interface, a PDW flight simulator, mission planning tools, an ATAK plug-in, and a laptop-compatible C100 updater

Jan 30, 2025
Revector’s Latest 4-Channel Covert Solution for Tactical Operations

Revector’s newly launched IMSI locator, the 4-channel Portable Covert Unit 2.0, delivers improved performance, flexibility, and rugged design, tailored for demanding security, defense, and search-and-rescue operations

Jan 27, 2025
Galvion Releases New Helmets for Military & SAR

Galvion is exhibiting new helmets at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas, The Batlskin Hellbender TE (Tactical Edition) and the Batlskin Caiman SAR (Search and Rescue)

Jan 23, 2025
What is MIL-DTL-38999?

Micropol breaks down the definition, benefits, and roles of the MIL-DTL-38999 connector, a robust and reliable cornerstone in modern military and aerospace connectivity

Jan 21, 2025
Tyto Robotics Releases the Flight Stand 60 for Precision Testing

The Flight Stand 60 Engine Test Stand by Tyto Robotics offers a precise, versatile solution for testing internal combustion engines and propellers, providing detailed performance measurements and optimization capabilities

Jan 17, 2025