TurbineOne to Prototype New Machine Learning Technologies

The DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contracts TurbineOne to prototype new machine learning (ML) capabilities with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense’s Research and Engineering’s (OUSD R&E’s) FutureG and 5G Office By Joseph Macey / 29 Aug 2023

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
TurbineOne to prototype new machine learning technologies
Follow DA

US intel analytics software company TurbineOne has been awarded a contract to prototype new machine learning (ML) capabilities.

The multi-year deal from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) will see the company prototype with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense’s Research and Engineering’s (OUSD R&E’s) FutureG and 5G Office. 

The use-cases are diverse, covering improvements to force protection, the geolocation of industrial equipment, and revolutionizing the experience inside intelligence operations centers.

Aligned with this new contract, TurbineOne is announcing a new feature of its Frontline Perception System, called Sidekick, that can automatically generate data in order to build a new detection model. This technology leverages a computer science method called Zero Shot, which is the theoretical ability for a computer to accurately identify what it’s looking at having never before seen that exact object. Similar experiences include the image search feature within Google or any video search on Facebook, but those search engines rely on extensive web infrastructure, metadata standards, and previously labeled training data. In contrast, TurbineOne will deliver effective, zero-shot computer-vision ML model generation on unstructured, unlabeled data that its software has never seen before.

Building on previous work with the military in the Pacific Area of Operations, TurbineOne is revolutionizing the ingestion of images from video cameras and satellite images as well as non-visual sensor data feeds. This practice is known as “multi-domain operations,” and “sensor fusion” within the DoD, which aligns well with the “multi-modality” of TurbineOne’s Zero Shot detection capability. Normally, computer vision applications are strictly constrained to training data types (e.g. labeling still images helps identify similarities in other still images). But with TurbineOne, users can manage multiple data types from numerous sensor vendors to build new models from a single do-it-yourself platform.

From a technology perspective, TurbineOne’s Sidekick feature is indirectly related to the Generative AI and large language models (LLMs). Instead, TurbineOne leverages a data science predecessor, known as ML Transformers, to produce text-conditioned object detection models. The search experience is revolutionary because the queries have an instantaneous semantic translation to visual objects, even within fully isolated data enclaves (i.e. no connection to a public cloud internet), which are common within the DoD’s secure networks. From a user-perspective an intel analyst can point to a data folder, type something like, “show me all the ships from an aerial perspective,” and then get highly accurate results.

The initial area of work for the DIU collaboration with OUSD R&E’s FutureG and 5G Office and TurbineOne will be the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island.

“As the former Defense Intelligence Agency Director,” said Lieutenant General Bob Ashley. “I’m familiar with our nation’s best intelligence capabilities. I’ve never seen an Intel tool like this one from TurbineOne. It can find the needle in a haystack and significantly increase the effectiveness of our nation’s intel analysts.”

“Industry is still in its early days of AI-driven perception,” commented Ian Kalin, TurbineOne’s CEO. “We are grateful to be partnering with DIU to advance these capabilities. In the near term, these tools will enable straight-forward queries like, ‘Show me all the Chinese ships near Taiwan’ and receive fast, accurate results. Longer term, analysts will be able to query more complex, predictive scenarios like ‘Which indicators have strong signals that China has started its initial phase of a Taiwanese invasion?’”

“We are eager to prototype new ML-driven geolocation and threat detection technologies with TurbineOne,” added Kurt Andrews, a Principal Investigator for OUSD R&E’s FutureG and 5G Office. “The software platform is widely applicable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance use-cases because it empowers users with a do-it-yourself toolkit that is uniquely suited for military environments.”

Posted by Joseph Macey Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Partnership to Enhance Networking Capabilities for Defense Platforms

Amphenol Aerospace and BotBlox have partnered to distribute and integrate compact, rugged Ethernet hardware for defense platforms, enhancing networking capabilities and accelerating product development for uncrewed and mobile systems

May 01, 2025
USMC Receives Extended Range MQ-9A Reaper® from GA-ASI

The U.S. Marine Corps has received a technologically advanced MQ-9A Reaper® UAS from GA-ASI, featuring wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear for extended 30+ hour endurance

May 01, 2025
Extreme-Rugged Edge Computers & AI Systems to Feature at XPONENTIAL 2025

Neousys Technology set to exhibit its rugged embedded computers and edge AI solutions for extreme environments at XPONENTIAL 2025

May 01, 2025
The Advantages of AFT Cooling in Modern Defense Applications

Learn how Air Flow Through (AFT) cooling excels in defense applications, offering efficient heat dissipation, minimal maintenance, and rugged durability compared to other cooling methods. 4o mini

May 01, 2025
GA-ASI & Marine Corps Advance MQ-9A Operational Capabilities

The U.S. Marine Corps has accumulated over 1,000 flight hours using the MQ-9A unmanned aircraft in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)

Apr 30, 2025
New ESTU Module to Boost Short-Term Stability of Optical Cesium Clocks

Adtran has launched the Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) for its OSA 3300 optical cesium clocks, delivering passive hydrogen maser-level stability and significantly enhancing precision timing for defense applications

Apr 30, 2025

Featured Content

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Ophir® FoldIR Lens Enhances Long-Range Imaging for Defense & Security Operations

The new Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm MWIR zoom lens delivers compact, long-range imaging with low-SWaP performance for drones and small gimbal platforms

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.