711th Performance Wing, with the Air Force
Research Laboratory. Speaking in Washington
on July 13, Christenson said he foresees the
application of autonomy as being an essential
part of manned-unmanned teaming: “It sits at
the intersection between safety and the ability
to enhance performance and interact with the
highly complex platforms they are working with.”
At the individual aircraft level, autonomy
works with, rather than replaces, a pilot,
allowing concentration on whatever task is
most important at any moment. To do this, the
aircraft needs to know the state of the individual
pilot, requiring continuous monitoring. Are there
things the aircraft can do if the pilot is at less
than maximum performance?”
According to Christenson: “An autonomous
system has an objective set by a higher
authority. It is by definition a system in which
there is a human component.”
Speaking at the Tech summit in Washington
DC on July 13, DARPA’S Tactical Technology
Office Program Manager, Jean Charles Lede,
said: “Autonomy is going to be pushed
forward rapidly with the use of AI [artificial
intelligence] software, also by improving flying
capabilities and basic safety.
“By allowing the pilot to hand off tasks
to autonomous onboard systems, both
manned and unmanned aircraft will have
more communications capability, including air
vehicle to air vehicle capabilities we are not
currently seeing. At DARPA, we are trying to
figure out what technology is needed to apply
the human where it is needed and leave the
rest to the machine.”
Future systems
Other emerging technologies may make US
airpower in 2030 look increasingly like that
of today. The applications of AI technology
are potentially that extensive as to alter
how almost every aircraft and weapon is
flown and maintained. Cyber warfare has
already demonstrated its offensive capability.
Today, it also represents a powerful threat
to airpower, not only to aircraft in flight,
but also the bases and logistics – many of
which rely on unclassified communications
systems and messaging – that will sustain air
operations in any future conflict. Among the
future operational applications of emerging
technologies are swarming UAVs, which canuse AI and autonomy to work up optimal
target acquisition and attack flight patterns.
However, competing for the resources
to realise this future airpower is the need
to meet near-term readiness requirements.
Even with an increased emphasis on looking
to new sources – international and private
sector – for emerging technologies, making
them applicable to airpower and not sitting
ducks to ever capable cyber threats is
going to be challenging indeed.The X-51A WaveRider hypersonic flight test vehicle loaded on a B-52H assigned to the 412th Test Wing
at Edwards Air Force Base prior to the first of three flights, one captive, one dress rehearsal and the final
live release, in 2009. Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and Boeing, the objective of the X-51A programme was to
demonstrate the ability to use air-breathing, hydro-carbon propulsion in the hypersonic flight regime, which
is flight more than five times the speed of sound. Chad Bellay/US Air Force