Trend Insight
AI Technology Is Changing How Wars Are Won
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing warfare as the military uses cutting-edge technologies to become more effective and efficient in defending against attacks.
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- Ruud van den Brink,
- Product Manager
Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been in the headlines lately. However, AI has been used for a variety of military and defense purposes for decades and will continue to play a major role in the way wars are waged in the future. As a result, the centralized data centers and embedded computing systems that enable AI will be required to provide unprecedented levels of computing power and bandwidth as new military applications of AI are developed and deployed.
Application of AI in Warfare
A groundbreaking milestone in military history is a precursor to AI as we know it today: mathematician Alan Turing broke the German Enigma encryption codes in World War II. He then went on to develop the Turing Test, which is still widely used to determine if a computer can match human intelligence.
The U.S. military also has a long history of experimenting with and using AI. In 1991, an AI program called the Dynamic Analysis and Replanning Tool (DART) was used to schedule the transportation of supplies and personnel and to solve other logistical problems, saving millions of dollars. Today, the military is exploring new ways to use AI to help improve effectiveness and efficiency, including the following examples of AI’s use in warfare.
Identifying and Neutralizing Threats
Locating the unique signature of a radio or radar signal that’s emitted by a particular aircraft within the entire electromagnetic spectrum is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. In the past, sensors were recording broad frequency ranges. These recordings were then sent to a lab where trained technicians scoured the recording to isolate and identify any signals of interest before designing jamming systems to address each signal.
Today, AI systems are being employed to help detect and identify signals of interest and to implement the appropriate technology to jam the signal or to help intercept the threat as needed.
AI can also be used to help intercept incoming threats. When a ballistic missile launch is detected, it’s possible to determine the missile’s expected trajectory and intervene before the missile hits its intended target. Predictive AI can be used to identify the missile’s electromagnetic signature and to either jam the signal and redirect the missile or direct interceptors to destroy the missile before it reaches its target. An AI-based system may also be able to decipher any encrypted communications, providing valuable information about the opposition’s capabilities or intent.
Guiding Manned and Unmanned Aircraft and Vehicles
Unmanned vehicles play an important role in modern warfare, but most require some level of human control. Vehicles without a human crew or guidance have some kind of AI capabilities or local logic to avoid catastrophe, especially if communication with the unmanned vehicle is lost even for a moment.
Future generations of fighter jets, submarines, and other military vehicles, currently on the drawing board, are likely to operate with a swarm of unmanned vehicles. AI will be used to control the swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while the pilot focuses on executing his mission. Military forces around the world are experimenting with this emerging technology as engineers work to mature artificial intelligence technology and its integration with various platforms.
Swarm technology will likely be incorporated into the next generation of fighter jets being developed today so that the autonomous crafts will coordinate seamlessly with their manned counterparts.
Gathering Intelligence
The quality of AI-based transcription and translation programs improves dramatically with each software update. For instance, it can allow audio communications to be transcribed and translated in real time.
Preparing for Battle
Simulators and training programs that employ AI are replacing textbooks as the preferred media for training. Lessons delivered via tablet or virtual/augmented reality can be updated immediately to reflect the latest developments and to better simulate real-life battle situations and conditions.
Empowering an Integrated Defense System
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is developing a centralized system called Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) that uses AI to link sensors from all branches of the armed forces into a unified network. The goal of this effort is to improve access to strategic and tactical data across all branches of the U.S. military. JADC2 aims to achieve this by identifying and eliminating physical and technological barriers that limit the sharing of mission-critical data and information. If successful, the result will be unprecedented levels of interconnectivity among military personnel and equipment.
Restrictions on the Use of AI in Warfare
As the race to find new military applications of AI goes on, nations and government organizations are working to establish the guidelines and standards to help ensure that AI is applied ethically.
In January of 2023, the DOD announced an update to Directive 3000.09 Autonomy in Weapon Systems that applies to autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems, including those that incorporate AI. The updated requirements state: “Autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems will be designed to allow commanders and operators to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.” So, while AI may be used to help leaders and commanders make more informed decisions, it’s ultimately a person — not a machine — that determines the final action.
The Importance of Embedded Systems in Electronic Warfare
Regardless of how they are being used, AI applications require significant amounts of data that must be processed quickly. High-speed connections are needed to keep the data flowing between the sensors and the black boxes used to implement the AI.
Most industries that use AI rely on ground-based, climate-controlled data centers where space for processing equipment is virtually unlimited. Defense and military applications of AI will also require ruggedized embedded systems that must function reliably and consistently in confined and potentially hostile environments on the ground, in the water, in the air, or in space.
Local processing is required to minimize the constraints of securely sending the vast amount of information that can be collected. Embedded systems on board each vehicle will require extraordinary computing power to handle the demands of AI applications.
TE Connectivity (TE) Enables Military Applications of AI
When designing embedded electronic systems, the two prime constraints are the physical layout of the circuit board and the thermal management within the system. The amount of data that can be collected and stored, and how quickly that data can be sent from point A to point B, are also extremely important. For the design to be efficient, a balance between the computing power that’s available today and the rates at which data will be able to be transmitted in the near future is needed.
Current systems are capable of transmitting data at rates of more than 32 gigabytes per second, but that’s not enough. Designers and engineers will always need or want to move more data, faster.
TE's VITA- and SOSA-aligned portfolio
TE offers a broad portfolio of VITA- and SOSA-aligned interconnect components that can handle speeds of up to 112 gigabits per second (Gb/s), even under harsh battlefield conditions, including the:
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STRADA Whisper
backplane family was designed for high-performing, high-bandwidth systems. Its revolutionary design transfers data up to 112 Gb/s—allowing for efficient future system upgrades without costly backplane or midplane redesigns.
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MULTIGIG
connectors support speeds of more than 32 Gb/s, making them among the fastest rugged backplane connectors for embedded computing or VPX systems.
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DEUTSCH CeeLok FAS-X Connectors
offer high-speed solutions for Ethernet data delivery using rugged, mil-spec components.
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Raychem
brand cable assemblies, harnessing, heat shrink tubing and tape, joints, terminations, wraparound sleeves, terminal, splices, wires, and cables are designed for a wide range of applications in the most demanding environments.
Looking Ahead to the Future of AI in Warfare
The accelerated progress in software and AI technology virtually guarantees that the defense industry will see tremendous advances and continue to find new applications for AI in the military. Expertise in various commercial, industrial, medical, aerospace, and defense applications that also employ AI tech allows TE to adapt existing products to work in harsh environments on the ground, on the water, and in space.
For example, TE’s STRADA Whisper high-speed connectors are based on connectors developed for use in ground-based data centers but have been ruggedized to withstand the extreme conditions on the battlefield and in space.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. military has a long history of using AI in warfare.
- The military is exploring new ways to use AI technology to help improve effectiveness and efficiency.
- Military applications of AI include identifying and neutralizing threats, guiding manned and unmanned aircraft and vehicles, gathering intelligence, and preparing for battle.
- DOD requires commanders and operators of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.
- AI systems will require extraordinary computing power and bandwidth to meet the demands of military applications of AI.
- TE has the interconnect solutions and expertise to help enable the use of AI in warfare.
