IOWA
CITY, Iowa, June 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT)
partnered with the University of Iowa's
Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL) to demonstrate the use of
artificial intelligence (AI) in air-to-air intercept scenarios.
The successful flights are a significant milestone for Skunk
Works' Tactical AI team, in which AI directly flew and
conducted tactical exercises with a full-scale, live aircraft – one
of OPL's L-29 Delfin jets – using heading, speed and altitude
commands. The team executed simulated-to-real transfer test
objectives against a virtual adversary in offensive and defensive
risk postures.
Eight test cases were conducted per flight to exercise the AI
agent in a variety of situations, from standard head-to-head fights
to off-aspect encounters, missile support and missile defeat
scenarios. The team was encouraged to see clean sim-to-real
transfer of learned behaviors and that the AI agent appeared
intentional and decisive in its actions.
"This was the first live exercise of the new flight interface;
it's thrilling to see the separate components successfully
integrate on the L-29 to demonstrate new capabilities. The complete
system performed even better in live flight than in simulation,"
said Dr. Tom "Mach" Schnell, OPL professor at Iowa Technology
Institute.
"Live flight tests are a crucial aspect of advancing our
expertise in AI and autonomy. These flights are powerful
demonstrations of our ability to quickly and affordably develop and
test operationally relevant AI capabilities," said Matthew "Gabe"
Beard, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works autonomy/AI and machine learning
engineering manager.
These flight tests are part of a broader initiative to rapidly
develop and test AI-driven autonomy for air-to-air missions.
Several other flight tests are planned for this year, building on
these achievements, and increasing the complexity by introducing
additional aircraft into offensive counter air and battle
management scenarios. Lockheed Martin is continuously elevating AI
mission performance in operationally representative simulated
environments, using open mission systems standards to ensure broad
compatibility and rapid transition with future platforms.
Lockheed Martin provides AI and machine learning solutions that
augment human performance by processing, fusing, and analyzing
tremendous volumes of data to give our customers actionable
intelligence and a strategic advantage. Lockheed Martin is
aligned and closely adheres to the U.S. Department of Defense's
guidance on the ethical and safe use of autonomous systems. Humans
are and will remain on-the-loop, providing final decision-making
authority in Lockheed Martin AI and machine learning systems.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company
driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our
all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security®
vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to
ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information
at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics