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American defence prime Lockheed Martin has recently flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the information fusion system of an F-35 fighter jet.
The successful demonstration, known as Project Overwatch, marks the first time a tactical AI model has been used in flight to generate an independent Combat ID on the pilot’s display.
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During the Project Overwatch test flight, conducted at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, a Lockheed Martin-built and trained AI/machine learning model resolved ID ambiguities among emitters, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot decision making latency.
Engineers then used an automated tool to label new emitters, retrain the AI model to learn the new emitter class within minutes, and reload the updated model for the next flight, all in the same mission planning cycle.
“This is a demonstration of 6th Gen technology brought to a 5th Gen platform,” according to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics vice president of F-35 Combat Systems, Jake Wertz.
“Equally important is our ability to reprogram the AI model on the ground and have those updates available for the next sortie; an essential step toward maintaining a tactical edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment.
“These capabilities embody Lockheed Martin’s 21st century strategy, which advances every product line by integrating next-generation performance, continual software modernization, and AI-driven decision making to keep our customers ahead of emerging challenges.”
Embedding the advanced AI into the F-35’s mission system helps pilots understand threats faster to make decisions more quickly, since operators don’t have time to synthesise data in combat.
Lockheed Martin has also announced the deployment of real-time, over-the-air software updates to an Aegis multi-mission combat system to deployed US Navy ships in the Red Sea to enable rapid counter-measures against advanced drone and missile threats.
The RAAF currently fields 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft in its fleet.
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