Defense Science Board Task Force on Counter Autonomy: Executive Summary
Abstract
The Task Force was asked to conduct a strategic assessment of U.S. counter autonomy capabilities today and 30 years from now across all domains (land, sea, undersea, air, space, and cyberspace). The Task Force considered both physical and digital autonomous systems. Specific areas of focus include: the projected future of autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI); gaps in U.S. counter autonomy capabilities; vulnerabilities unique to autonomous systems; non-traditional counters to autonomous systems; and the current state of autonomy/AI talent across DoD. The Task Force found a heavy focus across the whole-of-government on fielding U.S. autonomous systems with very little attention given to countering autonomous systems deployed by adversaries. One major exception is the U.S. governments many programs focused on the counter unmanned aerial system (c-UAS) mission. Although c-UAS is critical to ensuring the safety and security of U.S. forces, allies, and the homeland, the DoD must adopt a broader view of counter autonomy or it will not be prepared to effectively defeat future adversary systems. Like the introduction of cyberspace, the growth of autonomy and AI will bring new capability to the public and private sector, but it will also introduce vulnerabilities to current and future capabilities. Therefore, the Task Force felt it necessary to not only develop recommendations aimed at counter autonomy but also counter-counter autonomy. The integrity of each component used to develop a physical or digital autonomous capability must be considered across the entire lifecycle of a system to maintain confidence in its efficacy and reliability. The Task Force has provided a series of recommendations that, if implemented, will effectively aid the DoD and the wider U.S. government in developing a full-scope counter autonomy capability, strengthen U.S. autonomous systems, and result in a more resilient and lethal force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1110713
Entities
People
- James Carlini
- Mark Maybury
Organizations
- Defense Science Board