Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Teams - Software Pilot Program
Abstract
Project Maven rapidly fields AI to programs and systems that augment and automate PED for FMV of TUAVs, Medium Altitude, High Altitude, WAMI ISR, commercial and military satellite imagery in support of the NDS peer/near peer competitor strategy. Aside from imagery, Maven also uses AI to exploit CEM, Maritime, and PAI. Maven’s AI, deep learning, and computer vision algorithms and insights are developed for use in theater to detect, classify, and track objects within images (e.g., persons, vehicles, and weapons) as well as provide other insights, such as with CEM, text-based, and other projects. Maven algorithms are still in development in all its lines of effort. While Maven’s algorithms advance to increase the intelligence value of ISR and reduce the human burden on analysts, Maven develops complementary software that both analysts and operations personnel use to rapidly react, effectively plan, and clearly communicate. Project Maven’s development process requires continuous feedback and substantial changes to mature user interfaces, build AI harnesses to run algorithms, and build labeled data sets. As the underlying Maven systems continue to develop new tools for mission operations, Project Maven must constantly manage a shifting R&D budget in critical AI architecture that supports the rapid expansion of AI. In the future, these developments are expected to resolve into licensing or other COTS-based solutions. For now, agility is required to turn R&D mission successes into production for procurement and sustainment by Services, SOCOM and CCMDs. While Maven’s applications are developing, near-term and future requirements become more identifiable. However, certain nascent lines of effort will continue to require modification and advancement. Maven plans for the process to create a more robust and refined set of requirements, albeit with substantial room to continue to invest in better AI training data and better algorithms for years to come. Separately, budgeting flexibility is important to Maven because Maven applies R&D to integrate news tools with legacy systems. Most military intelligence exploitation systems were designed pre-AI and therefore require specialized integration to enable the insertion of algorithms into the software baseline. Maven funds multiple approaches for bridging these technology hurdles which provides for multiple pathways. Critical is testing and evaluation and user feedback. Maven’s successes, however, have already been deemed mission critical and have transitioned to procurement efforts. At this time, lines of effort continue to mature. Appropriation flexibility is critical to transitioning the current RDT&E funding of complex systems into licenses and requirements, purchasable by Services and COCOMs. To continue to deliver outstanding capability,
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- e88640ed0b1e894c270bec31f3387fd2