Marines pursuing AI for sensor autonomy on multi-mission tactical drones
Officials are hoping to install new artificial intelligence tools on platforms for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force unmanned expeditionary (MUX) family of systems after the next increment comes along, according to a program director.
That includes technologies for the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone — a role being filled by the General Atomics-built MQ-9A Reaper.
While the Reaper gained prominence as a terrorist hunter-killer for the Air Force and CIA during the post-9/11 wars in the Middle East, the Marine Corps primarily wants to use the system for communications and data network relay, electronic warfare, and maritime domain awareness missions in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of its airborne network extension operational concept, the Corps envisions the MUX MALE system as a digitally interoperable “network bridge” and secure comms gateway for the Naval and joint force, according to slides presented by Lt. Col. Leigh Irwin at the Modern Day Marine conference on Thursday. That includes exchanging data with satellites, other drones and aircraft, ships, expeditionary advanced bases, maneuver forces on land, ground control stations and land-based sensors.