The US Department of the Air Force (DAF) has taken another step toward AI-enabled warfare, demonstrating that multiple artificial intelligence tools from different developers can operate together in a unified battle management environment.
The capability was showcased during the DAF’s two-week Multi-Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming (MASH), where US Air Force airmen and US Space Force guardians evaluated how the technologies could support decision-making across multi-domain operations.
AI for Multi-Domain Battle Management
The integrated system analyzed battlefield data, recommended actions, matched capabilities to mission requirements, and generated courses of action while leaving final decisions to human operators.
During the experiment, participants completed five or six operational taskings in roughly the time previously required for a single task.
Software developers were tasked with building AI services for three core battlefield functions: identifying actionable targets, recommending the most effective capabilities, and generating courses of action.
“We want the computers to do that work, to ruminate over every possible multi-domain effect; that way we can present the highest quality menu of decisions to the right commander, faster than ever before,” said US Air Force Col. John Ohlund, director of the Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team (ABMS CFT).
Plug-and-Play AI
The exercise also validated a modular AI architecture that enables software from multiple developers to exchange data through a common interface.
“We are proving that a true plug-and-play, modular approach not only works, but it fosters continuous competition and allows the government to select the best-of-breed software services as they mature,” Ohlund said.
Air Force-Space Force Collaboration
The MASH event also marked the first active participation of US Space Force guardians, who worked side-by-side with air force personnel throughout the experiment.
According to US Space Force Col. Teina Stallings-Lilly, deputy director for space operations integration with the ABMS CFT, the initiative is helping build a unified DAF Battle Network by integrating air and space operations.
“By having our Guardians in the seat for this experiment, they are seeing the direct applicability of these AI tools and, in turn, are providing the expertise needed to build a truly integrated DAF Battle Network,” Stallings-Lilly explained.
She added that the department is moving toward machine-speed decision-support capabilities that process operational data while keeping humans responsible for final decisions.
