A recent report from the Future Defense Task Force, a bipartisan congressional panel, has reiterated the need for the US to invest more heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). While the US has increased spending in this area in recent years, this report reflects the growing belief within US military circles that spending on advanced technologies is still far lower than it needs to be to address future conflict scenarios.

Despite new organisations such as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) providing an increased focus on AI, the US is still lacking in technological readiness and must focus on transformative solutions rather than single use efforts, as well as creating a common AI foundation and developing a leading workforce — points the Department of Defense (DoD) outlined in its 2020 strategy document. Additionally, there will also need to be further integration with major defence programmes, and a more concerted approach for advanced technologies.

Generating AI capability requires defence actors to work significantly more with the private sector. Current leaders in this space include companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The DoD has previously had problems working with technology companies because of internal resistance to DoD goals, with Google opting in 2019 not to renew its contract for Project Maven due to employee pushback.

In addition to working with the larger, more established private sector companies, the US also needs to engage with, and specifically develop, an ecosystem of small and medium sized (SME) companies and startups. Recognising this need, the report suggests raising the funding ten-fold for efforts to corral private sector expertise through initiatives such as the Defense Innovation Unit.

The US must pursue more serious integration with current and future defence programmes and consider the applications of AI in all areas of defence including logistics and cyber operations, and in particular the development of semiautonomous and autonomous vehicles. However, other major powers such as China and Russia are also investing heavily in this area, with China aiming to be a world leader and bring the domestic value of its AI industry to $150bn by 2030.

For more defence industry comment and analysis, visit GlobalData’s Aerospace, Defense & Security Intelligence Centre.

The US is aiming to deploy hypersonic weapons by the mid-2020s, but both Russia and China claim that they are on track to deploy significantly sooner — putting the US at a potential disadvantage.

Russia claimed in 2019 that its ‘Avengard’ missile was operational and has recently upgraded Kh-32s with the capability to carry hypersonic missiles, while China has developed the DF-17, which could potentially strike the US mainland if fired from a naval vessel.

With a recent admission that China is ahead of the US in hypersonic weapons development, the US is continuing its investment, which previously included major contracts to develop hypersonic weapons (Hacksaw). The US is also developing a common missile body for use by multiple military branches (C-HGB).

The ability of hypersonic glide weapons to rapidly manoeuvre presents a challenge in terms of tracking. The development of anti-satellite systems by both Russia and China is a threat to the US’s existing missile warning systems.

The US is keen to create better-networked missile detection systems by developing effective advanced tracking and interception technologies, and investment is likely to fuel significant advances in the field. Within this scope, the Pentagon has announced plans to develop an early warning and tracking satellite system and has awarded contracts to L3Harris and SpaceX.

In addition to new satellite arrays the Pentagon is also investing in ways to intercept hypersonic missiles, awarding contracts to Northrop Grumman at the beginning of 2020 as part of its Glide Breaker programme. These satellites will provide the capability to detect and track incoming strikes, which will be crucial to hypersonic missile countermeasures. The aim for these new contracts is for a direct connection between this satellite tracking layer and weapons systems currently in development to counter potential strikes.

The recent GlobalData report ‘Hypersonic Technologies’ discusses in depth the leaders and challengers in this industry and breaks down the likely industry developments over the next ten years.

For more defence industry comment and analysis, visit GlobalData’s Aerospace, Defense & Security Intelligence Centre.