Pentagon Wants to Explore Space but Is Short of Edge Computing Tech

Pentagon Wants to Explore Space but Is Short of Edge Computing Tech
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Pentagon struggles with a lack of edge computing power for space systems

What if nations like the US could just prevent conflict in the first place by using today's artificial intelligence to forecast events many days in advance? The kind of futuristic thinking that is pushing top defense planners and U.S. military leaders toward the quick deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled situational awareness systems seems like the ultimate form of deterrence, a plan that would spare everyone a lot of bother.

Pentagon officials claim that while the Department of Defense intends to use edge computing and artificial intelligence to improve satellite communications, the current technologies are not perfect. In addition to other modernization initiatives, the Pentagon's concept of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) depends on artificial intelligence and space technology. In a panel discussion at the virtual Space Innovation Summit on Monday, Lisa Costa, chief technology and innovation officer for the Space Force, stated: "Fundamentally, I would prefer to employ edge-based devices to handle much of our AI work."

"Now you must keep in mind that the majority of the assets we have sent into orbit lack the storage and computing capability [to achieve that], so you still need to transfer that data to algorithms. However, she remarked, "I'd prefer to avoid having to do everything on the ground and then transfer it up into space. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are "major priorities" for the R&E directorate, according to Lindsay Millard, principal director for space in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

According to Costa, further research is necessary to find the ideal balance. The Department of the Air Force's pursuit of an Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), the Air Force and Space Force's contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control will benefit from addressing that issue. For that project, communication and data transfer between satellites, as well as between satellites, airplanes, and ground systems, will be essential.

According to Air Force Chief Information Officer Lauren Knausenberger, as the Pentagon looks to deploy algorithms in space, it must ensure that satellites have adequate edge computing capacity and that new software code can be uploaded quickly. The contemporary space firms are considering this, she added. How can I ensure that my satellite has the capabilities it might require in a few weeks in addition to the ones I know it must have today? How can I quickly deploy code?

For instance, she pointed out that SpaceX's Starlink was quick to upgrade its systems amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in response to Russian attempts to jam its communications. Costa wants the Space Force to make use of the digital "infrastructure" that businesses are erecting.

When it comes to things like cloud computing, storage, and other technology that enables "very computationally demanding AI in space" without requiring the download of data to ground stations, she added, "I don't anticipate DOD to be at the forefront of bringing infrastructure into space." "I want to profit from industry's investment in building infrastructure in space," the speaker said.

The Global Information Dominance Experiments (GIDE), the third round of experiments, were carried out in July 2021 by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), in conjunction with the heads of 11 combatant commands. In December 2020 and March 2021, respectively, the first and second rounds of testing were conducted. Three interconnected AI-enabled tools termed Cosmos, Lattice, and Gaia were the subjects of experiments that were intended to take place in stages, each of which showcased their existing capabilities. Gaia, which is made up of several distinct classified and unclassified data sources, including enormous amounts of satellite images, communications data, intelligence reports, and a variety of sensor data, offers real-time situational awareness for any geographic region. Real-time threat tracking and response options are provided by Lattice. Through Cosmos, several commands may collaborate strategically in the cloud. Together, these decision-making tools are meant to foresee the activities of enemies, allowing U.S. military officials to prevent those acts before a physical war occurs and deprive them of any perceived advantages from conducting any anticipated measures.

As they are ready for future battlefields where AI will be used more often, U.S. defense authorities are particularly interested in these techniques. These AI-enabled platforms are anticipated to offer U.S. military leaders more than just improved situational awareness and better early warning; instead, they are anticipated to provide them with what is regarded as the pinnacle of operational planning: strategic warning of enemy actions in the grey area (i.e., the competition phase), before any irreversible moves, have been made. With such a development, decision-makers would be able to create proactive choices (as opposed to the reactive ones of the past) and make judgments considerably more quickly.

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