The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States Army is already a reality. Under the directive of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the United States Army has signed a $98.9 million contract with the startup TurbineOne, according to the Wall Street Journal. This agreement comes at a time when war conflicts are dominated by drones and artificial intelligence. This software developed by the company, whose CEO is Ian Kalin, claims to be capable of providing soldiers with the ability to identify enemy threats, how to respond to them, and also how to deal with them.
Computers, laptops, smart phones, and drones operate, and according to Andrew Evans, the director of strategy and transformation for the U.S. Army, the goal is for it to be able to process data 10 to 25 times faster than its potential adversaries. The infantry and cavalry forces are conducting tests through which military authorities are gathering information. According to reports, TurbineOne software has been used in U.S. military training exercises in Europe, the Pacific, and on the northern border of the North American country, and it also has the ability to deploy and coordinate swarms of drones, a function that has already been used by other branches of the Army.
TurbineOne software
For the modest price of $98.9 million, the United States Army has signed a contract with an artificial intelligence (AI) startup, with the goal of turning it into another weapon for its soldiers, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company is San Francisco-based TurbineOne, whose CEO is Ian Kalin, a former U.S. Navy nuclear engineer.
Through this software, it is intended that soldiers will be able to use this technology to identify threats and how to respond to them, without the need for a stable cloud connection. This software can operate on laptops, smartphones, and drones, providing soldiers with the ability to identify enemy threats and delivering data that will allow them to assess how to respond to these threats.
Software testing
This agreement was made at the request of the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who considers the use of software and AI in the armed forces essential. According to information from the Journal, the U.S. Army is implementing TurbineOne software in its units, with the infantry and cavalry forces carrying out tests with the program. This allows military authorities to collect direct information from soldiers, which has enabled more than 200 software reviews to be carried out in just one week.
Andrew Evans, the director of strategy and transformation of the U.S. Army, stated that the goal is to be able to process data 10 to 25 times faster than potential adversaries. “This is the most volatile, complex, uncertain, and ambiguous environment in which we have operated. We are losing the advantage of being able to hide and conceal our footprint. Everyone is losing that advantage”, he stated.
What is it capable of?
According to the company itself, TurbineOne’s software is capable of analyzing large sets of infrared images, radar, radio signals, and other sources. It can also identify general categories of threats as well as more specific ones. Additionally, it can receive information about the exact location of relevant threats and make an assessment of the risk they pose.
According to Kalin, “What this does in war is directly address the most strategic and significant threat we face, which is being isolated from the rear and operating solely with the equipment we carry.” This also reduces the risks of enemy forces being able to determine your location, Kalin added. “In the war in Ukraine, the reality is somewhat dystopian, because if you turn on a cellphone or a radio signal, you become a target.” Moreover, apart from the mentioned contract, the software is also capable of directing and coordinating drone swarms in order to attack targets in a coordinated manner, a tool that has already been used by the Army.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the name of the company developing this software?
TurbineOne.
Which is the aim of it?
According to Andrew Evans, the director of strategy and transformation of the U.S. Army, stated that the goal is to be able to process data 10 to 25 times faster than potential adversaries.