Artificial intelligence is transforming aerospace defense, powering smarter aircraft, automated production, intelligent threat detection and more. Defense is an excellent candidate for AI innovations since improved efficiency and performance benefits have concrete real-world implications. Here are a few key ways AI plays a crucial role in aerospace defense today.
1. Aircraft Design and Production
Aircraft designers must consider an incredible number of details and factors when designing a new aircraft, from air resistance to weight distribution and building materials. In aerospace defense, the emphasis has to be on maximizing performance while ideally keeping the price and resources necessary to a minimum. Aesthetics are secondary.
AI-powered generative design is emerging as the perfect tool to meet these needs. This method works by using a set of input specifications and parameters, then generating a model to meet those requirements as efficiently as possible. It often results in ideas humans would not have otherwise thought of. AI-generated aircraft components can be higher-performance and even safer than conventionally designed components.
Aerospace manufacturers are already adopting this AI technology. For example, Airbus is using generative design to create lighter, safer, more resource-efficient aircraft components. Designer Bastian Schaefer commented on the project, “Generative design is helping us create a more sustainable architectural design that better accounts for critical human factors and work conditions.”
2. Pilot Training
One of the most well-known applications for AI in aerospace defense is pilot training. Artificial intelligence has long played a role in flight-training simulators, but the technology has continued to evolve over the years. The potential of AI in pilot training goes far beyond the rudimentary AI found in civilian flight simulators.
Projects are underway in the US military to use artificial intelligence when training pilots for specific skills and situations to reduce accidents and crashes. One such program analyzes and breaks down the extensive data collected by aircraft in training activities. This can reveal potential issues, pinpointing clear areas for improvement or specific actions to work on for pilots.
These AI programs can show pilots precisely what went wrong when a mistake or accident occurs in training, giving them a more concrete understanding of how to avoid future mishaps. This helps keep pilots, aircraft and other military personnel safe.
3. Fuel Efficiency and Aircraft Maintenance
AI algorithms know how to get things done with the least resources possible. This is extremely helpful in the defense industry because military organizations need high performance within a strict budget. Artificial intelligence is helping aircraft manufacturers and aerospace-defense organizations get the most value out of every dollar possible by ensuring efficient use and maintenance of fuel and aircraft.
For example, the models can track fuel consumption on aircraft using IoT sensors. Insights from this data can reveal where and how aircraft operators and pilots use fuel inefficiently, giving them actionable strategies for reducing unnecessary consumption. Aerospace and defense can also use IoT and AI for many other things, such as monitoring sensitive or high-priority samples and payloads in orbital flights.
AI and IoT can even monitor an aircraft’s health. Through a process known as predictive or preventative maintenance, AI tracks the vehicle and flags dips in performance that could indicate maintenance needs. This allows aircraft crews to conduct tune-ups long before any components experience a severe breakdown. With predictive maintenance, aerospace defense organizations can save time and money on maintenance and keep their aircraft in better condition, extending the life span of each vehicle.
4. Aerospace Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence has become a central part of the future of cybersecurity. In today’s threat landscape, aerospace-defense organizations need to have cutting-edge cyber defenses. Cyber criminals and enemy-state hackers are using AI and developing tactics for attacking AI specifically. Defense organizations must utilize their own models to combat these evolving threats.
The US Department of Defense is already prioritizing artificial intelligence for defending itself and using it for defense. In a DoD news update, Marine Corps Lieutenant Michael S. Groen reported AI is helping the U.S. military protect its networks by monitoring network activity for signs of potential threats. This is only one of a growing number of defense-focused AI programs.
AI can act as a 24/7 security camera for digital assets, rapidly picking up early indicators of potential threats which would likely go unnoticed until a breach was already underway. Security-analysis models can also help organizations identify potential risks early to strengthen their cyber defenses. Maintaining strong aerospace defense cybersecurity is crucial, especially as critical technologies like navigation and communications go digital.
5. Fully Autonomous Aircraft
One of the most exciting applications for AI in aerospace defense is fully-autonomous aircraft, piloted entirely by artificial intelligence. Often referred to as drones or Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles, autonomous aircraft may well be the future of aerospace defense. Drones can keep pilots safe in aerial combat scenarios, although aerospace defense leaders don’t think drones will completely replace pilots. Instead, they will become autonomous wingmen for human pilots.
These AI aircraft can perform critical tasks that protect pilots in manned aircraft and help give them an advantage over opponents in the skies. For example, the Air Force is investing in next-gen UAVs that may one day be able to jam enemy radars, relay targeting data to pilots and fly as decoys for pilots. These aircraft can also carry payloads, making them fully-fledged combat aircraft. As UAV technology advances over the years ahead, the capabilities of these AI-powered aircraft will continue to expand.
The Future of AI in Aerospace Defense
AI in aerospace defense is pushing the boundaries of computing and aircraft technology. Next-gen aircraft will be lighter, safer and have higher performance thanks to algorithm design input. Aircraft can be better operated and maintained using invaluable AI data analysis.
Pilots will be better prepared for anything they face in the skies with the help of AI training programs and UAV wingmen. From aircraft design to aerial combat, artificial intelligence will play a central role in the future of aerospace defense.
