The AI military race is led by American tech. Is there a challenger?

Amal Jos Chacko

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The B-21 Raider nuclear stealth bomber, the United States Air Force’s pride and joy, recently took to the Californian skies for its inaugural flight on November 10.

This incident, whose timing peculiarly lined up with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, caused China to suddenly change tact and want to talk about nukes and AI.

But why?

More than just a marvel of engineering, the B-21 marks a new frontier in military technology, combining physical prowess with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Experts suggest that the B-21 Raider's AI-driven software is pivotal for its design, testing, and mission flexibility.

Tate Nurkin, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Forward Defense and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, spoke to Newsweek, emphasizing the role of digital design and engineering in expediting the bomber's development, calling AI simulations “key” to the program.

“Open architectures also will accelerate upgrades, especially software upgrades, including AI-driven software,” he explained. “[For] mission flexibility, it can also serve as a stealthy sensor or communications/ data fusion node in addition to serving as a stealthy bomber. The data fusion area is where AI is likely to have the most impact.”

Developed with the next generation of stealth technology and an open systems architecture, the B-21 Raider will serve as the backbone of America’s bomber fleet.

Grappling with AI testing and evaluation challenges.

As the U.S. military turns to AI, increasingly integrating defense systems with its magic, there is an exponential rise in the challenges faced in testing and evaluating AI-enabled systems.

Tom Longstaff, Chief Technology Officer of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), pointed out that although the Air Force has been ahead in recognizing the significance of AI, there is a pressing need for more maturity in AI testing and evaluation.

“We did look at some specific use cases and specific areas in which AI would be enabled, especially in new airborne platforms, so the B-21 would certainly be in that category,” he told Newsweek.

“We were looking a lot at autonomy as well, so looking at the test and evaluation of autonomous flight systems, things like Loyal Wingman (a military drone with an AI control system that can carry a large weapons load), and areas that would be in partnership with manned aircraft that would basically be used in various deployment situations.”

Longstaff co-chaired a committee of industry, government, and academic exports which published a report titled "Test and Evaluation Challenges in Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Systems for the Department of the Air Force", recommending increased investment in AI development and prioritizing rigorous testing.

    

A catalyst for military advancements.

The global race for AI supremacy is reshaping the landscape of military capabilities, with the U.S. and China emerging as frontrunners. Despite the U.S. having a leading edge in research and development efforts, challenges persist in adopting AI-enabled capabilities at scale within the Department of Defense (DOD). Bureaucracy and a slow acquisition process hamper the integration of cutting-edge technologies into defense systems.

However, AI's impact on military operations was made evident as early as 2021 when Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall revealed artificial intelligence to be used to target a “real world kill-chain operation”, or in simpler terms, military strikes.

The Joint All-Domain Command and Control, an ambitious program by the Department of Defense (DOD), is a further testament to the multifaceted applications of AI in military settings. However, experts caution that the successful incorporation of AI at scale requires addressing challenges and fostering a culture of agility within the DOD.

As the U.S. soldiers on adding to its AI prowess, China finds itself at a crossroads. The B-21, equipped with cloud technology, open architecture, and continuous software upgrades, presents a formidable challenge to China's military capabilities.

While China's diplomats express a willingness to engage in talks on AI and nuclear weapons, the nation's combat pilots are actively advancing AI integration. "The computer can sum up all situational information and assist military personnel in making more efficient and accurate decisions," said Chinese fighter pilot Zhang Xiao, speaking to Global Times earlier this year.

China revealed hypersonic missiles boasting a top speed of Mach 6 in November, taking on a B-21-like stealth platform and successfully shot the aircraft and its accompanying drone in a simulation.