US Air Force Video on Skyborg Drones Presented

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The Drive has published a video on the Skyborg program presented by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. As part of this program, artificial intelligence is being developed to control combat unmanned aerial vehicles.

Artificial intelligence program for drones


Currently, the Skyborg program is being implemented in several directions at once, including how to create drones, and the development of software for pilots who could manage drones during the flight mission.



The Air Force command expects that unmanned aerial vehicles in the role of followers will act in tandem with the F-35 and F-15EX fighters. Drones will be tasked with detecting enemy radar. As for the fighters, they will fly with the radar for detecting ground targets, receiving all the necessary information from the UAV in real time.

The program was first officially introduced a year ago, in March 2019, although its development began much earlier. On June 24, 2020, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) posted a video on YouTube that outlines the concept of the drone and shows its internal structure.


On the video you can see the design features of the conventional drone, including its appearance, and the compartment for equipment, and compartments for the payload.

Joseph Trevitik, author of The Drive, notes that there is no reason to believe that this video is anything more than a design concept for the alleged drone. Nevertheless, in the video we can imagine what the future UAV created under the Skyborg program, the Air Force Research Laboratory, sees.


As you know, the Research Laboratory has repeatedly stated that the main goal of the program at the initial stage is to test its effect on an unmanned aerial vehicle, and only then it will be possible to talk about the introduction of artificial intelligence systems in manned fighters in which they operate in as a "virtual co-pilot."

How the US Air Force is going to use artificial intelligence as part of the Skyborg program


In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence and the expansion of the possibilities of using it for military needs at the official level has been proclaimed one of the highest priority areas for the modernization of the American armed forces. The military department wants to reduce the cost of Skyborg systems and the platforms on which they can be installed.

The U.S. Air Force command believes that Skyborg should independently manage a number of tasks, ranging from takeoff and landing of aircraft and ending with much more complex functions, including independent decision making in a real combat situation based on an analysis of situational factors. That is, in addition to the role of guided paired with a manned fighter, drones equipped with artificial intelligence, according to the ideas of the US military, should be able to use fully autonomous.


UAVs with the Skyborg system will be able to carry out a wide variety of missions, including the performance of reconnaissance and surveillance tasks, air defense and combat operations in the air. In the future, according to the US military, drones may be equipped with an advanced network-based combat control system and data exchange and data sharing systems.

The US Air Force argues that the first version of the Skyborg program should be ready by 2021, and in 2023 the first unmanned aerial vehicle of the “follower” type will be launched.
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    1. -1
      25 June 2020 10: 42
      Artificial intelligence program for drones

      I wonder why the combat drone has very clever brains? There is a highly specialized program of action. With the ultimate goal and purpose, even if several .....
      Okay, we just want to show off.
      1. +5
        25 June 2020 10: 44
        The Drive has published a video on the Skyborg program presented by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. As part of this program, artificial intelligence is being developed to control combat unmanned aerial vehicles.


        Well, it has begun recourse ...

        Early skyborg,then Skynet..

        1. 0
          25 June 2020 10: 58
          First, then this ... you look and get to the MATRIX!
        2. 0
          26 June 2020 17: 14
          Quote: Insurgent
          Well, it has begun ...

          Well, it started back in 1984. while they have only Hollywood burning. wink
      2. +1
        25 June 2020 11: 01
        In order to make a fully autonomous UAV, in which the operator gives only permission to open fire. Like now with the pilots.
      3. +2
        25 June 2020 11: 25
        They want to expand their specialization. Add maneuverability weapons cc, radar. They will make a leading UAV for fighters.
      4. +1
        25 June 2020 22: 41
        Quote: rocket757
        I wonder why the combat drone has very clever brains?
        "Another test of a smart bomb ended in failure. The crew was never able to convince her to leave the plane."
    2. The comment was deleted.
    3. -3
      25 June 2020 10: 53
      When Putin showed how "Dagger" and "Poseidon" would work, the West laughed and called it cartoons ..... What is this now? "Doesn't a smart think get rich?"lol
      1. +4
        25 June 2020 11: 29
        This is the concept of a new weapon. And its application. Our cartoons are the development of old concepts. Only we did faster and higher. More precisely, I do not know. And this is a conventional weapon. The Americans are working on our A2D2 problem of overcoming the air defense zone from 300-350-400-500. Put forward concepts:
        1. Stealth
        2. A swarm of drones.
        3. Shock UAVs of various types.
        4. Ammunition.
        1. -2
          25 June 2020 11: 42
          1. Some parts of the Putin cartoon contradict the laws of physics.
          2. There are no problems to overcome these systems. The problem is that there will be human losses, up to 30% of the attackers. They want 0 in the graph of human losses.
          3. There will be a swarm of stealth attack drones with various weapons)) of the flying wing there are not enthusiastic, there are too many restrictions.
          1. +2
            25 June 2020 11: 49
            They do not want to fight with 30% of losses. They want dominance. They have worked out the "brains" for the UAV, and the "flying wing" is not suitable for all missions. Accordingly, they want to reduce losses to the losses of drones, and they will bring their number to the number of deployed missiles in air defense systems. It is not a fact that we will pull the number of air defense systems and fighters that we need to counter this threat. And the countries that buy the C400 systems will face the problem of "zeroing" the air defense before the NATO countries. And we risk seeing a second and third Yugoslavia or Iraq.
            1. 0
              25 June 2020 12: 00
              Quite right and logical reasoning. Even the Turks are approaching a normal strike UAV. As soon as Akinchi goes into the series, all the shells and tori will be reset to zero. Beeches will work on the border of their capabilities. I am silent about American UAVs.
              1. +1
                25 June 2020 12: 09
                Here the concept is different. The Turks are walking so far, like us in the American and Israeli footsteps. Kratos shows where to go next. These UAVs, like fighters, will operate already in the air defense zone .... they will not be targets. And they will work quite aggressively.
                1. +1
                  25 June 2020 12: 15
                  Turks are an indicator for me. Their counterparts MQ1 and MQ9 are weaker than American ones. But the Turks never had a developed aviation industry and microelectronics. They do everything from scratch, understandably buy components and technologies from various countries. This says that the advanced countries of the USA, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Europe can do fundamentally better, but also more expensive. Turks launch the mass market.
                  1. +1
                    25 June 2020 12: 25
                    Yes, but we have not yet caught up even with the Turks. ORION and more have not yet entered service, and there are no drums either. And the Turks are already fighting.
                    1. 0
                      25 June 2020 12: 28
                      We have no MALE class at all, only Israeli UAVs of the 80s. 2 key problems there are no necessary engines and no necessary microelectronics. And this is 90% UAV. Therefore, we make cars on the radio and super heavy C70.
                      1. 0
                        25 June 2020 12: 31
                        In this case, this is a challenge for our air defense. And we must conceptually think what to do about it.
                        1. -4
                          25 June 2020 12: 33
                          Like what? “New are born”
                        2. +1
                          25 June 2020 12: 38
                          So many do not give birth .... and we must have time to teach them to pilots and operators of air defense systems. And this is 4-5 years. And even 9 women do not go one child for 1 month!
                        3. 0
                          26 June 2020 17: 33
                          it feels like you are not familiar with the current Russian military doctrine. apparently this explains your superficial look. request
                          briefly:
                          1) a very high-tech plant is needed for the production of UAVs. in the event of a real conflict, this plant will not be in the very first days.
                          2) the mass production of shock UAVs is not a very cheap pleasure. so cheap that even the USA with its rubber budget cannot afford it. the number of shock UAVs is in the tens, not even hundreds.
            2. 0
              25 June 2020 12: 02
              Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System are some of the most interesting projects, the one mentioned in the article seems to go parallel to them.
              1. -2
                25 June 2020 16: 29
                Lied XQ-58 and Skyborg 2 parts of one program and they fly like a year.
            3. 0
              25 June 2020 13: 10
              Not the fact that we will pull the number of air defense systems and fighters that we need to counter this threat


              - Oda installation of electronic warfare "mercury" - and the whole "swarm of UAVs" - into the ground.
              and, moreover, with the detonation of the ammunition transported by that "swarm"

              Admire WHAT this electronic warfare does with the "swarm" of volley fire ammunition:
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Macw9AXBQ
              And there (in volley missiles) - not some radio-transparent composites there - like in UAVs
              - and ARRAYS from STEEL and ALUMINUM.
              And then it is useless to shield the effect of such electronic warfare ...
              - Well ... but actually a "good radar" - he roasts a crow on the fly ..
              LITERALLY roasts ...
              1. 0
                26 June 2020 17: 39
                Quote: tikhonov66
                Oda installation of electronic warfare "mercury" - and the whole "swarm of UAVs" - into the ground.

                but! on the other hand, in my opinion, it is good that the United States continues to spend resources on obviously useless weapons. railgun, LCS, Zumwalt, F-35 ... all the same, it’s good that in the USA an order for weapons is approved by Congress lobbying the interests of corporations, and not military wink
          2. +3
            25 June 2020 12: 35
            Some parts of the Putin cartoon contradict the laws of physics.


            -? !!!!
            - somehow VOTE ...
            - work hard - more specifically, please ...
            - Well, like, what exactly "contradicts" and what "laws of physics" exactly.
          3. 0
            25 June 2020 12: 36
            Physics cannot be contradicted.
            1. -1
              25 June 2020 13: 31
              Of course you can’t contradict, I wrote for the layman. But you can create animated pictures that present concepts that are impossible from the point of view of current ideas about “physics”
          4. -1
            25 June 2020 13: 04
            They want 0 to be in the graph of human losses.


            - vaasche they were honestly WARNED that if they "rock the boat",
            then they will destroy not only and not so much theirs "swarms of drones",
            - how many "administrative centers" and "decision-making centers".

            And after such a "response" - "administrative" and other "centers" - automatically become both "unmanned" and made using "stealth" technology - completely merging with the scorched surrounding area.
          5. 0
            25 June 2020 13: 12
            Well, you won !!!! good
            Funny you ....
            Putin has cartoons, and Americans have a concept !!!!
            Is this kanception already shooting? Start to be afraid? Nothing in it contradicts the laws of physics? what
        2. +1
          25 June 2020 12: 35
          Wow you !!! Suggest also to see all the series of star wars and give out something like that? wassat
        3. +1
          25 June 2020 12: 42
          Our cartoons are the development of old concepts.


          - for the development of new concepts - we are animated cartoons - DO NOT Bother ...
          См. https://yandex.ru/video/preview?filmId=13181563012003890756&text=%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82%20%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0&path=wizard&parent-reqid=1593077858277250-799597957563083046300257-production-app-host-man-web-yp-114&redircnt=1593077876.1
          - Western experts, in turn, noted the possibility of using the "Hunters" as wingmen in a link with the latest Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighters.
          1. 0
            25 June 2020 12: 48
            The hunter will not be able to maneuver like a fighter, and this will prevent him from completing any tasks. This is F117 on a new level.
        4. -2
          25 June 2020 12: 55
          The Americans are working on our A2D2 problem of overcoming the air defense zone from 300-350-400-500. Put forward concepts:
          1. Stealth

          - Perfectly detected by multi-band radars and even more so PASSIVE radars ....
          2. A swarm of drones.

          - Oda installation of electronic warfare "mercury" - and the whole "swarm" - into the ground.
          She even "initiates" electric fuses of ammunition systems of salvo onnya
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Macw9AXBQ
          And there (in volley missiles) - not some radio-transparent composites there - like in UAVs
          - and ARRAYS from STEEL and ALUMINUM.
          And then it is useless to shield the effect of such electronic warfare ...
          - Well ... actually "good radar" - roasts a crow on the fly ..
          3. Shock UAVs of various types.

          - EW - steers!
          4. Ammunition

          - Well, "ammunition" is about nothing.
          small-caliber cartridge is also ammunition ...
          8-))
          1. +1
            25 June 2020 13: 00
            Question - at what distance will they find? CRs are not detected by stealth 30 km before the radar (not to their target) and the question of its defeat is solved in pieces of the KR for one target.
            1. 0
              25 June 2020 13: 26
              It is useless to answer them. The vast majority of such commentators have no idea what EW is and what it consists of. In the Ru segment, the importance of electronic warfare is exaggerated by those for whom it is magic. Electronic warfare includes, in addition to measures for electronic suppression, measures for electronic protection, which are ten times easier and more efficient to implement. Not to mention that suppression systems are the most easily destroyed target. And modern systems can be controlled and induced not only by radio channels.
              1. +1
                25 June 2020 13: 38
                For example, autonomously inertial systems that are already quite accurate. Read about the latest HARM .... and what will happen if they are put on a stealth UAV that will use passive information from external AWACS or fighters.
                1. 0
                  25 June 2020 13: 54
                  There are dozens of such technologies. Yes, the same "machine vision", to analyze data from cameras, with the determination of the type of target is not a problem. He himself participated in a project to create a system that determines the tactical and technical actions of athletes in training on a camera system.
                  1. 0
                    25 June 2020 14: 00
                    Such systems were still under the USSR. Chief of the Ph.D. wrote "pattern recognition"
                    1. 0
                      25 June 2020 14: 15
                      Yeah, the problem is in the processing of streaming video, so that the processing time is measured in fractions of a second. Previously, it ran into hardware, now the necessary servers are not very expensive.
                      1. 0
                        25 June 2020 14: 16
                        Then, rather, it was recognition by photo.
                    2. 0
                      25 June 2020 16: 14
                      Yes, we still wrote at school "the image of Pechorin as an extra person", and there are many more images!
                      1. 0
                        25 June 2020 16: 20
                        That's why we are at this stage, and they are at another.
      2. +3
        25 June 2020 11: 35
        MQ-9A, X-47b, X-45, MQ-25, RQ-4, X-37, etc. all this is in metal, some are mass-produced, fly at all altitudes up to low Earth orbit. And this was done 10-20 years ago. The specified program is simply the next step in development.
        1. -1
          25 June 2020 12: 12
          It will "just" reset the air defense. Unlike previous systems.
          1. 0
            25 June 2020 12: 43
            will reset

            Repeated several times.
            Do you and your interlocutor imitate the Darkest insensitively, or quite consciously?
            1. 0
              25 June 2020 12: 45
              It was conscious that it would be clear that the old and modern UAVs are for reducing losses, but promising precisely for this.
              1. 0
                25 June 2020 12: 48
                Quote: Zaurbek
                Consciously

                But after all, as I understand it, he is not your authority.
                Sense to imitate a person whom you do not respect?
                1. 0
                  25 June 2020 12: 51
                  I don’t understand what you are talking about ......
                  1. +1
                    25 June 2020 12: 54
                    Quote: Zaurbek
                    I don’t understand what you are talking about ......

                    About Putin.
                    Earlier in your comments you did not use the word "zero" and derivatives.
                    Then there was Putin’s famous speech about amendments to the Constitution, where he applied the word.
                    Now you use the same word with obvious pleasure.
                    1. 0
                      25 June 2020 12: 57
                      I didn’t take an example from him ..... and why did they get that I do not respect him?
                      1. +1
                        25 June 2020 13: 00
                        where did they get that I don't respect him?

                        I apologize to you.
                        It was Grazdanin who wrote that "Putin's cartoons violate the laws of physics."
                        I should be careful.
                        1. +1
                          25 June 2020 13: 05
                          As a process engineer, I am a supporter of the fact that physical laws cannot be violated. But I disagree with "zeroing". If you are talking about GDP.
                        2. 0
                          25 June 2020 13: 08
                          Amendments to the Constitution are not the subject of this discussion.
                        3. +1
                          25 June 2020 13: 09
                          What I’m talking about. But GDP, in general, I support.
                        4. 0
                          25 June 2020 13: 10
                          Symmetrically.
          2. 0
            25 June 2020 13: 16
            Quote: Zaurbek
            It will "just" reset the air defense. Unlike previous systems.

            - in response, the enemy's territory will be "simply" reset.
            Stalin Strait - Between Canada and Mexico
            1. 0
              25 June 2020 13: 20
              Not always, but if this is not an attack on the Russian Federation? You will start a war with nuclear weapons, and if the attacker is not the United States, but the 3rd country with their weapons. Type of Turkey.? Which has no nuclear weapons at all.
              1. 0
                26 June 2020 17: 54
                Quote: Zaurbek
                Type of Turkey.?

                unsuccessful example. as the experience of the Syrian conflict showed, in order to silence the Turkish battery or close the sky for Turkish aviation, a phone call from the commander of the Russian contingent in Syria is enough.
          3. 0
            26 June 2020 17: 48
            Quote: Zaurbek
            It will "just" reset the air defense.

            what is interesting? a couple dozen UAVs? Well, if only Afghan air defense. lol Syrian already vryatli. the Jews have been trying for 5 years and have not been able to, but they are better than the United States in this.
    4. +1
      25 June 2020 18: 25
      Quote: Zaurbek
      Type of Turkey.? Which has no nuclear weapons at all.

      In this case, nuclear weapons can be used freely and most importantly with impunity!

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