Serious SAF to use Artificial Intelligence - God help us all

[Sammyboy RSS Feed]

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

SAF looks to artificial intelligence to gain punch




A Heron-1 UAV in flight after taking off from the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field. This is the first time the UAV is taking part in Exercise Forging Sabre. TODAY file photo

• mail
• print
• View all 0 comments
  

By Kenneth Cheng

[email protected]

Published: 11:25 PM, October 28, 2016
Updated: 12:10 PM, October 29, 2016
SINGAPORE — Beyond unmanned systems and robotics, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to combat future threats — a move that will “radically change the way that the Singapore Armed Forces fight, using less manpower and still delivering the same or even more combat power”, in the words of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Ng Chee Khern.
For example, Mindef is exploring how to integrate AI-infused autonomous unmanned systems with those that are manned by its soldiers. “The SAF is expected to face a reduction in the number of national servicemen, given Singapore’s low birth rate,” 
Mr Ng said. “As a result, we have to leverage even more on technology to tackle these challenges. The next generation of the SAF must be leaner, more versatile and more potent to overcome these constraints, and still be equipped to deal with future threats.”

In an email interview ahead of an exhibition to mark the defence technology community’s golden jubilee next week, Mr Ng also said that Singapore’s defence scientists and engineers are developing the architecture of command, control and communication (C3) systems to allow better coordination between agencies during counter-terrorism operations.
Built for the SAF and national security agencies, these systems — which enable the sharing of information to coordinate and direct action — would be integrated with sensors, such as surveillance cameras.
Other efforts include tapping data analytics to detect anomalies, and exploring autonomous systems to supplement ground forces during security patrols and emergency response.
Singapore is not the only country to leverage on AI to beef up its defence capabilities. On Tuesday, the New York Times (NYT) reported that the United States Defense Department has placed AI at the heart of its strategy, pumping in billions of dollars to build autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons.
For example, drones fitted with advanced AI software that can zoom in on targets concealed in obscure positions are being trialled. NYT also reported that the department has tested missiles that can “decide what to attack, and it has built ships that can hunt for enemy submarines, stalking those it finds over thousands of miles, without any help from humans”.
Mindef did not provide more details on its initiatives on this front. Nevertheless, with a greater focus on technology, the need for stronger defences against cyber attacks becomes more urgent. To that end, Mr Ng said the defence technology community is taking extra steps to improve Mindef’s cyber defence, in line with efforts by the rest of the Government. It is investing in research and technology, such as advanced content-scanning engines and sensors, and security-assessment tools. These will allow Mindef to “detect, investigate, contain and recover rapidly from any (cyber) attacks”.
Much of Singapore’s defence technologies and weapon systems are developed, maintained, repaired and overhauled indigenously by the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the DSO National Laboratories and government-linked company ST Engineering. This is crucial, said Mr Ng. “Some capabilities such as C3 systems cannot be outsourced because it reveals to others how we intend to fight, and also the performance of all our weapon systems.”
At the same time, Singapore has acquired capabilities from other countries — after intense deliberation and scrutiny. Internationally, the country is seen as a “reference buyer”, with other nations watching the Republic’s purchases when making their own decisions.
“The prospective weapon systems are scrutinised at every stage to ensure that they match our operational needs,” Mr Ng said.
“Technical specifications are scrutinised to the smallest detail so that we understand exactly what we are getting and how the equipment can be the best fit for our operational demands.”
He added: “This reputation of being a reference buyer is not just important but critical for two reasons. Our potential adversaries would know that whatever weapon system we have, (it) has been evaluated to be the most operationally capable system there could be.
“Second, because our potential vendors know that we have the technical capability to evaluate their systems thoroughly, they would be on their toes to put in the most cost-effective bid for our requirements and offer the best possible capabilities to us.”


Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com.