According to a report in the “War Zone” column of TheDrive website on November 16th, the US military has just realized that pilots on real airplanes fight against AI-driven virtual enemy aircraft. A former F-22 fighter pilot wore an augmented reality helmet in the cockpit and had a “dog fight” with a virtual Chinese J-20 fighter.
American pilots wore augmented reality helmets in the cockpit of the aircraft and conducted dogfight training with virtual J-20 fighter jets
Recently, two American companies completed the world’s first “dog fight” between a real aircraft and an artificial intelligence-driven virtual fighter.
The experiment conducted by Red 6 and EpiSci is the first step in providing similar technology to American fighter pilots, which will enable them to fight against virtual opponents in augmented reality (AR) training.
This concept can greatly reduce the cost of air combat training compared with the actual air combat flight training that must be carried out by imaginary enemy aircraft and fighter pilots. When replicating realistic foreign fighter opponents for pilots, it can also help solve many other tactical challenges.
Augmented reality dogfighting training includes a Berkut 560 experimental aircraft from Freeflight Composites, and a computer-generated virtual enemy aircraft projected on the Berkut 560 pilot’s augmented reality helmet display.
This virtual enemy plane is China’s J-20 stealth fighter, which was created in Augmented Reality (AR) by EpiSci’s tactical AI technology.
This unusual aerial race was held outside the Camarillo Airport in California.
Chris Gentile, Vice President of EpiSci’s Tactical Autonomous System, said: “Through the first battle with an AI opponent within line of sight, EpiSci’s Tactical AI technology demonstrates the ability to work on a real aircraft with relevant hardware and sensors.
Now this system We are now ready to introduce the next generation of features into our training program, which will immediately benefit the U.S. Air Force’s ability to develop and maintain a world-class fighter pilot team.
Now by introducing this technology to them, they can use it for the future.
Series of unmanned tools make more preparations.”
EpiSci borrowed from previous work done in the Alpha Dogfight program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create its tactical AI technology in a hybrid AI system.
In this way, AI-driven simulation methods previously only found in traditional ground simulators can be introduced into the real aircraft cockpit. In the current example, a simulated J-20 fighter opponent can be shown to a pilot in a real aircraft.
The demonstration also used the Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) developed by Red 6 Company, including the injecting augmented reality into the real world of the cockpit, and the display and control systems required for these virtual entities to interact with the surrounding environment. They are like part of the real world.
Dan Robinson, CEO and founder of Red 6 explained: “Red 6’s ATARS system enables real pilots to fly real aircraft in an enhanced world. By further integrating Tactical AI technology into our platform, We are now able to interact and react to any threatening aircraft. This opens up amazing possibilities for training.” Robinson added.
ATARS is known as the first wide viewing angle full-color augmented reality solution for “dynamic outdoor environments”. Ultimately, it will provide pilots operating real aircraft with comprehensive threat perception capabilities in real-time and high-speed environments.
Of course, this requires seamless integration of augmented reality technology with the environment inside and outside the cockpit.
In addition to copying enemies in air combat exercises, Tactical AI technology can also be used in other scenarios. More generally, it can provide pilots with different levels of teaching, such as simulating larger formations, including flying with “loyal wingmen” drones.
EpiSci’s Gentile said: “Future pilots will need to easily cooperate with AI, and training is the ideal place to use this technology.” Now, after groundbreaking aerial battles between real aircraft and AI-driven virtual enemies This ambition is only one step away from becoming a reality.
