Artificial intelligence integration will gradually transform the fleet.
The U.S. Army is working to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy into its aviation modernization efforts. Director of Army Aviation Major General Michael McCurry outlined a gradual approach to autonomy, envisioning a step-by-step progression toward more autonomous capabilities in the coming years.
“There’s a path to autonomy. It’s not that we’re not autonomous and then [suddenly] we are autonomous — it’s going to be a graduated scale, or I kind of envision it as stair steps,” Major General McCurry said during a panel discussion at the annual AUSA conference. “We know that in 2030, we will be able to do more autonomously than we can today, and in 2040 more than in 2030.”
The Army is revamping its aircraft fleet to integrate AI and autonomy into platforms such as the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). It also plans to include fully autonomous systems like the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) and smaller drones known as “launched effects.” While the Army is not part of joint initiatives like the Air Force and Navy’s collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program, there is active communication between services.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Major General McCurry as he heads Army Aviation’s integration of AI.
- For Secretary Wormuth to seek God’s direction as she leads the U.S. Army.
- For Army officials as they modernize the fleet of military aircraft.
Sources: DefenseScoop, National Defense Magazine
