Can work without operators: a new drone with artificial intelligence was presented in the US

The company Anduril presented a new shock-reconnaissance quadrocopter Bolt-M  with artificial intelligence, which demonstrates speed the development of autonomy on the battlefield.

The goal of the new Bolt-M drone, presented by the American company Anduril, is to reduce the demands on operators and provide more information than traditional shock drones with a first-person function. As the company notes, Bolt-M can work without the need for specially trained operators.

One of the main features of Bolt-M — standalone software that runs on the Anduril Lattice platform. The operator can draw a bounding box on the battlefield display, set a few specifications, and send the drone on its way. Thanks to artificial intelligence, Bolt-M is able to independently track moving objects and deliver precise blows.

“Once a target is identified in Lattice, the operator can specify a position that Bolt-M should maintain, instructing the system to track the target beyond visual or acoustic detection range, even if the target moves and closes. When it's time to strike, the operator can determine the engagement angle to ensure the most effective strike, while onboard vision and navigation algorithms maintain guidance even if communication with the operator is lost,” the developers say.

The Bolt-M also performs reconnaissance tasks that are not available to cheaper strike drones. Anduril chief strategist Chris Brose explained that this drone helps the operator better understand the situation on the battlefield, recognize targets and, if necessary, issue commands for tracking or damage. Brose added that Bolt-M is capable of detecting new variants of older weapons.

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Bolt-M complies with the principles of the Pentagon, according to which robotic systems should involve a person in making lethal decisions. Brouse noted that their efforts are based on the experience of the campaign in Ukraine, in particular on the feedback of Ukrainians who are facing Russian electronic warfare. The drone can fly according to set GPS coordinates. However, in areas where GPS is suppressed, operators can take control of themselves and continue to control the drones, maintaining control of the target and executing previously set commands, even if communication is lost.

Using AI in drones

The US Department of Defense supports the ethical principles of artificial intelligence, which emphasize the importance of human judgment and responsibility in the development and use of weapons based on artificial intelligence. Last year, the Pentagon tried to clarify what actions are permitted, leaving the possibility to adjust the rules if circumstances change.

The key lesson from the Ukrainian experience is that conditions on the battlefield can change quickly. , and different countries may have different policies regarding autonomous weapons. This underscores the need for more powerful autonomous systems as attacks on human-drone communications become increasingly effective. Brose from Anduril expects that US policy will change, and the company wants to be ready for new requirements of the Pentagon.