Active Physics-Informed Generative Artificial Intelligence Hypersonic Interceptor (PIPIN)

Adversaries of the United States (US) are building kinetic weapons that are more sophisticated and lethal than ever. Adversary use of artificial intelligence (AI) in hypersonic weapons employment and operations will outstrip and negate US hypersonic interceptor capabilities for interception and kill. There are three types of weapons that are of particular concern to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA): maneuvering re-entry vehicles, hypersonic cruise missiles, and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV). The MDA is developing a next generation weapon system and interceptor that will defend against these threats. Specifically, the MDA is seeking to develop guide phase intercept (GPI) interceptors that are actively responsive to AI guided hypersonic threats. Predicting the trajectory of AI-guided hypersonic threats and intercepting them with defense assets presents a formidable challenge due to the sheer speed, maneuverability, and unpredictability of these projectiles. Hypersonic threats travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, covering vast distances in a matter of seconds, which leaves minimal reaction time for defense systems. Furthermore, these threats are capable of rapid course changes and complex maneuvers, making traditional trajectory prediction methods inadequate. Classical computational approaches struggle to cope with the high degrees of freedom and non-linear dynamics involved. Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its capacity for real-time data analysis, adaptive learning, and pattern recognition, offers a significant advantage in predicting these trajectories. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of sensor data swiftly, identify patterns, and anticipate potential maneuvers, thus enabling defense systems to adjust their interception strategies dynamically. This flexibility allows AI-based defense assets to be more responsive to evolving threats and potentially increase the likelihood of a successful interception. In this Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) will develop an Active Physics-Informed Generative Artificial Intelligence Hypersonic Interceptor or “PIPIN.” PIPIN will leverage a novel algorithm pipeline architecture that leverages physics-based and probability-based algorithms and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and autoencoder machine learning algorithms. PIPIN will leverage an active learning approach that will allow it to continuously re-train the GAI as new data and trajectories are observed. Thus, PIPIN will be provisioned to protect the US against all threats of the future, not just ones that have been previously observed. Approved for Public Release | 25-MDA-12052 (27 Mar 25)