DIGITAL ENGINEERING - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Hull Mechanical & Electrical Controls

To reduce operator burden in monitoring, operating, troubleshooting, and recovering Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) systems on US Navy ships, an autonomous ship domain control system can be employed to deconflict, decompose, and triage tasks in control systems. A ship domain control system that can automatically adapt to changing internal and external environments may improve operation and sustainment of US Navy surface combatants. However, for ship domain control systems to perform well autonomously under significant uncertainties in the system and external environment for extended periods of time, the system must be able to learn and compensate for both internal and external changes in a trustworthy manner without significant external intervention.The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Ship Domain Controller effort will address several key challenges necessary to confidently employ artificial intelligence/machine learning within the operation of several interconnected systems that are necessary to meet the mission objectives of the ship. These challenges include, but are not limited to, the sufficiency of the sensor and signal data available on the ship, the rules of engagement between the human operator and the supervisory control system, and the trustworthiness of the commands and actions from the artificial intelligence-based algorithms as they adapt to the changing environment.  Cardinal Engineering and partners Applied Simulation Technologies and Raytheon BBN Technologies will apply proven tools and techniques and develop advanced modeling and simulation capabilities to solve these challenges and demonstrate the solution via a prototypical demonstration in a relevant environment.The products and processes resulting from this effort will demonstrate applicability and scalability of an autonomous, intelligent supervisory control system for US Navy ships and its readiness for land-based testing and shipboard installation and use. Additionally, the products will be positioned for commercial applications in markets requiring improved safety, security, and operational effectiveness, such as industrial controls systems, self- driving automobiles, robotics, and other such control-intensive fields.