AlphaPup: Trusted Combat Autonomy with Tactical AI

Significant technical challenges exist in the deployment of tactical autonomy for air combat and training applications. Transition efforts are developing comprehensive frameworks and autonomy infrastructure, but still face limitations in tactical performance on these systems. EpiSci’s AlphaPup program with Tactical AI will focus on ADAIR high-performance training, near-term missions such as cruise missile defense (CMD) and an increased focus on effective integration of autonomy with human operators in situations of varying risk and complexity address critical and complimentary technical and cultural challenges. It is a modular multiplatform autonomy suite that employs architecture which allows seamless integration of rule-based and expert defined behaviors as well as modern machine learning modules. Explicit control over maneuver, safety and weapon employment is provided in full compliance with applicable ethical and regulatory standards. Modules are designed to encapsulate platform and mission specifics in a hierarchical structure using open architecture principles, allowing rapid adaptation to new platforms, payloads and control systems while rapidly incorporating expert-designed team behaviors and responding efficiently to operator feedback.