(Washington, D.C.) The Army’s “Project Convergence,” the Air Force’s “Advanced Battle Management System” and the Navy’s “Project Overmatch” are the names each service gives to an AI & autonomy-enabled network of interwoven “meshed” nodes operating within a broad multi-domain warfare environment.
The defining concept, or strategic impetus for each of these respective efforts is clear and fundamental current technological modernization efforts, as it is based upon the premise than any combat platform or “node,” whether it be a fighter jet, tank, ground control station or surface ship, can operate not only as its own combat-capable “entity” but also as a critical surveillance and warfare information “node” able to gather, process, organize and transmit time sensitive data across a large force in real time.
For example, instead of having to send images through a one-to-one video feed into a ground control center, a forward operating surveillance drone could find crucial enemy targets, analyze a host of otherwise disconnected yet relevant variables, and send new time-sensitive intelligence information to multiple locations across the force in seconds.
Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC)
Each of these efforts may have its own name, yet they are fundamentally based upon a common tactical and strategic approach. Merging these respective service efforts into a coordinated, highly-efficient, high-speed multi-service war-machine is now being massively emphasized by the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC).
So I think, you know, we are key partners, you know, with both, you know, the ABMS series of exercises, with Project Convergence and we’re also working closely with the Navy on their Project Overmatch,” Lt. Gen. Michael Groen, Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, told reporters according to a Pentagon transcript.
This is already happening and new efforts are rapidly gaining traction as all the services move toward massively expediting “sensor-to-shooter” time in the context of a multi-service attack “web.” The faster enemy targets can be seen and assessed in relation to surrounding terrain, incoming enemy fire, navigational specifics and which mode of attack would be most optimal in that circumstance, the faster an attacking force can prevail in combat.
This is both as self-evident as it is crucial. Getting inside of or ahead of an enemies’ decision making cycle is, simply put, the essential factor determining victory in modern warfare.
