Decision Superiority: Creating operational advantage for the next generation of submariner
In an increasingly unpredictable world, how we deploy AI across human-machine teams will be key to decision superiority in the current and the next-generation’s battlespace.
We are in the middle of a revolution in the Maritime, and more specifically, the Underwater Battlespace. While new technologies like AI are unlocking previously out of reach concepts, technology alone is not the answer. We must look at ways in which technologies can be optimised for the use by the operator.
Our operators are dealing with more data. Our command teams must manage more assets and capabilities - but also face deliberate efforts to erode trust, to develop uncertainty and to disrupt our data, information and knowledge. The operational risks mean making decisions in less time with higher operational tempos.
At the Combined Naval Event (CNE) Farnborough 2024, Andy Marlor and Andrew Parmley from Thales in the UK, discussed how we can optimise our impact through the intelligent, human-centric application, of new technologies and how this will be one of the key elements in determining our operational success.
Enhancing Operational Advantage through Sensor Integration, AI, and Human-Centered Operability
At Thales in the UK, we are already working with our customers and partners to showcase how we can deploy the breadth of our expertise across the data to decision process. Whilst the implementation of our global AI Accelerator - cortAIx - will allow us to accelerate the development of AI use cases and equip our Armed Forces with tomorrow’s technology, today.
Our work shows that by intelligently applying sensor integration and AI within a well thought through ‘human centred’ operability concept then we can ensure our end users hold, and maintain, an unfair advantage over adversaries.
Thales understands the urgency with which this capability is needed, and in response, we are already developing, testing and iterating solutions in this space. Alongside our own innovations, we see a future reliant on the collective efforts of the submarine enterprise, enhanced through collaboration amongst academia, SMEs and Primes alike.
In this dynamic and evolving battlespace, some elements remain unchanged: humans turn to the latest technology to create advantage and ensure timely and effective decision-making.
Nevertheless, the future of our armed forces is not just about investing in the latest kit or software; it is about harnessing the power of human-machine collaboration - optimising our human and machines teams.
That means looking further than just data advantage and technical innovation.
Empowering Submarine Operators: Reducing Burden, Breaking Barriers, and Prioritizing Time
Through 100+ years of supporting submarine operations, and persistent technical investment, we’re reducing cognitive burden on our end users, breaking down intra-command barriers, and reducing complexity for senior operators, allowing them to prioritise their time. An example of this is our work on Digital Crew for Naval Optronics, which will allow teams identify potential threats sooner than the human eye could allow.
Humankind finds itself on the cusp of change. Where everything is digital, and enabled by the exchange of data. Re-architecting the human-machine relationship will be key to submarine decision superiority.
It will necessitate a ruthless focus on creating decision advantage in a data rich world.