AI Drones Seen Crucial in Vigil Over China’s Pacific Military Activities

Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, has suggested deploying a large task force of low-cost, long-range unmanned sensor platforms, such as drones and robot ships, to closely monitor Chinese military activities in the West Pacific. 

Speaking at a Defense Innovation Unit event on Tuesday, Paparo said artificial intelligence can analyze the fleet’s data to quickly determine whether the Chinese maneuvers are forces invading Taiwan or are just military training exercises. According to the Navy official, traditional intelligence cannot differentiate training exercises from invasion anymore, as Chinese wargames have grown “larger and more realistic,” Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

Paparo pointed out that the current sensors’ proliferation offers swarming technology and machine learning for a shareable “constant stare on the operational environment.” He urged American industry to develop AI algorithms and software applications for intelligence analysts’ use to instantly interpret surveillance data and assess an adversary’s intentions.

The AI-backed fleet of unmanned sensors for surveillance on China’s West Pacific military activities should operate like the Department of Defense’s Project Replicator scheduled for deployment in 2025, Paparo also said.