BAE Systems continues ACK work
The DARPA vision for its Adapting Cross-Domain Kill-Webs programme. (Photo: DARPA)
DARPA has picked BAE Systems for further development of its Multi-domain Adaptive Request Service (MARS) software to ‘enable semi-autonomous, multi-domain mission planning’, the company announced on 31 August.
The $6.5 million Phase 2 contract, awarded under the Adapting Cross-Domain Kill-Webs (ACK) programme, follows a successful Phase 1 demonstration.
In Phase 1, the FAST Labs R&D division in BAE Systems worked with Carnegie Mellon University and Uncharted Software to create MARS. The Phase 1 demonstration highlighted how this software updates plans in real time during a live exercise, by ingesting information feeds to track the state of planned tasks and then generating options to adapt the plan to insert new tasks.
Under Phase 2, BAE Systems will scale up MARS capabilities designed to help operators make informed decisions by automatically identifying available assets across domains, and then rapidly assessing the costs and benefits of using those assets when adapting mission tasks.
ACK will culminate in a full-scale demonstration in an operationally realistic setting.
More from Defence Notes
-
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
-
UK Parliament told that Europe needs to do more within NATO and undertake reforms
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
-
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.