US Navy introduces AI to warships: USS Fitzgerald leads the way

The US Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald has become the first warship to deploy an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based system designed to oversee and manage all onboard subsystems.

Zach Staples, CEO of Fanthom5, the company behind the technology, announced the development to The War Zone, a US defence portal, per Caliber.Az.

The AI system, known as ERM v4, continuously monitors 10,000 different parameters related to the ship’s hull, mechanics, and electronics. It provides real-time recommendations for maintenance under varying conditions and issues early warnings about potential malfunctions that could lead to system failures.

Staples revealed that the system will be installed on one or two additional US Navy vessels this year, with a broader rollout planned for 2026. From that point, the Navy intends to equip more than ten combat ships annually with AI technology to enhance operational stability and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

"Many systems on a ship operate until they fail, after which they are repaired or replaced. This [ERM v4] gives the crew the ability to be informed of an impending problem in advance, which increases the reliability of the ship," Staples explained.

ERM v4 is set to replace the ageing Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS), which was developed in the 1990s and relies on crew members manually reading ship indicators. While some data will still be collected manually, sailors will use tablets equipped with specialized software to streamline the process.

Beyond detecting failing components, the AI-driven system is expected to improve logistics by predicting when and where certain parts will be needed. On a larger scale, the system could track degradation trends across different classes of warships, allowing for proactive fleet-wide maintenance planning. However, it remains uncertain how effectively the Navy has previously captured and utilized such data in the pre-AI era.

Real-time health monitoring and predictive automation have already played a significant role in modern military programs, such as the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and are becoming a critical feature of future defence platforms.

The commercial sector has also embraced AI for predictive maintenance across various industries, and enhanced AI agents are expected to further optimize efficiency in complex logistics chains supporting military and civilian systems alike.

By Tamilla Hasanova