US to deploy AI-enabled detection system to monitor DC airspace

The US Department of Defence will deploy an artificial intelligence-powered airspace monitoring system that is set to be installed to enhance the protection of the US capital.

The upgraded visual recognition, identification and warning system delivers a tenfold increase in performance capability compared to systems that were during the September 11 attacks on the US said Air Force Lt Col Kurtis Engelson, Republic World reports.

Lt Col Engelson is the material leader for Battle Control Systems. It oversees the national capital region-integrated air defence systems program. It is partnered with the defence innovation unit to utilize the commercial solutions opening solicitation process to rapidly prototype a solution and create a path for the USAF to procure successful prototypes.

About AI Enabled detection systems which will monitor DC

After an 18-month prototype demonstration which was concluded in April, it was announced that Teleidoscope, a first-time non-traditional defence department vendor was awarded a 100 million ceiling production contract. Orders for the systems are already in progress and fielding is to begin this year according to Lt Col Englson.

Initial prototype and procurement funding was provided by the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies Programme. It was as part of its mission to accelerate the procurement and fielding of innovative technologies. It helps successful prototypes cross the proverbial valley of death for prototypes and move technology into production faster.

The production efforts focus on upgrading the cameras and eye-safe lasers used for tracking and visually warning aircraft in violation of the special flight rules within the region. The updates significantly improve the ability of the air defence operators ability to positively identify aircraft and aim warning lasers at much greater ranges, according to Engelson. Laser visual warning systems provide those involved with securing the airspace over Washington DC, a rapid means of contacting pilots when communication systems fail.

The auto-tracking capabilities of the system apply to the full motion video feeds, irrespective of the domain, opening the door to augment remotely piloted aircraft video feed tracking capabilities. The software from this prototype has the potential to run on any edge device or cloud-provided full-motion video feed. This technology has broad national defence applicability across the services for defence against asymmetrical threats like unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles, a DIU programme manager said in a statement.

Washington DC is home to over 6 million people and key military bases. Intelligence agencies, and federal, state and local governments. The skies over the capital are operated by both military and commercial aircraft traffic and an increasing number of privately owned drones. Protecting the metro area from air threats and adversaries is the National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defence System, a component of the North American Aerospace Defence Command.