Conference: Next Generation Autonomous Systems - Program and Presentations

Next Generation Autonomous Systems

National Gallery of Australia

8 April 2021

Final Report

Dr Robbin Laird

Synopsis and Program

Download pdf

Historical perspective

GPCAPT Jo Brick

Australian War College

Some Legal Aspects of Autonomous Systems

Professor Rob McLaughlin

Australian National Centre for Oceans Resources and Security

Trusted Autonomous Systems and Force Design

CDRE Michael Turner CSM and Bar, RAN

Director General Force Exploration

Current Initiatives and Opportunities

Professor Jason Scholz

Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre

Presentation availability to be advised

Navy Vision for Autonomous Systems

VADM Michael Noonan AO, RAN

Chief of Navy

Presentation unavailable

The RAAF Loyal Wingman and reviving Australian Aerospace Industry

Andrew Glynn

Airpower Teaming System (ATS) Program Manager, Boeing Australia

Presentation availability to be advised

Countering Autonomous Systems

AVM Bill Henman AM (Retd)

Strategic Advisor Air & Space, Raytheon Australia

Presentation unavailable

Building Enduring Sovereign Industry Capability

Dr John Best

Vice President, Chief Technical Officer, Thales Australia

Autonomy and Logistics

COL David Beaumont

Director, Australian Army Research Centre

Opportunities for Disruptive Innovation

Marcus Hellyer

Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Investing in Autonomy for National Resilience – Not a Luxury but a Necessity

Dr Andrew Lucas

Founder and Managing Director, Agent Oriented Software Group

Autonomous Systems as an Enabler for Networked Operations

AVM Chris Deeble AM, CSC (Retd),

CEO, Northrop Grumman Australia

No presentation

and

Scott Winship via Zoom

Sector Vice President, Advanced Programs, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation

No presentation

Developmental Requirements and Challenges

Dr Tony Lindsay

Lockheed Martin

Presentation availability to be advised

Army Vision for Autonomous Systems

LTGEN Richard Burr AO, DSC, MVO

Chief of Army

Air Force Vision for Autonomous Systems

AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC

Chief of Air Force

No presentation

The concept of the Unmanned Air System (UAS), or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), is nothing new nor is their use in missions which traditionally challenge human performance, fragility, and endurance. Ongoing operational experience confirms unmanned systems on their own are not the panacea and trusted autonomy in manned and unmanned teaming arrangements in each environmental domain is emerging as a key operational requirement.

The narrative has progressed the argument for greater numbers of unmanned systems in a far more mature and balanced way than hitherto. The manned-unmanned narrative is now sensibly shifting towards ‘and’, rather than ‘or’. Manned and unmanned teaming leverages the strengths and mitigates the weakness of each platform and concentrates the mind on the important operational aspects, such as imaginative new roles, and the challenges of integration to generate the desired overwhelming firepower.

This capability will require a complex web of advanced data links and communication systems to make it operate as a combat system. Designing and building the ‘kill web’ so that it can enable the delivery of manned-unmanned firepower across domains will be a huge challenge not least due to the laws of physics. However, the ability to train, test, evaluate and validate tactics and procedures will add a whole new level of complexity to generate the ‘trusted autonomy’ required for warfighting.

The aim of the April 2021 conference is to promote discussion about the future implications of autonomous systems. It will investigate potential roles for autonomous systems set within the context of each environmental domain, providing Service Chiefs with an opportunity to present their personal perspective on the effect it will have on their Service.

The conference will also explore the operational aspects of autonomous systems, including command and control and the legal and social implications that affect their employment. And finally the conference will examine the current research agenda and allow industry an opportunity to provide their perspective on recent developments in unmanned air, land, surface and sub-surface combatants.

The Sir Richard Williams Foundation has identified pre-eminent speakers from across the Australian and international defence communities, as well as inviting industry representatives to reflect the integral role they will play in the national framework of future operational capability.