Next Generation Autonomous Systems
National Gallery of Australia
8 April 2021
Final Report
Dr Robbin Laird
Synopsis and Program
Handbook
Download pdf
Presentations
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
Seminar Outline
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.