Supporting the Royal Australian Navy's Campaign Plan for Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Emerging Missions and Technology Trends

Abstract

Emerging Missions and Technology TrendsA rapidly evolving technology landscape provides Australia with many opportunities to apply robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence (RAS-AI) in the defence context. In the maritime domain, specifically, RAS-AI technologies have been recognised as key enablers of future maritime capabilities. Consequently, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has recently launched a strategy establishing a framework for developing and employing RAS-AI out to 2040 (RAN, 2020).The delivery of the RAN's RAS-AI Strategy 2040 is to be facilitated through a campaign plan that will seek to identify the activities necessary to assist the RAN in achieving its ambitions. The RAND Australia research team is supporting the RAN in this endeavour by building an evidence base to help identify and shape those activities. This support has provided research on experimentation, innovation, human-machine teaming, emerging technologies and other areas, such as the potential role of industry and academia in helping the RAN leverage RAS-AI capabilities. KEY FINDINGS■ A rapidly evolving RAS-AI technology landscape has enabled an expansion of uncrewed aerial, surface and underwater vehicle missions in the maritime domain.■ Across all platforms, maritime RAS-AI missions are likely to expand in the near term, enabled by advances in several key technology areas.■ RAS-AI missions may significantly change in the far term, though technological as well as non-technological barriers may constrain certain missions.