Supporting the Royal Australian Navy's Campaign Plan for Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Human-Machine Teaming and the Future Workforce

Abstract

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is in the process of modernising its forces to better address the growing challenges being faced by Australia in the Indo-Pacific region. Increased state competition in the region combined with accelerated military modernisation have caused the RAN to consider the use of robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence (RAS-AI) in maritime roles and missions. Innovative technologies and new ways of conducting military operations will be needed to deliver such systems and, as is highlighted in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, to 'shape Australia's strategic environment, deliver credible deterrence and respond to challenges to our interests' (Department of Defence, 2020, p. 7).This report is a continuation of work conducted in support of the RAN's RAS-AI Strategy 2040, released in 2020. RAND Australia was asked to provide policy analysis and advice to support development of an actionable RAS-AI Campaign Plan that could assist RAS-AI implementation efforts. Our research team examined three specific areas to support development of an actionable plan: military innovation, a missions and technology assessment for maritime RAS-AI, and human-machine teaming (HMT). This document focuses on the final of the three listed areas. This work should inform the RAN, other Australian Defence services, and Defence more broadly about the implications of HMT for the RAN's future workforce.This work was conducted by RAND Australia. RAND Australia is RAND's Canberrabased subsidiary that analyses defence, national security, economic, and social issues for Australian clients. With a commitment to core values of quality and objectivity, RAND Australia combines local research talent with world-class experts from across RAND's global presence to solve complex Australian public policy problems.