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Lockheed ATF Proposal. The USAF ATF program envisages a long range and stealthy air superiority fighter penetrating deep into hostile airspace to destroy high value targets such as AWACS or C3 platforms. Artificial Intelligence is almost essential to handle the high-density threat environment
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Computer Technology
Part II
Artificial Intelligence, the New Frontier
One of the most significant results of the ongoing penetration of digital computers into the domain of weapon system design is the tendency to bury the natural characteristics of the equipment under a shell of software. The pilot of a modern fighter sees a ‘virtual machine’ with handling and system features all created in software.
This approach has given a new meaning to the art of cockpit switchology and in theory automation on this scale allows aircrew to focus more closely on the tactical aspects of the mission. In practice however the ability of the aircraft’s computers to access any imaginable piece of information available from the onboard library, vital systems or sensors can result in information saturation. How serious a problem it may be remains to be seen in combat, certainly in a low-density scenario the pilot will have adequate time to make good decisions. In a high-density scenario that need not apply, an argument pursued vigorously by the USMC when seeking two-seat F/A-18A aircraft.
The point has a lot of merit as flying for instance a fighter escort mission will involve sorting information not only on airborne adversaries but also on the multiplicity of surface-to-air weapons. Given the limitations of what ECM can do in practice there will always exist a need for the aircraft to use penetration tactics in and out of hostile territory. The situation can only worsen as Warpac and Third World countries gain further access to newer classes of weapon technology particularly in the first instance while maintaining numerical superiority.
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