“Unlocking the Future of Maritime Surveillance: Lockheed Martin’s AI Breakthrough”
Lockheed Martin has realized a significant advancement in artificial intelligence and aerial surveillance, showcasing the ability to identify and monitor maritime targets with unmatched precision. During a recent flight evaluation on the west coast of the United States, engineering teams from Lockheed Martin successfully exhibited technology that can autonomously recognize targets using AI-enhanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with integrated sensor control intelligence.
SAR is the benchmark technology for capturing images of maritime targets, such as naval vessels, yet it has traditionally depended on manual image analysis. AI maximizes the full capabilities of SAR for superior object detection with quicker, more precise, and automated image interpretation. By utilizing AI-centered SAR target identification, military personnel will be able to swiftly distinguish between combatant and civilian ships without the necessity for manual scrutiny.
“This represents a significant advancement in leveraging AI to improve situational awareness and decision-making abilities, providing unparalleled threat detection over extensive ranges and in diverse weather conditions,” stated John Clark, senior vice president of technology and strategic innovation at Lockheed Martin. “We are dedicated to furthering this capability, incorporating data from various sensors, to generate more precise insights and to aid warfighters in making well-informed choices in the maritime conflict environment.”
This innovative accomplishment, crafted by the Lockheed Martin AI Center (LAIC), Skunk Works®, and Rotary Mission Systems (RMS) team, marks a substantial feature in enhanced situational awareness for maritime target identification.
In the demonstration, the SAR Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) ability, supported by Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) tools for swift retraining, effectively classified targets of interest in near real-time. SAR ATR was integrated with autonomous sensor control, which dynamically adjusted the radar based on target identification in real time. This capability was implemented on low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) hardware in the field, featuring rapid edge processing without reliance on extensive cloud compute or ground facilities.
Testing of AI-driven SAR ATR will persist throughout the year. Data gathered from these flight evaluations will be utilized to develop and refine multiple Lockheed Martin autonomous systems, including cooperative combat aircraft and integrated systems applications.
For additional details about Lockheed Martin’s AI and Machine Learning capabilities, visit: Lockheed Martin AI and Machine Learning
