Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • BAE Systems to advance autonomous tech for automatic target recognition

Defence

BAE Systems to advance autonomous tech for automatic target recognition

BAE Systems is to develop tightly integrated machine learning software as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Multi-Sensor Exploitation for Tactical Autonomy (META) programme.

Image courtesy BAE Systems

New contract enhances BAE Systems’ extensive autonomy portfolio and 20-year history pioneering autonomy technology.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded BAE Systems a $7.8 million contract to develop tightly integrated machine learning software as part of the Multi-Sensor Exploitation for Tactical Autonomy (META) programme. This technology will enable advanced situational awareness and automatic target recognition (ATR).

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle

Under the terms of the award, BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organisation will provide Environmentally Adaptive Geospatial Learning and Exploitation, an innovative suite of machine learning and fusion algorithms. The system integrates multiple elements of the company’s extensive autonomy portfolio to provide high confidence detection, tracking, identification and intent understanding for critical mobile targets in contested environments, including targets under camouflage, concealment and deception.

“With the addition of environmentally adaptive processing, this solution bridges a critical gap in machine learning,” said Mark Kolba, program manager for BAE Systems’ FAST Labs. “Providing local situational awareness and human-like context of environmental conditions will greatly reduce false alarms.”

BAE Systems develops autonomous data exploitation capabilities for systems and sensors for potential use in US military operations across air and space domains. The programme builds on the success of the company’s Multi-intelligence ATR for Geospatial Intelligence Capabilities technology that was successfully developed through AFRL’s Study of Emerging Exploitation Developments programme.

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle

The software enhances BAE Systems’ extensive autonomy portfolio and 20-year history pioneering autonomy technology.

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Babcock and BAE Systems Bofors coordinate on gunnery support

Defence

Babcock and BAE Systems Bofors coordinate on gunnery support

19 September 2025

Babcock International Group and BAE Systems Bofors have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer a comprehensive package of support for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates multipurpose Bofors Guns.

Leidos develops Sea Dagger

Defence

Leidos develops Sea Dagger

19 September 2025

Leidos has developed Sea Dagger, a next-generation Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) concept developed for the Royal Navy, designed to advance autonomous UK maritime capabilities.

Roke appoints Marc Overton as Managing Director

Defence

Roke appoints Marc Overton as Managing Director

19 September 2025

Roke has named military and technology veteran Marc Overton as its new Managing Director.

DE&S delivers first batch of L3Harris T4 robots to UK forces

Defence

DE&S delivers first batch of L3Harris T4 robots to UK forces

18 September 2025

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) have delivered the first batch of L3Harris T4 high-tech bomb disposal robots to the UK armed forces.

Advertisement
Leonardo
Strategic partnership to boost UK military AI and innovation

Defence

Strategic partnership to boost UK military AI and innovation

18 September 2025

The UK government signed a new partnership with Palantir today which is set to unlock billions in investment and help the UK military develop the latest digital tools and harness AI tech.

Systematic to equip German Army with SitaWare Edge

Defence

Systematic to equip German Army with SitaWare Edge

18 September 2025

As part of their digital transformation, the German Armed Forces have signed a contract with Systematic to equip their dismounted personnel with the world-leading command and control software SitaWare Edge.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle