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
ODU RT

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
Leonardo animated rectangle

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

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
UK launches new Military Intelligence Services

Defence

UK launches new Military Intelligence Services

12 December 2025

Today, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched the new Military Intelligence Services (MIS), designed to ensure UK military intelligence is more efficient and better able to anticipate future threats.

BAE Systems awarded US Navy contract for APKWS laser-guidance kits

Defence

BAE Systems awarded US Navy contract for APKWS laser-guidance kits

11 December 2025

The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a new five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for APKWS laser-guidance kits to equip US armed forces with tens of thousands of additional low-cost precision munitions.

JFD Global to enhance Polish Navy

Defence Security

JFD Global to enhance Polish Navy's submarine rescue capability

11 December 2025

James Fisher (JFD Global) has secured a contract with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, which will see JFD Global integrate a combined, hyperbaric and saturation diving system into the Polish Navy’s new salvage and rescue vessel, Ratownik.

Avon Protection receives European order for FM50 respirators

Defence Security

Avon Protection receives European order for FM50 respirators

11 December 2025

Avon Protection has received a new European order for FM50 respirators and FM61EU filters via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract vehicle.

Advertisement
ODU RT
BAE Systems to modernise USS Forrest Sherman

Defence

BAE Systems to modernise USS Forrest Sherman

10 December 2025

BAE Systems has received a $123 million contract from the US Navy to modernise the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).

Rheinmetall to provide Trailblazer on UK

Defence

Rheinmetall to provide Trailblazer on UK's MLRS A2

10 December 2025

Rheinmetall UK have been awarded a contract by the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide Trailblazer Driver Vision and Local Situation Awareness System to the UK Ministry of Defence’s M270 A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) platform upgrade.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle