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
Leonardo animated 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
Tritax 300x250

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

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
PLEXSYS and OneArc formalise partnership

Defence

PLEXSYS and OneArc formalise partnership

2 December 2025

PLEXSYS has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems OneArc on the opening day of I/ITSEC 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

BAE Systems reaches training milestone

Defence

BAE Systems reaches training milestone

2 December 2025

As BAE Systems announces that applications for its 2026 apprenticeship intake are open, the company has reached a record achievement with more than 6,800 young people in training across its UK operations.

Digital Catapult advances accelerator programme

Defence

Digital Catapult advances accelerator programme

2 December 2025

Digital Catapult has named five startups that will join its accelerator programme to improve industrial supply chain resilience in the defence industry and drive the practical application of deep tech innovation to equip the sector to be future ready.

Jim Carter appointed Director General C&I by NAD Group

Defence

Jim Carter appointed Director General C&I by NAD Group

2 December 2025

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has appointed Jim Carter as permanent Director General for Commercial and Industry (C&I) following an external competition.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Anotec achieves JOSCAR accreditation

Aerospace Defence

Anotec achieves JOSCAR accreditation

2 December 2025

Advanced surface coating specialist Anotec has strengthened its compliance across aerospace and defence, by achieving JOSCAR accreditation.

Lane Electronics introduces Cinch Fibreco Mil-Spec D38999 connectors

Defence Security

Lane Electronics introduces Cinch Fibreco Mil-Spec D38999 connectors

1 December 2025

Lane Electronics has introduced Cinch Fibreco generic D38999 (MIL-DTL-38999 series III) Fibre-Optic Connectors are now available from Lane Electronics

Advertisement
Tritax 300x250