22 September 2023

Singapore validates enhanced AI-infused combat system at US wargames

by Ridzwan Rahmat

A Republic of Singapore Air Force Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), seen here at Paya Lebar Air Base in September 2023. The Singapore Armed Forces' upgraded command and control information system is able to automatically detect and classify objects of interest in real-time video feeds provided by the UAV. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is validating an upgraded command and control information system (CCIS) that seeks to improve the efficiency of its strike missions.

This new capability is being proven at Exercise ‘Forging Sabre' 2023, which is taking place from 11 to 30 September at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, US.

The CCIS is an indigenous system developed by the SAF in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). It was first deployed in the command post at the 2021 iteration of Exercise ‘Forging Sabre' and incorporates features such as weapon-to-target matching algorithms.

For the 2023 iteration of the exercise, the CCIS has been upgraded with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven modules that allow it to automatically detect and classify objects of interests in video feeds provided by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) fleet of Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Furthermore, location pins or digital cues can be dropped on these targets so that all other users of the CCIS, including manned strike platforms, are able to act on them.

In addition, the CCIS has been upgraded with a weather module, which allows the system to recommend strike solutions to commanders based on real-time climate conditions.

Besides the CCIS, the SAF and DSTA will be using Exercise ‘Forging Sabre' 2023 to carry out trials of unmanned aerial and ground systems and further develop operational concepts for these equipment.

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