Page 154 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

154 FROM THE SOURCE
AIR MARSHAL MEL HUPFELD
NOVEMBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
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relationships, and carefully consider the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to augment or replace legacy roles, as AI and automation proliferates across Air Force.
Air Force will continue to need a workforce that is re- sponsive to the rapidly changing demands of an uncertain world. We will continue to pursue innovative approaches to workforce management that recognise the
ceed in this space, I need innovators and disruptors in the organisation who see things differently – those who are willing to try something and to fail, but in the process learn something for next time – innovation that enhances our capabilities and future-proofs us. While our technologies and systems are important, they are only one part of what enhances the delivery of Air and Space power. Without our people intelligently wielding them, our cutting-edge tech- nologies are simply inanimate objects.
Our people not only need to be technically brilliant, but also strategically aware, have a solid understanding of their place in the joint force and their responsibilities to Gov- ernment. Our people need to be comfortable operating in the environment of constant competition within our Joint Force. Our strategy is to give our people the tools they need to be creative and to encourage their curiosity to build the effects we need for the future.
Our people are our future, and our future is everything.
ADM: How will the introduction of autonomous air ve- hicles like Loyal Wingman impact RAAF’s procurement plans for crewed combat aircraft post-F-35?
AM HUPFELD: It’s too early to tell. The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human- machine teams.
The Loyal Wingman is designed to work with and be commanded by crewed assets, with a mission system incor- porating advanced AI techniques to work as an effective member of the overall air combat team with minimal com- mand inputs required. Freeing up human operators from
importance of our people and organisational structures. Transforming to more appropri- ate, contemporary and responsive methods of leading and managing our people will be critical to ensure we fulfil the strategic im- peratives outlined in the Air Force Strategy, notably the delivery of integrated air and space power as part of the joint force; deep- ening our relationships and strengthening our engagement internally to Defence, exter- nally, and internationally with partners and potential competitors alike.
“WE ARE NOW IN THE SECOND CENTURY OF AIR FORCE, A NEW FAST-MOVING ERA FOR AUSTRALIAN AIR AND SPACE POWER”
having to fly each individual air vehicle rep- resents a significant leap from previously fielded systems.
This project will position the Royal Aus- tralian Air Force to field a fleet of teaming air vehicles—advanced systems with a high level of autonomy, that when teamed with crewed assets will bring mass and flexibil- ity to the air combat dimension of the Joint Force. The program will further mature the system and Defence’s understanding of how uncrewed systems can team with crewed platforms to enhance capability.
The future Air Force will look very different from what we have had in the past. Significant increases in computa- tional power, advanced manufacturing, miniaturisation, so- phisticated sensors, enhanced access to space, and artificial intelligence will dramatically change the capability land- scape. Combined with global power shifts and near-peer competitors’ investment in technologically advanced mili- tary systems, the future battle-space will be a complex one.
Air Force will become one of Australia’s most advanced organisations. And it must, if we are to adapt to this chang- ing world. Air Force will have different skills, different weapon systems, agile bases, multiple networks, and we will be active in space. Space will become more pivotal – supporting our multi-domain operations. We will do this together as part of the joint force across Defence. To suc-
Air Force fighter aircrew have been working alongside the Boeing team to assist in developing an understanding of how they will work alongside advanced autonomous systems.
Understanding how advanced autonomous platforms op- erate safely and effectively as part of a large team of air vehicles while allowing the Air Force to flexibly employ the platforms is one of the great challenges and an early fo- cus of the program. The creation of an advanced mission system, integrated with a range of advanced sensors, and communicating as required to form part of the overall air combat system, is a large and complex undertaking.
ADM: How will climate change impact Air Force’s core mission over the next 30 years and do you foresee adop- tion of Sustainable Aviation Fuels?
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