Page 9 - Aerotech News 7-3-15

AF releases vision for development of autonomous systems
The Air Force released a vision document
June 22 written by its former chief scientist
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fective autonomy.
Autonomous Horizons, authored by Dr. Mica
Endsley, provides direction and guidance on the
opportunities and challenges in the development
of autonomous systems for Air Force operations,
and encourages those building autonomous sys-
tems to carefully consider and focus on the need
for effective human-autonomy teaming as they
develop new systems.
“The world has seen unprecedented leaps in
technology in the 21st century. If we are not
leading those advances, we will be left behind,”
said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee
James. “We must continue to leverage and de-
velop new technologies and systems that provide
our nation and joint force a competitive advan-
tage and explore areas where the application of
automation and autonomy makes sense and of-
fers enhanced agility.”
In the document, Endsley emphasized that in-
creased autonomy will not replace Airmen but
will enable the creation of more effective teams
by leveraging the rapid advances being made in
many of the technologies supporting autonomous
behaviors.
“This vision is both obtainable and sustain-
able — it leaves the authority and responsibility Endsley explained. “However, human decision
for warfare in the hands of Airmen while creat-
ing tools that enhance their situation awareness
and decision making, speed effective actions and
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July 3, 2015
bring needed extensions to their capabilities,”
Endsley said.
stakeholders in the development, testing and op-
“Rather than attempting to design the Airman
out of the equation, the Air Force embraces the
agility, intelligence and innovation that Airmen
provide, along with the advanced capabilities of
autonomy, to create effective teams in which ac-
tivities can be accomplished smoothly, simply,
and seamlessly.”
The document explains that Airmen should
be able to make informed choices about where
and when to invoke autonomy based on a variety
of considerations to include trust, the ability to
verify an autonomous system’s operations, the
level of risk and risk mitigation available for a
particular operation, the operational need for the in the Airman’s Hall at the Pentagon June 29.
autonomy, and the degree to which the system
supports the needed partnership with the Airman.
According to Endsley, autonomy has distinct
advantages that when harnessed can increase the
effectiveness of the Airman, but ultimately, it’s
the operators that are in control of the system
and should be both responsible for decisions and
properly supported by the system to make those
decisions.
“In certain limited cases, the system may al-
low the autonomy to take over automatically
from the Airman, when timelines are very short
for example, or when loss of lives is imminent,”
making for the exercise of force with weapon
systems is a fundamental requirement, in keep-
ing with Department of Defense directives.”
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Looking ahead, the new chief scientist, Dr. variability in operational environments.
Greg Zacharias, in collaboration with other “We must be innovative and seek ways to ful-
eratioal use of autonomous systems, will contin- ly leverage technology,” said Air Force Chief of
ue to examine the many technical issues involved Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. “Increased levels
in creating autonomous systems that can deal ef- of system autonomy will ensure enhanced capa-
fectively with the challenges of uncertainty and bility in responding to a range of operations and
global challenges.”
Gen. Larry O. Spencer
Innovation Award unveiled
Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, along with Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen.
Larry O. Spencer, unveiled the “Innovation Award” named in honor of Spencer during a ceremony
The award conceptualized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, is intended to
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“The award is new, but what’s not new is the laser focus on innovation and the passion that General
Spencer has brought to us in many ways,” James said. “General Spencer has put much of his personal
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According to James, the programs championed by Spencer, the Every Dollar Counts campaign
and the Airman Powered by Innovation website, are working so well that the Air Force is saving
more than $35 million annually.
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innovative and cost-saving ways to get our mission done.”
Not only did Spencer champion the ideas of innovation and saving with the programs, he also spent
time personally responding to emails and hosting video teleconferences with airmen around the world.
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Airmen,” Spencer said. “There are great ideas out there and we owe it to our airmen to listen to them.”
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