Page 6 - Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News 6-26-15

6 June 26, 2015
AF releases vision for development of autonomous systems
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force re-
leased a vision document June 22 written by its
former chief scientist which helps define a path
to increased and effective 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 pro-
vide our nation and joint force a competitive
advantage and explore areas where the applica-
tion of automation and autonomy makes sense
and offers enhanced agility.”
In the document, Endsley emphasized that in-
creased autonomy will not replace Airmen but will
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enable the creation of more effective teams by lever- vantages that when harnessed can increase the ef-
aging the rapid advances being made in many of the fectiveness of the Airman, but ultimately, it’s the op-
technologies supporting autonomous behaviors. erators that are in control of the system and should
be both responsible for decisions and properly sup-
“This vision is both obtainable and sustain- ported by the system to make those decisions.
able -- it leaves the authority and responsibility
for warfare in the hands of Airmen while creat- “In certain limited cases, the system may allow
ing tools that enhance their situation awareness the autonomy to take over automatically from
and decision making, speed effective actions and the Airman, when timelines are very short for
bring needed extensions to their capabilities,” example, or when loss of lives is imminent,” End-
Endsley said. sley explained. “However, human decision mak-
ing for the exercise of force with weapon systems
“Rather than attempting to design the Airman out is a fundamental requirement, in keeping with
of the equation, the Air Force embraces the agility, Department of Defense directives.”
intelligence and innovation that Airmen provide,
along with the advanced capabilities of autonomy, to Looking ahead, the new chief scientist, Dr.
create effective teams in which activities can be ac- Greg Zacharias, in collaboration with other
complished smoothly, simply, and seamlessly.” stakeholders in the development, testing and op-
erational use of autonomous systems, will con-
The document explains that Airmen should be tinue to examine the many technical issues in-
able to make informed choices about where and volved in creating autonomous systems that can
when to invoke autonomy based on a variety of deal effectively with the challenges of uncertainty
considerations to include trust, the ability to ver- and variability in operational environments.
ify an autonomous system’s operations, the level
of risk and risk mitigation available for a particu- “We must be innovative and seek ways to fully le-
lar operation, the operational need for the au- verage technology,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.
tonomy, and the degree to which the system sup- Mark A. Welsh III. “Increased levels of system au-
ports the needed partnership with the Airman. tonomy will ensure enhanced capability in respond-
ing to a range of operations and global challenges.”
According to Endsley, autonomy has distinct ad-
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