Artificial Intelligence Applications Office

Abstract

Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, has e s t a b l i s h e d a n i n t e r n a l a r t i f i c i a l intelligence technology office to focus and facilitate the transition and application of ar t i f ic ia l in te l l igence technology wi thin ASD. Also, a Dayton center for the applications o f artificial intel l igence has been formed consisting of a consortium of local academic institutions and industrial companies . Th i s paper d iscusses the operat ion of the Artif icial In te l l igence Applications Office and reviews some of the artificial intelligence activities underway at ASD. A1 Investment S t r w Within the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), the parent organization of ASD, artificial intelligence (AI) is recognized as one of the most promising and pervasive technologies currently being developed and applied by AFSC laboratories. Because ar t i f ic ia l in te l l igence enab les reasoning capab i l i t i e s t o be coup led wi th the process ing power of the computer , i t provides a viable mechanism for effectively managing the increasing complexity of Air Force weapon systems and support systems. T h e benef i t s o f a r t i f i c ia l in te l l igence technology can be seen in numerous Air Force mission areas and there are many situations where the application of artificial intel l igence techniques have resulted in dramatic increases in the performance and e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f both p e r s o n n e l and aerospace systems. Several years ago, Headquarters AFSC ins t i tu ted a coord ina ted , command-wide investment s t ra tegy tha t provided the framework for making the sound investment d e c i s i o n s n e c e s s a r y t o a c h i e v e t h e maturation of a broad set of emerging technologies that collectively are referred to as artificial intel l igence. The primary objective 'of the AFSC A1 investment strategy was, and remains, to achieve the most e f f i c i e n t a n d e f f e c t i v e d e v e l o p m e n t , application and transition of A1 technology to the operational commands. One of the main accomplishments of the A1 investment strategy was the creation of A1 cen te r s o f exce l l ence which are providing focused technical development and management of artificial intelligence from basic research through advanced development. The two primary A1 centers of exce l l ence a re located a t R o m e Air Development Center (RADC) and Wright Research and Development Center. Wrinht Research and Deve lo~ment Center The Wright Research and Development Center (WRDC), has pursued an ambitious program of A1 research and development for more than 20 years resulting in increased capabilities and reduced cost for aerospace systems. Some of the earliest A1 laboratory research was accomplished in the areas of bionics and adaptive neural systems. Current areas of applied A1 research and development at WRDC include: air crew aiding, autonomous a i r vehicles, system m a i n t e n a n c e , m a n u f a c t u r i n g , s p a c e , machine in te l l igence, and A1 processor hardware. Each of these areas includes suppor t ing bas ic resea rch , exploratory deve lopment , and advanced technology demonstration efforts.