As civilian technology advances, the U.S. Army has also been making progress on creating a system called TITAN, a Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node. Nicknamed the U.S. Army TITAN program, this tech ensures increased accuracy for the military’s long-distance targeting.

Suggested read:

The Army's New Exosuit Makes Soldiers Into Iron Man

What Is the Army TITAN Program?

The Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, better known as TITAN, collects data from “terrestrial, space, and aerial sensors and delivers targetable data to defense platforms…” To put it simply, the TITAN program helps the military better scope out their enemies and aim more accurately so that they can blast their enemies from incredible distances. The TITAN program also bridges the gap between the speed at which it takes enemies to plan their next attack and existing, pre-analyzed data, creating insightful and actionable results. With the recent developments of TITAN, the Army is also working to develop a Synchronized High OPTEMPO Targeting application, better known as SHOT. SHOT’s purpose is to find ways where it can “reduce the workflow in the kill chain and to deliver knowledge points to TITAN.” The U.S Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, also known as DEVCOM, is the Army’s “largest technology leader and developer,” and it helped in the development of TITAN by providing research for the program.

How Does Army TITAN Help the Military?

With both SHOT and TITAN in development, their combined power is extremely convenient for military personnel. They benefit from a system that allows them to focus on points of attack and formulate strategies on how to take down enemies. The Army TITAN application allows it to cover systems that the military currently uses. But now, TITAN cuts the workflow in half and allows service members to work twice as fast to find their targets and hone in on their movements. With both the Army TITAN program and SHOT’s application in use, they can work together to effectively allow military members to target their enemies and track their movements. The TITAN program itself covers a lot of ground and replaces a lot of brain power with automated systems. With the Army TITAN’s use in the military, the potential for growth and efficiency is extensive. Cutting the time it takes for military personnel to think about their next attack, the TITAN program is currently the most efficient way of targeting American rivals.

Artificial Intelligence in the Army

As the world steadily shifts towards a technological mindset, more and more countries are incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their tactics and practices. Having AI like TITAN is a huge advancement and beneficial to the U.S. military, as it allows them to focus on things that require more attention. There are a lot of benefits to having Army AI training:

• Strategic decision making

  – Military personnel can train with AI on their decision-making skills, as the AI is able to “collect and process data from numerous different sources to aid in their decision making.” In high-pressure situations, integrating artificial intelligence into operations can reduce human error and allow our military members to be ahead of the game.

• Combat simulatio

  n – New training simulation software has been used to help further our military combat practices and prepare Soldiers for real-life situations, as they provide “realistic missions and tasks to Soldiers, to ensure that they gain the most experience before applying their skills to real life combat.”

• Drone swarms

  – A more recent development is using AI in drones, which helps leverage their software to detect any threats. When one receives important information, it can communicate “distance, directions, elevation of danger, as well as any potential dangers” to other drones, which signals the drones to act on it.

Examples of AI in Military Use

AI in the military has already been extensively implemented to much success, giving DoD personnel great hope for the future of TITAN. Aside from the Army TITAN program, other examples of successful AI applications in the military include:

• Cybersecurity

  – Having artificial intelligence helps create counterattack tools and record patterns in cyberattacks so that we’re more prepared.

• Combat simulation and training

  – Applications in training and simulations are getting more funds for the development of sensor simulation programs and warfare analysis. This advanced, limitless training will put our troops one step ahead of enemies at all times.

• Target recognition

  – AI helps the U.S. by better pinpointing targets; having AI incorporated into systems better predicts enemy movements and easily analyzes other factors, such as environmental data, mission approaches, and mitigation techniques.

• Threat monitoring and situational awareness

  – AI has been integrated into drones and other pieces of technological equipment to monitor border areas, identify risks, and communicate threat information to certain teams suited to respond to these types of situations.

• Warfare systems

  – AI allows systems to become more effective during combat and require less human involvement, freeing up human capital for use in other important missions.

AI, Army Technology, and the Future

The Army TITAN program will become one of the most relied-on services that military AI has to offer us. Artificial Intelligence, as a whole, has the potential to completely become our source of protection. With technological advancements such as the Army TITAN program, the U.S. military will become one of the world’s most skilled and prepared forces. The more we invest and build efficient AI programs, who knows what the future holds for our Army TITAN and similar tools. Will it become our military force? Will it cause us to self-destruct? Who knows; we’ll just have to wait and see.

Read next:

Space Command Points Out These Major Military Satellite Vulnerabilities

Image: U.S. Army