United Kingdom uses AI to improve drone defense capabilities of armed forces.

The United Kingdom has announced that its military personnel are now leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their capabilities in shooting down drones. This innovative approach is being implemented by paratroopers from the 16th Air Assault Brigade in Colchester, located about 50 miles northeast of London. These soldiers are being trained on the advanced SmartShooter SMASH technology, promising efficiency with the principle of "one shot – one hit."
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The SMASH technology is capable of targeting, tracking, and accurately predicting the trajectory of unmanned aerial systems. (Picture source: SmartShooter)

AI is advancing at a rapid pace, and the defense sector is increasingly interested in this burgeoning technology. The British military is using it to improve its ability to defend against another rapidly developing technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have seen a phenomenal rise since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. British soldiers are undergoing training on the advanced SmartShooter SMASH technology.

The SMASH technology, known for its sophisticated image processing software, excels at identifying unmanned aerial systems. It is capable of targeting, tracking, and accurately predicting the trajectory of such aerial threats. This technological leap was initiated following the delivery of 225 SMASH sights as part of a £4.6 million contract awarded by the Ministry of Defense in 2023. These sights, compatible with the SA80 A3 assault rifle and other standard-issue weapons, demonstrate the Ministry's ongoing commitment to bolstering the UK's defense capabilities, guided by the strategic direction of His Majesty's Government and the operational framework of the British Armed Forces.

The Smart Shooter product range includes several innovative systems such as SMASH 2000, and SMASH 2000 PLUS, which build on the features of SMASH 2000 by adding a UAV drone counter mode for the kinetic elimination of low-flying small drones.

SMASH AD incorporates a laser rangefinder (LRF) and can receive and display target information from external sensors, radars, or detection systems, offering a precise, fast, safe, and simple solution for eliminating drone threats. SMASH HOPPER P provides an ultra-light, portable, remotely controlled weapon station, easy to carry, assemble, and operate by a single person, suitable for a wide range of operational scenarios. SMASH X4 combines a four-magnification optical scope with Smart Shooter's fire control capabilities, offering long-distance detection, recognition, and identification.

SMASH HOPPER is a lightweight remotely controlled weapon station using SMASH fire control technology, suitable for rapid deployments and offering the capability to eliminate static and moving, ground or aerial targets remotely controlled by an operator. Finally, SMASH Dragon is an advanced robotic weaponry payload that can be mounted on various small UAVs (drones) and other unmanned aerial platforms, equipped with SMASH's core capabilities for locking, tracking, and precisely striking unknown targets in unknown environments.

These systems are designed to significantly increase the effectiveness and precision of firearms in various operational scenarios while maximizing the lethality of forces and operational effectiveness at every engagement. Based on artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning technologies, the SMASH product line aims to revolutionize the world of small arms and optics by enabling every shooter to hit their target while being part of a smart, precise, and connected unit.

Warrant Officer Joe Cooke shared his impressions with the BBC regarding the transformative impact of this technology. He noted the traditional challenge of targeting rapidly moving drones with conventional firearms and highlighted the significant improvement in accuracy achieved through the SMASH technology, especially among non-infantry personnel such as medics and signallers.

The British military's strategic adoption of AI underscores its recognition of the technology's potential to provide a competitive advantage and enhance operational efficiency. An official statement released in October 2023 articulated the Army's ambitious goal to be "AI-ready" by April 2024, with a broader vision extending to 2030. This readiness is based on equipping relevant personnel with foundational AI and digital literacy, improving data quality, facilitating access to technology, and establishing robust processes to ensure the responsible deployment of AI solutions.

The adoption of AI in military applications is not exclusive to the UK. Smartshooter, the company behind the SMASH technology, has also secured a contract to supply the US Army with additional SMASH 200L fire control systems, designed to counter drone threats, further exemplifying the global trend towards integrating AI technologies into defense strategies.