Tech Industry Shows New Warfare Vision
On a sunny November morning, a pickup rounded a hill on a rough road through scrubland. A surveillance tower across the valley tracked the vehicle’s movements, plotting its progress on a digital map at a nearby command post.
With a mouse click on the map, a technician launched a compact robot helicopter called Ghost to investigate. As it neared the truck, its video feed showed a person getting out and launching a small drone that flew toward the command post. Another click launched a second aerial robot, Anvil, designed to ram and take down small drones.
This demonstration by defense startup Anduril Industries showcased parts of an artificial intelligence-infused vision of warfare it hopes can transform the U.S. military under the new administration. It envisions the nation defended by fleets of deadly aerial and undersea drones that can tirelessly patrol the world with minimal need for human intervention, poised to strike if ordered to.
Anduril has significant ties to key figures in the tech community, positioning itself among a cohort of defense startups aiming to challenge established defense contractors by focusing on nimble drones and advanced software, rather than on traditional large ships and expensive aircraft.
“It’s about making much-lower-cost, easy-to-produce and mass-manufacture weapons that we can resupply in a time of war,” said Brian Schimpf, chief executive and co-founder of the company.
This approach is gaining traction within the Pentagon as it faces new challenges, notably exemplified by a military operation in April when Iran launched over 300 missiles and self-destructing drones at Israel from multiple neighboring regions.
Although the operation resulted in no casualties and only a handful of missiles reached their targets, the financial implications were considerable. The missiles deployed by Israel and its allies cost hundreds of millions, while the Iranian drones were much cheaper, with each Shahed drone costing about $50,000. In contrast, the U.S. response included SM-3 missiles with a price tag of around $28 million each.
“We are paying millions to shoot down something that costs thousands,” remarked Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, highlighting a significant asymmetry that troubles the Defense Department.
This asymmetry is compounded by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and rising tensions regarding Taiwan, stretching U.S. military supplies thin. A report indicated that the U.S. could exhaust its stock of long-range precision missiles in less than a week if conflict with China were to occur.
Anduril operates out of a facility that retains the legacy of the former Los Angeles Times printing press, where high-tech features meet a distinctly military aesthetic. The company has transitioned from selling surveillance towers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to offering a range of aerial and aquatic drones utilized by the Pentagon and allied countries.
Recently, Anduril was selected to develop autonomous jet fighters as part of an Air Force initiative to create robotic wingmen for human pilots, a significant achievement over major contenders like Northrop Grumman and Boeing. The company is also investing heavily in new infrastructure to further its production capabilities.
The potential re-election of key administration figures might enhance Anduril’s opportunities within a network of tech leaders who have previously supported initiatives fostering advanced military technology.
A shift in how the tech industry perceives the Pentagon has occurred, with many previously wary of its bureaucracy or ethical considerations now rethinking their positions given the pressing global security needs. For instance, Google’s previous withdrawal from a military contract has contrasted sharply with the eagerness of other tech firms to engage in governmental partnerships.
Anduril and similar startups believe that small, efficient units like drones are the future of military capabilities. Their vision involves U.S. forces employing thousands of small airborne and oceangoing drones that will provide superior capabilities at much lower costs compared to current military assets.
However, the advances in technology bring about dilemmas related to reliance on artificial intelligence in warfare. Critics have long opposed the idea of autonomous weapons, raising ethical concerns especially as companies like Anduril explore collaboration with AI firms to enhance drone capabilities.
As military conflicts evolve, and indeed due to the lessons learned from recent engagements, the U.S. armed forces are recognizing the necessity of adapting their strategies accordingly. The focus is now increasingly on researching and procuring affordable drone technologies to face new threats effectively.
Anduril’s initiatives are aligned with this evolving landscape, suggesting a significant transformation in military tactics as reliance on cutting-edge technology become more integral for national defense.
