United States tests an artificial intelligence system in one of its M1 Abrams tanks

@DefAviation ES 2·15·2023 · 21:32 0

The use of artificial intelligence in military vehicles is an increasingly close reality, as shown by some images released by the US Army.

This is the driver station of an M1 Abrams tank and the impressive start of its engine
When Abrams and Challenger overwhelmed in 1991 tanks like the ones Russia still uses

In early November, the US Army released some images of Project Convergence, during which the ATLAS system (Advanced Targeting and Lethality Aided System) was tested. It is a system that is based on the use of artificial intelligence on the battlefield to help tank crews.

In October last year, the website C4ISRNET, specialized in the use of information technology applied to the military field, pointed out that "ATLAS uses advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms and a new touchscreen display to automate the process of finding and firing targets, allowing crews to respond to threats faster than ever before."

On November 8, the US Army released a couple of images of an M1 Abrams tank during tests of the ATLAS system. One of the photos was taken at night and not many details were visible. The vehicle, belonging to the 1st Battalion of the famous 7th Cavalry Regiment, showed a square box with a visor placed on a rotating support at the base of the 120 mm gun, in which the optical systems would be housed. from ATLAS. A second photo (on these lines) it showed the tank by day, but hiding the rear part of its turret, which showed more additions to the usual equipment of these tanks.

This Monday, the US Army released more photos of that exercise developed in November. In these new images you can see more details about the equipment related to the ATLAS system. The most striking thing is what can be seen on the back of the tank's turret. This other photo provides more details:

Here we see an enlargement of that photo (click on the image if you want to see it full size):

Yesterday, the website The War Zone, specialized in defense issues, points out that the black box seen on the left in the turret would be the I-MILES CVTESS system, used for maneuvers and that uses lasers to mark targets. It is the latest tank version of the MILES system used by the US Army in exercises since the late 1970s. The large box that appears on the back of the photo would be the ATLAS cooling system, which allows us to get an idea of the heat generated by the great processing capacity of this system based on artificial intelligence.

Here we can see a frontal image of the M1 Abrams in which we can see a little better the box with the ATLAS optical systems located on the barrel. Here we can see an enlargement of that box:

A curious detail is the black sensor visible above the coaxial machine gun. The War Zone notes that its purpose is unknown. Similar sensors are also seen on the side of the turret.

From what has been revealed so far, the goal of ATLAS would be to reduce the time it takes humans to do certain tasks in a tank. Artificial intelligence could automate actions such as searching for potential targets, recognizing the type of vehicle, select the most suitable ammunition and make a precise shot to destroy the enemy. The decision to fire would remain with the tank commander.

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Photos: U.S. Army / DVIDShub.net.