Military expands AI use with Ray-Ban sensible glasses for soldier coaching

[ad_1] NEW Now you can take heed to Fox Information articles!

The Military is increasing its use of synthetic intelligence past drones — from wearable sensible glasses that practice mechanics within the area to automated defenses in opposition to swarms of low cost enemy plane — as leaders warn the counter-drone struggle is now "downside 1A" for the nation.

Talking to reporters this week, Military Secretary Dan Driscoll described a pilot program during which troopers wearAI-enabled Ray-Ban glasses that file restore jobs after which use generative fashions to stroll less-experienced troops via infantry squad automobile upkeep. He mentioned it displays a brand new push to convey client know-how into the pressure "much more rapidly" than up to now. Whereas Meta might have spent billions creating the glasses, the Military is testing them for about $400 a pair.

Gen. Randy George, the Military’s chief of employees, mentioned the identical method applies to the Pentagon’s high rising problem: defending in opposition to drones.

"That is downside 1A that we’re dealing with as a rustic," Driscoll mentioned, stressing that counter-drone know-how have to be low cost, quick and automatic. "When you consider a drone swarm … it's a almost unimaginable concept for even human beings [to handle]."

AI ARMS RACE: US AND CHINA WEAPONIZE DRONES, CODE AND BIOTECH FOR THE NEXT GREAT WAR

Military Secretary Dan Driscoll mentioned counter-drone know-how is "downside 1A." (Spc. Luke Sullivan/seventy fifth Ranger Regiment)

That problem has been underscored abroad, the place superior plane have been used to intercept comparatively cheap drones. "When you’ve bought a $5,000 drone, you need a $2,000 or $3,000 or $4,000 interceptor, and that’s what we’re targeted on," George mentioned.

Final week, Dutch F-35s and Polish F-16s deployed to take out dozens of Russian drones flying into Russian territory.

George added that the Military is testing proximity rounds and high-energy lasers, whereas the larger hurdle is defending in opposition to drones in crowded civilian airspace.

As a part of the Military’s "steady transformation" initiative, George mentioned 25 brigades will likely be overhauled within the subsequent two years to make them extra deadly, cell and survivable in high-threat environments. The primary armored brigade fight groups are set to rotate via the Nationwide Coaching Middle in California this November, adopted by a large-scale train in Hawaii.

George additionally pointed to armor modernization, saying the Military’s next-generation M1E3 tank — envisioned as a lighter, sooner alternative for the Abrams — may attain models as early as subsequent yr. That may mark a serious acceleration, since earlier projections steered the automobile wouldn't area till the 2030s.

To pay for its modernization drive, Driscoll mentioned the Military plans to chop $48 billion over 5 years from packages it not wants, reinvesting in drones, air defenses and long-range fires.

PENTAGON UNVEILS $961B BUDGET REQUEST: FUND FOR GOLDEN DOME, MISSILES AND DRONES, FEWER F-35 JETS

A soldier holds a drone within the Pentagon parking zone on June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va., throughout the Military’s 250th anniversary parade and festivities in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Photographs)

The service additionally launched a $750 million "Fuse" fund to assist small and mid-sized companies and previewed new acquisition reforms to be detailed at subsequent month’s AUSA convention. Modeled partly on the fast iteration practices of business corporations, the modifications will co-locate troopers, engineers and contractors to hurry up design and fielding.

Officers additionally highlighted in-house efforts. George mentioned the Military is now constructing its personal drones at depots with all-American elements — together with fashions already flying in Ukraine — to assist replenish stockpiles. Driscoll mentioned 3D printing is being examined as a solution to overcome the "tyranny of distance" within the Indo-Pacific, permitting troopers to manufacture elements in theater as an alternative of ready on lengthy provide traces.

Military troopers practice within the area because the service integrates AI into coaching and command-and-control. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Photographs)

George pointed to battlefield command as one other space of change. The 4th Infantry Division is now testing command-and-control apps on ruggedized tablets — changing the vans and racks of radios which have lengthy anchored Military command posts.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The transfer is designed to make headquarters smaller and tougher to focus on, although outdoors consultants have warned that counting on commercial-style gadgets may introduce new cyber vulnerabilities and sturdiness points in fight.

Driscoll additionally credited President Trump with backing the Military’s overhaul. "They’ve held the road each single time when we've made a tough choice," he mentioned. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that every of the $48 billion in cuts has defenders in Congress and trade.