Soldiers vs. Skynet: Can AI Help Take Down War’s Newest Threat?

Drones have become the ubiquitous buzz on the battlefield, their low hum a constant reminder of the ever-evolving face of war. These often cheap, agile attackers rain explosives and capture intel, leaving traditional defenses scrambling.

But a new contender has emerged: ZeroMark, a US startup aiming to turn soldiers’ rifles into “handheld Iron Domes.”

Their secret weapon? Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered aim assistance.

ZeroMark’s system, codenamed “Guardian,” uses sensors to track drones and actuators to adjust a soldier’s aim in real time.

Lidar and electro-optical sensors paint a detailed picture of the battlefield, identifying drones, classifying their type, and even predicting their flight path. This information feeds into a central computer that calculates the perfect trajectory for a bullet to intercept the drone.

Actuators, discreetly integrated into the rifle stock or foregrip, then subtly adjust the soldier’s aim in real time, compensating for factors like bullet drop, windage, and even the soldier’s own adrenaline-induced tremors.

“Our mission is to empower every soldier with a cost-effective, highly portable counter-drone solution that delivers unparalleled performance,” said CEO Joel Anderson, a former engineer with a background in ballistics and robotics, in a statement released late May. “With the support of our investors, we are ready to deploy this critical capability and ensure our defenders maintain a decisive edge on the battlefield.”

In other words, the company is trying to provide soldiers with a computer-powered wingman.

A Timely Innovation: Countering Drones in the Ukraine Conflict

The system’s arrival couldn’t be more timely. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen drones become a defining feature.

Cheap, readily available, and easy to operate, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a force multiplier for both sides, conducting reconnaissance missions, delivering targeted attacks, and even serving as propaganda tools.

ZeroMark’s Guardian system is particularly relevant in such low-intensity conflicts, where traditional air defense systems like surface-to-air missiles are often overkill.

Investing in the Future: Funding and Field Trials

This technology’s potential has attracted significant attention.

Venture capitalist Andreessen Horowitz, known for backing tech giants like Facebook and Twitter, took notice and invested $7 million in ZeroMark.

The company is also collaborating with undisclosed partners in Ukraine, conducting field evaluations of the Guardian system in real-world combat scenarios.

Skepticism and Challenges: Can AI Deliver on the Battlefield?

However, experts remain cautious. “We need a real-world demonstration,” Arthur Holland Michel, a counter-drone specialist and senior fellow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, told WIRED in an interview early this month.

Michel raises concerns about the limitations of training data.

“ZeroMark’s system is likely trained on a vast library of drone footage and simulated combat situations,” he explained. “But the battlefield is a chaotic environment. Real-world factors like unpredictable weather patterns, electronic countermeasures, and even the pilot’s evasive maneuvers could throw off the system’s calculations.”

Additionally, the physics of hitting a moving target is notoriously tricky.

“Soldiers have been trying to shoot down drones for years,” Michel added, “and it’s hard, even without the drone actively dodging fire.”

Nevertheless, ZeroMark has acknowledged these challenges but emphasizes the system’s ability to adapt. “The Guardian system is constantly learning,” said ZeroMark CEO Anderson. “With every successful intercept, the system’s algorithms become more refined, improving its accuracy and effectiveness in the field.”

Only widespread military adoption will prove ZeroMark’s true worth. “If it works, militaries won’t buy a handful, they’ll buy thousands,” said Michel.

This mass adoption hinges on the Guardian system’s ability to deliver consistent results without adding undue complexity to a soldier’s already heavy workload.

ZeroMark claims the system is user-friendly, requiring minimal training. Soldiers simply need to point the rifle, activate the Guardian system, and let the AI do the rest.

C-UAS in soldiers’ hands.

AI-powered accuracy.

It’s coming. pic.twitter.com/hh38ON9Lfa

— ZeroMark (@zeromarkinc) November 16, 2023

A New Era of Warfare: Soldiers, Drones, and AI

The future of warfare is likely to be shaped by the rise of autonomous systems, both on the ground and in the air. ZeroMark’s Guardian system represents a step in that direction.

While some may see it as a glimpse into a dystopian future dominated by AI-powered weaponry, others view it as a necessary adaptation to the evolving battlefield.

Whether the Guardian system will become the next game-changer in the fight against drones, or simply another unfulfilled promise from the world of tech startups, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the battle between soldiers and drones has entered a new, technologically driven phase.