Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work has said the Defense Department plans to conduct experiments on human-machine collaboration and deep learning machines over the next year as part of DoD’s Third Offset Strategy, Defense News reported Monday.
Work told his audience at a Center for a New American Security-hosted forum that the strategy aims to reaffirm U.S. technological and military advantage, Aaron Mehta writes.
Work also mentioned human-machine teaming, assisted-human operations and semi-autonomous weapons as three other technological concepts the Pentagon will focus on in 2016, the report said.
Andrea Shalal also reports on Reuters that the deputy defense secretary expects DoD to request a budget of $12 billion to $15 billion in fiscal 2017 to fund experiments on such technologies and wargaming operations.
Work said the department will collaborate with Congress to seek support for the Third Offset Strategy, accelerate the procurement process and reduce costs, according to Reuters.
He noted that the strategy is also part of the department’s efforts to strengthen its conventional deterrence amid the strategic challenge posed by Russia and China, DoD News reported.
Work said the department believes that engagement with potential competitors should be exercised in an effort “to reassure our allies and partners … and to protect U.S. forces and our allies from direct attack,” Cheryl Pellerin writes.
