The Department of Defense is testing Scylla, an artificial intelligence algorithm designed to locate threats in multi-domain environments.
Using Scylla, the DOD aims to protect the nation’s strategic nuclear capabilities by referencing existing video surveillance footage and drones to identify unknown and external threats, the Pentagon reported Monday.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, a 2024 Wash100 awardee, emphasized the benefits of integrating AI technologies like Scylla throughout the military.
“As we’ve focused on integrating AI into our operations responsibly and at speed, our main reason for doing so has been straightforward: because it improves our decision advantage,” Hicks said. “From the standpoint of deterring and defending against aggression, AI-enabled systems can help accelerate the speed of commanders’ decisions and improve the quality and accuracy of those decisions.”
Scylla Undergoes Tests
During tests led by the Physical Security Enterprise and Analysis Group, or PSEAG, at the Blue Grass Army Depot, Scylla showcased the ability to detect intruders, weapons and abnormal behavior. Chris Willoughby, electronic security systems manager at the Depot and project lead for Scylla, described the intricacies of the capability’s surveillance features.
“PSEAG is testing, evaluating and training Scylla’s artificial intelligence deep neural machine learning software to detect and classify persons’ features, behavior anomalies, armed and unarmed threats and objects by evaluating video surveillance systems in real-time,” Willoughby stated.
“Scylla test and evaluation has demonstrated a probability of detection above 96 percent accuracy standards, significantly lowering … false alarm rates due to environmental phenomena,” Willoughby added.
Drew Walter, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters, also highlighted the technology’s potential for improving the physical security of DOD’s strategic nuclear arsenal.
“The ability to detect and respond to threats swiftly is paramount when dealing with assets critical to deterrence — be they Trident missile submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles or strategic bombers,” Walter said.
Furthermore, the department is testing Scylla’s ability to sustain itself in cold weather and maritime environments. In the coming months, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina will host Navy and Marine Corps-led examinations to ensure the capability meets their service-specific protocols.
