US based technology company, L3Harris Technologies, has released a new software platform, Amorphous [PDF], designed to control crewless systems in multiple domains. Featuring a single user interface, Amorphous can operate thousands of autonomous assets simultaneously, operating ships, aerial drones, and other platforms.
The decentralised interface allows military operators to handle more complex and intricate missions, providing users with a significant advantage.
The latest software has been designed with an open architecture, compatible with different systems and able to scale as needed. Amorphous (Autonomous Multi-domain Operations Resiliency Platform for Heterogeneous Unmanned Swarms) lets the US and allied forces to manage different types of uncrewed vehicles, equipment, and systems from various manufacturers through a single system.
Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris, commented on the potential autonomous technology has on boosting military power.
“Autonomy is a force multiplier, which is why we have designed AMORPHOUS as a multi-domain, multi-mission capability that rapidly integrates a variety of uncrewed systems across the battle space.”
Rambeau also believes this new software will “mature emerging defence capabilities more quickly and affordably.”
“One of the big problems that has yet to be solved is, how do you think about the control of, not 10, not 100, not even 1,000, but thousands of assets simultaneously. That’s really not something that’s possible to do with human control only.”
L3Harris are reportedly developing early prototypes of systems based on the Amorphous software framework to be trialled by the US Army and Defense Innovation Unit. So far, the software has proven its ability to work with various types of vehicles operating in multiple environments during tests.
Further prototypes developed for numerous Pentagon programmes have already been revealed, like Replicator, tested by the Defense Innovation Unit. L3Harris plan to release Replicator by August 2025 after being selected alongside Anduril Industries and Swarm Aero in November 2024 to showcase how companies can manage and coordinate large numbers of uncrewed systems under a military programme called ‘Autonomous Collaborative Teaming.’
Missions across land, sea, air, and space could benefit from Amorphous and similar technologies as search and rescue, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare, each of which can be operated simultaneously. Hundreds or even thousands of unmanned platforms can be managed and controlled autonomously, potentially enhancing overall mission success and minimising risk to personnel.
(Image: “Drone 2” by Michael Khor is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
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