The Role of AI in Modern Warfare and Intelligence Gathering

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the most transformative forces in modern warfare and intelligence operations. No longer limited to experimental systems, AI is now embedded in real-world military decision-making, surveillance, and combat operations. As global conflicts evolve into data-driven environments, the ability to process, interpret, and act on vast amounts of information has become a decisive advantage. The integration of AI into military systems is reshaping how wars are fought, how intelligence is gathered, and how strategic decisions are made, fundamentally altering the nature of conflict in the twenty-first century.

One of the most significant contributions of AI to modern warfare is its ability to accelerate decision-making. Traditional intelligence analysis required human analysts to sift through massive volumes of data from satellites, drones, communications intercepts, and other sources. AI systems now perform this task at unprecedented speed, identifying patterns and threats that would otherwise go unnoticed. In recent U.S. military operations, AI has been used to process large datasets and generate actionable insights, significantly shortening the decision cycle for commanders (Medill on the Hill, 2026). This acceleration allows military leaders to respond more quickly to emerging threats, giving them a strategic advantage in fast-moving conflict environments.

Closely tied to decision-making is AI’s role in intelligence gathering. Modern intelligence operations rely heavily on the integration of multiple data sources, including geospatial imagery, signals intelligence, and open-source information. AI systems such as the U.S. military’s Maven Smart System are designed to analyze this data, identify targets, and prioritize them based on strategic importance (Brennan Center for Justice, 2026). These systems can scan vast amounts of information from satellites, drones, and even social media, enabling analysts to detect patterns of behavior, locate individuals or equipment, and anticipate enemy actions. This capability transforms intelligence from a reactive process into a predictive one, allowing militaries to anticipate threats before they fully materialize.

AI is also playing a critical role in battlefield operations. Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, including drones and unmanned vehicles, are increasingly used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat missions. These systems rely on AI to navigate complex environments, identify targets, and adapt to changing conditions in real time. Recent developments in counter-drone technology demonstrate how AI can be used defensively as well as offensively, with systems capable of detecting and intercepting enemy drones efficiently and at lower cost (Business Insider, 2026). In addition, AI-powered platforms are being developed to coordinate swarms of drones, enhancing their effectiveness and complicating enemy defenses.

Another important application of AI is in logistics and operational support. Military operations depend on the efficient movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies, often under challenging conditions. AI systems are used to optimize logistics by predicting equipment failures, managing supply chains, and improving maintenance schedules. These capabilities enhance operational readiness and reduce costs, allowing militaries to sustain prolonged operations more effectively. AI-driven logistics systems also contribute to mission planning by simulating different scenarios and identifying the most efficient courses of action.

Cybersecurity and information warfare represent another domain where AI has become indispensable. Modern conflicts increasingly involve cyber operations aimed at disrupting communication networks, stealing sensitive information, or spreading disinformation. AI enhances both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities by detecting anomalies, identifying vulnerabilities, and responding to threats in real time. At the same time, AI is being used to generate and analyze digital propaganda, shaping public perception and influencing political outcomes. As a result, the battlefield now extends beyond physical space into the digital domain, where information itself becomes a weapon.

Despite its advantages, the use of AI in warfare raises significant ethical and strategic concerns. One of the most pressing issues is the potential for autonomous weapons systems to make life-and-death decisions without human intervention. While military leaders emphasize that humans remain “in the loop,” the increasing reliance on AI for targeting and decision-making raises questions about accountability and control (The Wall Street Journal, 2026). There is also the risk of unintended escalation, as AI systems operating at high speed may respond to threats in ways that humans cannot easily predict or control. Additionally, the use of AI in surveillance raises concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of data.

The integration of AI into warfare also has broader implications for global security. As more nations develop and deploy AI-enabled systems, the risk of an arms race increases. Countries are investing heavily in AI technologies to gain a strategic edge, leading to rapid advancements and increased competition (U.S. Army War College, 2025). This competition may lower the threshold for conflict, as states seek to demonstrate technological superiority or respond to perceived threats. At the same time, the proliferation of AI technologies raises the possibility that non-state actors could gain access to advanced capabilities, further complicating the security landscape.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming modern warfare and intelligence gathering. By accelerating decision-making, enhancing intelligence analysis, and enabling new forms of combat and cyber operations, AI provides significant advantages to those who can effectively harness it. However, these advancements come with substantial risks, including ethical dilemmas, potential loss of human control, and increased global instability. As AI continues to evolve, its role in warfare will likely expand, making it essential for policymakers, military leaders, and society as a whole to carefully consider how this powerful technology is used. The future of warfare will not be defined solely by weapons or troops, but by algorithms, data, and the ability to turn information into action.

References

Brennan Center for Justice. (2026). The military’s use of AI, explained.

Business Insider. (2026). U.S. Army surged largest counter-drone training deployment in the Middle East.

Medill on the Hill. (2026). Data and decisions: AI is changing how the military operates.

U.S. Army War College. (2025). Artificial intelligence’s growing role in modern warfare.

The Wall Street Journal. (2026). U.S. forces employ AI every single day in Iran operation.

Counter-UAS Marketplace Streamlines Acquisition, First Purchases Total $13 Million

April 15, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Adam Scher, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 |

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced today the first set of purchases completed through its newly launched counter-unmanned aircraft systems marketplace. The four purchases, collectively valued at $13 million, represent a new milestone in the task force's mission to streamline critical counter-UAS technology acquisition among the War Department and its interagency partners.

The recent purchases provided key counter-UAS capabilities to U.S. Central Command, individual services with homeland defense missions, as well as Joint Task Force Southern Border. The orders include low-collateral defeat effectors, sensor systems, radars and electronic warfare systems. 
 
Hosted on the common hardware systems electronic catalog, the marketplace is powered by an established Army indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, enabling customers to place orders immediately. The system eliminates the lead time typically associated with defense procurement by simplifying the purchase process and providing access to a growing catalog of validated counter-small UAS equipment. 
 
"The [common hardware systems] website ... is designed to facilitate direct, seamless transactions between government entities and approved vendors," said Army Maj. Matt Mellor, the lead acquisitions specialist for the task force. "Through the platform, customers can review performance data, compare systems and make informed decisions based on real-world test results and verified capabilities."

Launched in February, the marketplace features a dozen counter-UAS systems, and its continuously expanding inventory contains a wide array of sensors, effectors and system components. The task force will continue to expand available options as new technologies are developed and as companies request that their products be included. 
 
The catalog also currently includes components that can be used as repair parts, allowing customers to meet a wide range of requirements through a single platform. 
 
"The marketplace is a critical step forward in our whole-of-government approach to countering the threat of unmanned systems," said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, JIATF 401 director. "This platform is not only revolutionizing the entire procurement process, but also empowering users with the information and tools needed to safeguard our service members and citizens, while providing timely, cost-effective solutions to our warfighters." 
 
The counter-UAS marketplace is now available to users across the War Department and other federal agencies, providing access to a comprehensive array of counter-UAS solutions that will enable the resourcing of a layered defense to protect the homeland and enhance warfighter lethality.

Navy Researchers Seek Volunteers for NASA Study

April 9, 2026 | By Zachary Wilson, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton |

Navy researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are seeking volunteers to assist in a study that directly supports one of the United States' biggest space exploration goals: returning American astronauts to the moon.

Researchers assigned to the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton, the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and NASA's Human Research Program are conducting a collaborative study examining motion sickness and how the human body adapts to acceleration and changing gravity environments.

Volunteers will help scientists better understand how the brain and inner ear respond to motion and to space motion sickness mitigation techniques, which could improve both military aviation safety and astronaut performance in space.

The study, StableEyes with Active Neurophysiology Monitoring, or SWAN, has been underway for several years and requires volunteers who have both a current aviation medical clearance and TRICARE health insurance coverage, due to the challenging nature of the motion profile.

"The participants' physical readiness for the unique aspects of the centrifuge exposure, coupled with the need to have reasonable astronaut analog subjects, is key," said Rich Folga, SWAN project manager assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton. "Having an aeromedical clearance notice from a competent flight medicine examiner ensures candidates have 'the right stuff.'"

He added that additional subject screening is done to ensure the candidate is a good match for the target study population, based on self-reported sensitivity to provocative motion stimulus.

First, participants experience controlled acceleration profiles in a centrifuge, simulating spaceflight deconditioning effects on key balance and coordination systems. After the centrifuge run and during the temporary deconditioning effect, volunteers perform a series of tasks while wearing goggles that track head-and-eye movements, capturing motion sickness-related measurements. The entire group will complete additional tasks testing balance after the deconditioning events.

This research is part of a broader effort to develop countermeasures that will help astronauts remain safe and effective during future lunar missions under NASA's Artemis program.

"Dayton has been at the center of aerospace medicine for decades and aerospace in general since the invention of the aircraft," said Richard Arnold, director of Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton's Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory. "Naval medical researchers at the lab contributed to astronaut training and physiological research during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. This collaboration continues that legacy by bringing together Navy, Air Force and NASA scientists to solve challenges that will help enable future missions to the moon and beyond."

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is home to the nation's premier aerospace medicine research center, where scientists from the Navy and Air Force collaborate in support of joint missions and broader national priorities, including the ongoing collaboration with NASA and related research that affects both military aviation and future human space exploration.

The Air Force's centrifuge has recently supported astronaut training and research tied to NASA's Artemis lunar exploration program, which aims to land astronauts on the moon and establish a sustained human presence there later this decade.

NASA's Artemis campaign is designed to return U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. The program's first mission, Artemis I, successfully completed an uncrewed test flight around the moon in 2022. The crewed Artemis II mission launched April 1 and saw the crew travel farther from Earth than any humans in history as they orbited the moon while spending 10 days in space.

For astronauts traveling to the moon, the body must transition between Earth gravity, microgravity during transit and the moon's partial gravity, conditions that can create sensory conflicts in the vestibular system — the inner ear structures responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

Studies like the one underway in Dayton help scientists develop techniques and technologies that allow astronauts to adapt more quickly to these conditions.

Volunteer Information

Participants will complete up to eight hours of testing across two days, including exposure to three times the force of Earth's gravity acceleration profile inside the centrifuge, and a series of balance and vision assessments. Active-duty service members and federal employees must be on leave or in an off-duty status to be eligible for monetary compensation. Experimental stress-hazardous-duty incentive pay will be available to on-duty military participants.

Qualified participants must:

• Be active-duty military or a TRICARE beneficiary;
• Be between the ages of 18 and 55;
• Be between 5 feet and 6 feet, 4 inches in height;
• Weigh between 88 and 245 pounds;
• Have a current medical clearance (DD2992, FAA 8700-2 or FAA 8500-9) prior to the second study session;
• Not have been exposed to centrifuge training in the past 72 hours;
• Not be susceptible to moderate-to-severe motion sickness;
• Meet additional study criteria.

If you are interested and meet the eligibility criteria, contact the research team to learn more or volunteer by emailing NAMRU.DRD.Scheduling@us.af.mil.

Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Lead Artemis II Homebound

April 8, 2026 | By Daniel Linehan, Naval Postgraduate School |

Next stop — Earth.

After a historic lunar flyby at a record-setting distance, the Artemis II crew is now on its return journey, with splashdown expected April 10 in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 50-60 miles off the coast of San Diego.  

Awaiting their arrival will be the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha, positioned to recover the astronauts and capsule. 

Mission commander and Naval Postgraduate School alumnus, retired Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman, now focuses on the most critical phase of the mission — bringing the crew home safely. 

"We are locked in," Wiseman said. "We are definitely excited for the second half of this mission. And we are on guard. We are the first crew to fly this vehicle. We are ready for any contingency and any scenario. We are going to stay locked in every second until we are back on that Navy ship, at home reunited with our families." 

Wiseman and spacecraft pilot, Navy Capt. Victor Glover — also an NPS alumnus — use their years of experience as Navy test pilots to guide the spacecraft, coined Integrity by the crew. Their advanced education and astronaut training will ensure a safe return to Earth. 

As our blue planet grows steadily larger in the capsule's windows, the mission's significance is clear. Their journey around the moon has generated critical insights that will inform future Artemis missions and advance NASA's long-term goal of human exploration beyond lunar orbit. 

On the sixth day of the mission, the crew entered the moon's sphere of influence — the point at which lunar gravity overtakes Earth's pull — marking a key milestone in the mission. For hours, the astronauts conducted detailed observations of the moon's near and far sides, capturing new imagery and data. 

Wiseman and Glover, alongside crewmates Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, passed within 4,070 miles of the lunar surface and experienced a 40-minute communications blackout, another defining moment of the mission. 

That moment was made even more meaningful by a prerecorded message from Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, a fellow naval aviator and test pilot, who died in 2025 at 97. 

"Hello Artemis II. This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood," the message read. "I'm proud to pass that torch to you as you swing around the moon and lay the groundwork for missions to Mars for the benefit of all. … Good luck and Godspeed from all those here on the good Earth." 

The symbolism was powerful. Lovell, commander of Apollo 13, held the previous record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth at 248,655 miles. Artemis II surpassed that mark, reaching 252,760 miles, more than 4,000 miles farther than any human spaceflight before it. 

During the moon flyby, the crew worked in rotating pairs for six hours, observing the lunar surface. They witnessed Earth set behind the moon, then rise again. They also saw an extremely rare view of a solar eclipse as the moon passed between the spacecraft and the sun, a first for human eyes. 

While the Artemis II crew observed the moon, another spacecraft was watching them. 

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a robotic spacecraft, captured images of the Integrity capsule as it swung around the moon. The orbiter's mission includes mapping the moon's surface, identifying potential resources such as water and ice and helping determine safe landing sites for future missions.  

NPS faculty and students contributed to the orbiter's fast attitude maneuvering control system, which enables the spacecraft to precisely reorient, capabilities essential for tracking and imaging. 

Data from the Artemis II and imagery from the orbiter are now being processed and are anticipated by researchers at NASA and partner institutions. 

This collaboration reflects a broader, enduring partnership between NASA and NPS that advances both cutting-edge research and the education of future operational leaders and astronauts. The ability to connect real-world missions with graduate-level education remains a hallmark of the NPS experience. 

Since first putting humans in space, the Navy, NPS and NASA have had an inseparable bond in space education and research; from naval aviators turned astronauts to Navy ships and sailors returning the astronauts home after splashdown; and to the scientists, engineers and leaders filling every space in-between. 

With seven NPS alumni in the active NASA astronaut corps, the Navy and NPS remain vital contributors to America's future lunar missions and space exploration.

Department of War Forges Landmark Agreement to Triple PAC-3 Seeker Production, Bolstering the Arsenal of Freedom

April 1, 2026 |

The Department of War, in partnership with Boeing and Lockheed Martin, today announced a landmark framework agreement to triple the production capacity of seekers for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3®) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE). This agreement marks a pivotal step in executing President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's vision to build the Arsenal of Freedom, accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter, and create thousands of jobs across the defense industrial base. 

This seven-year agreement with Boeing, a crucial supplier for the PAC-3 missile, directly supports the recently announced agreement with prime contractor Lockheed Martin to more than triple the output of the PAC-3 MSE all-up round. It is a direct application of the Department's new Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which prioritizes engaging directly with key suppliers at all levels of the industrial base. 

This approach ensures the entire supply chain — not just the primes — have the stability and long-term demand signals necessary to invest in new facilities, tooling, and workforce development. 

The seeker, produced by Boeing, provides active measurement data used for PAC-3 MSE missile guidance to ensure precision intercepts. By securing this long-term commitment for seeker production, the Department is mitigating chokepoints and ensuring the industrial base can scale to meet the operational demands of the warfighter.

"To build a true Arsenal of Freedom, we must strengthen every link in the chain," said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. "This agreement with Boeing is a direct reflection that speed, volume, and a resilient supply chain are paramount. We are moving beyond the old model and forging direct partnerships with critical suppliers to ensure the entire defense industrial base is postured to expand production and deliver the decisive capabilities our warfighters need at speed and scale."
 
This initiative is a core component of the Department's broader effort to place the acquisition system on a "wartime footing," prioritizing speed and flexibility to outpace adversaries. By providing clear, stable, and long-term demand signals and fostering collaboration across the industrial base, the Department of War is ensuring that both the final products and the intricate supply networks that build them are robust, responsive, and ready.

Army and Navy Continue Tests of Hypersonic Missile

April 2, 2026 |

The U.S. Army's Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires, in partnership with the U.S. Navy's Portfolio Acquisition Executive Strategic Systems Programs, conducted a successful launch of a common hypersonic missile from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on March 26, 2026.

The Army and Navy partnership to field a common hypersonic missile across land- and sea-based platforms supports the National Defense Strategy by accelerating timelines, reducing costs, and delivering a highly survivable capability to defeat time-sensitive, heavily defended, and high-value targets at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Space Launch Delta 45 Supports Artemis II Historic Mission

April 2, 2026 | By Space Force 2nd Lt. Christian Malaniak, Space Launch Delta 45 |

Yesterday evening, NASA's Artemis II mission successfully launched from the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, with four astronauts bound for lunar orbit. This historic moment would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of Space Launch Delta 45 personnel. 

There are many steps involved in ensuring a safe and successful launch. From oversight of range operations to planning potential emergency response, members of SLD 45 aim to guarantee all launches from the Eastern Range keep the launch vehicle, range personnel and the local community safe. 

The mission starts before the launch countdown begins. Members of the SLD 45 team are responsible for analyzing specific payloads, launch vehicles and their proposed trajectories to compute hazard zones. These zones span land, sea and air and are a crucial to ensuring no person or vehicle is operating within a specified distance of the pad. 

"Each hazardous area reflects hours of trajectory analysis, debris analysis and coordination across multiple agencies," said Emma Cusano, SLD 45 flight safety analyst and aerospace engineer. "When it comes to launch, safety is our No. 1 priority, regardless of whether it is crewed or not."

Prior to launch, the SLD 45 Office of Emergency Management coordinates with state and local leaders to develop plans for an anomaly. Taking the hazard zones into account, the office proactively decides on where roadblocks should be placed, how traffic will flow and where emergency response vehicles will be staged in case of necessary response.

"We are committed to doing everything we can in the planning phase to ensure we are ready to execute our emergency response plans," said Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Ridgway, SLD 45 installation emergency manager. "Having effective plans in place is necessary for both ensuring the safety of the local community and the astronauts in the capsule."

The Office of Emergency Management oversees and activates the launch emergency operations center. The operations center's primary function is to survey and respond to any and all potential dangers a launch could pose to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Because of the inherently volatile nature of spaceflight, the center remains staffed during launch to act as a node for disseminating emergency information and direction.

To safely get the launch vehicle from the pad to orbit, the 1st Range Operations Squadron and the 45th Weather Squadron are key players in each mission. The 1st Range Operations Squadron is responsible for performing real-time command and control of the Eastern Range. The team continuously analyzes telemetry data, weather and numerous other factors to determine whether a launch is safe to proceed.

The 45th Weather Squadron supplements the squadron in its uninterrupted investigation of current and future conditions. Weather plays a crucial role in safety and launch success as inclement conditions can damage rockets and payloads. Examining the weather helps to advise SLD 45 personnel on the console.

"Access to space would not be possible without the contributions of SLD 45 and its oversight of the Eastern Range," said Space Force Col. Joyce Bulson, SLD 45 deputy commander for operations. "These contributions enabled more than 100 launches in 2025, and we aim to only increase the pace."

South of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the 45th Logistics Readiness Squadron postures airfield support to facilitate the Air Force Detachment 3's human spaceflight recovery team, which plays the role of overseeing rescue forces at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.

"I am extremely proud of the members of SLD 45 and their continued determination in executing the mission. These professionals train day in and day out to guarantee space access," said Space Force Col. Brian Chatman, SLD 45 commander. "They are the driving force to maintaining U.S. presence and superiority in the space domain."

In addition to the components already mentioned that support launch, SLD 45 includes many more teams and organizations that enable space launch from the Eastern Range. As the pace of launches and mass to orbit increases, SLD 45 personnel remain committed to safety and mission success.