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AI Wingmen
Don’t miss our newsletter! That's where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense!
This exclusive episode discusses the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program with the 2 companies selected to build the first platforms: Anduril and General Atomics.
We discuss what the companies have in common and how they both view that as one of their superpowers. We also explore the origins of the CCA program, the origins of the winning vehicle design, how the program structure is a model for innovation and more.
Though they won the hardware contracts, both companies have unique software and autonomy insights, so we also discussed software as the enabler and the integration challenges of bringing these ‘loyal wingmen’ into the force.
While there was a ton to agree on, they also shared unique and varying perspectives-something that you can only get when you have them in a discussion together. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!
For those interested in #military #nationaldefense #warfare #nationalsecurity #defense #nationaldefense #tech #technology #defensetech #army #navy #airforce #sofware #startup #innovation #drones #ai #autonomy #anduril #ga-asi #airplanes #airpower #airsuperority
Links
• Sign up for our ⁠amazing newsletter⁠! www.themerge.co
• Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠! www.patreon.com/the_merge
• Mike Benitez (LinkedIn) www.linkedin.com/in/mike-benitez
• Anduril www.anduril.com
• General Atomics www.ga.com
• Diem Salmon - Vice President, Air Dominance and Strike at Anduril www.linkedin.com/in/diem-salmon-2a438b25/
• Mike Atwood - Vice President, Advanced Programs at General Atomics www.linkedin.com/in/michael-atwood-5a1719a7/
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Show Notes
00:48 CCA intro
02:00 company intros
06:01 why the push for CCAs?
07:26 exploring the CCA space
09:09 origins of the winning designs
10:16 2 for 1 - win win
11:55 software
12:43 the software part is the hardest
14:33 the shift in trust in kill chains
15:01 Skyborg
15:40 trust and blending
16:25 delegation via trust or necessity
17:53 the need to get it into operators hands
18:47 DOTMLPF-P
19:11 teaming
19:44 starting simple
20:29 starting with complexity
22:09 iteration is the pathway
22:55 CCA program structure
26:56 capability efficiency vs resiliency
28:35 groundbreaking challenges
29:04 solving system-level optimization
31:13 culture change
31:36 F-16 Auto GCAS
32:50 MAGIC CARPET
34:14 composites for scale?
38:31 the future
41:27 closing thoughts
42:43 outro
Переглядів: 10 407

Відео

Palantir CTO: military innovation and reforming the Pentagon
Переглядів 6 тис.21 день тому
Don’t miss our newsletter! www.themerge.co/ That's where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense! Mike and Jake host Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar to talk about software-defined warfare, defense modernization, and all the things we’d change to drive innovation to help the warfighter. Shyam started as employee #13 at 23 and slowly climbed the ranks of the largest and fastest...
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Don’t miss our newsletter! www.themerge.co/ Mike and Jake host Captain John Konrad to talk all things Merchant Marine. We talked about the Merchant Marine Academy, being a merchant mariner, and how they fit into national security. What is the Military Sealift Command thing, and why does it keep confusing the counting of Navy ships? What is the Jones Act, and why is it so political? The US has a...
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КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @serverninjas
    @serverninjas 14 годин тому

    Great interview. Thanks for sharing.

  • @timmarshall7903
    @timmarshall7903 День тому

    This greatly interested me. I was marginally involved when Palantir approached Big Pharma in around 2008-10 seeking to ‘solve’ the Research agenda, mining big data etc. Fascinating to hear about the gestation of the product…. We were aware of course that there was deep govt engagement…

  • @RahulDevanarayanan
    @RahulDevanarayanan День тому

    Very professional, uniquely informative. Your background and research show in the quality of your facilitation as well :) Thanks as always pako and co

  • @LydellAaron
    @LydellAaron 2 дні тому

    I worked with Atwood at GA-ASI. Was thoroughly surprised to hear him and delighted to see him in your intro! Mike's worked on some advanced programs. 6:22 was insightful background.

  • @tomcullen8367
    @tomcullen8367 3 дні тому

    Great video, thank you! Would be interested to hear Andy Lowery's take on Gallium nitride supply chain issues given China's restrictions.

  • @zachdavis3169
    @zachdavis3169 4 дні тому

    Just a phenomenal episode. The guests were professional and informative and the complementary questions from the host made for a smooth and very enjoyable listen.

  • @rowanhaigh8782
    @rowanhaigh8782 5 днів тому

    Thanks Vlad. I feel a little better after watching this; I’m similarly concerned. ❤

  • @raptorsean1464
    @raptorsean1464 5 днів тому

    I knew that you (John Travolta) are really into aircraft. I had no idea that you had a UA-cam channel. 😮😂

  • @ronsmith4927
    @ronsmith4927 5 днів тому

    Seems the logical way to go would be to do the Australian model, ie get Super Hornets with wiring built in, and then when the F-35s arrive you can then upgrade the SH to the EA-18G. Stealth still needs jammers.

  • @Gunni1972
    @Gunni1972 5 днів тому

    Instead of "groundbreaking", shouldn't it be called "Airbraking"'? I mean, it will be the logistics arm of the air force. Every manned fighter gets a missile, fuel, EW/recce-truck. Each consumes, (you guessed it), fuel, maintenance time, and taxi time on the runway. Now what if SHTF, and an Airfield is actually attacked.(DEFENSIVE CASE, because we're talking defence here) Do you: A) Run for cover because it is a missile attack? B) Stay where you are and launch interceptor missiles/planes with MANY missiles to shoot them down? C) Wait until the fuel carrying drone has started that needs to fly ahead of schedule because the next Intercepting PLANE is much faster? Then the EW-Drone starts, to hide the intercepting plane once it is up there? Then the Missile drone starts (You already guess why) ahead of the plane. And THEN launch the Goddamned FIGHTER JET? And the same shit goes in reverse once the plane comes back for rearming. "Can you go suckle some more out of the fuel drone? The EW and missile drone need to get off the landing strip before YOU can land". Oh and Congrats BTW, We're still here. Guys, it's so harebrained, it makes me wanna cry. One could have 3.8 times more firepower in the air by then. By simply launching 4 Ass kicking planes. Like F-15 EX's who are good at everything, except hiding. (But why hide, when the Enemy already knows where he fired at you)? "defensive case" remember? Imagine that traffic on an aircraft carrier, with no alternative launch/landing option for hundreds/thousands of miles. I mean i really like well engineered stuff. But these days, Marketing just outweighs EVERYTHING.

  • @ADarrell
    @ADarrell 5 днів тому

    Sounds like GA is going traditional waterfall. Whereas Anduril is pushing for agile iterations, similar to SpaceX.

  • @Fusion-ox3dc
    @Fusion-ox3dc 5 днів тому

    Awesome later in the future humans will just come in and shut your whole plant down and then you won’t have anything. Congratulations.

  • @MrAndrewAllen
    @MrAndrewAllen 6 днів тому

    In the 1990's, I said the next major symmetric war would be decided by whose engineers could build working systems the fastest, and who could mass-produce those systems.

  • @carlfischer4163
    @carlfischer4163 7 днів тому

    Very cool and interesting stuff. Thanks ❤️👍

  • @gmvs62
    @gmvs62 7 днів тому

    Are they trying to make the drone swarm killstreak from COD?

  • @GregoryRichardson-USAF-RET
    @GregoryRichardson-USAF-RET 7 днів тому

    Extraordinarily professional interview with such informed representatives--nice going!

  • @northernwrx
    @northernwrx 7 днів тому

    I wish the vision to do this within Canada and #DND and #RCAF. Canadian industry would love this. We have companies big and small that want to get sheer this type of stuff

  • @jondoe6926
    @jondoe6926 8 днів тому

    There is a microwave cruise missile that exists as well. Never really talked about, but it works. I'm guessing he got ideas from that missile. There's a youtube video on it.

  • @slotcarpalace
    @slotcarpalace 8 днів тому

    Fascinating and the implications for smaller allied air forces are enormous. I know the RAAF is investigating similar programs (Loyal Wingman) Hopefully the the RCAF and RAF get involved as well. Cheers.

  • @MScammon-j2r
    @MScammon-j2r 8 днів тому

    There are many important themes ingrained in this video (product development, SW development, DOD procurement, public/private partnership, cultural adoption/resistance to new technology, future war fighting . . . and that the cognitively autonomous robots really are coming . . . just to name a few). Maybe the most strategic theme I see here is: There is no way an autocratic/communist/socialist government would ever be able to match the speed/innovation/iterative learning/collaboration that the United States with its entrepreneurial free market system can muster when it has the will to do so - China could never pull off what they describe in this video.

  • @isherifwilson
    @isherifwilson 8 днів тому

    such great content and sounds like so much better of approach from the DoD!

  • @Architek79
    @Architek79 8 днів тому

    Great segment - I would like to hear more about how these organizations plan to protect the intellectual property from our adversaries.

  • @andrewwood4013
    @andrewwood4013 8 днів тому

    That was epic. Thanks

  • @peterboy209
    @peterboy209 8 днів тому

    I don't want the skyborgs to have a true autonomous decisioncapability on killing people in the first place. Loyal wingmen should protect the pilots from attacks, collect information and serve as weapontrucks. They are supporters not bloodhounds

  • @PlanetFrosty
    @PlanetFrosty 8 днів тому

    Great episode! My company is working on getting power generation to Ukraine!

  • @johnnewton-uk
    @johnnewton-uk 8 днів тому

    Very interesting segment! But it would help if you put the names and linkedin details of your guests in the show notes. Mike Atwood is pretty easy, but I am not even sure if you are pronouncing Zim/Xim/Zhim's name correctly.

    • @TheMergeMedia
      @TheMergeMedia 8 днів тому

      Great callout. We updated the notes with names and Linkedin profiles. Thanks!

  • @larrylyon6695
    @larrylyon6695 9 днів тому

    The challenge is that annual budgets for AMRAAM provides for roughly 454 missiles in FY 2024 including air to air and ground to air for Uncle Sam and FMS.

  • @msrebekahjane1
    @msrebekahjane1 9 днів тому

    Fascinating and informative. You have the best interviews. Pako. Thanks again.

    • @TheMergeMedia
      @TheMergeMedia 9 днів тому

      Much appreciated, spread the word and feed the algo!

  • @jacobbaumgardner3406
    @jacobbaumgardner3406 9 днів тому

    A lot of buzz is going around about the potential cost and requirements of NGAD. Some are theorizing that maybe NGAD, while still a large, capable air superiority fighter, will come to have much more in common with how CCA is being produced than what the program had originally planned.

    • @Gunni1972
      @Gunni1972 5 днів тому

      Yes, the are still at the stage of "vaguefying capabilities". The only sure thing is: it needs to be able to fly, and land on it's own power. everything else is up for debate.

    • @jacobbaumgardner3406
      @jacobbaumgardner3406 5 днів тому

      @@Gunni1972 the biggest issue is the adaptive engines. That’s what’s gonna make the price skyrocket. If they went with a smaller, conventional engine they’d save a lot of money, or in their words, “. . .smaller. . .less complex”. Smaller doesn’t mean less thrust, though. Adaptive engines are huge because they have that extra bypass for super efficient cruising. This will just be a suped up regular engine. This means less endurance, and less versatility. The good thing is that it’s still going to be a large plane with a very large fuel capacity, so it won’t suffer from short legs, just not as long as it would have had.

  • @tinto278
    @tinto278 9 днів тому

    '1950-60's Century Series' but with drones 😎

  • @anthonyschirillo4377
    @anthonyschirillo4377 9 днів тому

    Great interview, very exciting!

  • @levislevitas
    @levislevitas 9 днів тому

    is this + b21 the reason why they are thinking of cutting NGAD?

    • @Gunni1972
      @Gunni1972 5 днів тому

      No, the $ is the reason. B-21 builds itself. According to a solid A.I. source i totally trust.

  • @jaymon9049
    @jaymon9049 9 днів тому

    What a bunch of lame political speak from corporate mouthpieces. Who cares about the spinning of their failures. We do not have a paradigm shifting massed drone technology because they are too busy securing their share of the pie at the expense of progress.

  • @tomenglish9340
    @tomenglish9340 9 днів тому

    What's supposed to come of this, ultimately, is not aircraft, but instead nonlinear dynamical (potentially chaotic) systems of interacting agents. We don't have the mathematics required for prediction and control of such systems. We do know, loosely, to be on the lookout for unexpected "emergent behaviors" when the systems are scaled up. It seems to me, on general principles, that if you want the "loyal wingmen" to be generally capable, then you'll have to restrict the number of them, and that if you want them to be numerous, then you'll have to constrain their roles.

  • @turfboi56
    @turfboi56 9 днів тому

    LOVE IT!!!!!! Bravo

  • @jonathansanchez6687
    @jonathansanchez6687 9 днів тому

    More of these interviews needed! Well done 👏

    • @TheMergeMedia
      @TheMergeMedia 9 днів тому

      Spread the word and we'll keep climbing the mountain

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    This is why American is the best at this stuff. If you don't like your boss here, and/or have a better idea, you can go start your own business and compete with your boss (because F him). The US government encourages this, instead of repressing this free thought, you know, like in some other places. Innovations like this is what "REALLY" makes this country great. NOT some made up stupid slogan on a red hat.

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    China may not even be a centralized government by 2035. Their demographic is receding and there is no way to reverse this trajectory. it's due to the average person in China being over the age of 40 and also one child. China peaked in 2019 and will never regain that economic level. Keep eyes on Japan, Turkey, and Poland for future powers.The US, of course will remain the main power for the foreseeable (our life times). I believe Zeihan and also Friedman are onto it.

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    As usual, it's just a little more complicated than most want to believe, or want to be bothered to understand.

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    Lots of hate on the cheap. That has to get attention on many levels. Is it Boeing that designed a rotary version for a cargo plane. Pretty cool.

  • @watchthe1369
    @watchthe1369 9 днів тому

    One thing I find terrifying is the ability of cargo planes to pallet launch missiles and how a drone would be able to tell the difference. If you can load old freight 747's with a bunch of rotary launchers for rolling out over 100 missiles..... How do ensure a drone does not grow a wild chain of logic and go after a "Suspected" launcher? I like the CCA's concept but there are issues with any that are shooting first based on data, and end up like that situation after the Boston bombing where a husband ammo reloader and wife into pressure cooking used the same online account.....

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    The other 80% goes to alcohol and hookers...and buy printer ink. That's how they get ya, you know. They give your the printer up front, and then soak ya for the ink on the back end..

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    and the Maries got about $2,500 bux and clap on the back letting them know that it's business as usual, "make due, boys"

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    Yea, but "they" would hit the same target with a UFO/UAP cuz those are in their own special access double secret that only people that are dead can know about the program. And it sounds like nobody knew about that? It's certainly a good thing to know...I feel better already...i'm gunna go get some more coffee.

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    yea, it's a long way...that JASSM Missile would be like, I have to go to the bathroom, are we there yet?

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    how about the militaries position, the longer we have peace the more difficult is to get military budgets, and the longer we have peace the closer we are to war and need those budgets. The up side is that once the shooting starts and the US kicks into gear and comes on line, that equipment produced will be very state of the art.

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    AMEN

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    That's NUTS!!

  • @ShortyTW867
    @ShortyTW867 9 днів тому

    This idea that we need to "balance" the budget is a political concept to get votes. The reality is far different than that. As counter intuitive as it may seem, counties need to run a deficit to prove its solvency. Of course deep economics are truly complicated which means the average joe will call BS due to not understanding how something actually works, so back to "balance" the budget (BTB).Not claiming to know how all of this works myself, but have enough common sense to get the point.The mistake people make is entertaining the idea that a country can be ran like a business...It is not a business, it's a civilization, there's a difference, but voters want simple (under) 10 word answers, so that's what they're given; a relatable term such as BTB...just sayin.

  • @pauldannelachica2388
    @pauldannelachica2388 9 днів тому

    Also in the age of AI image recognitions building very real decoy are very profitable