Only 5 percent chance of escape: AI locates enemy submarines

Chinese scientists at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) that is capable of detecting and tracking even camouflaged military submarines. The AI evaluates various sensor data from underwater observation and calculates the potential position of a submarine in near real time. According to a report in the South China Morning Post on Sunday, effective defense against AI observation measures is not possible, drastically reducing the chances of submarines remaining undetected.

The core of the "Anti-Submarine Warfare" (ASW) system, which is published in a study in the journal Electronics Optics & Control, consists of an AI. It uses data from various military underwater reconnaissance sensors. These include sonar buoys, underwater sensors for sound detection, radar, sea temperature, and the salt content of the water. In combination, the data collected provides a picture of whether and what underwater activities are taking place at a particular location.

The AI evaluates the data and uses it to create a real-time image of the underwater environment. The position of the submarine can then be determined from this. The system determines where to search and what reactions are necessary, for example, when the submarine performs evasive maneuvers such as zigzagging, moves to a resting position, or tries to divert attention from its position using decoys.

Hardly a chance to escape

The researchers tested the AI in simulations. In around 95 percent of cases, it was able to successfully locate the enemy submarine and track its position. It should not matter whether the submarines used camouflage functions or deceptive maneuvers. Conversely, this means that the chance of survival of enemy submarines drops drastically to five percent as soon as they have been located by the AI. This is because the submarines can then be precisely targeted by surface ships.

Voice-based AI assistants will also help here, suggesting specific instructions in simple natural language on how to engage the submarines. This is intended to relieve the soldiers cognitively in action and take the pressure off them to act.

The scientists want to further improve the system and combine it with more sensor data from surface ships, drones, and unmanned underwater vehicles to gain an even more complete picture of the underwater situation.

(olb)