Message posted by Smythers on September 14, 2020 at 8:58:46 PST:
The modular design of the Agile Condor system's architecture allows for expandable computational power – paving the way for advanced computing technology, like SRC's neuromorphic computing capability. Bio-inspired technology like neuromorphic computers function in a similar way to the human brain and use very little power for certain tasks. This technology, when used on the Agile Condor system, allows for enhanced situational awareness, adaptive decision making, multi-mode, multi-mission, massive analytics and heterogeneous information processing, helping RPAs recognize and act upon real-time information. Additionally, due to the low power consumption of neuromorphic computers, RPAs would be able to stay in the air for longer durations – enabling new and more efficient missions. The Agile Condor pod system is able to use neuromorphic computing techniques to process data onboard and give operators more actionable, time sensitive data. In addition, the Agile Condor hardware, when coupled with SRC's adaptable, distributed, portable Airborne Wide Area SAR Processing (AirWASP) software, can provide assisted autonomy to RPAs. In the future, the systems will facilitate the processing of data from multiple sensors and utilize machine learning capabilities to selectively queue sensors for particular scenarios. Instead of surveying large areas with all sensors, the RPA would conserve power by using only the sensors best equipped to detect anomalies over large areas. When a point of interest is detected, the RPA would then dynamically engage specialized sensors, like a camera, to collect more data and notify mission operators for further review and inspection. This selective "detect and notify" process frees up bandwidth and increases transfer speeds, while reducing latency between data collection and analysis. Real time pre-processing of data with the Agile Condor system also ensures that all data collected is reviewed quickly, increasing the speed and effectiveness with which operators are notified of actionable information. The Air Force is scheduled to put the Agile Condor pod system through flight testing in the fall of 2016 as part of an ongoing, three-year research and development contract SRC has with AFRL to deliver a complete Agile Condor system with embedded computing at the end of 2017 /End quote
Some folks have been putting up photos of Reaper carrying unknown 'Pods' - So I thought a little back history to Agile Condor and the desire to have airborne, realtime 'AI' to aid in the collecting and distribution of intelligence.
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Opening the door to future capabilities like neuromorphic computing
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