Human Machine Teaming May be the Future of Drones in the Defense Industry

Next-Level Human-Machine Teaming

By: Dawn Zoldi (Colonel, USAF Ret.)

Since the beginning of warfare, combatants have sought ways to increase that reach while removing themselves further and further from the battlefield. Distance can mean the difference between life and death to a soldier, sailor, airman, marine or guardian.

Robots extend human reach and possibilities.

For this reason, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has embraced the concept of human-machine teaming (HMT) and continues to invest in multi-domain autonomous platforms, including drones, to aid the warfighter. Those drones must be secure, reliable, interoperable and, ideally, future-proof. These requirements extend to all components, including the operating system (OS) and autopilot. Two companies driving the next-generation of NDAA-compliant sUAS, XTEND and ModalAI, have partnered to provide the required elements to enable reliable and secure next-level advanced human and machine collaboration for…