EpiSci and PhysicsAI win first DARPA air autonomy program contract
Summary
Under DARPA’s Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements program, the team will be tasked with creating sophisticated multi-agent unmanned products that can be used in contested environments and during “beyond visual range air combat missions.” The combat drones will undergo the same training and evaluation tests as human pilots, the company said, in an effort to build operator trust within the systems, expand the abilities of airmen and free service members up to focus on higher-level responsibilities. In May, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall flew aboard the platform, dubbed X-62A VISTA, as the aircraft maneuvered through a series of warfighting scenarios against a manned F-16. EpiSci on Thursday also said the company has agreed to the terms of a future merger with Merlin, which develops AI flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft. “With the acquisition of EpiSci, we are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in autonomous aviation, which demands adaptable solutions that work across multiple platforms,” Matt George, Merlin CEO, said in a statement. “We look forward to the final steps in this acquisition so that we can begin the real work of combining our efforts towards a versatile, trusted autonomy solution that unlocks human potential and delivers unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders.”