The U.S. Army is advancing its readiness for near-peer threats by implementing cutting-edge technologies and streamlined processes at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona.
Tasked with reducing sensor-to-shooter timelines and preparing for multidomain operations, YPG is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and decades of test data to enhance military capabilities and efficiency.
YPG, in collaboration with the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), is pioneering AI applications to optimize testing procedures and data analysis. The facility has made strides in automating labor-intensive processes, freeing up analysts to focus on more strategic tasks.
“All the processes that take an extensive amount of time on the front end to get a test set up or to get data cleaned after collection are being optimized,” said Ross Gwynn, YPG Technical Director. “We’re doing things better, smarter, and faster by applying recent technology to the right spaces.”
YPG has vast archives of historical test data, an invaluable resource for training AI models. These models are already proving their worth, such as in facilitating acoustic trilateration of air-to-surface missiles and helicopter rounds using microphone and hydrophone arrays. The Air Delivery Branch is also creating a new test data structure in partnership with experienced analysts and developers.
Gwynn emphasized that automation is reducing repetitive tasks, allowing analysts to apply more critical thought to testing outcomes. “We’re starting to think in a more valuable manner and applying ourselves to finding ways to advance capabilities,” he added.
Predictive Maintenance and Lifecycle Management
AI integration is also making strides in equipment lifecycle management. For example, YPG is working on AI models to monitor artillery gun tube wear using data from laser scans, in-bore images, and other inspection technologies.
“The goal is to provide an all-in-one system solution for soldiers at the depot level to perform weapon inspections,” said Savanna Silva, YPG Metrology Branch Chief. This predictive capability could significantly enhance operational readiness by giving soldiers precise tools to anticipate and address equipment wear.
The branch is also applying AI to analyze piezoelectric pressure transducers used in high-pressure artillery testing. This effort aims to characterize the long-term behavior of tourmaline crystals in transducers, a key component in artillery testing.
“It is a morale builder,” Gwynn noted. “People get excited when you are doing something different and making a difference.”
By refining processes and integrating AI into military testing and operational support, YPG is laying the groundwork for the U.S. Army to meet the challenges of near-peer symmetric warfare. These advancements promise to improve efficiency, reduce timelines, and strengthen the Army’s capabilities in future conflicts.