AI-powered drone technology has been successfully trialled to identify landmines and explosive ordnance
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) led a major trial on behalf of the British Army, which allowed bomb-disposal experts to conduct their mission faster through rapid detection.
The trial demonstrated that AI models can be rapidly retrained to recognise new threat types and adapt to different environments. And so UK military personnel could be better protected on the battlefield as a result of these trials.
More About the Trial
Conducted with 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search) at their Essex base, the trial took place over several weeks and saw dozens of replica mines and ordnance placed across varied terrain and land environments.
Data captured by sensors onboard small uncrewed aerial systems was relayed to Army operators, who used AI tools to locate and identify the munitions.
The trial also successfully demonstrated the ability to rapidly retrain AI models to recognise emerging threat types and adapt to different environments - a capability that is critical in fast-evolving modern warfare. This has also been seen in Ukraine, where drones and explosive devices are reshaping the battlefield at pace.
Through the Strategic Defence Review this government is doubling investment in autonomous platforms, from £2bn to £4bn this parliament.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:
Dstl’s technical lead for the trial said:
Major Mark Fetters, British Army Future Counter-Explosive Ordnance Capability lead, said:
What the Trial Demonstrates
The trial demonstrates how AI, human-machine teaming, robotic and autonomous systems, and advanced sensors can reduce risk to Armed Forces personnel.
Next Steps
Building on these results, further trials will take place this year to mature the technology and guide the procurement of a deployable capability that can be placed directly into soldiers’ hands.
The government has committed to the British Army delivering a tenfold increase in lethality over the next decade by harnessing:
The trial is part of a broader transformation of UK defence capability, driven by lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and set out in the SDR.
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