Russian Media Article: How Can AI Improve Tank Combat Capabilities?

Reference News Network reported on October 15 An article titled "How Will Artificial Intelligence Change Tank Combat Capabilities?" was published on the Russian "Vedomosti" website on October 9, authored by Boris Zheleznyakov. The translation is as follows:

Recently, both Russian and Western media have increasingly reported on the development of a new generation of armored equipment, the main feature of which is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Multiple Countries Competing to Develop AI-Assisted Technology

On October 7, the manufacturer of the "Abrams" tank, General Dynamics Land Systems, signed an agreement with software developer Anura Labs to integrate the latter's developed software "Anura" into the "Abrams" tanks and next-generation combat vehicles, enabling voice control of armored equipment.

This research and development work aims to reduce the number of crew members in combat vehicles. The crew only needs to determine the mission and its execution conditions, and "Anura" can autonomously execute commands without relying on cloud services. In other words, it can operate normally in areas where communication is disrupted. This is the latest example of AI being used as a commander’s assistant and a vehicle control interface in armored equipment.

Since the end of the 2010s, the United States has been developing the machine learning-based "Atlas" fire control system. U.S. Army officials claim that this system can help the crew of a combat vehicle hit three targets in the time it usually takes to attack just one. Israel is also conducting similar research and development: Israeli Defense Forces officials state that the "Merkava" Mk4 tank is being equipped with AI components to enhance target search and strike accuracy.

Russia began actively developing such technologies long ago. The development of the "Uran-9" unmanned tank, which recently participated in the "Center-2026" strategic exercise, has been ongoing for a long time, with reports about this equipment first appearing in 2018.

A few days ago, General Andrei Mordvichev, Commander of the Russian Army, confirmed that Russia has begun developing a new generation of tanks, whose automated fire control systems will utilize AI technology. Modern main battle tanks are generally equipped with multi-channel aiming systems that include thermal imagers, laser rangefinders, ballistic computers, and automatic target tracking systems. Sensors and cameras on the hull and turret provide a comprehensive field of view. However, operator fatigue, stress, and lack of experience can negate the advantages of electronic equipment. By delegating target search and aiming tasks to neural networks, this situation can be avoided.

It is important to distinguish between two concepts here. Automated devices refer to devices that operate according to preset rules, including automatic target trackers, automatic loaders, ballistic computers, and active defense systems. In a narrow sense, AI technology refers to neural networks and other machine learning methods that learn from large datasets and autonomously discover patterns.

"Electronic Brain" Enhances Offensive and Defensive Capabilities

How do neural networks enhance the combat effectiveness of tanks?

This "electronic brain," which contains thousands of target characteristics, can identify threats faster and more effectively than humans and can obtain information through channels beyond its own sensors. AI components can continuously receive intelligence and target indication information from other tanks, drones, aircraft, and infantry observers. In other words, it can receive data from all units and equipment connected to the military's automated command system. This allows it to attack enemies it cannot see, including those hiding in cover.

AI can quickly process information, compare and match targets with templates, and prioritize targets based on threat levels, then provide the operator with a list of targets to be destroyed while selecting ammunition and considering factors such as distance, wind, and temperature for ballistic calculations and aiming. The commander can see an enlarged image of the target on the display and decide whether to issue a fire command.

AI equipment in tanks also undertakes other important tasks. A representative from Uralvagonzavod stated that future tanks will be equipped with standard radar for detecting targets in low visibility conditions. This radar can also be used to counter threats encountered by tanks, such as first-person view (FPV) drones. The onboard computer can control the active defense system or air defense module; if it determines that active defense system interceptors should not be used against incoming drones, it will control machine guns or grenade launchers to fire shotgun rounds to take them down.

Open-source intelligence shows that tank manufacturers in various countries are incorporating automated devices and electronic equipment such as active defense systems, automatic loaders, and unmanned turrets into their latest products. The narrow sense of AI, which assists in target recognition and decision-making through machine learning, is often referred to as future technology. Of course, this future is already within reach. The statement released by Uralvagonzavod on the 9th likely aims to convey this. The statement indicated that the company is currently introducing the latest technologies for mass-produced armored equipment and is also developing a new generation of tanks and combat vehicles. (Translation by Liu Yang)