The U.S. Army has contracted with SandboxAQ, an Alphabet spinoff, to explore the use of AI in accelerating the discovery of new materials for armored vehicles. SandboxAQ’s president, Jen Sovada, highlighted the Army’s need for lighter yet survivable vehicles with reduced toxicity and eco-friendliness. The first contract is with the Army’s DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
SandboxAQ’s previous work in pharmaceuticals demonstrated that AI can significantly speed up the process of discovery by simulating molecular interactions, potentially cutting years off the research timeline. The second contract is with the Army Futures Command’s C5ISR Center to improve battery chemistry and designs for various applications.
The Army aims to use AI for material discovery to address long and vulnerable supply lines, especially in the Pacific. The goal is to build prototypes from local materials closer to front lines, reducing the need for lengthy supply chains. The Army confirmed these contracts as part of its continuous transformation efforts to enhance war-winning readiness.
