Small drones have been changing modern warfare since 2015, when Russia and Ukraine used them for rapid targeting. The newest addition is the strike-and-intelligence quadcopter Bolt-M, designed by Anduril to require less operator attention. The Bolt-M aims to offer more information and autonomy than first-person-view strike drones, like those produced by Ukraine in large quantities.
Powered by Anduril’s Lattice platform, the Bolt-M’s key feature is its autonomy-and-AI software. Operators can draw a boundary on a battlefield display, set specifications, and send the drone on a mission. The drone is also capable of reconnaissance tasks that typical small strike drones cannot perform.
Over the next six months, the Marine Corps will test the Bolt-M’s munition variant extensively. The system pushes the limits of the Pentagon rule that robotic weapons should always involve a human in lethal decisions. Anduril is guided by its experiences in Ukraine and works to provide extensive autonomy across the entire kill chain.
The importance of human oversight in AI-enabled weapons is emphasized by the Defense Department’s AI ethical principles. As battlefield conditions evolve rapidly, different nations will have varying policies around lethal autonomy. Anduril anticipates changes in U.S. policy and aims to be prepared to meet the Pentagon’s new needs.
