Drawing from two decades of special operations experience, a veteran commander highlights the growing technological divide between U.S. forces and their adversaries in artificial intelligence capabilities. During a recent maritime surveillance operation in the South China Sea, his team encountered firsthand the limitations of America’s AI systems when tracking a vessel suspected of transporting sensitive technology.
While U.S. forces relied on distant server farms for processing, requiring manual correlation of multiple intelligence feeds, their target vessel – equipped with advanced edge-processed AI – was able to analyze and adapt to changing patterns within seconds, ultimately evading detection.
This incident exemplifies a broader crisis in military AI integration. Statistics reveal China deployed 78 new AI-enabled military systems in 2022, while the U.S. implemented just 12. The gap is particularly evident in processing speeds – Chinese autonomous ISR platforms can analyze sensor data locally in 1.3 seconds, while U.S. systems face delays of 15-45 seconds, extending to hours in contested environments with degraded communications.
Despite the establishment of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) in 2022, the Pentagon continues to struggle with bureaucratic hurdles, system integration challenges, and talent acquisition. However, recent field tests using modified commercial AI tools on ruggedized edge processors demonstrated promising results: decision-making speed increased threefold, pattern recognition accuracy improved by 78%, and mission success rates rose from 62% to 89%.
The veteran commander advocates for immediate reforms, including deploying AI-enabled edge processing units, implementing rapid field testing protocols, and involving operators directly in development processes. He emphasizes the need for streamlined acquisition pathways and enhanced AI integration in training scenarios.
While some express concerns about ethical implications, proponents argue that the greater moral risk lies in deploying forces without cutting-edge tools. Dr. Margarita Konaev from Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology emphasizes that ethical AI
implementation in military operations is both possible and necessary when properly integrated from the start.
General Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, underscores that AI integration transcends efficiency gains, directly impacting America’s ability to project power and protect national interests in an increasingly complex global environment.
The capability gap manifests in critical operational scenarios, particularly affecting the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) cycle in special operations. These challenges were evident during recent Counterterrorism/Counterinsurgency operations and high-value target raids in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where rapid decision-making capabilities proved crucial.
A proposed solution involves a paradigm shift in AI integration approaches, moving away from lengthy development cycles and
committee-driven processes toward more agile, operator-informed implementation strategies. This includes creating flexible pathways for adapting commercial AI tools for military use and establishing direct collaboration between operators and AI developers.
The stakes extend beyond special operations, potentially affecting America’s overall deterrence posture in an era of near-peer
competition. Success in this domain requires not only technological advancement but also organizational transformation, breaking through bureaucratic barriers that currently impede progress.
The message is clear: the time for incremental changes has passed. America’s warfighters need immediate access to advanced AI
capabilities to maintain operational effectiveness and ensure mission success. The gap between theoretical capabilities and battlefield reality must be bridged before it becomes an insurmountable strategic disadvantage.