Military Applications of Autonomy and AI: Lessons from Star Wars

Military Applications of Autonomy and AI: Lessons from Star Wars

For my regular readers, this article takes a slight detour from my usual topics. Inspired by a weekend viewing of the third chapter in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, I couldn’t help but reflect on how science fiction often mirrors contemporary challenges. Fiction, especially science fiction, can be a powerful lens through which we examine real-world issues.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Released in 2005, this film concluded the prequel trilogy, chronicling Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader. Despite its commercial success, grossing over $840 million worldwide, the movie has long been a polarizing entry in the Star Wars saga.

Rankings of Star Wars films often place Revenge of the Sith in the middle or lower tiers. For instance, a 2024 Buzzfeed ranking placed it eighth out of 11 movies, while Entertainment Weekly ranked it sixth in 2023. Space.com was harsher, ranking it 10th, and the Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ placed it seventh. Clearly, the film has its share of both admirers and detractors.

While debates about the prequels’ merits have raged for decades, this article isn’t about ranking Star Wars films. Instead, it’s about how Revenge of the Sith, particularly its opening sequence, offers valuable insights into the future of warfare, especially in the context of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence (AI).

Science Fiction as a Tool for Real-World Insights

Science fiction has long been a medium for exploring societal and technological challenges. As noted in a recent piece for Engelsberg Ideas, military fiction emerged during the Second Industrial Revolution as societies grappled with rapid technological advancements. Fiction became a speculative tool for understanding and adapting to these changes.

In recent years, the concept of FICINT (fictional intelligence) has gained traction. Coined by Peter Singer and August Cole, authors of the novel Ghost Fleet, FICINT refers to the use of fiction to address real-world problems. As they explain in their paper Thinking the Unthinkable With Useful Fiction:

“FICINT remains ideally suited to a world not just of technologies evolving at machine speed and geopolitics undergoing systemic changes, but also in the midst of a historical crisis that tests the limits of our comprehension. It can spread research in a manner that is understandable, and more shareable, as well as foster emotional connections that make readers, in turn, more likely to drive change.”

Fiction, when combined with non-fiction, can provide innovative solutions to the rapidly changing technological and geopolitical landscape. This brings us back to Revenge of the Sith. The film’s opening sequence, featuring a massive space battle over Coruscant, offers five key insights into the future of warfare.

1. Massed Autonomous Systems for Defense

In the opening battle, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker navigate through a chaotic space battle. The Separatist forces deploy numerous small drones to protect their larger starships. This tactic mirrors real-world developments in Ukraine, where drones are used to protect armored vehicles, conduct logistics missions, and even lead attacks.

While current drones are often human-operated, the future may see fully autonomous drones integrated with crewed platforms like ships, bombers, or tanks. These drones could autonomously scan for threats, prioritize them, and attack without human intervention. This concept builds on existing technologies like the Trophy system, which defends armored vehicles. However, future drones could be more versatile and survivable, offering a new layer of protection for expensive, crewed platforms.

2. Autonomous Systems Battling Each Other

The film also depicts autonomous systems attacking other autonomous systems. For example, a Separatist Buzz Droid disables Obi-Wan’s astromech droid, R4. While droid-on-droid combat is common in science fiction, it’s becoming a reality in modern warfare.

In Ukraine, drone-on-drone combat has become increasingly common. Some drones are specifically adapted for aerial combat, while others target uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs). For instance, Ukrainian drones have destroyed Russian mine-laying UGVs and grenade-armed robotic mini-tanks.

New technologies like the Fortem DroneHunter and Anduril’s Roadrunner are designed to intercept enemy drones. These advancements will likely lead to new tactical doctrines and organizational changes within military institutions.

3. Autonomous Systems Attacking Crewed Platforms

In Revenge of the Sith, Separatist tri-fighters attack Republic ARC-170 starfighters, resulting in significant losses. This scenario reflects real-world conflicts, where drones are used to target tanks, artillery, and even individual soldiers.

Both Ukraine and Russia have extensively used drones for such purposes, transforming modern warfare. As Clint Hinote and I noted in a recent piece for War on the Rocks:

“In the coming decade, military institutions may realize a situation where uncrewed systems outnumber humans. At present, the tactics, training, and leadership models of military institutions are designed for military organizations that are primarily human, and those humans exercise close control of the machines. Soon, the ratio of humans to uncrewed systems will flip.”

This shift will necessitate significant changes in tactics, doctrine, and organizational structures.

4. Multi-Domain Autonomous Systems

The film’s vulture droids can transform from walking defensive tools to missile-launching fighters. This concept of multi-domain drones is already being explored in the real world. For example, the Chinese Sea Dart and TJ Flying Fish can operate in both air and sea domains. Similarly, the Diodon amphibious drone and a tricopter drone capable of flying, driving, and operating on water are under development.

While these multi-domain drones offer versatility, their higher costs may limit their deployment compared to single-domain systems.

5. Cognitive Augmentation Through AI

In the film, Obi-Wan and Anakin rely heavily on their astromech droids, R4 and R2-D2, for navigation, system management, and even in-flight repairs. These droids serve as a metaphor for how humans are beginning to use AI for cognitive augmentation.

AI is already assisting humans in various tasks, from calendar management to complex systems analysis. In the Ukraine conflict, AI has been used for targeting UAVs, analyzing open-source data, and even understanding the psychological impact of military actions on adversaries. For more on AI’s role in Ukraine, consider these resources:

• CSIS: Understanding the Military AI Ecosystem of Ukraine
• ICDS: Russia’s War in Ukraine: Artificial Intelligence in Defence of Ukraine
• CNAS: Roles and Implications of AI in the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
• CEPA: Ukraine’s Secret Weapon – Artificial Intelligence
• IISS: AI’s Baptism by Fire in Ukraine and Gaza Offers Wider Lessons

Despite its growing use, AI remains a niche capability in military operations. To fully leverage its potential, military leaders must undergo new training, develop technological literacy, and collaborate with commercial entities.

Conclusion

As the opening sequence of Revenge of the Sith demonstrates, science fiction can offer more than just entertainment. It provides valuable insights into contemporary military challenges and potential solutions. While fiction cannot solve every problem, it serves as a powerful complement to the study of military history, current affairs, and technological advancements.