The UK has conducted months of trials of the world-beating Project OdySSEy programme developed by BAE Systems, based in Warton, Lancs. It uses AI technology that generates a 60,000 strong population of ‘agents’ that mimic unpredictable events in a safe computer environment.

       During tests, members of the army, navy and airforce have taken part in real-time ‘conflicts’ in an environment of AI taught human agents.

       The AI powered agents have the ability to learn and adapt to events in a human-like way.

       This makes any conflict much more realistic as in the past military planners would have to make huge exercises as safe as possible.

       They had to control masses of soldiers - sometimes from multiple nations - and both sides knew the main plans and tactics.

       Lucy Walton, head of training on the project at BAE Systems said: “AI offers a giant opportunity in training. We have behavioural trees that allow each individual agent to react in a different way to a scenario. This means that it is much more realistic and nearer to a dynamic incident in the real world.”

       One exercise involves a friendly helicopter crashing near a hostile town.

       Ms Walton said the AI showed the civilian reactions in the simulation.

       She added:”We brought in some really low-level aircraft, which is called a show of force, and those people ran away very scared.

       “Then we did it again, and a third time.

       “By the third time they stopped running, as they had learned nothing bad happened afterwards, so they started to walk away, rather than running away terrified.

       “It’s quite interesting to see how their behaviour set learned that.

       “The hi-tech programmes are being tested and could radically change military training.”

       Historically, exercises have involved thousands of sailors, airmen and soldiers and have cost millions. They have also got to be planned leaving little room for improvisation.

       Ms Walton added: “When you start to inject AI, it changes.”

       Other applications include British pilots flying Typhoon super jets against AI assisted enemy fighters.

       The virtual reality missions were showcased at the recent Farnborough Air Show in the BAE Systems hall. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended the exhibition area. The project brings together experts in simulation, supercomputing, data analytics and augmented and virtual reality.

       It claims to be a “single synthetic environment, enabling air, land, sea, space and cyber forces to plug in and train together.”

       The programmes are being developed at BAE Systems’ manufacturing and assembly facility, Warton which is home to FalconWorks, BAE Systems’ research centre to develop game-changing technologies.

       It is hoped to be able to roll out the full working programme in two years time.