"The mind must be fresh, full of self-confidence, and superior to all assaults."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca -
GhostPlay is no add-on, no plug-in, no enhancer.
GhostPlay is a distinct faculty.
GhostPlay develops superior tactics with third wave AI.
clarification of terms
GhostPlay
The best-known application of our Defense Metaverse.
Metaverse generally
A virtual space in which people interact with avatars / software agents.
Defense Metaverse
The platforms, systems and system networks are integrated in this environment. Based on their performance profiles, the tactical operation principles are honed with the help of AI.
Ghost...
This part of the name stands for the virtual space of the metaverse, in this case the virtual twin of the battlefield.
...Play
This part of the name stands for AI-based decision-making tactics in complex operation scenarios where the situational picture / data base is usually incomplete.
Value Based Engineering (VBE)
GhostPlay integrates ethical & legal factors from the outset. The basis here is primarily the IEEE 7000TM-2021 standard.
The question of why
3 answers
Deterrence & defense
Example Ukraine - conventional warfare
The evolution of complex systems and the transparency of the battlefield lead to an operational stalemate and the return of trench warfare. One lesson is: new tactics are needed!
Protection of vital interests
Example Gulf of Aden - rather asymmetrical conflict
Houthi militias and pirates are threatening the supply lines of a complex, global logistics network. We should be prepared when these attacks become more complex. Their weapons often already are.
Ethics
Reducing the suffering
If the conflict is there, the intention should be not to use people up. So we want to be part of the development, away from the war of attrition and towards a milder conflict of brains.
Admiral (rtd) US Navy
James G. Stavridis
"The race won't be for the best platforms but for the best AI directing those platforms. [...]
The winning side will be the one that's developed the AI-based decision-making that can outpace their adversary. Warfare is headed toward a brain-on-brain conflict."
Dr. Christian Brandlhuber
CTO @ 21strategies
"Software-defined tactics will be an increasingly important aspect of defense systems in the future.."
"Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to develop ever better strategies for overcoming opponents. The novelty now is that the systems themselves learn tactics.“
Assets
Third wave AI
Systematic: AI of the second wave is mainly used for classification and regression, e.g. for tasks in image recognition, signal analysis or text transformation. It is now widespread.
Systemic: Third-wave AI operates in a context-sensitive manner. It assesses the consequences of its own decisions and those of its opponents. This is a basic prerequisite for technical autonomy. GhostPlay is therefore avant-garde!
CounterPlay
The avatars in the platform compete against each other in combat simulations and improve their tactics on each other. The adversary is not scripted. The fact that the opponent also evolves means that a massively greater variety of scenarios is covered.
Uncertainty
Uncertainty means that GhostPlay handles complex scenarios with typically incomplete situational pictures and dynamic development.
GhostPlay -
First Stage
At the end of 2020, the GhostPlay consortium was awarded the contract by dtec.bw*. Initial goal: A tactical AI for SEAD* missions by UAV* swarms.
The first concrete requirement soon followed from the Army Concepts and Capabilities Development Centre: a simulation environment for analysing the use of ALE* against GBAD*-protected high-value targets ("Wild Hornets" project).
Assessment
GhostPlay has so far achieved all its objectives. It can simulate high-intensity combat scenarios and derive significant insights.
As soon as the physical prerequisites are in place, AI can be transferred to unmanned systems in order to optimise the execution of operation scenarios - in real time, during operation and in a network.
*abbreviations
dtec.bw
Centre for Digitalisation and
and Technology Research of the Bundeswehr
(Zentrum für Digitalisierungs-
und Technologieforschung der Bundeswehr)
*abbreviations
SEAD
suppression of enemy air defense
*abbreviations
UAV
unmanned aerial vehicle
*abbreviations
ALE
air launched effects
e.g. storm shadow
*abbreviations
GBAD
ground-based air defense
*abbreviations
MDO
multi-domain operations
*abbreviations
DARP
German build-up and resilience plan
(Deutscher Aufbau- und Resilienzplan)
Benefits
Rapid results
In the metaverse, military systems under development can be tested more quickly than in lengthy, physical field trials. This means that possible "bugs" can be detected more quickly.
Design Thinking I
Conversely, the application scenarios can be run through before development of a system begins. This provides answers to the questions: "Which key capabilities does the system need to master? What is the right balance between low-cost mass products and cost/resource-intensive high-end systems?"
Effectiveness I
With advanced AI-supported tactics as an integral part of a system or system network, the probability of achieving one's own operational objectives in the event of a conflict increases. In the SEAD* example, this means actually destroying the GBAD*.
Efficiency I
AI-supported tactics reduce the consumption of resources, including the use of ammunition, (reaction) time, planning effort, personnel, etc. In the SEAD* example, this is primarily the number of UAVs* deployed.
Effectiveness II
Similarly, the AI helps to deploy own forces in such a way that they provide the greatest possible protection and are capable of reacting to counter any attacks.
Efficiency II
With the help of the AI, vulnerabilities in the opponent's tactics or force dispositif can be recognised and exploited more quickly.
Effectiveness III
The need for personnel in the control, supply and operational command of forces is reduced. The personnel freed up can be channelled into more effective roles. The armed forces become less "top-heavy" and more agile because the human players can concentrate on the essential issues.
Efficiency III
Less information and instructions have to pass through fewer (command) instances on less centralised communication channels with less delay. The command and control of troops will be less susceptible to large-scale disruptions of communication channels.
The principle of subsidiarity is strengthened.
Design Thinking II
What applies to the systems also applies analogously to the soldiers and command personnel. What skills will be required in the future? What are the required training specialisations?
Ethical standards
AI enables the implementation of ethical and legal policies / rules of engagement that cannot be circumvented in order to reduce the extent of destruction, suffering and human rights violations.
Second Stage: GhostPlay@sea
In the summer of 2024, not really surprisingly the extension of GhostPlay for the years 2025/26 was approved.
Focal points are:
- Transfer of the tactics learnt to the field of application under, on and above the sea.
- Increasing capabilities in the interaction of different dimensions (MDO*)
- Control of cross-dimensional, largely autonomous swarms (e.g. sea drones in combination with UAVs*)
- respectively protection from such enemy swarms
- Support in defining the specifications of new systems to be procured or of upgrading existing systems in their combat value
The development is in line with the Marine 2035+ concept paper and the DARP*.
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The partner consortium
BCR AG
Borchert Consulting & Research is a strategic affairs consulting boutique. BCR engages in conflict analysis and scenario development to assess current and future military requirements that inform GhostPlay.
21strategies
21strategies is a Munich-based deep-tech company with the mission to transform how organizations make strategic and tactical decisions. To aim at their mission, 21strategies develops and operates Third Wave AI for optimal decision-making in complex, uncertain situations at machine speed. For more information, visit 21strategies.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
HENSOLDT Sensors
Long-standing specialist for sensor technology HENSOLDT Sensors contributes their expertise and sensor models to GhostPlay.
The sensor models provided serve as a basis for realistic AI tactics – at machine speed.
Helmut Schmidt University
With the Defense AI Observatory (DAIO), Helmut Schmidt University // UniBw Hamburg has established an area of AI competence under the responsibility of Professor Dr. Gary Schaal. The latest scientific research results about the use of Defense AI globally ensure that GhostPlay AI models are based on observable reality.
New on board for @sea
Atlas Elektronik GmbH
A high-tech company of German origin for the navy. Atlas provides expertise and technical contributions for sensors, effectors and unmanned systems in the surface and underwater domain as well as experience in the development of analytical simulations.
Rheinmetall Defense Electronics
Rheinmetall is a well-known "big player" in the defense sector and complements the consortium with expertise in the fields of surface effectors, protection systems, unmanned aerial systems and ammunition.
NATO's Center of Excellence for Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters (COE CSW)
...supports with operational specifications and scenarios.
Press & Publications
Do you want to become a GhostPlayer?
We are also currently looking for dedicated employees, e.g. as software engineers. Please use the announcements of the partner companies/organisations for your (proactive) application.
This page is maintained by 21strategies GmbH. Please understand that applications received via this site will only be assessed in relation to vacancies at 21strategies GmbH.
Ghostplay wird unterstützt von:
