The training force of the future
In a recent experiment exploring how AI could enhance air battle management training, AI agents mimicked human operators so well participants weren’t able to tell them apart from human role players.
The test was conducted in preparation for the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) summit being held in Adelaide in early August.
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) scientists partnered with Macquarie University and Australian modelling and simulation company PLEXSYS to integrate AI agents into an Advanced Simulation Combat Operations Trainer software – a collaboration linking research innovation with an industry-grade training system.
“We went from looking at whether we could train AI agents to replicate the behaviour of expert operators to considering how to utilise the huge increase in the capability of large language models to help the AI system communicate naturally with the trainees,” Defence scientist Simon Hosking said.
To ensure authenticity, researchers immersed themselves in the operational environment. Teams observed experienced human operators working in simulated command-and-control settings, studying how they communicated, prioritised information and made decisions under pressure.
The scientists then refined the AI to mirror the behaviour, communication styles and decision-making patterns of high-performing teams.
'To see our research transition from the lab to Defence industry is a really proud thing to have achieved.'
For Dr Hosking, the journey highlighted the importance of integration across the ecosystem.
“To see our research transition from the lab to Defence industry is a really proud thing to have achieved,” he said.
This success was enabled by sustained investment and coordination across Defence innovation pathways, including funding from DSTG, the Next Generation Technologies Fund and the Centre for Advanced Defence Research in Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
Most recently, the work has been extended, with a contract valued at more than $3 million. This extension is intended to further mature the capability and align it with Defence priorities.
Register to attend the ADSTAR 2026 summit: adstarsummit.com.au
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