The Indian Army has tested an artificial-intelligence (AI)-based light machine gun (LMG) in the mountains.
Tested at a height of 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) above sea level, the AI-enabled Negev LMG demonstrated autonomous identification and engagement capabilities, according to India Today.
Citing local developer BSS Material, the outlet wrote that the system “maintained stable target acquisition, adaptive fire control, and semi-autonomous surveillance throughout the trials.”
Based on Israel Weapon Industries’ combat-proven Negev NG7, the weapon integrates a multi-sensor AI module capable of “automatic target detection, friend-foe classification, and real-time engagement.”
Features
The system is equipped with optical and thermal sensors, ballistic compensation to negate environmental factors like wind, range, and temperature, and encrypted remote command capability.
The features will enable the weapon to perform effectively in low-visibility conditions prevalent in the country’s border areas in Kashmir.
The platform-agnostic module can be paired with a range of systems such as LMGs and counter-drone solutions.
It can be mounted on tripods, remote weapon stations, unmanned ground vehicles, and static installations.
Potential Deployment Areas
The technology’s potential deployment areas primarily include where the risk of being outnumbered by the enemy is high, such as base defense, convoy protection, and perimeter security.
The weapon’s automatic target detection and engagement capabilities will reduce the need for human intervention, making it suitable for remote and high-risk areas.
