This study provides an overview of AI for unmanned systems in the United States. It covers technology and market trends, common and emerging applications, recent Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, and growth opportunities for commercial and military applications. AI is gaining importance in the unmanned systems industry, and unmanned vehicles increasingly use AI for flight, data analysis, and autonomous decision-making.

This report covers unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), waterborne unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). AI applications for unmanned systems include smart agriculture, infrastructure inspection, autonomous transportation, emergency response and hazard detection, and the military.

The analysis considers US industry participants, including companies and organizations, that operate AI-related activities for unmanned systems, such as autonomous unmanned system manufacturers and service and software/technology providers.

Software and hardware innovations, technological competition between the US Army and potential adversaries, and the need to operate unmanned systems after communication with the operator has been disrupted are the top market drivers. The main challenges this market faces relate to regulatory and ethical constraints regarding the use of AI.