AI-enabled drones have been tested by the British Army to help detect landmines and unexploded ordnance, with the aim of improving safety for bomb disposal teams on operations.
The trials, led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on behalf of the British Army, took place over several weeks with 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search) in Essex.
During the exercise, dozens of replica explosive devices were placed across varied terrain. Data collected by sensors on small uncrewed aerial systems was analysed using AI tools, allowing operators to identify and locate threats more quickly.
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Officials said the technology could reduce the time required to assess hazardous areas and limit the need for personnel to enter high-risk environments.
The trial also demonstrated that AI models can be retrained rapidly to recognise new types of threats and adapt to different environments, a capability seen as increasingly important in modern conflicts.
Luke Pollard said the work reflects a wider push to integrate autonomous systems into military operations, adding that the aim is to improve effectiveness while reducing risk to personnel.
The research forms part of a broader programme to expand the use of AI, robotics and advanced sensors in defence, informed by lessons from recent conflicts where drones and explosive devices have played a growing role.
Further trials are planned later this year to refine the technology and support decisions on whether it can be deployed more widely across the Armed Forces.
