Lockheed Martin launches AI Fight Club to accelerate defence innovation [VIDEO]

“AI Fight Club uses advanced simulation and visualization to evaluate AI in realistic and complex scenarios that mimic the challenges of modern warfare,” said John Clark, Lockheed Martin’s senior vice president of Technology and Strategic Innovation. “Teams with the best AI will battle each other to determine the most robust, reliable and effective models.”

The synthetic environment, created by Lockheed Martin, replicates operationally realistic challenges to ensure AI models meet U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) standards. This enables teams of all sizes to test their technologies against rigorous benchmarks vital for national security.

Participants from industry and government will collaborate in a setting aimed at uncovering vulnerabilities and advancing AI innovation. The initiative is intended to strengthen American capabilities and better support warfighters and the Joint Force.

Matchups will include scenarios such as airborne operations in contested environments, layered homeland defence, coastal defence against amphibious assault, and space-based reconnaissance. Teams will be evaluated on how effectively their AI systems perform under these demanding conditions.

Insights gained from the competitions will help guide future AI development and drive progress across the defence technology sector. Teams will also have opportunities to publish and present their findings to showcase their contributions to the field.

Lockheed Martin is currently building the virtual arena for AI Fight Club and expects the simulation environment to be completed by the end of Q3 2025. The inaugural competition is scheduled for Q4 2025.

“We are announcing AI Fight Club now to give interested teams time to refine their AI and put their best foot forward and take on challengers,” the company stated.

Source: Lockheed Martin.