March 10, 2026
Advanced technology like artificial intelligence and autonomous systems is rapidly changing the way the military thinks about operations. But according to Colonel Kenneth Jones, Director of Science and Technology at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, the key to deploying these capabilities is not just better technology—it is trust.
In a conversation on Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Jones explains that the Marine Corps is experimenting with new ways to connect data, sensors, and weapons systems. One major effort is Operation Dynamis, a project focused on bringing large amounts of operational data into what Jones describes as “single intuitive devices.” The goal is to simplify how Marines interact with complex technology while giving them greater visibility across the battlefield.
Jones says many people think about unmanned systems only as weapons that fly to a target and destroy it. In reality, he explains, drones and other autonomous platforms also function as sensors that collect valuable data. That information feeds into a broader system designed to move intelligence quickly from sensors to shooters.
Rather than a sudden technological leap, Jones describes the transition to autonomous systems as an evolution. Today, Marines are experimenting with first-person-view drones that allow operators wearing headsets to see what the drone sees as it flies toward a target. While effective, Jones says the Marine Corps ultimately wants to move toward a model where a Marine can control multiple systems simultaneously from a tablet or laptop.
In that vision, a single operator could monitor numerous unmanned aerial vehicles, surface vessels, underwater platforms, and ground systems. Each platform would provide real-time data about its capabilities, including its range, payload, and available weapons. The operator could then assign tasks across the network of systems.
Achieving that level of coordination requires significant computing power and advanced software. Jones refers to the process as “orchestration,” where technology manages many systems at once to ensure they perform different missions instead of duplicating efforts. Some vehicles might transport supplies, others could escort manned ships, and others may identify or engage targets.
A major challenge in building this capability is reducing what Jones calls “cognitive load.” If operators must manage too many systems at once, they risk losing situational awareness. Instead, Jones says artificial intelligence should handle many of the background tasks, alerting operators only when human intervention is needed.
Automatic target recognition is another area the Marine Corps is carefully studying. Jones explains that identifying targets involves several stages: detecting an object, identifying what it appears to be, and finally recognizing whether it belongs to an adversary or friendly forces. That process requires enormous amounts of training data—thousands of images from different perspectives—to ensure accuracy.
Even with advanced AI, Jones says trust remains the most important factor. Operators must believe the system’s recommendations are correct before they rely on them in real-world operations.
He compares this process to the early days of aviation. The Wright brothers demonstrated the reliability of flight through thousands of test flights before people accepted airplanes as a safe form of transportation. Jones believes the same approach will apply to autonomous systems.
Through thousands of operational hours—whether transporting supplies or identifying targets—service members gradually gain confidence in the technology. Over time, he says, systems that once seemed experimental begin to feel normal.
For Jones, that steady accumulation of experience is what ultimately turns cutting-edge technology into a trusted tool for the warfighter.