In a recent test at a military depot, the Department of Defense (DOD) unveiled the advanced capabilities of Scylla, an AI-powered security platform designed to bolster physical security for the U.S.’s critical assets. Drew Walter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters, described a compelling scenario in which an on-duty sentry struggled to interpret a scuffle, only for Scylla to identify the threat in seconds, issuing a precise alert. This fictional yet illustrative account highlights Scylla’s proficiency in recognizing potential threats that may be missed by the human eye.
According to Walter, Scylla represents a “considerable advancement” in security. It not only identifies abnormal behavior but does so while filtering out environmental phenomena that often trigger false alarms. This feature is essential in reducing “nuisance alarms” that exhaust personnel and can delay critical responses to genuine threats. As part of DOD’s broader strategic aim to integrate data, analytics, and AI into defense operations, Scylla has demonstrated a detection accuracy of over 96%, vastly exceeding traditional systems’ capabilities.
Testing has been led by the Physical Security Enterprise and Analysis Group (PSEAG), whose mission focuses on securing America’s strategic nuclear assets. In addition to identifying intruders, Scylla’s algorithm detects weapons, anomalies in behavior, and specific features through real-time video surveillance and drone footage. Chris Willoughby, project lead for Scylla, highlighted the system’s potential in safeguarding a range of critical assets, from nuclear weapons facilities to military installations.
In the coming months, Scylla’s capabilities will be further tested in diverse environments, including cold weather and maritime conditions at Joint Base Charleston. The goal is to refine the system’s ability to counter new and evolving threats, including unmanned systems capable of operating across land, sea, and air.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks emphasized that the responsible integration of AI, such as Scylla, allows the U.S. to maintain its technological edge. By aligning with the 2022 National Defense Strategy’s push for emerging technologies, PSEAG is setting a foundation for innovations that promise to strengthen national security.
Walter and Hicks both underscored that, while humans remain central in decision-making, AI enhances security personnel’s ability to detect threats swiftly. As a scalable and cost-effective solution that leverages existing security infrastructure, Scylla is poised to transform physical security within the Department of Defense, protecting assets critical to U.S. national defense.