Intelligent Systems Division
Intelligent systems are becoming essential as missions operate in evolving, data-rich, and challenged environments. Modern operations rely on artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems that can analyze and interpret vast amounts of information in near-real time, adapt to shifting conditions, and assist with decision-making. Meeting these demands requires research that spans the full lifecycle of AI systems, from foundational algorithm development and data generation to rigorous test and evaluation and operational development.
The Intelligent Systems Division advances these capabilities by ensuring AI-enabled systems remain reliable, resilient, and mission-aligned. Our work includes assurance, test and evaluation, analysis of model behavior and human-AI interactions, and techniques that strengthen robustness against distribution shifts, contested inputs, and environmental change. We apply machine learning to sensing and situational awareness across space, maritime, radar, and radio frequency (RF) domains, building tools that detect anomalies and identify patterns in multimodal data streams. We also explore AI-enabled systems engineering and digital engineering transformation, including large-language-model engineering copilots that support documentation interpretation, model generation, and traceability.
Additionally, we advance cyber resilience through mission-aware methodologies that protect intelligent systems from data poisoning, adversarial manipulation, and information leakage. Through partnerships with government and industry, our work develops adaptive intelligent systems that enhance mission performance across the most complex operational environments.
Capabilities
AI Applications
Applying AI solutions, including statistical methods and reinforcement learning, with a focus on areas like prognostics and health management (PHM) and AI for cybersecurity (AI4Cyber), to enable applications in predictive maintenance and network penetration testing.
AI Assurance
Prioritizing areas like AI test and evaluation (T&E) and AI security (AISec), implementing metrics, methods, and frameworks to test, evaluate, verify, and validate properties—such as performance and security—of AI-enabled systems across their lifecycle to ensure they meet mission needs.
AI and Digital Engineering
Integrating systems engineering, digital engineering, and mission-focused design into AI-enabled systems, while using AI tools to augment digital engineering processes through digital engineering for AI (DE4AI) and AI for digital engineering (AI4DE).
Research Spotlights
Centers & Facilities
The Virginia Tech AI Test and Evaluation (T&E) Accelerator strengthens mission-ready artificial intelligence (AI) adoption by evaluating how AI systems perform under realistic operational conditions. Led by VTNSI through the Systems Engineering Research Center’s network of 24 R1 universities, the accelerator executes pace-setting tests, develops new evaluation methods and tools, and advances the national test and evaluation workforce. These efforts reduce barriers to testing, advance assurance practices, and support the Department of War as they adopt AI systems that are effective, usable, secure, and aligned with mission needs.
Our bearing testbed provides an experimental platform for prognostics and health management (PHM) along with AI/ML research under varying operating conditions. Using a removable split roller bearing, variable-speed motors, and multiple accelerometers, researchers can introduce controlled bearing faults and collect high-resolution vibration data. The testbed supports condition monitoring, fault diagnosis, sensor-placement studies, and out-of-distribution machine learning research to develop and evaluate robust AI/ML methods for PHM applications.
Division Leadership
Stephen Adams
Interim Co-Director, Intelligent Systems Division
Erin Lanus
Interim Associate Director, Intelligent Systems Division
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The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) advances national security through mission-driven research, technology innovation, and workforce development. Unlike traditional academic research centers, the institute integrates interdisciplinary expertise across engineering, computing, policy, and national security disciplines to rapidly translate research into mission-ready capabilities.