US Air Force debuts operational AI wargame system

The U.S. Air Force for the first time utilized the service’s new artificial intelligence wargame system in an event late last month. The department premiered WarMatrix for its inaugural use at the March 27 GE 26 Benchmark Wargame, marking the system’s move from development into operational capacity, according to a Tuesday Air Force release . WarMatrix, described by the force as an “active wargaming environment,” is an AI-powered system that integrates existing models, data and workflows while expediting analysis. The Air Force at the end of 2025 said it was looking for technology capable of producing simulations 10,000 times faster than real time. WarMatrix is a “human-machine teaming system” meant to keep human judgment integral to planning and decision making, according to the release. The use of WarMatrix during the event served as the system’s initial operating concept evaluation, signaling a change in how the Air Force conducts operational analysis and wargaming. “Designed by wargamers for wargamers, WarMatrix provides transparency, auditability and speed, enabling decision-makers to better understand assumptions, outcomes and tradeoffs,” the statement reads. Air Force leaders portray WarMatrix as an evolution in wargaming rather than a replacement, and the release says that the use of WarMatrix provided a more “connected and traceable wargaming process.” It also said that the system’s design allowed for faster scenario development, repeat findings and increased collaboration with joint and coalition partners. The two-weekslong event, hosted at Systems Planning and Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia, was attended by more than 150 people, including technical experts, Air Force leadership and allied planners. Attendees during the event fulfilled more than six 24-hour “game-time moves” that balanced physics- and simulation-based models to ensure outcomes were realistic. About Cristina Stassis Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering stories surrounding the defense industry, national security, military/veteran affairs and more. She previously worked as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024 where she assisted the newsroom in breaking news across Sightline Media Group. Share: In Other News Advocates press for preventive programs, VA benefits for struggling vets Representatives from specialty courts and veterans’ legal organizations pressed Congress Wednesday for expansion of the Veterans Treatment Courts system. Suicide rates among military families continue to climb The total overall number decreased, a drop that coincides with smaller overall force numbers. Bill from vets in Congress would keep military roles open to women The bill, which lacks Republican sponsors, is explicitly described as a response to the Pentagon review of women in ground combat roles. After three-year hiatus, VA to resume rollout of new electronic medical records system The department’s adoption of the Oracle Health’s FEHR was halted in 2023 following a year-long pause over safety and functionality concerns. Trump’s VA budget request tops $488 billion for fiscal 2027 The Department of Veterans Affairs would see its budget increase by 7.7% in fiscal 2027 under the White House’s proposed $2.2 trillion budget. Load More .c-articleBody {--max-image-height: 50vh;}@media(min-width: 1024px) {.c-articleBody {--max-image-height: max(600px, 70vh);}}