Exercises Modernization Doctrine

Academy of Military Sciences Defense Science and Technology Innovation Research Institute Targets Battlefield Requirements in Scientific Research

军事科学院国防科技创新研究院瞄准战场需求科研攻关

PLA Daily (解放军报) 13 July 2026

Summary

The Academy of Military Sciences Defense Science and Technology Innovation Research Institute has embedded research teams directly into PLA exercises, deploying capabilities including 3D-printed emergency ship components in an unspecified southern maritime area, an intelligent software robot system enabling unattended operation at unnamed unit posts, and an AI-driven electronic warfare assessment system integrated throughout a theater command exercise. The article documents a deliberate institutional push to collapse the cycle between laboratory development and operational validation — the 'battlefield data → lab optimization → combat power' loop it describes is a concrete answer to the longstanding PLA problem of research outputs that never reach the force in usable form. The named official, Director He of an unspecified center, frames combat effectiveness as the explicit evaluation criterion for research, which extends the pattern of AMS reorienting from academic output metrics toward warfighting utility.

Translation

Not long ago, in a certain sea area in the south, an exercise and training engagement was in full swing. Suddenly, a critical shipborne piece of equipment on a vessel malfunctioned. Original-factory spare parts were too far away to be of immediate use, and the exercise and training was on the verge of "running aground." At this critical juncture, members of a research team from the Academy of Military Sciences Defense Science and Technology Innovation Research Institute appeared at the dock. Scanning, modeling, printing — using three-dimensional modeling and high-precision 3D printing technology, the research team quickly replicated the needed spare parts; they were installed and the system started — the equipment resumed operation.

This "timely assistance in the snow" was no accident. In recent years, the presence of research team members from this institute has become ever more deeply embedded at the front lines of exercises and training. This is a new development brought about by their targeting of battlefield requirements in scientific research, moving the laboratory to the exercise and training ground, and vigorously raising the "combat content" (含"战"量) of research results.

Upon learning that a certain unit had encountered difficulties in advancing its unmanned transformation, a team from the institute immediately launched a research effort. Artificial intelligence, software robots — technical experts transformed concepts into line after line of code. Soon, an intelligent software robot system went "on duty" in a live operational environment. Test and validation: the metrics were solid. Certain posts achieved "unattended operation."

On the invisible electronic battlefield, the institute has likewise explored a "fast track": exercise and training data feeds back into the laboratory, and assessment conclusions go directly to the combat station. The research team, carrying self-developed intelligent systems, was embedded throughout the entire exercise and training activities organized by a certain theater command. The data torrent from multiple types of equipment was efficiently processed, reconnaissance and detection effectiveness was precisely assessed, and results appeared clearly on screen.

"Battlefield data feeds back — laboratory system optimization — equipment combat power enhancement": a closed loop was thus formed, providing solid support for honing the cutting edge of new-quality equipment.

"Being capable of fighting and winning battles is the starting point and ultimate goal of our scientific research work." Director He of a certain center within the institute told reporters that they vigorously guide research personnel to move the laboratory to the exercise and training ground, encouraging everyone to embed themselves throughout the full course of exercises and training, ensuring that research results precisely "hit" the target of combat effectiveness.

From 3D printing of emergency spare parts for warships on the maritime frontier, to precise control by intelligent software robots at the front lines of exercises and training; from a single screen displaying the full situational picture at border outposts, to efficient processing of massive data on the invisible battlefield — as the seeds of scientific research and innovation blossom and bear fruit in the work of training troops and preparing for war, this group of technology vanguards who advance toward war and conduct research for war are, in the posture of a charging force, writing the era's answer to "integrated research and war, mastering victory and winning battles" (研战一体、制胜打赢).

Original Chinese

前不久，南国某海域，一场演训激战正酣。突然，一艘舰船的某船载关键设备出现故障。原厂备件远水解不了近渴，演训眼看就要“搁浅”。千钧一发之际，军事科学院国防科技创新研究院某科研团队成员出现在码头。扫描、建模、打印……借助三维建模和高精度3D打印技术，科研团队很快复制出所需备件，装机、启动——设备恢复运转。这“雪中送炭”的解围，并非偶然。近年来，该研究院科研团队成员的身影，正越来越深地嵌入演训一线。这是他们瞄准战场需求进行科研攻关，把实验室搬到演训场，大力提升科研成果含“战”量带来的新变化。得知某部推进无人化转型遇到难题，该研究院一支团队立即展开攻关。人工智能、软件机器人……技术专家们将构想化作一行行代码。很快，一套智能软件机器人系统在实战环境“上岗”。试验验证：指标过硬！部分岗位实现“无人值守”。在无形的电子战场，该研究院同样摸索出一条“快车道”：演训数据反哺实验室，评估结论直达战位。科研团队带着自主研发的智能系统，全程嵌入某战区组织的演训活动。多型装备的数据洪流被高效梳理，侦察探测效能得以精准评估，结果跃然屏上。 “战场数据反哺—实验室系统优化—装备战力提升”，一个闭环就此形成，为新质装备磨砺锋刃提供了坚实的支撑。 “能打仗、打胜仗，是我们科研工作的出发点和落脚点。”该研究院某中心何主任告诉记者，他们大力引导科研人员把实验室搬到演训场，鼓励大家嵌入演习演训全程，确保科研成果精准“命中”战斗力靶心。从海疆战舰抢修备件3D打印，到演训一线智能软件机器人精准操控；从边防哨所态势研判一屏尽览，到无形战场海量数据高效梳理……随着科研创新的种子在练兵备战中开花结果，这群向战而行、为战而研的科技尖兵，正以冲锋的姿态书写“研战一体、制胜打赢”的时代答卷。