BAE Systems to Develop AI-Powered Software for Enhanced Battlefield Medical Care

New U.S. Department of Defense contract supports cutting-edge AI solution aimed at improving triage, treatment, and outcomes for injured warfighters in combat zones.

BAE Systems, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is advancing battlefield medicine through the continued development of the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Operations Kit (BATDOK®) under the newly awarded FORGE-IT program. This innovative mobile health solution replaces outdated, paper-based documentation with a real-time, electronic platform that records injury and treatment information from the point of injury through to long-term care. Now, with the integration of AI-powered clinical decision support, FORGE-IT is poised to elevate BATDOK® into a next-generation digital triage tool, enhancing real-time responsiveness and diagnostic accuracy in combat zones.

The FDA-cleared BATDOK® software is a critical step toward ensuring that field medics and frontline personnel are equipped with the best tools for saving lives. By enabling seamless data transfer across care levels—from battlefield medics to in-hospital specialists—BATDOK® minimizes the risk of information loss, ensures continuity of care, and reduces errors in high-stakes environments. The addition of AI capabilities under the FORGE-IT initiative allows medics to monitor vitals remotely, flag concerning trends instantly, and prioritize care with evidence-driven support, even in austere conditions.

This development highlights the growing importance of digital health in defense and emergency medicine. As part of its integration into the Department of Defense's Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems (JOMIS), BATDOK® ensures that every servicemember’s care journey is accurately tracked and managed. FORGE-IT’s focus on mobility, AI, and secure data continuity positions it as a landmark advancement in modern military healthcare—offering not only operational efficiency but also improved survivability and long-term outcomes for those who serve on the front lines.


MedTech Spectrum's Summary 
 
AI-Driven Battlefield Care: BAE Systems, under the U.S. Air Force’s FORGE-IT program, is enhancing its FDA-cleared BATDOK® system with embedded AI to support real-time clinical decision-making and remote patient monitoring in combat environments.
 
Seamless Data Continuity: BATDOK® digitizes and transfers patient data from field medics to hospitals, ensuring accurate documentation and continuity of care—critical for improving outcomes in high-risk scenarios.
 
Modernizing Military Medicine: By integrating into the Department of Defense’s JOMIS platform, this innovation represents a major leap in modern battlefield medicine, supporting warfighters with smarter, faster, and safer medical response capabilities.