Northrop Grumman's ASTAMIDS proves it can detect IEDs in near-real time
Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS) demonstrated it can detect simulated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a recently completed US Army evaluation of the end to end system. The system was flown on the Northrop Grumman Corporation-owned MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned air system.
ASTAMIDS' laser also demonstrated its capability as a target designator for Hellfire missiles: in three missile firings, all missiles made direct hits on their targets.
In addition to detecting simulated IEDS, ASTAMIDS streaming telemetry data was collected, analyzed and processed on the ground using the new ASTAMIDS Ground Exploitation Station (AGES) processing equipment and software. AGES operators were able to identify target locations in near real-time.
"The fundamental goal for ASTAMIDS and all our airborne mine countermeasures systems is to get the soldier, Marine, sailor and airman out of harm's way," said Dan Chang, Northrop Grumman vice president of Maritime and Tactical Systems. "These tests proved we've achieved our goal with ASTAMIDS. We can identify ground threats and deliver targeting-quality data to adjacent war fighters to destroy the threats and do that in near real time. ASTAMIDS, we believe, is ready to save lives."
A lightweight, multi-capability sensor, ASTAMIDS will provide the Army with wide-ranging reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability in addition to its IED/minefield detection role. The ASTAMIDS airborne payload is a gimbaled, multi-spectral, electro-optical and infrared imaging sensor designed to be flown on both manned and unmanned aircraft. ASTAMIDS detects, locates and identifies ground targets, minefields, obstacles and IEDs, determines ranges to ground targets, and, as proven in the tests, designates targets for attack by laser-guided munitions.
ASTAMIDS and AGES can provide warfighters with actionable intelligence minutes after a specific area is analyzed, a capability critical for conducting successful counter-IED missions.
In this series of tests -a combination of 12 daytime and nighttime flights in September - ASTAMIDS flew over target areas in order to demonstrate the system's C-IED nadir step stare capability, off-nadir road following capabilities, and large area precision mapping capabilities. ASTAMIDS operational availability was 100% for all scheduled flights. In total, ASTAMIDS has flown over 250 hours in tests and demonstrations aboard the Army UH-1 and the Northrop Grumman owned MQ-8B aircraft.
Source: Northrop Grumman
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.