DARPA selects Lockheed Martin for ACE programme
ACE aims to better inform pilots with group-level situational awareness and coordinated targeting responsibility. (Photo: US DoD)
Lockheed Martin has been awarded an $11,7 million contract for the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) Technical Area 4 Phases 2 and 3.
The agreement includes the development of full-scale experimentation platforms capable of implementing the ACE algorithms and technologies.
The works will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas and Tucson, Arizona, with an expected completion date of December 2023.
ACE is run by DARPA and aims to better inform pilots with group-level situational awareness and coordinated targeting responsibility.
ACE Technical Area 3 Phase 2, which focused on learning how to create a symbiosis between air battle managers and the AI-based battle management system, was run by Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos.
Dynetics developed a matured approach to battle management, where a single pilot can act as a commander for large-scale and collaborative air warfare.
Phase 1 carried out works on AI architecture design for large force battle management in a Mosaic Warfare construct.
More from Air Warfare
-
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
-
DSEI 2025: Saab unveils new CUAS missile solution to defeat UAS swarms
The Nimbrix missile has been developed and tested over the last year and is Saab’s latest cost-effective answer to help armed forces counteract escalating numbers of uncrewed aerial threats on the battlefield.
-
Will drone motherships form part of tomorrow’s warfare?
While motherships offer multiple operational advantages, the changes in the character of warfare may bring new tactics to the battlefield, reducing their role.