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 will develop full-scale experimentation platforms to implement Air Combat Evolution algorithms and technologies in this phase of the programme.
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
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
