General Atomics advances crewed-uncrewed teaming
This demonstration proved the capability of the rapidly maturing Autonomous Collaborative Platform mission system suite through teamwork by four established primes. (Photo: Tactical Air Support)
General Atomics has successfully demonstrated new potential for crewed-uncrewed teaming with a focus on IR sensing and communication.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems successfully paired an MQ-20 Avenger UAS with a Sabreliner business jet and two F-5 Advanced Tiger fighter jets, demonstrating the potential for MUM-T in IR sensing.
The Sabreliner was operated by Lockheed Martin and acted as a surrogate fighter, while the F-5s from Tactical Air Support were configured with internal Tactical Infrared Search and Track (TacIRST) sensors to perform multi-platform IR sensing.
All live aircraft had operational next-generation TacIRST sensors during the test to provide air-to-air moving target tracking.
Related Articles
HII demonstrates crewed and uncrewed maritime operations
General Atomics claims fully autonomous AI-piloted flight with Avenger MQ-20A
This data was then processed on a General Dynamics Mission Systems’ EMC2 Multi-Function Processor. Using this software-defined architecture, the flight demonstrated MUM-T capabilities between the MQ-20s, Sabreliner and crewed F-5 tactical fighters.
During the demonstration, all aircraft performed coordinated manoeuvres to sense relevant airborne targets in the IR spectrum.
The MQ-20 and Sabreliner were digitally connected over a Tactical Targeting Network Technology mesh network to share sensing observations.
In addition to the live-flight aircraft, five digital twins of the MQ-20 were integrated to autonomously fly a Live, Virtual, Constructive collaborative combat mission.
More from Air Warfare
-
![What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?]()
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans]()
Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans
With a rising defence budget and equipment list, Poland’s air market is set to grow as the country continues to modernise its transport and helicopter fleets while seeking out uncrewed aerial vehicles and loitering munitions.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
