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 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
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Raytheon strikes deal with new rocket motor maker to secure supply chain
Raytheon has seen increased demand for its missiles in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war where Kyiv has been using air-to-air missiles for ground-based air-defence.
-
European Common Radar System Mk2 begins ground-testing in UK
BAE Systems hopes to work out any issues before the radar is sent for flight testing.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.