UK company demonstrates crewed-uncrewed teaming
QinetiQ has successfully tested the UK’s first crewed-uncrewed teaming (also known as manned-unmanned teaming or MUM-T) between an undefined company jet and a modified Banshee Jet 80 drone.
During the trial, the Banshee received orders and was controlled by the crewed aircraft, before it commenced conducting autonomous mission assignments, flying 350kt.
The Banshee was equipped with QinetiQ’s Airborne Command and Control for Swarm Interoperable Missions (ACCSIOM) technology, which allowed it to communicate with the crewed aircraft using the same messaging format as the standard NATO Link 16 datalink. A number of digital Banshee assets also took part in the exercise, QinetiQ said.
This test was a collaboration between QinetiQ, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Royal Navy and the Air and Space Warfare Centre.
“Our Armed Forces strive to be at the cutting-edge of technology,” said James Cartlidge, UK minister for defence procurement. “The ability to team crewed and uncrewed systems is an important step forward in our ability to seize the opportunities inherent across drones.”
More from Air Warfare
-
Brazil moves ahead with second-hand Black Hawk deal
Brazil will replace its HM-3 Cougar and HM-2 Black Hawk helicopters with the second-hand UH-60s.
-
Long-range radar handed over to US Missile Defence Agency
Lockheed Martin delivered 10 antenna panels for its Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) to Clear, Alaska in 2020. The system will be used by the Missile Defence Agency (MDA) as part of its layered defence strategy against ballistic missiles.
-
Brunei orders six H145M helicopters following UK’s lead
The news Airbus H145M medium helicopters will replace the Royal Brunei Air Force’s BO105 fleet.
-
Boeing tests new MQ-25 Stingray software for crewed-uncrewed teaming
The new software was said to significantly reduce the time it takes for an F/A-18 to communicate with an MQ-25.
-
Portugal wants F-35s, but has no firm plans in place
The Portuguese Air Force’s leader has outlined the importance of embracing the F-35 to maintain the country's air capabilities despite the absence of a formal procurement plan for the latest Lockheed Martin fighter.