New high-tech networking systems and ground stations in development would let a single pilot fly four aircraft, possibly even from different manufacturers, dramatically reducing the ground staff now needed for each plane.
To save money and make unmanned aircraft less reliant on massive ground support crews, manufacturers are working with military officials to develop more autonomous control systems and improve networking among planes. Early work on such systems has been going on for some time, but heavy demand for more drones and mounting budget pressures are now bringing them closer to operational use.
General Atomics, maker of the armed Predator and Reaper drones, is building a demonstrator ground station for the US Air Force that allows one pilot to command four UAS, said Christopher Ames, head of business development for the privately held San Diego-based company. “That’s a big deal in the era of tight budgets,” Ames said. “It’s a significant achievement.”
Initial tests have also been done with one pilot managing two Northrop Grumman high-altitude Global Hawk aircraft as they changed guard, according to industry executives.
Britain and the United States are working on a joint programme involving up to five armed unmanned aircraft, according to a source familiar with the effort.
Source: Chicago Tribune