General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. , the F-35 Joint Program Office, 309th Software Engineering Group, 461st Flight Test Squadron, 370th Flight Test Squadron, Lockheed Martin, and Autonodyne recently collaborated on a flight test that demonstrated advanced Manned-Unmanned Teaming.
GA-ASI continues developing and testing the most capable and mission-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in the world.
“This significant warfighter integration milestone is the beginning of operational readiness for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft and demonstrates the near-term opportunities for force integration,”
said Michael Atwood, vice president of Advanced Programs.
“Events like these drive home GA-ASI’s continued commitment to adoption of next-generation data links, mission autonomy, and unmanned air combat operations.”
Manned-Unmanned Teaming — the pairing of human-flown warplanes with large numbers of highly autonomous wingmen — is the future of airpower. The recent F-35 and MQ-20 demonstration validated the hardware, software, networks, and other systems needed for this new chapter in combat.
The MQ-20 successfully exchanged critical autonomous responses with the F-35, and the F-35 was able to send autonomy commands to the MQ-20 via a Bashi Pilot Vehicle Interface, directing the MQ-20 to execute tactical maneuvers, adjust waypoints, and pass ADS-B track data to the F-35.
GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet has served as a surrogate CCA for more than five years, both before and since the arrival of GA-ASI’s purpose-built XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station and YFQ-42A jets.