The demonstration, which took place at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, California, showcased emerging electronic attack capabilities. It was part of a series of ongoing, internally funded research and development trials aimed at accelerating technology integration and operational readiness for U.S. Air Force Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs).
“This effort featured novel mission system capabilities and the viability of autonomous payload control on our MQ-20,” said Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. “We identified key areas for improvement while sharing investment and reducing risk.”
BAE Systems played a pivotal role in this initiative, supplying customised mission technology that included advanced EW capabilities, a multi-functional processor (MFP), and a Link 16 terminal. This integration had been rigorously tested in BAE Systems’ System Integration Lab, demonstrating the system’s ability to autonomously identify and jam threats while maintaining operator oversight.
A crucial part of the demonstration was the secure transmission of command, control, and status data via software-based, open-mission-system (OMS) compliant message translation, hosted on the MFP. The Link 16 network provided a resilient communications pathway that ensured secure dissemination of information and enhanced operational coordination.
“We worked closely with General Atomics to highlight the maturity of autonomous EW mission systems in support of U.S. Air Force objectives,” said Scott Bailie, Director of Advanced Electronic Warfare Solutions at BAE Systems. “We combined proven EW technology and secure command and control on a rapid timeline in a small form factor well-suited for CCAs.”
The successful demonstration underscored the potential for integrating BAE Systems’ advanced electronic warfare solutions into collaborative, autonomous combat platforms. This partnership marked a significant step towards advancing networked electronic attack capabilities, aligning with the U.S. Air Force’s strategic goals for more effective and agile operations.
