The US companies Boeing and Northrop Grumman have tested complex cooperation between human and machine-controlled aircraft in a simulator for the first time. For use in this manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) were a transportable simulator of the E-2D from Northrop Grumman and the virtual pairing of an F/A-18 with the MQ-25 from Boeing. Advanced operational concepts were tested, such as those that can be carried out by the squadrons on an aircraft carrier. These included the use of the E-2D in a command-and-control role as "Tanker King", while the unmanned MQ-25 had to deliver fuel to an F/A-18 Super Hornet. In this MUM-T operation, only the existing control software was used on both the simulated E-2D and the MQ-25. The simulators involved were connected via a data link.
"Two of our key findings from these early demonstrations are that MUM-T is possible between an MQ-25, an E-2D and an F/A-18 with minimal customisation and that this system is fundamentally suitable for operations with an MQ-25," said a Boeing engineer.
In further tests, it was successfully demonstrated that both the E-2D and the F/A-18 can be used to influence the drone's flight programmes. For example, the assigned area of operation or the flight route were reprogrammed remotely. In a final step, the drone could even be controlled in autonomous mode using "traditional" commands from the human operator. During a mission, this could significantly reduce the pilot's workload for controlling the assigned drone.
The tests were supported and financed by the Office of Naval Research with the aim of integrating unmanned systems such as the MQ-25 as deeply as possible into future missions on an aircraft carrier.
Text: mb; Photo: Boeing
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