BAE Systems, in conjunction with the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), has completed a successful flight test of advanced Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) technology.
The demonstration at a Department of Defense flight test range involved real mission sensors on a manned military fighter aircraft and multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs worked together to develop and execute autonomously the necessary tactics to complete the mission. The aviator utilized BAE Systems’ Human Machine Interface (HMI) to monitor the mission’s progress and interact with the UAVs as desired.
During this flight test, the team achieved its primary goal of demonstrating collaborative mission execution in an operationally representative environment.
The MUM-T architecture is designed to be open, flexible, and assured. It uses BAE Systems’ algorithms for decentralized autonomous decision-making at the tactical edge, allowing the architecture to be easily adapted for new missions and incorporate future technology.
The DOD and BAE Systems will continue to work together and invest in additional capabilities to further mature its MUM-T suite for operational readiness. The next phase of flight tests will enhance the mission suite’s capabilities and technology, showcasing flexibility and openness for integration on an additional manned aircraft type and another unmanned platform to execute a different mission.
“The development of autonomous technology is crucial to protect our warfighters against emerging threats,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “This flight test demonstrates our team’s commitment to accelerate the deployment of reliable and innovative manned-unmanned teaming solutions for mission success.”
