The exercise, conducted at BAE Systems Warton site in Lancashire and attended by supportive representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) brought together synthetic representations of: Typhoon, a swarm of QinetiQ Banshees drones alongside a Malloy T-150 small heavy lift Uncrewed Air System (UAS) and representative Command and Control and electronic surveillance capabilities.
The trials served multiple purposes to validate elements including connectivity, interoperability, human-machine interface and goal-based autonomy, using simulated current and operational military data links including Link 16.
The trial forms part of the collaborative Project HERA between the two companies and supports the development of future Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming (CUC-T) capability and operations by enabling uncrewed systems to perform dull, dirty and/or dangerous tasks under the control of the crewed assets. This keeps the pilot and crewed platform out of harm’s way and is more operationally effective whilst providing affordable Combat Mass.
Alan Hart, MD of Science & Technology, QinetiQ said: “HERA has shown that interoperable autonomous systems can allow dissimilar UAS and crewed aircraft to deliver complex missions. As well as the combinations of technologies employed, the exercise is significant in establishing pan-industry linkages to deliver the sovereign national drone enterprise needed to defend our national interest.”
The trials build on an agreement signed in September 2023 between BAE Systems and QinetiQ to explore Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming, Uncrewed Air Systems development and associated mission management systems, to support interoperability with existing and future crewed and uncrewed systems.
The trials will inform other programmes, including the design and development of Tier 2 Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) and wider multi-sector interoperability.
The ambition for the project is to take this forward into live trials using a Link 16 datalink, however this is contingent on further customer discussions.
Our customers have a growing need to increase combat mass and enhance the lethality and survivability of current platforms through the complementary use of uncrewed air system technology. Together with QinetiQ we have demonstrated the enhanced operational effect of a crewed and uncrewed force mixAnthony Gregory, Business Development Director, BAE Systems FalconWorks