TAMPA, Fla. – Special operators wish to business for a set of upgrades to their fixed-wing plane, resembling radio frequency countermeasures, new strategies for aerial refueling and improved networking.
On the annual International SOF Basis Particular Operations Forces Week, Particular Operations Command officers who develop plane shared these and different updates which are wanted from its largest to smallest platforms.
For one key platform program, the MC-130J Fight Talon III, operators envision the plane as a nexus within the battlefield, connecting the lowest-level operator on the bottom with house, air and even instructions within the homeland.
To try this, the MC-130J will want some new capabilities. They’re at present testing terrain following and avoidance know-how that features dynamic retasking.
They’ll additionally want networked knowledge from the plane programs to work with satellite tv for pc communications, radio indicators, knowledge hyperlinks and knowledge fusion throughout a number of platforms.
On the other finish of the spectrum, the plane requires upgraded radio frequency countermeasures and significantly extra processing energy for the entire knowledge streaming in.
Subsequent steps embody a functionality launch that may embody tactical mission route replanner know-how, together with tactical flight administration and defensive countermeasures, in addition to embedded coaching programs to simulate extra advanced missions.
Past these capabilities, operators wish to prolong the vary and attain of the plane, enhance its communication programs, advance its defensive programs, improve its payload capability for various mission units and precision airdrop and touchdown capabilities, stated Lt. Col. Andrew Sturgeon, head of mobility for Program Government Workplace-Mounted Wing.
The not too long ago named OA-1K Skyraider II can also be on the improve listing, as SOCOM desires modular sensor payloads and weapons enhancements for the propeller-driven airplane, stated Lt. Col. Shawna Matthys, who heads the built-in strike program.
For each the Skyraider and the AC-130J Ghostrider, officers are in search of longer-ranging weapons programs for contested environments, air-launched loiter munitions and collaborative weapons choices, Matthys stated.
Throughout your complete strike portfolio, which touches practically each fixed-wing platform, Matthys stated these munitions want elevated automation and autonomy, superior navigation and sensing and safe, resilient communications, together with modular payload results.
That provides operators extra choices for focusing on and destroying targets on numerous missions.
For its drones, such because the MQ-9A and the MQ-1C, particular operators search hardened knowledge hyperlinks and communications, “simply adaptable autonomous habits profiles,” the usage of synthetic intelligence and machine studying to cut back knowledge hyperlink bandwidth necessities and the usage of autonomy for your complete kill chain, stated Brandi Evans, head of airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance for PEO-Mounted Wing.
Starting this month, the workplace’s adaptive airborne enterprise program will look to provide operators multi-aircraft management interface software program, improve survivability and combine autonomy onto current programs, Evans stated.
For manned ISR platforms, such because the U-28 and DHC-8 (STAMP), officers wish to enhance sensors, combine all-weather capabilities and automate facets of plane operation to cut back crew workload, in addition to edge knowledge processing.
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