UK’s Biggest Defense Company Successfully Test-Flew Manned-Unmanned Teams

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A new way to rapidly add payloads and platforms to the aerial fleet, thus improving mission efficiency and combating rival technology, has successfully passed its first flight test, according to BAE Systems, which developed the technology in collaboration with the US Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO).

A number of unmanned military platforms and manned military aircraft were used during the flight test to study the coordination of Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), as part of executing a combat mission. The UAV team collaborated to develop and perform all moves necessary to accomplish the mission autonomously. During the mission, the pilot monitored the progress of the UAVs using a human-machine interface (HMI).

After completing the flight test, the crew had accomplished its main goal, which was to demonstrate coordinated capabilities for performing missions in a real-world environment. BAE Systems developed its HMI interface through a process involving both virtual and constructive simulations, combining the experience of pilots and electronics experts.

Baesystems.com reports flight test feedback highlighted the MUM-T technology’s user-friendly interface, which is an important factor in making the task more safe. In developing its interfaces, BAE Systems has made sure they are open, flexible, and secure. As a result of the algorithms behind the MUM-T interface, autonomous and distributed decisions can be made at the tactical level, allowing the existing architecture to be adapted to new tasks and integrated into future technologies. In addition, a software development kit created by the company can support future tasks with new algorithms and technologies.