GA-ASI Demonstrates UCAV Autonomy Using MQ-20, Waveform X

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) showcased its autonomy ecosystem for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) in a live flight test featuring the MQ-20 Avenger on November 13, 2023.

The demonstration, held at GA-ASI's Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in El Mirage, Calif., highlighted the integration of diverse autonomy skills providers with Waveform X capabilities.

The MQ-20 flight incorporated three software-defined radios (SDRs) from L3Harris Technologies, including Pantera integrated into the unmanned aircraft and BANSHEE 2 forming an IP-based Mesh Network as part of the Mission Control Element. Waveform X, a non-proprietary U.S. government-owned communications capability, facilitated Line-of-Sight (LOS), command and control, and data movement capabilities during the flight.

Utilizing autonomy from government-provided human-machine interface (HMI) hardware, GA-ASI's autonomy core, and orchestration through Waveform X, the demonstration successfully achieved rapid plug-and-play integration of U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force autonomous unmanned technologies. The flight showcased collaborative combat mission capabilities, addressing the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) engagement chain with a mix of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) entities.

GA-ASI's commitment to proving combat operational readiness for defense contractor products, such as L3Harris’ Pantera and BANSHEE 2 radios, was emphasized by Michael Atwood, GA-ASI Vice President of Advanced Programs. He stated, "This most recent test shows multi-service compatibility of the autonomy core through the integration of USAF and Navy software skills, bringing us one step closer to a government-owned, skills-based interservice ecosystem for ACPs."

In addition to advancing Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) technologies, GA-ASI aims to develop an open government standards-based autonomy ecosystem supporting third-party tactical software applications. The company emphasizes its dedication to the emerging government-managed App Store-based model, enabling rapid software development and deployment while ensuring safety of flight.