Matthew Nelson
General Atomics' aeronautical systems business tested an autonomy software engine during a flight test for the Avenger unmanned aerial vehicle in October.
An operator used the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment engine to control Avenger's movements for two hours and coordinate with five virtual aircraft units for an air-to-air search mission, the company said Friday.
CODE employs an open framework to establish communications between a software, aircraft and an autopilot technology.
Advanced Tactical Data Links integration and flight and mission critical system separation were demonstrated by the company through the use of a tactical targeting network technology radio in network mission communications.
David Alexander, president at GA-ASI, said the company deployed Avenger during the test as a flight surrogate for the Skyborg UAV.
General Atomics, Northrop Grumman and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions landed spots on a $400M contract to create Skyborg prototypes for the U.S. Air Force.
