Innovative Military Technology Trials in the Western US
In recent months, military personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, along with researchers and industry collaborators, have been testing and evaluating cutting-edge technologies at various US military bases in the Western region.
Overview of Project Convergence 2022
This initiative is part of the US Army’s Project Convergence 2022 (PC22), aimed at enhancing speed, range, and decision-making superiority to achieve operational advantages and refine the Joint Warfighting Concept alongside Joint All Domain Command and Control strategies.
integration of Advanced Technologies
Project Convergence employs a series of joint, multi-domain operations to incorporate artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems, thereby enhancing situational awareness on the battlefield, linking sensors to combatants, and expediting the decision-making process.
Textron Systems’ Contribution
In early November 2022, Textron Systems played a pivotal role in this project, showcasing various mission capabilities.The Textron team deployed two Aerosonde Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) equipped with Trillium Engineering’s HD80-MV-600 and HD80-VV-510 payloads.
Mission Highlights
During the operation, one Aerosonde successfully identified a target and initiated rapid Electronic Warfare (EW) actions against radio frequency emitters. It effectively communicated through a mesh radio network to the second Aerosonde and the Trillium payload, all without the need for GPS.
Expanding UAS Capabilities
This experimental mission demonstrated that small to medium-sized UAS (Groups 2 and 3) can deliver the same level of communication, EW capabilities, and operational connectivity typically associated with larger Group 4 unmanned aircraft.
Technical Specifications of the HD80 Payloads
The two HD80 configurations utilized in the experiment have distinct characteristics, including weight, camera types, and export regulations:
- HD80-VV-510: this configuration features an electro-optical (EO) camera with a 30x optical zoom and a long focal length 720p Global Shutter Spotter EO camera. weighing 4.27 kg, it is indeed subject to BIS export control.
- HD80-MV-600: This model combines EO and infrared (IR) capabilities, equipped with a 10x optical zoom visible camera and a 20x optical zoom cooled MWIR camera.Slightly heavier at 4.9 kg, it falls under ITAR control.
Unmatched Performance and Reliability
Both gimbals are rated at technology level 9 for military and commercial use,boasting extraordinary durability and stability while providing precise real-time tracking of vehicles and targets. the integration of Trillium’s HD80 technology enabled Textron Systems to showcase capabilities that had not been previously realized.
