General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), with the support of SRC Inc., successfully integrated and flew the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Agile Condor Pod on an MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) at GA-ASI's Flight Test and Training Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Agile Condor Pod provides on-board high-speed computer processing coupled with machine learning algorithms to detect, correlate, identify, and track targets of interest. With this capability, the MQ-9 is able to identify objects autonomously utilising its on-board Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor and GA-ASI's Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
"Computing at the edge has tremendous implications for future unmanned systems," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "GA-ASI is committed to expanding artificial intelligence capabilities on unmanned systems and the Agile Condor capability is proof positive that we can accurately and effectively shorten the observe, orient, decide and act cycle to achieve information superiority. GA-ASI is excited to continue working with AFRL to advance artificial intelligence technologies that will lead to increased autonomous mission capabilities."
High-powered computing at the edge enables autonomous target detection, identification and nomination at extended ranges and on-board processing reduces communication bandwidth requirements to share target information with other platforms. This is an important step towards greater automation, autonomous target detection, and rapid decision-making. GA-ASI will continue to work with AFRL to refine the capability and foster its transition to operational constructs that will improve warfighters' ability to operate in contested or denied environments.
Contact details from our directory: | |
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) | Airframer |
Air Force Research Laboratory | Technical/Eng/Scientific Studies |
Related aircraft programs: |
General Atomics MQ-9 |
Related directory sectors: |
Weapons Systems |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
STOL variant P2012 achieves EASA certification
Kite Magnetics unveils ultra-high efficiency propeller for electric aircraft
Sweden calls on GKN for future fighter propulsion concepts
Construction begins on Boeing MQ-28 production facility in Queensland