General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully completed flight testing of a newly developed Self-Protection Pod (SPP) on an MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
The project was executed as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and with the support of the Air National Guard (ANG), the U.S. Navy (USN), and industry partners Raytheon Intelligence & Space, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Leonardo DRS, and Terma North America. The demo was held Oct. 28, 2020 at the Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG).
During the testing, the MQ-9 was able to successfully track Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) missile threats, deploy countermeasures, and provide real-time threat awareness and protection in a simulated contested environment.
“Threat awareness and survivability are critical capabilities needed to enable the MQ-9 to operate in a contested environment,” said GA-ASI President, David R. Alexander. “GA-ASI is committed to expanding the mission envelope of the MQ-9 to enable not only the warfighters’ needs of today, but also to ensure the platform remains a survivable, capable, and highly adaptable platform for the future fight.”
SPP leverages mature (TRL9), state-of-the-art Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) to provide full-spectrum awareness and countermeasures. The system is built upon an earlier joint demonstration of a podded AN/ALR-69A(V) Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) in 2017, which demonstrated the utility of an RWR to enhance aircrew situational awareness. In addition to the RI&S AN/ALR-69A(V), the pod features the Leonardo DRS AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) System that utilizes a single sensor for both 2-color IR missile warning and wide field-of-view gimbal for threat countermeasures. The BAE Systems ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System is used for dispensing airborne flares, chaff, and other airborne decoys. The RF countermeasure of choice demonstrated successfully during testing was Leonardo’s BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy (EAD), which is a small, self-contained Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM)-based expendable decoy.
At the heart of the Self-Protection Pod is the Terma AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System, which provides the interface, health, status, and command and control for the various systems installed in the pod. The AN/ALQ-213 functions as the Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) manager that coordinates between the various threat warning and dispensing systems to automatically dispense the appropriate sequencing pattern and expendables to protect the MQ-9.
Contact details from our directory: | |
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) | Airframer |
Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RIS) | Infrared Target Designators, Surveillance/Air Defense Radar, GPS, Airborne Reconnaissance Infrared, Reconnaissance Radar, IFF Interrogators, Radio Communications Equipment, Weapons Countermeasures, Laser Targeting Systems |
Terma AS | Engine Pylons, Wings, Empennages, Aircraft Structural Components, Headsets, Electronic Warfare Systems, Gun Mounts, Fuselage Sections, Aircraft Control Surfaces |
BAE Systems Air | Additive Manufacturing, Aircraft Structural Components, Computer-aided Engineering, Wind Tunnels, Surveillance/Air Defense Radar |
Leonardo DRS | Thermal Imaging Equipment, FLIR Systems, Cameras (Airborne), Infrared Reconnaissance, Flight Recorders, Electro-Optical Systems & Equipment, Night Vision Equipment, Emergency Locator Transmitters, Infrared Detectors, Testing Services, Electric/Electronic Test Equipment, Radio Communications Equipment, Cockpit Video Displays, Transceivers, Airborne Reconnaissance Infrared, Surveillance/Air Defense Radar, Refueling Equipment, Air Refuelling Systems, Command, Control & Intelligence Systems, Gimbal Systems |
Leonardo Airborne Systems UK | Sensors/Transducers, Electronic Warfare Systems, Airborne Communication Systems, Radar Detectors, Thermal Imaging Equipment, Radar Receivers, Radio Communications Equipment, Infrared Detectors |
Related aircraft programs: |
General Atomics MQ-9 |
Related directory sectors: |
Weapons Systems |
Imaging and Visual Systems |
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