Singapore Airshow

UVision’s Hero-400EC long-range, high-precision loitering munition system can locate, track and strike static and moving targets with high accuracy.

person described how in the future, SB300 and SB600 variants will be capable of being controlled by Aerovironment’s new Crysalis ground control system (GCS).

Designed as a universal GCS capable of controlling any AeroVironment UAV, the Crysalis solution combines software, hardware and antennas providing operators with modularity across the range of UAVs. “The new GCS is available in multiple configurations ranging from lightweight and wearable to mobile and command center systems that are modular and scalable,” company officials explained.

“Additional operational participants can gain enhanced situational awareness, share information and collaborate on tactical decisions by accessing telemetry and downlink data through remote video terminals, while also allowing them to capture data directly on their devices,” sources added. Seeking to futureproof its solution, Crysalis will soon be able to control LMs as well, stated company officials.

“This is part of future AeroVironment roadmap initiatives. However, the underlying software framework in Crysalis is already identical to that used in our LM GCS. This architecture handles data streams, users direct command and control transmissions and security between the GCS and aircraft avionics together with other computational tasks being performed on the device.

“At this time, the user interface and interoperability experience between these UAV platforms and missions is currently different. In the future and in spirit of our 4th pillar theme of ‘Integrated Systems’ using already shared underlying software architecture, Aerovironment will be working towards integrating LMs and ISR assets to bring a more seamless experience between target identification and prosecution in addition to other new capabilities to be shared between platform classes,” the company official confirmed.

Furthermore, Aerovironment is also seeking to support LM operations with Cloud technology. “Informational and operational security especially with meta data (or asset control) transmitted over the air from UAS, where that information is stored, and who has access is vital to successful missions and the personal security of friendly forces. As such, AeroVironment’s UAV systems adhere to the highest level of informational security requirements for their effective and reliable use on the battlefield.

“Cloud-based environment and access to enable a wider aperture of collaboration is both known and within the technical realm of possible, but informational security must be maintained. More so, usage of cloud based environment would need to be in strict alignment to any new protocols that would be adopted, approved and/or required by our valued customers and may require a greater level of system architecture to accommodate.”

CONCLUSION

The future of LMs across the modern and future battle space looks assured as both small and large state actors continue to invest in the technology. However, their operational effectiveness will remain in question as counter-drone solutions continue to mature in capability and proliferate across all domains.