Our Flight Operations team was recently in Texas for the UK MOD integrated Assured Intent Messaging (AIM) communications and lethality network exercise, where we flew our Stalker UAS to demonstrate multiple sensor integration along with live fire adjustment and target tracking capabilities.
Although we battled high winds and time constraints, this exercise was a tremendous success and showcased Stalker's ability to reduce the targeting chain cycle, utilizing ISR sensors to identify targets and enable the best possible fires effector for kinetic strikes.
Because Stalker features silent flight and a modular open systems approach (MOSA) to payload and network integration, it is an ideal platform for identifying targets and providing tactical guidance in contested environments. In this exercise we were able to integrate video feed into the UK MOD's AIM system, which provides tactical messaging from peer to peer using an ATAK network, detecting and marking possible enemy targets. Stalker demonstrated the ability to multicast and direct communications while functioning as a ârepeaterâ over high terrain between the aircraft and the firing team.
With an onboard laser designator gimbal camera payload, Stalker flew seven total fires missions with positive effects on four of those fires using the Advanced Precision, Kill, Weapon, System (APKWS) 70mm LGR.
Stalker's ease of integration and high success rate - along with the dedication and hard work of our team as they included end users in the real-world scenarios being flown - emphasized the high standard of excellence in both the systems we build and the people who build them.