U.S. Air Force tests portable control system for ‘fighter drones’
The U.S. Department of the Air Force has completed prototype evaluations for a portable command-and-control system meant to control Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the field, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center reported.
The system, known as the C2E, is designed to give operators a mobile way to command semi-autonomous CCA drones from austere or forward locations. The evaluation featured ground operations demonstrations from multiple industry vendors, hosted by the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing at Springfield Air National Guard Base.
Evaluators tested each vendor’s system for mobility and footprint under simulated austere conditions, then ran demonstrations focused on software agility and connectivity. The results will feed into the Air Force’s broader C2E acquisition strategy and shape the next phase of vendor selection.
“Getting prototypes into the hands of our operational and acquisitions warfighters for a swift, combined evaluation is a direct embodiment of acquisition transformation,” said Col. Eric Reagan, director of the Agile Development Office. “This partnership allows us to accelerate the fielding of the best-value capabilities to the Department of War.”
Photo by Shane Hughes
“The 178th Wing’s foundational support was key to the success of this phase, allowing our evaluators and industry partners to focus entirely on technical performance,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Bieler, materiel leader for CCA software, autonomy and teaming. “This successful collaboration establishes a strong foundation and opens the door for future integration and testing as we continue to mature the C2E and CCA program.”
This phase marks the first step toward selecting an integrator for the C2E system. Once fielded, the chosen system is intended to support Agile Combat Employment operations at the Experimental Operations Unit and integrate directly with production CCA aircraft.
A second prototype phase will follow, requiring vendors to demonstrate their C2E cloud capabilities.
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The U.S. Air Force completed evaluations of a portable command-and-control system for Collaborative Combat Aircraft at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Ohio. The C2E system allows operators to command semi-autonomous drones from forward locations. The evaluations tested mobility and software agility with multiple industry vendors, contributing to the Air Force's acquisition strategy for future drone operations.
- The U.S. Air Force completed prototype evaluations for a portable command-and-control system.
- The system is designed for controlling semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
- Evaluations were conducted at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Ohio.
- The testing involved multiple industry vendors and focused on mobility and software agility.
- The results will influence the Air Force's C2E acquisition strategy.