Airbus advances SMART MRTT connectivity
Airbus has carried out a flight demonstration of a connected airborne battlespace scenario using an A330 MRTT aircraft.
Carried out as part of the development of Airbus’ Network for the Sky (NFTS) programme, the demonstration scenario simulated the establishment of multi-Mbit/s, wideband communication links between ground forces operatives, a fighter jet, a MRTT, and a combined air operations centre (CAOC) on the ground. Both the operatives and jet fighter had to send video in real time to provide enhanced real-time situational awareness and receive instructions from the CAOC in return.
NFTS combines various technologies, including satellite and ground communications, air-to-ground, ground-to-air and air-to-air tactical links, 5G mobile communications and laser connections, into a resilient, unified, secure, highly interoperable, mesh network. It will allow aircraft that currently use networks with limited bandwidth and interoperability, and often little resilience, to form an integral part of high-speed military networks.
During the demonstration, the operative located in Getafe, Spain, was equipped with a standard Rover handheld radio for NATO forces. The fighter was deployed to obtain imagery of the area of interest and act as a communications node between the operative and the MRTT flying at 30,000ft within a 150km radius in secure airspace. Communications were relayed between the fighter jet and the MRTT, via a wideband line-of-sight data link. The MRTT then routed the video along with its own communications via a wideband satellite link to a space teleport near Washington, DC. The communications flow was then returned to Europe via a terrestrial link to the CAOC.
For this demonstration the MRTT aircraft was equipped with Janus, Airbus’ new tri-band satellite antenna, as well as the latest version of the Proteus satellite modem, and Airbus’ aircraft links integration management system.
The exercise paves the way for the development of the core capability for SMART MRTT connectivity, which will allow the MRTT to act as a high-end communication node.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
