The US Air Force (USAF) has received back into service the first E-3 Sentry aircraft to undergo the DRAGON cockpit modification programme, the USAF announced on 17 January.
The DRAGON [Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation] programme upgrade ensures compliance with current and future air traffic control requirements in international and domestic airspace, allowing crews access to reduced vertical separation minimum airspace and optimal flight levels increasing fuel efficiency and reducing clearance delays.
The upgrade replaces 1970s analogue technology with digital flight management systems. The avionic indictors include multicolour graphic displays that customise and accurately portray engine, navigation and radar data; and new Mode-5 Identification Friend or Foe and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast capabilities have been added to increase situational awareness and enhance flight safety.
DRAGON also automates the navigation functions by optimising crew resource management during flight operations. This system increases the navigational data reservoir encompassing GPS data to comply with new International Civil Aviation Organization and air force regulations. Additionally, the weather radar system safeguards aircrew by predicting and highlighting hazardous weather conditions.
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.
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.
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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.
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 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.
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