Northrop Grumman adds AI to air defence controller for improved CUAS capability
FAAD simultaneously integrates short range air defence, counter-rocket artillery and mortar and CUAS missions. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman’s Forward Area Air Defence (FAAD) Advanced Battle Manager (ABM) system continuously monitors the battlespace, replans engagements as necessary and supports multiple weapon types.
Northrop Grumman has completed successful trials of its FAAD ABM system integrated with improved artificial intelligence (AI) software to provide improved CUAS capability.
Northrop Grumman said the trials took place at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, from March to August this year. The demonstration of real-time weapon-target pairings take place across disparate kinetic and non-kinetic weapons by leveraging AI and years of live fire data.
The AI feature has been designed to streamline decision-making to support the defeat of UAS swarms with a single button click on a mobile tablet.
Kenn Todorov, VP and general manager – global battle management and readiness at Northrop Grumman, said the improvements would “create a streamlined and intuitive engagement plan”.
“As threats evolve, the need for operations to become simple and clear during high-stress multi-target engagements has increased [and this improvement] ensures the combat-proven FAAD system remains at the forefront of CUAS technology,” he noted.
FAAD was originally designed for an air defence role but has expanded to include improved functionality and in 2022 was demonstrated for capability. During this demonstration FAAD C2 was integrated with eight sensors and six effectors to simultaneously defend against coordinated rocket, artillery, mortar and UAS attacks.
In 2021, Northrop Grumman was contracted to provide systems to Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia under a US$14.3 million deal from the US Army in support of US European Command (EUCOM).
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Oshkosh awarded $215 million in truck contracts]()
Oshkosh awarded $215 million in truck contracts
Oshkosh Defence has sold more than 2,000 Family of Medium Truck Vehicles (FMTV) A2 trucks and completed air drops of the M1093A2 (A2) FMTV trucks from Boeing C-17 heavy lift and Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical lift aircraft in 2024.
-
![GDLS plans to deliver prototype armed Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle in 2025]()
GDLS plans to deliver prototype armed Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle in 2025
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is building the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Command, Control, Communications, Computers/Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C4/UAS) for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Approximately 500 ARV 30mm autocannon (ARV-30) are expected to be procured by the USMC.
-
![Future of the US Army’s IVAS programme remains unknown]()
Future of the US Army’s IVAS programme remains unknown
Despite recently releasing an Request for Information (RfI) under the IVAS programme, it remains unclear if the US Army will recompete the initiative.
-
![Italy aims for $26 billion vehicle investment and prepares for cyber defence]()
Italy aims for $26 billion vehicle investment and prepares for cyber defence
Italy’s Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS) system began seven years ago in an effort to replace older vehicles such as M113s and the force is also looking to replace its C1 Ariete Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).
