AUVSI: Raytheon progresses with SOA solution

Raytheon will perform an inaugural demonstration of its Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) in October as it looks to become the first company to market a generic electronic architecture solution to the US Department of Defense.

Speaking to Shephard at Unmanned Systems North America in Washington, DC, Raytheon senior principal systems engineer for advanced concepts and systems architecture, Mike High said the laboratory-based test would take place in Tuscon, Arizona.

The test will launch a series of further demonstrations by Raytheon as it looks to gain support from the US Army and Air Force 'Victory' Standards Authority and the Naval Open Architecture (NOA) group.

'UAVs such as Predator and Reaper for example, have very closed architecture right now. Three years ago we recognised this opportunity as a mission systems provider and therefore we want to get on platforms,' High said.

'We have got a certain capability now with our Systems Integration Laboratory and the October test will demonstrate communications, sensors, vehicle and systems manager [applications] on an ISR mission,' he continued.

This test will be followed early next year with a flight demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, where an undisclosed UAV platform and communications provider will perform an ISR mission involving a time-critical engagement, High said. This will involve the Raytheon Small Tactical Munition, Shephard was informed.

Beyond this, a full 'two-ship formation' demonstration is scheduled later in the year in order to bring in a 'non-kinetic effect'. Raytheon was unable to supply any further details on this particular phase.

To date, Raytheon has developed eight 'apps' for its unmanned systems SOA including an effects, sensors, survivability, communications, situation awareness, information, mission management and vehicle managers.

High said that Raytheon was talking to the US Navy regarding SOA's potential for UCLASS and MRMUAS although he was realistic about failed calls for such a capability in the past including F-22 and F-35 programmes. 'By next Spring, we want to show that we have done it', High proclaimed.