BAMS-D completes first deployment
The Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator returned to Patuxent River Naval Air Station Oct. 1 after a successful first deployment to Central Command.
During an eight-month deployment, the BAMS-D — managed by the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office (PMA-262) — flew over 60 flights, totaling over 1,000 flight hours, and provided Commander Task Force 57 (CTF-57) with thousands of images to support maritime intelligence and surveillance activities.
“The BAMS-D team performed superbly in executing this flawless, in-theater swap of a high-demand asset,” said Capt. Bob Dishman, program manager. “The BAMS-Demonstrator is proving the value that a persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability brings to the warfighter.”
The Navy owns two BAMS-D aircraft, formerly known as Global Hawk Maritime Demonstrators. The BAMS-D program has been developing tactics and doctrine for the employment of high-altitude unmanned patrol aircraft since November 2006.
A team from Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5, NAVAIR and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) conducted the deployment. A forward-deployed contingent of NGC personnel, under oversight of Patrol Wings 2 and 5, provided maintenance for the aircraft while working closely with counterparts on the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk maintenance team.
Once airborne, BAMS-D was operated from a ground station aboard Pax River. The team flew the aircraft, operated the sensors, performed first-pass analysis of intelligence data and provided information to CTF-57 in near real time.
“This sort of worldwide operation was once science fiction, but for the Navy’s BAMS-D team, it has become routine. A challenging routine of working evenings, late nights, early mornings, holidays and weekends proves the team’s dedication to providing essential intelligence support to front-line fleet forces,” said Mike McDaniel, BAMS-D test director.
Prior to the aircraft’s return, a second BAMS-D deployed from Pax. The returning aircraft will undergo depot-level maintenance and conduct test operations.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.