Lockheed Martin controls multiple UAVs with integrated C2

Lockheed Martin has shown that a single integrated command and control (C2) system can monitor and control multiple types of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) during a recent demonstration at NAVAIR. The demonstration was conducted in support of the US Navy's upcoming Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System (UCLASS) and Common Control System programmes.

During the demonstration, Lockheed Martin’s C2 system controlled both the unmanned air vehicles and their on-board mission system sensors, and integrated with other navy C2 and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) planning and execution systems to provide operators with one comprehensive mission picture.

Rob Weiss, executive vice president of Advanced Strike and Intelligence and Reconnaissance Systems for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said: ‘This demonstration is an important step to fulfilling the navy's requirement for a Common Control System that leverages multiple architectures from varied operational systems. A combined C2 and ISR capability will be essential as the navy integrates UAS, beginning with UCLASS, into its ISR enterprise. We believe in their vision and this demonstration is an example of our work to reduce risk and make the Common Control System a reality.’

During the demonstration, the Lockheed Martin team integrated C2 and ISR systems to provide mission planning, sensor and common operational control for multiple UAS platforms, including Lockheed Martin's UCLASS concept. Using an open architecture framework integrated with DreamHammer's Ballista drone control software and navy compliant software protocols, a single operator managed multiple UAS platforms simultaneously. 

The team also used the new Navy Cloud capability to demonstrate control of the ISR sensors and fully integrate the data into one complete mission picture. The team then used this picture to rapidly re-task and re-route the UAS assets. In addition to using DreamHammer's Ballista drone control software in this UCLASS demonstration, Lockheed Martin is teamed with DreamHammer Government Solutions in pursuit of the upcoming Navy Common Control System contract.

Jim Quinn, vice president of C4ISR Systems for Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions, said: ‘This demonstration underscores the critical role that common command and control systems can play in actual operations by highlighting the ability to enrich the overall ISR picture and increase the speed of decision making. An integrated battlespace picture emerges when we link the platforms, sensors, and information collected into one enterprise view that will enable the US Navy to better achieve their C2 and ISR missions.’