Unmanned, Unlimited: Air Force Special Operations Command Soars to New Heights

In December of ’23, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) teamed up with the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) for a series of demonstrations that shook things up in the world of airborne warfare.

This collab, part of the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) concept, aimed to show just how much potential advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have in changing the game for military ops.

Let’s dive into the highlights of these demos and what they could mean for the future of how we do air power.

Simultaneous Control of Multiple MQ-9A RPAs

First, they pulled off something pretty slick—controlling not one, not two, but three MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) at once.

Picture this: a single crewmember using the AFSOC RPA Control Suite (ARCS), keeping tabs on three birds simultaneously.

This ain’t your grandpa’s remote control plane operation.

With ARCS baked into the Ground Control Station (GCS), they managed to streamline operations and reduce the number of people needed to keep things flying smoothly. Efficiency? Check.

MQ-9A Launching Altius 600 from a Launch Pod

Then they did something that turned heads—they launched an Altius 600 straight from a launch pod hooked up to an MQ-9A.

This move showcased just how versatile these MQ-9As can be.

They’re no longer just flying drones; they’re also carrying and deploying additional equipment, making them even more valuable assets to AFSOC’s air game.

AFSOC’s Adoption of MQ-9B for Rapid Prototyping

Now, what really caught my eye was AFSOC’s decision to snag some MQ-9Bs from GA-ASI for rapid prototyping.

Instead of sticking with the same old Ground Control Station setup, they’re thinking big.

Challenging the status quo 💪

AFSOC's Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) plans to evolve past the historical MQ-9 standard of one crew operating one aircraft. Read more about how our Air Commandos are bringing A2E to life below!https://t.co/oaztibvtxX

— Air Force Special Operations Command (@AFSpecOpsCmd) January 8, 2024

They want to control both MQ-9A and MQ-9B aircraft, plus a whole family of small UAS, using that same ARCS tech.

That’s forward-thinking right there.

It demonstrates that they are not content with what they have; rather, they are constantly striving to improve and adapt.

Streamlining Operations with ARCS

Colonel Trey Olman over at AFSOC isn’t shy about pointing out the importance of these demos.

“These demonstrations were what we needed to really start to make A2E a reality,” Olman noted. “This was the first time we were able to demonstrate control of multiple RPAs from a single workstation, which is important in reducing manpower requirements.”

Cutting down on manpower while ramping up efficiency? That’s the name of the game. Being able to handle multiple RPAs from one workstation? That’s a game-changer, my friends.

It’s all about being lean, mean, and ready to take on whatever comes our way.

Operational Demonstrations at Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range

The demos weren’t just for show, either. They went down at Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range, showing off how this tech can handle different scenarios.

And let me tell you, Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch & Recovery (SLR) played a big role in making sure everything went off without a hitch.

Imagine if three aircraft could be flown by one crew. Now they can.

​GA-ASI and @AFSpecOpsCmd have proved it, as well as MQ-9A's ability to launch the Altius 600 ALE.

Learn how we’re bringing AFSOC's Adaptive Airborne Enterprise to reality: https://t.co/dAxCu72vpB pic.twitter.com/6WISGGaEfJ

— GA-ASI (@GenAtomics_ASI) February 5, 2024

With GA-ASI’s Portable Aircraft Control Stations (PACS) and Ground Control Stations, they launched those three MQ-9As smooth as silk, with control seamlessly shifting over to a single ARCS workstation.

And don’t even get me started on that Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC). That’s some real-deal tech right there, folks.

The A2E Vision and the Role of MQ-9B

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The A2E concept ain’t just about flying drones around for kicks.

It’s about projecting air power from way beyond where the eye can see.

Think big, folks. We’re talking large, unmanned aircraft working alongside smaller, expendable ones.

And the MQ-9B? That’s the star of the show.

With its range, endurance, and flexibility, it’s the perfect tool for getting the job done in some pretty hairy situations.

Integrating the MQ-9A into ARCS is just the beginning. This is about setting the stage for even more advancements down the line, making sure AFSOC stays ahead of the curve.

In the end, what GA-ASI and AFSOC pulled off here is more than some flashy, high-tech demo.

It’s a glimpse into the future of how we do business up in the skies.

These demos show us that unmanned systems aren’t just a nice-to-have; they’re a must-have for keeping our military sharp and ready for whatever comes our way. And mark my words; this is just the beginning.