For the first time, semi-UAVs from the US Air Force flew in formation and performed maneuvers typical of air combat.
According to a recent announcement by Shield, Hivemind's autonomous flight control software for the Joint Fighter Concept. CCA), allowed a group of such devices to fly in a single formation and use tactics to conduct combat beyond visual visibility.
The press release did not specify exactly how many UAVs were involved in the Oct. 26 flight or which CCA models were involved in the exercise.
"We are pleased that the level of integration between aircraft and onboard systems has reached a stage where we can demonstrate the true capabilities of Hivemind," said Todd Wesley, Shield's vice president of Hivemind Engineering in a statement.
Each such flight reportedly allows you to collect data to update the software, which in turn helps make decisions about further testing and systems adoption.
"The process of updating Hivemind's software and the aircraft itself is getting to the point where the Air Force can fly a sortie, update the software overnight and be back in the air the next day," Wesley explained. "I am grateful to the Air Force operators, engineers and test teams who work alongside us and help build trust in the system on every flight."
This demonstration of capabilities took place against the background of the stated plans of the US Air Force: by 2032, the department intends to have at its disposal 500 combat-ready semi-autonomous systems, and the total number of such a fleet of UAVs should be 1,000 units. The 2027 budget request for the CCA program includes $996.5 million for equipment procurement, $150 million for pre-procurement funding for the next fiscal year and $1.37 billion.