U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® Demonstrate First Live Control of an Uncrewed Air Vehicle by UMCS and MDCX™

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the U.S. Navy achieved a significant milestone in unmanned aviation with the first-ever live control flight demonstration of an uncrewed system using the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS). The demonstration involved controlling a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger using Skunk Works® MDCX™ autonomy platform. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots in Maryland successfully controlled the MQ-20 during its flight in California, demonstrating beyond line-of-sight capabilities. This advancement supports the Navy's Carrier Air Wing of the Future vision and marks progress in developing common control architecture for crewed-uncrewed teaming programs.

Positive

• First successful demonstration of UMCS controlling an uncrewed air system
• Advancement in beyond line-of-sight control capabilities
• Progress in developing common control architecture for military applications
• Successful integration of third-party platform with UMCS

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

The successful demonstration of UMCS and MDCX™ technology represents a significant advancement in military aviation capabilities. This milestone has substantial implications for Lockheed Martin's position in the autonomous systems market and future defense contracts. The collaboration between LMT, the U.S. Navy and General Atomics establishes a strong foundation for the Carrier Air Wing of the Future program.

The Tri-Service Memorandum of Understanding suggests broader market opportunities across military branches. The demonstration's success validates LMT's investment in autonomous systems and positions them favorably for upcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) contracts. The open architecture approach ensures compatibility with third-party platforms, expanding potential revenue streams through system integration services.

While immediate financial impact may be , this technological breakthrough strengthens LMT's competitive advantage in the rapidly growing $30+ billion military drone market.

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) collaborated with the U.S. Navy and General Atomics (GA) in a first-ever live control flight demonstration of an uncrewed system by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS).

Powered by the Skunk Works^® MDCX™ autonomy platform, the UMCS controlled a GA MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed air system (UAS) as it completed a live fly mission. This demonstration is a pathfinder that helps to advance the complex technology necessary to enable crewed and uncrewed teaming as envisioned for programs such as CCA and others.

The flight test is a significant milestone in the development of UMCS, setting the stage for the Navy's future unmanned aviation operations.

MDCX™ enabled the U.S. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots at Patuxent River, Maryland to control the MQ-20 during its flight in California.

"Skunk Works is proud to collaborate with the Navy to bring its Carrier Air Wing of the Future vision to life," said John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "The MDCX made it possible to rapidly integrate the MQ-20 'autonomy core' with the UMCS, demonstrating common control capability and third-party platform integration."

"Autonomous collaborative platforms that are mission capable with technologies that have been demonstrated at high readiness levels and the maturation of those technologies is just one of the focus areas for GA-ASI," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "This collaboration with the USN and Lockheed Martin advances the UMCS's beyond line-of-sight capabilities, while demonstrating the maturity of our Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem (TacACE)."

"This was a huge step for unmanned naval aviation," said Lt. Steven Wilster, MQ-25 AVP. "This demo showcased UMCS's first live control of an unmanned air vehicle, and it was great to be part of history in the making. The team is paving the way for integrating critical unmanned capability across the joint force to combat the high-end threat our warfighters face today and in the future."

The U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps are collaborating via a Tri-Service Memorandum of Understanding on critical sub-systems for CCA platforms. The Navy leads the U.S. Department of Defense in developing a common control architecture and ground control station (GCS) for these systems. This work is being done in collaboration with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, leveraging decades of operational experience delivering GCSs underpinned by the U.S. government's Open Mission Systems architecture for third-party platform integration for optimal interoperability.  

The Navy will refine UMCS's requirements based on data from this demonstration and conduct further flight tests  to advance command and control technologies, autonomy and crewed-uncrewed teaming.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security^® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. 

 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

FAQ

What did Lockheed Martin (LMT) achieve in the recent UMCS demonstration?

Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever live control flight demonstration of an uncrewed MQ-20 Avenger system using the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS), powered by MDCX™ autonomy platform.

How does the UMCS demonstration impact Lockheed Martin's (LMT) military capabilities?

The demonstration advances Lockheed Martin's capabilities in crewed-uncrewed teaming programs and common control architecture, supporting the Navy's Carrier Air Wing of the Future vision.

Where was the Lockheed Martin (LMT) UMCS demonstration conducted?

The demonstration involved Navy Air Vehicle Pilots at Patuxent River, Maryland controlling an MQ-20 aircraft during its flight in California.