Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium’s Post

The Power – and Perils - of Roadmaps Planning is a necessity for life, and certainly for large organizations and ecosystems, including everything having to do with aviation. Any program that has impacts lasting for decades necessarily must be well thought out, as early and as thoroughly as possible. The problem with roadmaps is that they cannot – by definition – include disruptive changes, whether in process or product. 10 years ago, no serious planner expected to harness AI to manage airport ground operations using AI – but now half a dozen capable companies are making that happen. I was reminded of this today when a friend sent me a DoD request for newly developed equipment to electrify moving aircraft around on the ground (tugs, dollies, etc.).  https://lnkd.in/eSnG4Ecr  Extracted: Aircraft handling support equipment (SE) comprise a significant number of emissions-generating vehicles on naval ships and Navy/Marine Corps installations. In alignment with the National Defense Strategy, the Department of Defense (DoD) is prioritizing energy demand reduction by adopting more efficient technologies that increase range, endurance, and operational flexibility in contested environments. Of course the government should not needlessly waste energy. But is this the right path? "DoD is seeking commercially-proven hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric systems capable of performing aircraft handling in support of Navy and Marine Corps missions. These SE perform aircraft spotting maneuvers for a variety of aircraft, including but not limited to: E-2C/D, F/A-18 (all variants), E/A-18G, F-35B/C, H-53E/K, H-60R/S, T-45, V-22 (all variants), and potentially, unmanned aerial vehicles. The government requires commercial solutions for two common-use SE items:   1.            Mid-range tow tractors favored for land-based usage, used to transport aircraft and other towable ground support equipment over longer distances, and   2.            Spotting dollies favored for shipboard usage, with shorter distances traversed and narrow clearance for aircraft repositioning."   The underlying assumptions for this proposal are uninformed by what happens when change is not incremental. After all, who needs a tug when an internally-powered wheel can move the aircraft without relying on any external vehicles (whether diesel, hybrid, or electric)?  www.WheelTug.com is disruptive. So are other technologies that can shift the ground under the very best plans – like AI. Roadmap planners cannot anticipate disruption, which means those plans fall by the wayside more often than not. It is a challenge!  

The Evolution of Unmanned Military Embedded Systems The landscape of modern warfare is constantly evolving, and at the forefront of this transformation are unmanned military embedded systems. These sophisticated technologies extend across various platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), all designed to enhance the capabilities of armed forces while minimizing risk to personnel. Recent advancements in unmanned systems have been remarkable. For instance, the Dutch Navy's adoption of High Eye's Airboxer vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aerial system (VTOL UAV) for maritime operations signifies a leap forward in naval technology[^3]. These systems are not only capable of sophisticated surveillance but also provide vital support in logistics and combat scenarios. The U.S. Marine Corps' testing of autonomous aerial resupply drones, developed by companies like Leidos and Elroy Air, demonstrates the potential for these systems to revolutionize supply chains in remote and hostile environments[^3]. Moreover, the development of uncrewed turreted mortar systems by Elbit and the procurement of EOD robots by the U.K. defense ministry from L3Harris indicate a trend towards more autonomous battlefield support systems. One of the key benefits of these systems is their ability to "see first, shoot second," a capability that is being further enhanced with the integration of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). This approach not only improves the speed and accuracy of military operations but also significantly reduces the risk to human soldiers. The push for innovation in military embedded systems is not slowing down. The demand for versatility, simplicity, and ease of use is driving the industry to develop more agile and adaptive solutions. As the Department of Defense (DoD) emphasizes the need for agility to counter the rise of drones, companies are responding with cutting-edge technologies that promise to keep the military at the forefront of modern warfare capabilities. As we look to the future, the question remains: Will the U.S. military aircraft fleet transition to being predominantly uncrewed? With the rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing reliance on unmanned systems for a variety of missions, it's a possibility that seems more likely than ever before[. The integration of AI, electronic warfare, and cyber security into these systems is not just a testament to human ingenuity but also a necessary step to maintain strategic advantages in an increasingly complex global security landscape. The journey of unmanned military embedded systems is one of continuous innovation, and it is clear that they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense strategies worldwide. #COUNTER_UAS #UNMANNED_CONNECTORS #UNMANNEDISR #UNMANNED_PAYLOADS #UNMANNED_POWER #ELECTRONICS #UNMANNED_RUGGED #COMPUTING #UNMANNED_SENSORS #UNMANNED_TEST #Unmanned_News

Wishing good luck to all this Friday the 13th! In this week's newsletter: The Air Force is putting AMRAAMs onto its first increment of loyal wingman drones. And two CCA prototypes from Anduril and General Atomics will be on display at next week's Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor. In our top story, the Army continues to make news for how it's buying software. Doug Bush talked about the modern software development multiple award IDIQ contract, which has received robust industry feedback. Despite some concerns, he's fine using cost-plus contracts as well as fixed price where appropriate and to save taxpayer money. The Army is also considering not specifying the contract type up front in a task order requirement, in an effort to keep all solutions on the table.  The Air Force is reportedly getting its first taste of capabilities through the Replicator initiative. The drones would support the Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) program, a collaboration with DIU aimed at designing and fielding an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of mass-production at low cost and high volume. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote a detailed letter to lawmakers laying out the costs of the likely six-month continuing resolution. It's bad everywhere, with big ramifications for shipbuilding: there's no official appropriation yet for the second Columbia-class submarine, overhauls to two aircraft carriers would be delayed, and construction of destroyers would be slow down. The lack of FY25 funding increases exacerbate rising costs for labor and supplies. Speaker Mike Johnson is still aiming for a CR that includes the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship from people registering to vote. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for a "clean CR" without such a rider. In ARP news, we're thrilled to bring a short video interview with Amanda Bresler, captured at this year's symposium.   We hope this inspires you to submit your proposal to next year's Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit. https://lnkd.in/dziFJEE #govcon #defenseinnovation #research

It is a nice step forward to see the #Navy collaborating with industry to align on standards for #unmanned & #autonomy technology. In particular, it is encouraging to see that data rights are a key topic of conversation. As BCE Consulting (BCE) global A&D team has studied the unmanned air, surface, and undersea vehicle markets, data rights have always been a key focus as both industry and the Navy seek greater control. We will continue to monitor these ongoing negotiations as the outputs will impact future unmanned and autonomous capability development, procurement, and fielding. Craig Belanger Anirudh Suneel Ben Osterholtz Robyn Pirie

This is an intriguing concept that prompted some broader thoughts on the U.S. Army's ground vehicle modernization strategy. Specifically, could an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) fulfill the role intended for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV)? The answer depends on a detailed analysis of key trade-off decisions. These decisions are significantly influenced by several critical variables, such as operational concepts, the threat environment, industrial capacity, and budget constraints. More importantly, understanding how these variables are projected to evolve over time is crucial. Such projections will significantly influence how factors such as the vehicle's capabilities (mobility, protection, lethality), affordability, interoperability, producibility, usability, and sustainability are prioritized in decision-making. Put simply, does the potential increase in SWAP, and capability of the OMFV outweigh the potentially lower unit cost, greater level of interoperability, and producibility of an IFV variant of the AMPV? (To be clear, these are unfounded assumptions for the sake of discussion) If you were to model it out, how much could chassis commonality across AMPV variants / economic order quantity dynamics impact unit/sustainment costs? From a timeline perspective, what is the likelihood the Army can protect OMFV program funding between now and 2029 (first unit equipped), and sustain that funding through full-rate production? What is the probability of economic, technological, or geopolitical disruptions occurring between now and then that could derail the program? Would it be a safer approach to procure a modernized, "good enough" IFV variant of the AMPV sooner to hedge against long-term uncertainty while still delivering superior capability compared to currently fielded systems? I acknowledge this is a very basic look at the problem. The Army has conducted years of extremely rigorous technical and operational analysis to come to the conclusions it has regarding the OMFV program. That said, have the key variables changed enough to warrant a re-look? DISCLAIMER - Thoughts are my own. No affilation with any of these programs or relevant vendors. #AMPV #OMFV #XM30

Kudos to Michael Robbins and AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International for keeping government & DoD focus on the importance of investing in credible domestic UAV manufacturing. Today. Ensuring the production of critical unmanned capabilities at scale will not only strengthen the US industrial base, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for both near-term and future needs and "bolstering defense readiness," it will also spur economic growth and stability through job creation and continued technology advancements. #CredibleManufactuing #MadeinAmerica #UAV #Manufacturing Inside Unmanned Systems

#APSCON2024 🇺🇸 If you're visiting the Lone Star State this week check out the Smith Myers Communications Ltd Booth #432 and catch up with our team led by co-founder Peter Myers at #APSCON/APSCON UNMANNED in Houston, Texas (29 July - 3 August) organized by the Airborne Public Safety Association 🔵 To book a meeting email: [email protected] 🗓️ Make a note for your diary: Peter (hotfoot from a phenomenally successful Farnborough #FIA2024) will be giving an ARTEMIS presentation “ Detect, Locate, Communicate” on Thursday 1 August 13:00 Tech Talk Theatre # 2. (George R Brown Covention Center) 🟠 The ARTEMIS airborne systems are designed for use on any fixed or rotary wing aircraft, both crewed and remotely piloted. News updates: Smith Myers has added several capabilities to its ARTEMIS mobile phone detection, location, and communication system, which the UK company says “will take the sensor into new operational environments with new customers.” New capabilities of the ARTEMIS+ next-generation system, which Smith Myers revealed this month, include 🔵 cellular mission analysis tools 🔵 advanced cellular interactions 🔵 mission replay 🔵 improved real-time and post-mission mapping 🔵 system output power control. 🟠 Existing ARTEMIS systems are compatible with the new capability set via a software update. 🔵Smith Myers has recently signed several multi-year delivery contracts with a variety of customers, including law enforcement, military, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, maritime, border, and environmental control agencies. The contracts encompass both factory-fitted programs and retrofits for existing fleets across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. #savinglives #lawenforcement #firstresponders #sar #isr #ARTEMIS

👮 Elk Grove PD Sets New Standard: Drones, Tech, and Community for Safer Policing. Police departments nationwide struggle to build trust with communities. The Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) is pioneering a new model. 🛸 Their innovative Drone as First Responder (DFR) program uses technology and community partnerships to make policing safer, more efficient, and build public trust. * Building Trust Through Transparency. The EGPD recognizes concerns about aerial surveillance. To address this, they emphasize the DFR program's limitations. DFRs only deploy for verified calls, gathering real-time video to de-escalate situations and minimize unnecessary officer interaction. 🚨 Imagine a reported disturbance. The DFR can quickly assess the situation, allowing officers to determine the best approach. This transparency helps build trust. * Community Involvement. The DFR program isn't an isolated initiative. Funding came from Measure E, a ballot measure with significant community support. This shows the department's commitment to listening to citizens and investing in solutions they endorse. Partnerships with companies like Aerodome and Flock Safety highlight their willingness to collaborate for innovative public safety solutions. * Potential Benefits. While the DFR program is new, potential benefits exist. Drones can reach locations faster than patrol cars, potentially leading to quicker intervention and improved outcomes. Additionally, DFR intel can help de-escalate situations by providing officers with a clearer picture on the ground 🤔 Finally, DFRs may reduce the risk of officers being placed in dangerous situations by allowing for remote assessment. 💡 A Model for the Future. The Elk Grove PD's DFR program goes beyond technology. It's a commitment to innovation, community engagement, and a safer future for both officers and civilians. Their model offers valuable lessons for police departments seeking to rebuild trust and create a more positive relationship with the public. #elkgrovepd #elkgrove #cityofelkgrove #policetechnology #policeReform #publicSafety #keycafe #communitypolicing #police #policeefficiency #policeprocurement #policebudget #policesafety #policeperformence #policemanagement #policeoversight #policeaccountability #operationalefficiency #operations #enterprise #enterpriseefficiency #enterprisemanagement #management #personneloperations #oversight #security #personnelmanagement