Boeing and Northrop Grumman achieved manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) between the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton to advance maritime patrol capabilities.
Boeing press release
Boeing and Northrop Grumman successfully simulated teaming between a manned P-8A Poseidon and unmanned MQ-4C Triton, demonstrating how the platforms can share intelligence, mission planning and execution. This jointly funded technology collaboration applied universal standard interfaces to make integration across platforms quicker and more cost effective for operators.
Standards-based manned-unmanned teaming
- In the lab demonstration, a P-8A operator issued machine readable, machine actionable mission tasking to a simulated MQ-4C Triton using UCI formatted messages.
- The P-8A cued the Triton transit to a specific area. After receiving the request, the Triton autonomously planned and executed a transit to the area, employed sensors per the tasking, processed findings onboard, and reported results back to the P-8A Poseidon.
- Data routes included satellite relay to reflect realistic operational communications. Mission management and autonomy layers communicated via OMS/UCI rather than custom point to point interfaces.
Operational and interoperability advantages
- Using UCI, the platforms can collaborate with any U.S. or allied asset sharing the same interface — reducing operator workload by distributing the mission tasks and accelerating commander decisions, making integration across platforms quicker and more cost effective.
- UCI is a machine-to-machine collaboration standard based on Open Mission Systems and Autonomy – Government Reference Architecture.
- Boeing’s and Northrop Grumman’s commitment to investing and partnering are accelerating capabilities for U.S. and international partners.
Experts:
Tory Peterson, vice president, Boeing P-8 Program: “This Poseidon-Triton teaming demonstration unlocks real-world capability and interoperability for the U.S. and allies. We’re investing so that current and future global P-8A operators can expand the scope and effectiveness of their missions with low risk, evolutionary enhancements on the most advanced maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft already in service.”
Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, global surveillance division, Northrop Grumman: “MQ-4C Triton and P-8A are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force, delivering complementary capabilities unmatched by any other platforms. This demonstration underscores the flexibility of our systems, our unwavering industry investment and the strength of our industry partnerships. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of advanced technology ensures that the U.S. and allied nations operators maintain an unparalleled edge against evolving maritime threats.”
Program details:
The P-8A Poseidon is the world’s most advanced multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft that provides anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and search and rescue mission capabilities. Learn more about the P-8 Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
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Northrop Grumman press release
In a jointly funded technology demonstration, Northrop Grumman and Boeing demonstrated enhanced interoperability between the unmanned MQ-4C Triton and the manned P-8A Poseidon. In a first, the ability for the two systems to collaborate and automate mission control over open systems architecture was shown. This event is one example of how Northrop Grumman is committed to investing to accelerate capabilities for U.S. and international customers.
- The lab demonstration featured MQ-4C Triton and P-8A Poseidon exchanging maritime intelligence through a standardized interface that enables machine-to-machine mission planning and execution across platforms. In the exchange, Triton’s system used AI algorithms to collect, process and share intelligence data with P-8A Poseidon in response to a request sent by the P-8A Poseidon system.
- Using this standardized interface, Triton can collaborate with other U.S. or allied assets sharing the same interface — cutting operator workload and accelerating commander decision-making, making integration across platforms quicker and more cost effective.
- The Universal Command and Control Interface is a machine-to-machine collaboration standard based on Open Mission Systems and Autonomy – Government Reference Architecture.
Experts:
Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, global surveillance division, Northrop Grumman: “MQ-4C Triton and P-8A are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force, delivering complementary capabilities unmatched by any other platforms. This demonstration underscores the flexibility of our systems, our unwavering industry investment and the strength of our industry relationships. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of advanced technology ensures that the U.S. and allied nations operators maintain an unparalleled edge against evolving maritime threats.”
Tory Peterson, vice president, Boeing P-8 Program: “This Poseidon-Triton teaming demonstration unlocks real-world capability and interoperability for the U.S. and allies. We’re investing so that current and future global P-8A operators can expand the scope and effectiveness of their missions with low risk, evolutionary enhancements on the most advanced maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft already in service.”
Program Details:
Triton is the world’s premier unmanned maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting aircraft. Built for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California facility, Triton supports a wide range of missions, including maritime patrol, signals intelligence and search and rescue. These aircraft deliver unmatched persistent surveillance, enabling early prediction of adversary behavior, improved planning and enhanced joint military operations.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
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