General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) today announced its successful demonstration of Predator B’s Electronic Attack capability on the U.S. Marine Corp’s (USMC’s) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course held at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Yuma on April 12.
“With this powerful display of Predator B as a viable and capable EW platform, we’re poised to offer even greater value as a multi-mission RPA solution for the Marines to deal with their EW requirements,” said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI.
The purpose of the demonstration was to judge the viability of a RPA to conduct electronic warfare missions against enemy air defenses in support of tactical strike aircraft. GA-ASI participated with an organization-owned Predator B RPA equipped with a jamming pod containing a Northrop Grumman Digital Receiver/Exciter and regulated by a GA-ASI Ground Control Station (GCS). Predator B was fully integrated into the advanced Command and Control (C2) networks and Electronic Warfare (EW) architecture of the exercise, with over 20 aircraft participating. The Northrop Grumman payload proved to be effective and seamlessly integrated with the Predator B avionics, command and control architecture.
Future demonstrations will expand at the success and lessons learned from using Predator B to execute a multi-node approach against a more capable Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) in concert with other unmanned aircraft systems and EA-6B Prowlers in future training exercises. The main focus of future demonstrations should be on a more integrated and networked EW capability, expanding the C2 network to direct the aircraft’s EW payload and other assets from the Cyber/Electronic Warfare Coordination Cell (C/EWCC) located at MCAS Yuma. In future demonstrations, the C/EWCC will support large aircraft strike packages addressing simulated targets over 300 miles north located at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake.
“We are using multiple platforms in a networked solution to prosecute the IADS to offer protection to our strikers as they hit their targets,” stated Major Charles Dudik, HQMC Aviation EW Requirements Officer. “It is a non-traditional strategy to this problem set, but we believe here is where the longer term is headed for EW.”
A technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator, the multi-mission Predator B provides essential situational awareness for warfighters, excelling in combat missions specializing in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), precision strike on time-sensitive targets, Close Air Support (CAS), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Forward Air Control (FAC), Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA), and now airborne Electronic Attack.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a number one designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle, the recent Predator C Avenger, and Predator XP.
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