L3 Harris “develops robotic-based short-range mobile air defence/C-UAS capability”

L3Harris’ Agile Development Group has been iteratively developing a robotic based, highly mobile, short range air defence capability. The prototype system participated in this year’s Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4) field experiment and seamlessly integrated advanced long-range surveillance and electronic attack (EA) capabilities onto a fully autonomous combat vehicle, enhancing ground-based air defence with beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations, says the company in a press release. The team adapted BLOS technology to an additional platform while at the event, demonstrating their ability to respond to emerging robotic system demands.

“This testing demonstrated the precision accuracy of the WESCAM MX-10D reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition multi-sensor imaging and designator system,” says the company. “It also included several communications tests, providing insights related to integration, performance and applicability of modular and open communication systems, and true resiliency for mission-relevant data links. The communications capabilities tested included the RASOR modular communications chassis, Mobile Ad Hoc Network WRAITH, a SATCOM On-the-Move antenna, the AN/PRC-158 Next Gen radio, a RF-7850W high-capacity line of sight radio and a hardened third-party commercial space internet satellite.

“These field tests show the potential for air defence systems to evolve into nimble, tactical assets that enable protection to ground units at low levels. The prototype development and testing has revealed that the operational range of autonomous ground platforms performing missions can be expanded by several orders of magnitude, liberating them from the constraints of traditional data link ranges. The system also highlighted the potential for increased payload automation to ensure mission integrity in the face of link degradation or attack.”