ericinexile Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the AH-64D Apache Block III prototype helicopter successfully demonstrated Level IV unmanned aircraft system (UAS) connectivity on June 8 during a flight test over the Arizona desert. Level IV UAS connectivity is one of the key technology enhancements being developed for the U.S. Army's Apache Block III attack helicopter program. At this level, the Apache crew is able to fully control the navigation of an assigned UAS. The capability provides enhanced situational awareness and over-the-horizon, beyond line-of-sight reconnaissance, improving survivability for the crew and the aircraft. (Level I connectivity is receipt and transmission of secondary imagery or data, Level II is receipt of imagery or data directly from the UAS and Level III is control of the UAS payload.) During the test, the Apache proved capable of controlling the UAS via a Tactical Common Data Link connection. The Apache crew received real-time video from the UAS, controlled the UAS's three navigation-loiter patterns -- orbit, racetrack and figure eight -- and altered the UAS's airspeed and altitude... Actually I don't want any of this (or the Apache for that matter). It would put my poor wingy out of work. I just found it interesting. Smokin' Hole My DCS wish list: Su25, Su30, Mi24, AH1, F/A-18C, Afghanistan ...and frankly, the flight sim world should stop at 1995.
Panzertard Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Boing officially introduced an "I Win!" button in the Apache along with the said upgrade. They now reduced the pilots training period to 2 days to learn how to push the button and eject. It's a truly awesome machine - indeed. It demands respect from the battelfield. ;) 1 The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open | The important thing is not to stop questioning
AlphaOneSix Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 One of my coworkers who used to fly Apaches was part of this program for some time. He said that they could do everything with the UAV except land or takeoff. Primarily, as you can imagine, it was used for scouting ahead to get a more up-to-date picture of the battle area...basically cutting out the middle man and allowing the customer to directly control his support asset. My coworker did this with a Predator, but it has also been done (in 2006) with an upgraded MH-6 (the "Unmanned Little Bird", or ULB).
AlphaOneSix Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Ah Ha! Found the video I was looking for, its part of a Future Weapons episode, and it's specifically relating to the Unmanned Little Bird, but at 4:50 into the video, they talk about controlling it from an Apache that's set up for UAS connectivity.
joey45 Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 until it gets shot down... The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. "Me, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, here on the ED forums at 3 'o' clock in the morning, with my reputation. Are they mad.." https://ko-fi.com/joey45
sobek Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 until it gets shot down... How come you only do one-liners lately? :) 1 Good, fast, cheap. Choose any two. Come let's eat grandpa! Use punctuation, save lives!
joey45 Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 depressed. no work, no money and no girl. and 3DSMAX is doing my head in... 1 The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. "Me, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, here on the ED forums at 3 'o' clock in the morning, with my reputation. Are they mad.." https://ko-fi.com/joey45
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