In this presentation by Mr Ken Loving, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, to the Williams Foundation, the focus was upon the evolving capabilities of the unmanned segment of the air combat force. The seminar focused on the way ahead with regard to air-land integration. Air Force needs to be capable of delivering air and space power effects to support conventional and special operations in the land domain. Air Force’s Plan Jericho and Army’s Plan Beersheba need to align if there is to be a coordinated approach to integrating air base operations, air mobility, close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and rotary wing aviation. To date, little attention has been paid to the integration of technology across service lines, the development of integrated tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and a coherent joint collective training program. Air Force and Army need to remediate existing deficiencies and implement a capability management process that leaves it postured to take advantage of the transformative nature of fifth generation technology. The seminar explored the art of the possible in future Air-Land operations.

1. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
General Atomics Global
Predator XP ISR Solutions
March 2014
Future Systems for Unmanned Aircraft
Ken Loving, GA-ASI

2. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
The World’s Benchmark RPAS
Every second of every day, nearly 70 Predator-
series aircraft are airborne worldwide
Long Endurance Mission Flexibility Best Value
4 Million total flight hours
2015 – 540,000 flight hours

3. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
The Big Three
• Sensors
• Weapons
• Communications
Not stand alone but part of the networked, System of
Systems approach: enhancing what's in the
battlespace and employing the Swiss Army knife better
Armed RPAS: System Growth Areas
Networked

4. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Seamless strategic to tactical effects for organic
and non-organic assets
• Enhanced inflight mission adaptability
• Measured attritability in A2/AD environment
• Man-Unmanned Teaming through collaborative
autonomy
– Provide a persistent adjunct to other assets
• Better preparation and control of the battlespace
– Enhances Lethality, Mobility and Force Protection
– Improve Mission Command on the move
– Enhance and exploit Cyber capabilities
Key Future Concepts

5. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Enhances Lethality, Mobility and Force Protection
– Flexibility of employment & C2
– Sensors utility across the battlespace
– Flexibility and availability of weapons
– Expanded network node
Manned-Unmanned Teaming Advantages

6. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Mission Command on the move
– Data feeds across the battlefield sent directly to
command posts and manoeuvre units to increase
situational awareness
– Speeds up sensor-to-shooter cycle
Manned-Unmanned Teaming Advantages (cont.)

7. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• EW & Cyber
– Expands the sensor net and sensor flexibility
– Extends the options of delivering disruptive technologies
and monitoring their effects
– Coalition interoperability is key
Manned Unmanned Teaming Advantages (cont.)

8. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Airborne Tactical Gateway
– Configurable
– Autonomous
– Networked
• EW Cyber Payload
– Configurable
– Autonomous
– Networked
• Lasers
– Directed energy as a weapon
– Communications
Enabling Technologies

9. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Enables real-time information flow across the
battlespace between similar and dissimilar tactical
communications systems
– Performs as a translation proxy between dissimilar
communications systems allowing interoperability
without modification to airborne and ground systems
Airborne Tactical Gateway

10. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• 150kw class system
• Designed to counter rockets, artillery, mortars; counter cruise
missiles; counter aircraft; defend against surface to air missiles
• Testing in progress
Directed Energy

11. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
• Secure communication and Wide bandwidth
• Precise point to point
• New generation of antennas needed
• Works well in space – new generation of LED lasers
needed for aircraft & ground units
Aircraft Laser Communications

12. Approved for Public Release. This presentation does not contain technical
data per ITAR 22 CFR parts 120-130.
General Atomics Australia
Director of International Strategic
Development, Australia and Southeast Asia
Warren Ludwig, G1, 55 Blackall Street
Barton, ACT. 2600
O: +61 2 6273 1400 M: +61 419 304 928
General Atomics Contacts
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
International Strategic Development
Technical Systems and Services
Kenneth Loving, G1, 55 Blackall Street
Barton, ACT. 2600
O: +61 2 6273 1400 M: +61 418 910 610