DAYTON, Ohio, May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force
Research Laboratories (AFRL) recently completed a round of flight
tests on its Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) led Multiple
Intruder Autonomous Avoidance (MIAA) program. The flight tests
demonstrate the robustness and maturity of the Department of
Defense's (DOD) standard collision avoidance software known as
Multiple Sensor Integrated Conflict Avoidance (MuSICA).
The MIAA program is one building block in a portfolio of AFRL
applied research and advanced development programs that is
developing and demonstrating Sense and Avoid (SAA) technology to
provide unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with the ability to
automatically detect and avoid collisions with other airspace
users.
Multiple flight tests utilized a Learjet programmed to fly like
an autonomous Global Hawk UAS, while equipped with a SAA system.
The flight test configuration included updated MuSICA software that
incorporated the definition of 'well-clear' recently defined by the
DOD Science and Research Panel and modified by RTCA SC-228 to
automatically maneuver the jet with sufficient margin to remain
well clear of other airborne traffic.
"The MIAA program evolved from concept into a successful SAA
hardware demonstration," said Paul
Schaeffer, Air Force program manager for Air Borne Sense and
Avoid. "I am pleased that MuSICA was able to positively execute and
maintain the RTCA SC-228 definition of 'well-clear' with single and
multiple cooperative and non-cooperative Federal Aviation
Administration-supplied aircraft. This multi-leveled partnership
team transformed research and development standards that are
already benefiting our Nation."
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the Air Force's only
organization wholly dedicated to leading the discovery, development
and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space and
cyberspace forces.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation