Data Link Assembly from Longbow Demonstrate Ability to Control Unmanned Aerial Systems

The Data Link Controls UAS from Longbow have demonstrated their ability to control an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), while both were in the air, from an AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter. Longbow is a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

The UTA displayed its ability to control the flight path and payload of Gray Eagle (MQ-1C) during the flight test, with both aircrafts being airborne. This marks a significant achievement in the manned-unmanned teaming of UTA and UAS systems. The product manager of Apache Block III explained that the success of this testing will provide a new dimension to warfighting abilities of Block III. The President of Longbow pointed out that with UTA control, the operational capabilities of the Apache will be enhanced and the safety of its pilots will be increased. The testing procedure was 100% successful in bringing out the operational efficiency of the UTA and gave the Apache crew a good understanding of the system. The UTA facilitates flight path and sensor control of the UAS by establishing a high-band width data link for the UAS crew. Long range control of the UAS is made possible by this link and high quality live videos are streamed via the link.

The LONGBOW system comprises either a UTA or a fire control radar, a HELLFIRE millimeter wave-guided missile with radar frequency and a M299 launcher, which is all-digital for the AH-64D Apache helicopter. The LONGBOW UTA will be deployed on the Apache Block III aircraft from 2012.