WICHITA, Kan. — JULY 30, 2018 — Textron Systems and Textron Aviation, businesses of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today the successful integration and demonstration of the company’s manned-unmanned teaming capability via the Textron Systems’ Synturian® control and collaboration technology and Textron Aviation Defense Scorpion jet.
“Through Textron Systems’ extensive experience in the field and Textron Aviation Defense’s expertise, we realize the revolutionary benefits that manned-unmanned teaming can deliver to keep manned assets out of harm’s way,” said Textron Systems Vice President of Programs Wayne Prender. “Together, Synturian command and control technologies and the Scorpion jet take this capability to the next-level – increasing Textron Systems’ Level of Interoperability (LOI) from 3 to 4, while enabling multi-vehicle command and control from a moving airborne asset.”
During the rapid proof of concept demonstration, the team installed Synturian software — a vital element of Textron Systems’ new family of multi-domain control and collaboration technologies — into the cockpit mission computer of the Scorpion jet. The team simulated a NIGHTWARDEN® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System and an Aerosonde™ Small Unmanned Aircraft System for the demonstration, which featured flight acquisition and control of the simulated air vehicles and sensors (up to LOI 4). Using Synturian, the Scorpion aircrew set up flight route waypoints, established surveillance orbits, steered the sensor and changed the unmanned aircraft heading, airspeed and altitude. The simulated unmanned aircraft were then able to operate without further aircrew interaction.
“The ability to easily and intuitively control unmanned systems from the cockpit of a manned tactical aircraft is a game-changer,” said Textron Aviation Defense Senior Flight Test Pilot Brett Pierson, after flying the Scorpion-Synturian test missions. “The tactical and operational ramifications of this new capability are enormous. Further extending Scorpion’s sensor suite and penetrating a weather layer to generate target coordinates; or creating a triangulated solution independently; or adding layers to a multi-spectral fused solution, deliver an entirely new set of tactical capabilities that have never been possible in a fighter-typed aircraft.”
Moving forward, Textron Systems and Textron Aviation Defense plan to advance integration efforts, testing and demonstrating this transformational capability with fully-operational unmanned aircraft to interested customers worldwide.
Synturian control and collaboration technologies empower situational awareness and informed action. The Synturian family of products includes two main product lines — Synturian Control and Synturian Remote. Synturian Control is a multi-platform, multi-vehicle, multi-domain control system that enhances collaboration and dissemination of information. Synturian Remote features mobile, network-strengthened tools that enhance situational awareness through timely information and collaboration. Both Synturian Control and Synturian Remote package these capabilities into small, lightweight hardware form factors that are scalable based on customer needs.
Designed and built with leading-edge technologies, the Textron Aviation Defense Scorpion jet is a bold new direction for tactical aircraft. The Scorpion jet equips the warfighter with a technological advantage while delivering exceptional mission readiness at unparalleled low acquisition, operating and training costs. With its 85-cubic ft. center payload bay, easily field-configurable mission packages, six hard points, fast dash speeds and extended endurance and loiter time, the Scorpion’s versatility is unmatched. Built to excel as an affordable multi-role platform, the Scorpion jet delivers ISR, armed reconnaissance, CAS, maritime and border patrol and jet training capabilities.
Synturian/Scorpion integration video and images
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems’ businesses develop and integrate products, services and support for aerospace and defense customers, as well as civil and commercial customers including those in law enforcement, security, border patrol and critical infrastructure protection around the globe. Harnessing agility and a broad base of expertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses design, manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand customer capabilities and deliver value. For more information, visit www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Aviation Defense LLC
When military customers need airborne solutions for their critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation Defense. Provider of the world’s leading military flight trainer, the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft has logged more than 3.2 million hours across nearly a dozen countries worldwide since 1994. Purpose-built for light attack and counter-insurgency missions, the AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircraft capitalizes on a strong heritage and an established global logistics infrastructure at a fraction of the acquisition, sustainment and training costs of traditional combat aircraft. Scorpion jet’s unparalleled low acquisition, operating and training costs equip our warfighters with exceptional mission readiness, an 85 cubic ft payload bay, multi-spectral enhanced targeting, and a full array of DoD-proven precision and general purpose munitions with limitless possibilities. Textron’s innovative technologies and advanced engineering techniques equip military customers with the performance, reliability and technological advantage they expect from an industry leader, all backed by the most capable global service network. Visit defense.txtav.com and scorpion.txtav.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses or delays in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in worldwide economic or political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates or foreign exchange rates; our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; the U.S. Government’s ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government’s convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, or, under certain circumstances, to withhold payment or suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; and performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors or business partners.
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