US Army tests new drone-jamming robot truck with advanced e-warfare power

A prototype for autonomous ground-based air defense made by L3Harris’ Agile Development Group took part in the United States Army’s Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4) field experiment this year.

During the PC-C4 field experiment, the robotic based, highly mobile, short range air defense capability prototype demonstrated its skills and capabilities.

The prototype system integrated advanced long-range surveillance and electronic attack (EA) capabilities onto a fully autonomous combat vehicle, enhancing ground-based air defense with beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.

Moreover, the L3Harris Agile Development Group team also adapted the BLOS technology to an additional platform while at the event, demonstrating their ability to respond to emerging robotic system demands.

L3Harris’ air defense system prototype

According to a press release by L3Harris, the prototype excelled in rigorous field tests, navigating approximately 175 kilometers of challenging terrain over six days during the PC-C4 exercise.

The capabilities it demonstrated during the exercise include Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System surveillance and electronic warfare, with an autonomous multi-sensor cross-cueing payload able to provide early warning of air threats, operated from over 26 kilometers away.

Further, it also showed dynamic reconnaissance en route to surveillance positions, capturing optical data on-the-move at beyond-line-of-sight ranges.

The company also said that the testing during the exercise demonstrated the precision accuracy of the WESCAM MX-10D reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition multi-sensor imaging and designator system.

Further, it also included several communication tests, which gave insights related to integration, performance and applicability of modular and open communication systems, and true resiliency for mission-relevant data links.

The communications capability tested during the exercise included  the RASOR modular communications chassis, Mobile Ad Hoc Network WRAITH, a SATCOM On-the-Move antenna, the AN/PRC-158 Next Gen radio, a RF-7850W high-capacity line of sight radio and a hardened third-party commercial space internet satellite.

Results of the testing

The testing at the Army exercise showed that the air defense system have the potential to evolve into nimble, tactical assets that enable protection to ground units at low levels.

It also showed that the operational range of autonomous ground platforms performing missions can be expanded by several orders of magnitude, liberating them from the constraints of traditional data link ranges.

The system also highlighted the potential for increased payload automation to ensure mission integrity in the face of link degradation or attack.

“Our team’s relentless drive to adapt and innovate is what ultimately drove our success with these prototypes,” said Jennifer Lewis, President, Airborne Combat Systems, L3Harris.

“Thanks to their tireless efforts, we’re coming away with valuable insights that will drive further improvements, strategic decisions, and ultimately, powerful new capabilities to the warfighter.”

US Army’s PC-C4 exercise

The US Army conducted the PC-C4 exercise along with multiple services and with several nations such as Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK taking part in it.

The exercise was conducted to aggressively advance and integrate the Army’s contribution to the developing concept of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

It aims to ensure that the Army , as part of the Joint Force, can rapidly and continuously integrate or “converge” effects across all domains — air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace — to overmatch the adversaries in competition and conflict.

Project Convergence includes a continuous, structured series of demonstrations and experiments at various locations.