General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully demonstrated the in-flight release of its Advanced Air-Launched Effects (A2LE) platform from an MQ-20 Avenger Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) on Nov. 28, 2023. This milestone marks a significant achievement in developing low-cost, modular small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) for military applications.
The demonstration, conducted over Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, capped a comprehensive development process involving design, manufacturing, structural testing, and culminating in the successful release from the Avenger’s internal weapons bay.
GA-ASI partnered with Divergent Technologies, Inc. for the A2LE’s design and build. Divergent’s DAPS™ (Divergent Adaptive Production System) enabled rapid, low-cost manufacturing of the demonstration vehicle, highlighting the potential for streamlined production of future SUAS platforms.
“This demonstration was a crucial first step in demonstrating GA-ASI’s ability to rapidly develop, manufacture, and test a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) in a controlled, low-risk approach,” said Mike Atwood, vice president of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI.
The demonstration vehicle featured a 100% additively manufactured airframe, designed to withstand the captive carriage and ejection loads of the jet-powered Avenger. This topology-optimized structure exemplifies the design efficiencies achievable with additive manufacturing, potentially impacting future manned and unmanned platforms.
GA-ASI envisions the A2LE as a low-risk, low-cost solution offering “affordable mass” to military forces. Its modular design allows for customization of payloads to address various mission requirements. Networks of A2LEs could create persistent capabilities for surveillance, attack, communication, and more, enhancing the capabilities of existing manned and unmanned platforms.
This successful demonstration represents a significant step forward in the development of affordable, adaptable SUAS technology. GA-ASI’s A2LE holds potential to revolutionize military operations by providing cost-effective solutions for diverse tactical scenarios.
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