Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4), a U.S. Army-led experiment, is testing the interoperability of various Joint and Multinational Layered Air and Missile Defense systems. This iteration focuses on leveraging data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned aircraft to guide the engagement of ground-based missile systems against airborne threats.
The experiment leverages the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet as a key sensor platform. This highly advanced aircraft, utilized by the U.S. military and numerous allies, boasts powerful onboard sensors capable of detecting and tracking potential aerial threats. During PC-C4, the F-35 acts as a “flying sensor”, feeding real-time data on potential targets to ground units.
Data collected by the F-35, along with information from other sensors like those on UAVs, is then transmitted to a ground-based translating node. This node, operated by the U.S. Air Force, plays a crucial role in fusing the gathered data from various platforms. Through interoperable communication protocols, the node translates and integrates the information, creating a comprehensive picture of the battlespace for air defense units.
The processed and integrated data is then relayed to ground-based missile systems, including the Patriot air defense system. This allows for precise targeting and engagement of hostile aerial threats, maximizing the effectiveness of available defensive resources. This collaborative approach, involving various sensors and platforms, aims to increase the probability of kill while minimizing resource expenditure.
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