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Category: UAV

Every U.S. Navy ship a carrier with AI drones?

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The colossal aircraft carrier, once an emblem of unchallenged maritime power, now faces an uncertain future. Vulnerable to sophisticated missile systems and burdened by exorbitant operational costs, its long-term viability sparks debate. A novel proposal by LCDR Jeff Zeberlein emerges, aiming to reshape the naval landscape: transforming every vessel, from the mighty destroyer down to the utilitarian fleet tanker, into a mini-carrier equipped with a squadron of AI-powered drones.

V-BAT is prepared for launch from USS Michael Monsoor during RIMPAC 2022
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Alexander, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trains with M-LIDS Counter-Drone System

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Soldiers from the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently conducted a critical live-fire exercise at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico, showcasing the capabilities of the M-LIDS (Mobile-Low, Slow, Small-Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System). M-LIDS is a mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) designed to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats encountered during deployments.

The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Base Defense Operations Center crews observed a mobile-low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system live-fire to instill confidence in kinetic systems capable of shooting down one-way UAS attacks during pre-deployment Green Sands training Continental United States at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico March 4. Unmanned aerial system attacks are an emerging threat United States Army Central seeks to counter in its two-part Green Sands training initiative. The first part, Green Sands “CONUS,” held stateside Feb. 9- Mar. 5, builds the foundation of Base Defense Operations, and the second part, Green Sands “Heavy,” is a final rehearsal held subsequently overseas.

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Maiden flight of XQ-67A

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The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) celebrated a significant milestone on Feb. 28, with the successful maiden flight of the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) at Gray Butte Field Airport, California. This event marks the first flight of an aircraft developed under the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to revolutionize unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development.

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GA-ASI demonstrates launch of A2LE platform from MQ-20 Avenger UAS

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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.

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U.S. State Department approves $3.99 Billion MQ-9B sale to India

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In a move solidifying the U.S.-India strategic partnership and bolstering its maritime surveillance capabilities, India has secured a potential $3.99 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian armed drones and a comprehensive support package. The State Department officially approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) on Feb. 1st, paving the way for negotiations with prime contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

210421-N-FC670-086 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 21, 2021) An MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft system flies over the Pacific Ocean during U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21, April 21. UxS IBP 21 integrates manned and unmanned capabilities into challenging operational scenarios to generate warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe)

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