Drone Growlers flown with manned control aircraft

Pax River and Boeing teamed up in a recent test to fly two unmanned EA-18G aircraft with a third, manned fighter controlling them. The test demonstrated the Hornet and Growler ability to perform combat missions with unmanned systems.

The data collected will be used to determine what direction naval aviation will take. Having a manned aircraft acting as control would allow them to operate in an area where longer ranged comms were being jammed, and still allow flexibility during operations. One possibility would be to replace the internal payload on an F-35 with fuel, extending the range and loiter time, allowing it to stay on station as a command and control aircraft.

www.defensenews.com...

Dammit, I thought this was going to be about craft beer getting flown to me by drones! (Which is a million dollar idea, IMO)

This is pretty neat but isn't it going to be hard to fly a plane and a couple drone planes simultaneously? Talk about serious multitasking!

originally posted by: tjack
Dammit, I thought this was going to be about craft beer getting flown to me by drones! (Which is a million dollar idea, IMO)

This is pretty neat but isn't it going to be hard to fly a plane and a couple drone planes simultaneously? Talk about serious multitasking!

I'm sure an AI or advanced nav system would control the remote planes

The two Growlers were controlled by the back seater of a third. It's believed there were safety pilots in the two that were being controlled, but that isn't clear. They flew 21 demonstration missions over 4 days.

theaviationist.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Isn't this just piggybacking on the Airpower Teaming work they are doing? I can't imagine the Navy is too keen on turning Growlers into disposables.

a reply to: RadioRobert

Yes. From the sound of it the Growlers were convenient and are only demo platforms. They wanted to prove they could perform EW and SEAD missions remotely.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Makes more sense

a reply to: Zaphod58

so the new EF-111 gets some loyal wing men

a reply to: penroc3

Who is the Companion's Companion? No one ever asks that question.

a reply to: penroc3
There's a new EF-111?

a reply to: thebozeian

The Growler has been incorrectly called the new EF by a few people.

a reply to: Zaphod58

i wasnt talking about the E8 but the new EF-111

a reply to: penroc3

There isn't a new EF-111.