Second Gray Eagle increases Lab capabilities

By Carlotta E Maneice, AMRDEC Public AffairsNovember 7, 2014

Gray Eagle MQ-1C
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Nov. 5, 2014) -- The Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center has acquired a second MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system for conducting research and development, hardware-in-the-loop tests, and interoperability verification among the family of systems for unmanned systems.

The Joint Systems Integration Laboratory, or JSIL, is part of AMRDEC's Software Engineering Directorate. It was established in 1994 to support the research and development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems including the Hunter, Shadow and now the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.

Successful functional tests and demonstrations of UAS capabilities are essential to provide a realistic environment to an operator or trainee. The UAS must be rigorously tested for interoperability with other tactical systems and for compliance with NATO standards to interact with our allies. This is especially true for AMRDEC's Joint Systems Integration Laboratory, JSIL and the installation of its second MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The Gray Eagle can operate up to 25,000 feet above sea level, carry Hellfire Missiles and serve as the "eyes" of the war fighter.

"Having a second Gray Eagle is necessary to conduct hardware in the loop testing for rapid system integration, software verification, certification and research and development," said Tony Giannoni, JSIL Test Cell Lead. "This second UA gives us the capability to run multiple systems test on a daily basis, avoid wear and tear of our field equipment and allows the Army to minimize risk to the soldiers and mishaps."

The Gray Eagle was initially utilized for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, but today it is capable of carrying out other missions including convoy protection and attacking enemy forces. Successful tests of the Gray Eagle at the JSIL will allow Apache helicopter pilots to conduct Manned-Unmanned Teaming, MUMT activities. The Apache pilots receive information and transmit command and control to the unmanned systems from the cockpit of their helicopter. This reduces the exposure of the Apache and its crew to hostile environment but provide the capability to strike long range targets.

"We run all types of test scenarios to validate the interoperability of major systems, software performance, sensors, payloads, air speeds and altitudes of the UA," said Giannoni. "An exhaustive lab testing of the UA will reduce flight operation time and costs and determine its capabilities to support manned aircrafts."

The JSIL mission remains to support the Warfighter by providing cost effective and robust interoperability test beds for UASs, and this additional asset increases the lab's ability to fulfill that mission.

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The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

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