Hunter Standoff Killer Demonstration a Success
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050909-08
Release Date: 9/9/2005 12:37:00 PM
From Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The Hunter Standoff Killer Team (HSKT) advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) is a step closer to demonstrating combined-force interoperability after successful test events here April 19 and Aug. 17.
The Navy has been participating with the Army-led advanced concept technology demonstration since 2002. The objective is to team Army helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), with joint forces' strike fighter aircraft to identify and prosecute time-sensitive targets from beyond standoff range.
“I applaud today's joint demonstration - a great step toward networking the services and the assets they bring to bear,” said Rear Adm. Tim Heely, Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation. “Bringing together the hardware, datalinks, and warfighting expertise from three services clearly articulates our defense department's vision for interoperability in the 21st century battlespace.”
During the test events, assets from the Navy, Army and Air Force came together on the ramps and taxiways of VX-23 at Pax River and successfully sent, received and networked precision targeting and supporting messages.
The events included an Army command and control UH-60A helicopter (A2C2X) from Fort Eustis, Va., an F/A-18 Hornet from Pax River’s VX-23, and an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
Target data was sent over the Link 16 electronic data link from the Army A2C2X to the F/A-18 and the F-15E for the first time. Additionally, the messages were networked with the Surface Aviation Integration Laboratory at Pax River.
Link 16 is an advanced digital data link. It provides high-speed, computer-to-computer, jam-resistant, secure digital voice and data communications for command, control, and communications.
Ultimately, the demonstration team is working towards a larger scale flight test in the fall at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., to include the same airborne assets, plus a Hunter UAV and an AH-64 Apache helicopter. This will be the first demonstration and use of a combined force of slow- and fast-moving aircraft to prosecute targets using a seamless process, including digital Link 16 message, from sensor to shooter in a joint environment.
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