The US Army has showed interest in a technology sponsored by the air force to adapt armed unmanned air systems (UAS) for the close air support role, according to a Raytheon manager.
The army's interest in the precision close air support (PCAS) technology comes as the USAF has delayed and reevaluated the MQ-X program, a proposed replacement for the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.'s MQ-1 and MQ-9 fleets.
It was the MQ-X program office that sponsored the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to launch the PCAS program last year, with the goal to adapt a Fairchild Republic A-10C into an optionally piloted vehicle and perform a simulated close air support mission.
The demonstration gained headlines for involving the A-10C, but the technology is intended to be applied for the military's armed UAS fleet.
Raytheon has been in contact with capability managers at the army's Training and Doctrine Command, Bossert said, adding that "they see applicability."
The PCAS system is being designed to give a controller on the ground enough information to have the authority to assume control of a weapon on a flying UAS, and launch that weapon at a target in close proximity to friendly troops.
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Source: Flight Daily News
