Scientists with the Air Force Research Laboratory and researchers with Northrop Grumman have demonstrated technology that will allow warfighters to request and receive surveillance information via a handheld device while engaged in urban conflict. AFRL demonstrated the Heterogeneous Urban RSTA Team (HURT) system, which comprises a command and control center (HC3) that automatically determines what RSTA (reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition) unmanned aerial vehicles can provide real-time information tailored to a specific field request. “The HURT system was able to simultaneously control four small UAVs and provide streaming video through the HC3 back to a hand-held warfighter interface,” said AFRL’s William Koenig.
Maj. Gen. Larry Broadwell, deputy commander of the 16th Air Force, used an elaborate, sports-themed analogy for understanding information warfare at the AFA Warfare Symposium.