Navy, Northrop demonstrate manned-unmanned intell sharing

The Navy and Northrop Grumman share sensor data between manned and unmanned helicopters.

A Fire Scout unmanned helicopter successfully sent sensor data to the cockpit display of a MH-60 helicopter during a recent exercise held by the Navy and Northrop Grumman, company officials said Dec. 6.

Until now, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data gathered by Fire Scout has been sent to its host ship for further dissemination, the company said, adding that the capability also improves Fire Scout's communications relay function by allowing multiple units to share real time information to coordinate actions without delay.
 
The demonstration took place Oct. 25 near Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., and paved the way for improving the speed at which field commanders can make informed decisions during military operations, Northrop Grumman said.