Ross Wilkers
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy used a Rockwell Collins-built networking platform during a series of tests aimed at maneuvering an unmanned strike vehicle on an aircraft carrier.
Rockwell Collins built its Tactical Targeting Network Technology system to provide communication links for airborne platforms, the company said Wednesday.
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System tests occurred on the USS Harry S. Truman and aimed to move the drone on the ship’s flight deck using a wireless handheld controller.
Bob Haag, Rockwell Collins vice president and general manager of communication and navigation products, said the TTNT system is part of the drone’s command and control architecture.
By mid-2013, Northrop and the Navy intend to land the drone on a carrier for the first time.
