Editor’s Note: This article was updated Sept. 11 to include information from the 178th Wing and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
The United States Air Force recently completed initial testing of prototype portable ground stations designed to command and control semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). The Air Force announced on August 13 that these evaluations represent a critical step toward integrating advanced drone technologies into its operational framework, with plans to award an initial integration contract by next summer.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Agile Development Office spearheaded the evaluation of these Portable Command and Control Enclave (C2E) prototypes. The testing took place at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Ohio, involving a combined team from the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU), Air Combat Command, and the AFLCMC’s Software Autonomy and Teaming Branch.
During the “fly-off” event, the team assessed various performance metrics for the C2E prototypes, including weight, time required to power on, connectivity time, time to command, and the overall packed size on a pallet. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that specific examples of feedback could not be disclosed due to ongoing evaluation. However, general feedback focused on improving equipment packing, optimizing setup configurations, and enhancing connectivity. The EOU also provided insights into how they envision using the applications in real-world field scenarios.
Looking ahead, the spokesperson stated that the next phase of the C2E program will concentrate on cloud testing, which is scheduled to run through the spring. The C2E program is designed to incorporate multiple form factors, and the Air Force anticipates awarding a contract to an initial integration partner in early summer.
Five unidentified companies participated in the C2E prototype evaluation at Springfield. The Air Force declined to disclose the names of these companies, citing operational security concerns.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft are a cornerstone of the Air Force’s future combat strategy. These semi-autonomous drones are being developed to augment the Air Force’s combat “mass,” providing additional capabilities at a lower cost compared to traditional manned fighter jets. The initial iteration of CCAs, currently being developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril Industries, will primarily focus on air-to-air missions. Future versions are envisioned to undertake a broader range of tasks, including air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare operations.
The foundational concept for CCAs involves these drones operating as “wingmen” alongside crewed aircraft, taking directions from human pilots. However, Air Force officials have also explored the potential for controlling these systems from diverse locations, including ground-based stations, to enhance operational flexibility and resilience.
The Ohio fly-off utilized the AFRL SkyVision system, a ground-based “detect-and-avoid” technology. This system enables air traffic controllers to use radar feeds to track Group 1-5 drones Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) across more than 200 square miles of airspace, eliminating the need for a chase aircraft. While the C2E had undergone lab testing previously, this event marked its first physical fly-off, featuring multiple prototypes in an authentic, real-world operational environment.
The testing environment presented unexpected challenges, including adverse weather conditions. “Rainy weather conditions added novel considerations for testing that we wouldn’t have otherwise experienced in a controlled environment,” the Air Force spokesperson noted. Beyond the weather, the team gained valuable insights into “the logistics of moving equipment outside of usual indoor facilities, like reducing gear weight and optimizing equipment setup,” the spokesperson added. This experience is crucial for developing systems capable of rapid deployment in various global environments.
Airmen from the 178th Wing at Springfield Air National Guard Base provided essential support for the C2E testing, offering the necessary space and assisting with setup and coordination. The 178th Wing has a history of working with the SkyVision system for testing purposes since it became operational in 2019. Just last year, the unit conducted an MQ-9A flight in this airspace as part of a counter-UAS experiment, in collaboration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Ohio Department of Transportation UAS Center, according to spokeswoman Maj. Courtney Slater.
More Control Options
The C2E program was initially mentioned in June by Col. Timothy Helfrich, the service’s portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft. A subsequent spokesperson clarified that the C2E concept is distinct from the software directly used by fighter pilots to control CCAs. Instead, it is described as “an application suite on a range of networks to enable the right operator, with the right permissions, to operate CCA.”
While CCAs could be controlled by fighter pilots or from battle management aircraft such as the E-7 Wedgetail, the portable C2E effort specifically focuses on ground-based control. The prototypes evaluated are designed as command-and-control systems capable of rapid deployment and operation anywhere in the world, including austere environments, as detailed in the Air Force’s August 13 release.
Following initial tests of the command-and-control systems’ mobility and physical footprint, vendors conducted additional demonstrations to showcase the performance of their software. The Air Force emphasized that these evaluations represent “a pivotal milestone in advancing the tactical control of semi-autonomous systems” and are a crucial initial step toward selecting a vendor to integrate a comprehensive C2E system.
Although the Air Force release did not specify the participating contractors, Anduril, one of the companies developing CCAs, has previously showcased its own control system. In April, Anduril announced that its “Menace-T” system, comprising two portable cases and a rugged laptop, successfully controlled its YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The demonstration involved uploading mission plans, initiating autonomous taxi and takeoff, tasking the aircraft during flight, and managing post-flight data ingestion and checks.
The data and insights gathered from these Ohio demonstrations will significantly inform the acquisition strategy for C2E and help shape the future vendor selection process. A second C2E prototype phase is anticipated to begin soon, during which vendors will further refine and demonstrate their systems’ cloud capabilities.
Once a C2E system is selected, the Air Force plans to deploy it to the Experimental Operations Unit, which is currently engaged in testing CCAs, to support agile combat employment (ACE) operations. The chosen C2E system will directly control production CCAs, thereby “ensuring service members maintain a decisive advantage in contested environments,” the Air Force stated.
Col. Eric Reagan, director of the Agile Development Office, underscored the importance of this collaborative approach: “Getting prototypes into the hands of our operational and acquisitions warfighters for a swift, combined evaluation is a direct embodiment of acquisition transformation. This partnership allows us to accelerate the fielding of the best-value capabilities to the Department of War,” referring to the Department of Defense by its alternative name.
Why This Matters
The U.S. Air Force’s rigorous testing of portable ground stations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft represents a significant pivot in military strategy and technological integration. This initiative has profound implications for how future conflicts might be waged, defense spending priorities, and global military balances.
Firstly, from a **military strategy** perspective, the C2E program underscores a move towards more distributed and resilient command and control. By enabling ground-based operators to control CCAs, the Air Force reduces its reliance on large, potentially vulnerable command centers or manned aircraft for every operational task. This enhances flexibility, particularly in highly contested environments where traditional communication and control nodes might be compromised. The focus on “Agile Combat Employment” (ACE) operations further emphasizes the goal of rapidly deploying, operating, and redeploying assets from austere, forward locations, making the military less predictable and more adaptable to dynamic threats.
Secondly, in terms of **technological advancement**, this effort highlights the ongoing integration of artificial intelligence and autonomy with human decision-making. The development of robust, portable C2 systems is crucial for unlocking the full potential of semi-autonomous drones. It signifies a maturation in the field of uncrewed systems, moving beyond simple remote control to more sophisticated, collaborative operations. The lessons learned from testing in real-world conditions, including adverse weather, are invaluable for designing resilient systems that can perform reliably under diverse operational challenges.
Thirdly, regarding **defense spending and acquisition**, CCAs are envisioned as a more cost-effective way to generate combat “mass” compared to continuously procuring expensive manned fighters. The C2E program, by facilitating the efficient control of these drones, directly supports this cost-saving strategy. Furthermore, the Air Force’s use of “fly-offs” and rapid prototyping, as highlighted by Col. Eric Reagan, demonstrates a commitment to agile acquisition methods. This approach aims to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to warfighters, potentially reshaping how defense contracts are awarded and managed, fostering competition among defense contractors.
Finally, the **global impact** of these developments cannot be overstated. As other nations, including potential adversaries, increasingly invest in advanced drone technology, the U.S. Air Force’s advancements in C2 for CCAs set new benchmarks. This progress could influence military doctrines worldwide, potentially leading to an arms race in autonomous systems. While these capabilities enhance deterrence by projecting strength and adaptability, they also raise complex questions about the future of warfare, including ethical considerations and the potential for escalation in future conflicts. The ability to field effective, deployable drone control systems will be a critical factor in maintaining a decisive advantage in the evolving landscape of 21st-century military operations.