AFA 2019: General Atomics demonstrates multi-mission control and Metis capabilities

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) demonstrated on 28 August its multi-mission control (MMC) and Metis capabilities during a live flight using company-owned MQ-9 Block 1 Reaper and MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), according to a company statement.

MMC enables a single pilot to control multiple MQ-9s for transit operations and routine intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions using a streamlined graphical user interface and lightweight hand controller. GA-ASI developed a multi-aircraft control system several years ago but it was not adopted, GA-ASI Automation and User Experience Senior Director Darren Moe told Jane’s on 11 September.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc's multi-mission control allows a single pilot to control multiple MQ-9 UAVs for transit operations and routine intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. (GA-ASI)

Metis integrates joint force ISR tasking requirements with the MMC to dynamically task MQ-9 assets as well as report task status and share ISR information using a social media-like interface. Moe said Metis is a web page accessed by supported units, aircrews, intel analysts, or anyone that needs to request ISR tasking from an ISR platform and wants access to the resulting data in real time.

Metis enables a supported unit to request ISR data, similar to how someone would request a car using a car sharing smartphone application, Moe said. As the ISR request is being fulfilled, everyone with access to Metis gets real-time feedback on their status. When the ISR data is collected, Moe said it is pushed to Metis users’ feeds, similar to how the Instagram and Twitter social media websites share information.