Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is pushing the envelope of military innovation, embracing significant advancements in autonomous aircraft technology to redefine the roles of drones in combat and intelligence operations.
The Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E), as outlined by program director Col. Trey Olman, is poised to transform MQ-9 medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned systems from mere surveillance platforms into motherships capable of dispatching smaller drones for diverse missions.
This strategic pivot aligns with the 2022 National Defense Strategy’s shift from counterterrorism to great power competition. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley emphasized the utility of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in large-scale combat operations across conflict zones from Ukraine to the Red Sea. The flexibility and the ability of UAS to provide “valuable awareness and strike options” in contested environments are clear.
The A2E vision extends beyond conventional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike operations. The MQ-9 Reaper, already a backbone of U.S. special operations, is set to deliver “mass in depth and at scale,” according to Olman.
In practical terms, this means one MQ-9 could deliver the effects of multiple platforms, serving as a “communications relay node” and a “conduit for command-and-control” across the battlespace.
With a focus on autonomy and unmanned systems, the development of A2E is unfolding in phases. The first is the transition to the AFSOC Remotely Piloted Aircraft Control Suite (ARCS)—a flexible, mobile command-and-control interface that shrinks the traditional footprint of drone operations.
Following phases aim at a single crew controlling multiple MQ-9s and various types of drones, from small Group 1 to larger Group 5 platforms.
Recent demonstrations have shown the capabilities of this advanced suite, including controlling three MQ-9As and air-launching smaller drones like the Altius 600 from MQ-9As. Brinkley from General Atomics pointed to the integration of such small UAS as a game-changer for both cost-effectiveness and risk reduction.
The advancement also tackles payload challenges, with the MQ-9A and MQ-9B having multiple hardpoints to carry these small UAS. Balancing the payload for operational range and endurance remains critical, though releasing small UAS could potentially extend on-station times by reducing weight and fuel use penalties.
Training requirements for operators are evolving, as AFSOC must adapt from traditional piloting to mission management of larger numbers of assets. The A2E human-machine interface, named Vigilant Spirit, represents a shift in operational mindset, expanding capabilities with each experimental event.
Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC Commander, underscored the acquisition priority of A2E, referring to it as “vital to thickening the Joint Force kill web throughout the spectrum of conflict.”
A2E’s goal is to operate drones in environments currently inaccessible, with upcoming demonstrations set to explore air-to-ground handover and collaborative mission autonomy software named Golden Horde.
AFSOC’s move toward greater autonomy aims to create more separation between humans and autonomous platforms, enhancing operational flexibility. Col. Olman highlighted collaborations with the Special Operations Command and small- to medium-sized companies to develop a government reference architecture that allows for plug-and-play autonomy integration.
AFSOC’s initiative reflects a broader military trend to innovate and adapt. The UAS network and capital ship concept, as envisioned by AFSOC’s Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind, aim to establish expansive sensing grids and communications pathways for joint force support.
With aggressive timelines and an appetite for rapid experimentation, AFSOC is charging forward, ready to “fail forward” and “fail fast” in pursuit of next-generation ISR capabilities that will redefine the modern battlefield.