Lockheed Martin recently flight tested seven new
open architecture sensors on a U-2 Dragonlady in less than three months as part
of the Air Force's effort to move to common interface and rapidly
interchangeable payloads, the company
announced.
"This demonstration focused on communications relay capabilities and
dynamic weapon retargeting within an [open mission systems] integration
methodology," Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Director John Clark said in a
release. "This demonstration showed our ability to integrate mission capability
rapidly and affordably," he added. The U-2 acted as a relay platform
between an F-22, F-18, a simulated anti-ship missile, and ground terminals,
permitting in-flight retargeting of the weapon, according to the release.
Northrop Grumman
demonstrated
similar OMS compatible capabilities on a B-2 bomber, linking to an ISR
aircraft and ground station back in June.
