Executive Summary
This document outlines various defense-focused experiments presented at JIFX 27-1, hosted by the Naval Postgraduate School. It details advancements in UAS endurance via laser power, autonomous fleet management in contested environments, and resilient communication protocols for military operations.
Why It Matters
These experiments showcase cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing military capabilities in areas like drone operations, autonomous systems, resilient communications, and situational awareness.
Key Takeaways
- Laser-powered UAS systems are being developed to achieve perpetual flight, significantly extending operational endurance for reconnaissance and other missions.
Source evidence · PDF page 2
Aquila will conduct four experiments to characterize the operational envelope of laser wireless power delivery to small UAS: 1. Endurance Limit: Continuously power a quadcopter via laser beyond battery-limited flight time until mechanical degradation forces landing.
- Advanced autonomous frameworks are being tested for multi-agent operations, focusing on energy-aware fleet sustainment and resilient communications in dynamic, contested environments.
Source evidence · PDF page 6
Gambit will conduct field experimentation of PRAXIS, a modular autonomy framework supporting persistent multi-agent operations in dynamic and contested environments. The effort combines ongoing research under an Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF) Other Transaction focused on energy-aware autonomous fleet sustainment with a U.S. Air Force SBIR focused on resilient communications and spectrum operations.
- New serverless mesh networking protocols are being evaluated for tactical communications to ensure reliable message delivery (e.g., MEDEVAC, call for fire) in GPS-denied or jammed conditions without relying on SATCOM.
Source evidence · PDF page 13
At JIFX, Terrakinesis (TK) will run pulse- our serverless message-delivery protocol- in a live, multi-node field experiment on TrellisWare TSM radios with Raspberry Pi nodes. We will spread the nodes across Camp Roberts’ terrain and push traffic such as call for fire, 9 line MEDEVAC, and MIST reports across TK’s mesh network with neither server nor SATCOM.
Strategic Relevance
The technologies presented address critical operational gaps in defense, offering solutions for persistent ISR, autonomous warfare, and secure communications in challenging combat scenarios, directly impacting future military effectiveness and strategic advantage.