Two Fury Drones Fly a Simulated Air-to-Air Engagement as a Team, With No Pilot in the Sky
Shield AI says its Hivemind software took two Anduril FQ-44A Furys through a simulated beyond-visual-range engagement on Oct. 26, with a ground operator giving only high-level orders.
Shield AI says its Hivemind software took two Anduril FQ-44A Furys through a simulated beyond-visual-range engagement on Oct. 26, with a ground operator giving only high-level orders.
Shield AI's Hivemind software flew multiple Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft through coordinated air combat maneuvers on Oct. 26, the company announced Nov. 9. It called the flight a first for the CCA program.
The aircraft were two Anduril-built FQ-44A Furys, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported. They flew in formation over the Nevada Test and Training Range and ran beyond-visual-range tactics against a virtual threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Oct. 26?
Two Anduril-built FQ-44A Fury drones flew in formation and carried out coordinated beyond-visual-range air combat maneuvers against a virtual threat at the Nevada Test and Training Range, directed by Shield AI's Hivemind software. Shield AI announced the flight on Nov. 9.
Was a pilot controlling the drones?
No pilot was airborne. An operator on the ground gave the pair high-level directions, Shield AI's Todd Wesley told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
How does this differ from the Oct. 8 test?
On Oct. 8 at Edwards Air Force Base, an F-22 pilot in flight directed a single Fury. On Oct. 26, two drones coordinated with each other in what Wesley called "a full-on tactical air-to-air engagement."
Were live weapons used?
No. The threat was virtual. Flights with CCAs carrying and employing live munitions will come later, Wesley said, without giving a date.
What is Hivemind?
Shield AI's mission autonomy software. The company says it has been integrated on more than 40 uncrewed systems across air, land, sea and space, and that the CCA flights run the same common software.
What comes next?
Larger teams, teams of teams, and moving aircraft between teams in flight, according to Wesley.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.