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RTX Demonstrates Launched Effects Autonomy at US Army’s EDGE Exercise.
RTX, through its subsidiaries Collins Aerospace and Raytheon, showcased advanced autonomous capabilities for launched effects during the U.S. Army’s Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE), held at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. This demonstration marks an advancement in the development of collaborative autonomy between manned and unmanned systems, strengthening the Army’s ability to detect, engage, and neutralize threats in contested environments.
RTX presented two key collaborative autonomy solutions during the Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event. (Picture source: RTX)
At the heart of this demonstration were small uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), referred to as "launched effects," which can be deployed from a variety of platforms, including ground and air vehicles. These UAVs were tested in operational conditions, demonstrating their ability to coordinate and execute complex missions under human supervision. This "human-on-the-loop" approach combines the decision-making capabilities of human operators with the autonomy of the UAVs, enabling rapid and coordinated responses to evolving threats.
RTX presented two key collaborative autonomy solutions during the event. Collins Aerospace unveiled its RapidEdge mission system, a software toolset that acted as the "brains" behind the coordination of the UAV team. The system allowed for seamless communication between multiple UAVs with different payloads, enabling them to act as substitutes for launched effects. Raytheon, on the other hand, showcased its autonomous capabilities developed under the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) government program. These capabilities were integrated into the Coyote UAV family, which has proven its effectiveness in combat operations.
Both systems worked together, using modular open system architectures and mesh networks to share data and execute complex missions. This interoperability was crucial in demonstrating the potential of open system designs, which offer greater flexibility and adaptability in mission planning and execution.
"RTX's demonstration at the EDGE exercise showed how autonomous sensing and launched effects can extend the Army’s operational reach, especially in anti-access or area denial environments," said Ryan Bunge, vice president and general manager of Collins' C4I&A portfolio. "By leveraging RTX’s combined capabilities, we were able to demonstrate the power of collaborative autonomy and the long-term benefits of open system architectures for the Army."
During the exercise, the mission system translated the human operator’s goals into actionable tasks for the UAVs. These tasks included intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance, all autonomously executed by the UAVs, even when communication with ground operators was lost. This autonomous decision-making validated the potential for launched effects to carry out critical missions without continuous human intervention, a capability essential for the Army’s future operational needs.
The EDGE demonstration was sponsored by the U.S. Army Futures Command’s Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team, to expand the Army’s targeting, reconnaissance, and lethality capabilities through manned-unmanned teaming. EDGE is part of the broader effort by the Army Futures Command to drive innovation and modernization across the Army’s key priorities.
RTX’s participation in this event underscores its commitment to advancing autonomous technologies that enhance battlefield awareness and lethality. By demonstrating the practical application of launched effects and collaborative autonomy, RTX is helping bring the U.S. Army closer to its vision of a highly networked, adaptable, and resilient force capable of operating in the most challenging environments.