The US Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $39-million contract to develop a command and control software prototype for an air base air defense system.
Raytheon will develop the Battle Management Command and Control (BC3) software tested on a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System in 2022.
How It Works
The prototype employs artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze targeting data from sensors such as radar.
The data is refined and relayed to the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Fire Distribution Center for threat evaluation, weapon assignment, and closing the kill chain.
Air Base Air Defense Initiative
The contract is part of the service’s effort to expand its air base defense capability, which has traditionally been led by the US Army, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine.
It stems from the need to protect smaller air bases dispersed across the Pacific from small drones and cruise missiles, the outlet added.
“Raytheon will develop a prototype that is ready to meet current threats and has the ability to easily integrate with the best sensors, effectors, and algorithms as technology advances,” Raytheon Air Power president Paul Ferraro said.
“We’ll bring our unique decision aids along with many partner components to allow for increased efficiency and effectiveness in a complex attack while decreasing the manpower burden to operate the system.”