Unmanned Satcom BLOS

June 1, 2023

L3Harris Technologies
Melbourne, FL
585-465-3592
www.l3harris.com

During a live demonstration in April, L3Harris Technologies deployed two RASOR multifunctional processors on an unmanned aircraft operated by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The live demonstration of Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) command and control and data movement was enabled by the modular open systems approach (MOSA) embedded systems architecture of L3Harris’s Rapidly Adaptable Standards Compliant Open Radio (RASOR) technology.

RASOR is chassis capable of enclosing three to twelve slots with single board computer, SOSA Aligned Modem Module (SAMM) and a network processor among its embedded modules. Processing capabilities include data links (ISR, C2, Voice, Sensor),electronic warfare, mission processing, and security, according to L3Harris.

The live demonstration featured one of the RASOR processors housing the unmanned aircraft’s transceiver card and the other controlled its BLOS active electronically scanned array. The demonstration showcased a cross-industry deployment of military grade low-Earth orbit satellite communications, illustrating a MOSA solution available today that positions the Department of Defense for next-generation fights in a revolutionary way.

“The successful demonstration illustrates our commitment to enabling commercial space internet capabilities for the United States and its allies on unmanned platforms,” said Ron Fehlen, L3Harris vice president and general manager of Air Force programs. “Our goal is to extend this type of connection for all collaborative combat aircraft and other autonomous collaborative platforms around the globe, utilizing LEO satellites.”

This specific demonstration was intentional in highlighting RASOR’s applicability for U.S. Air Force manned and unmanned platforms, primarily Collaborative Combat Applications (CCA). Additional focus areas for RASOR are the U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Modular Open Systems Standards Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) program and the U.S. Navy’s Landing Autonomous Navigation Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ship (LANTERNS) program.

The successful flight demonstration with GA-ASI follows a series of similar military-industry tests incorporating RASOR across domains, including events with the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Research Laboratory.

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