The Hunter Standoff Killer Team (HSKT) advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) is a step closer to demonstrating combined force interoperability, after the test events at Patuxent River NAS on 19 April and 17 August 2005. During those events, assets from the Navy, Army, and Air Force came together on the ramps and taxiways of VX-23 at Pax and successfully sent, received, and networked precision targeting and supporting messages.

The Navy has been participating with the Army led advanced concept technology demonstration since 2002. The objective is to team Army helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with joint forces strike fighter aircraft to identify and prosecute time sensitive targets from beyond standoff range.

These ground test events included an Army command and control UH-60A helicopter (A2C2X) from Ft. Eustis, Virginia, an F/A-18 C/D from Pax River’s VX-23, and an Air Force F-15E from 4th Fighter Wing Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (19 April only). The target data was sent over Link 16 from the Army A2C2X, to the F/A-18 and the F-15E for the first time. Link 16 is an advanced digital data link. It provides high-speed, computer-to-computer, jam-resistant, crypto secure, digital voice and data communications for command, control, and communications. Additionally, the messages were networked with the Surface Aviation Integration Laboratory at Pax River.

Ultimately, the demonstration team is working towards a larger scale flight test in the fall at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, to include the same (airborne) assets, plus a Hunter UAV and an AH-64 Apache helicopter. This will be the first demonstration and use of a combined force of slow and fast moving aircraft to prosecute targets using a seamless process, including digital Link 16 message, from sensor to shooter in a joint environment.

“I applaud today's joint demonstration, a great step toward networking the services and the assets they bring to bear,” said Rear Adm. Tim Heely, Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation. “Bringing together the hardware, datalinks, and warfighting expertise from three services clearly articulates our defense department's vision for interoperability in the 21st century battlespace.”