Airborne early warning command and control aircraft,
airborne electronic attack aircraft prepare for
sensor data fusion experiment

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (left) and two EA-18G Growlers participate in ground testing to prepare for the Netted Sensors At-Sea Experiment that was conducted here between Sept. 14-18. This Navy Warfare Development Command-led event is part of Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2015. This experiment is the latest in a series of events designed to establish airborne networks to support machine-to-machine sensor data fusion. The experiment examined the ability to conduct "fusion forward" using only carrier air wing active and passive sensors, and a network using prototype Tactical Targeting Network Technology radios. The primary goal was to passively locate and identify targets at stand-off ranges without assistance from non-theater assets.