The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field’s (NAWCAD WOLF) Ship and Air Integrated Warfare (SAIW) division developed and is installing upgrades to aircraft carrier ready rooms across the Navy’s fleet of ships in support of the Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281).

The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). 

The Dec. 11 event at Point Mugu Sea Range in California focused on maturing manned-unmanned teaming capabilities for CCA, which are intended to extend the reach of carrier air wings and deliver scalable, cost-effective platforms capable of operating in contested environments. 

The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets (PMA-208) programs recently partnered with Shield AI to demonstrate artificial intelligence-based autonomy on the BQM-177A aerial target. 

During the Aug. 5 event at Point Mugu Sea Range in California, Shield AI successfully flew two BQM-177As — one demonstrating Advanced Vehicle Control Laws (AVCL), a core capability for integrating autonomy, and the other incorporating additional autonomous behaviors. 

Capt. Todd Keith assumed command of the Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281) from Capt. Jerick Black during a change of command ceremony June 18 at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.

Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, presided over the ceremony where he highlighted Black’s leadership as being vital to the growth of the command during his tour.

The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets program (PMA-208) recently partnered with Shield AI to integrate autonomy and artificial intelligence software into the BQM-177A sub-sonic aerial target, marking a significant milestone in furthering autonomous systems for real-world applications in naval aviation.

The Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281) welcomed a new program manager during a ceremony Jan. 30 in Patuxent River.