autoevolution 28 May 2021, 13:17 UTC ·
by 1 photo
Standard, pre-programmed weapons can only go so far during combat, because they can’t adapt their response if case of an unexpected move from the enemy. But networked, collaborative and autonomous (NCA) weapons can adjust their reaction in real time. This is why the Air Force launched the Golden Horde initiative, which became a Vanguard program in 2019, in order to demonstrate how effective networked weapons are, during missions.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) announced that the final test demonstrations of Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs (CSDBs), within the Golden Horde program, were carried out at the beginning of this week, at the White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico.
Six modified Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, dropped simultaneously from two Lockheed Martin F-16s, established communications with each other and a ground station, and after receiving new instructions mid-flight, autonomously swarmed and hit two targets.
By Jill Pickett, AEDC/PA / Published May 03, 2021
Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs (CSDBs) are launched from the wing of an F-16 fighter from the Air Force Test Center’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB. Four of the bombs were dropped during the second flight demonstration of the Air Force Golden Horde Vanguard on February 19th. (Courtesy photo)
Four Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs (CSDBs) hang from the wing of an F-16 fighter from the Air Force Test Center’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB. Two of the bombs were dropped during the first flight demonstration of the Air Force Golden Horde Vanguard. (Courtesy photo)
By Garrett Reim2021-03-05T20:02:00+00:00
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is aiming to accelerate the pace at which it adds weapons to its Golden Horde network by using a simulation software called Colosseum.
The Golden Horde project is an effort to develop a system of networked, autonomous weapons. Initially, the US Air Force (USAF) planned to integrate GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs and Miniature Air Launched Decoys.
It successfully tested four Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs on 19 February. But the AFRL now says the Collaborative Miniature Air Launched Decoy portion of the development programme has been cancelled.
Source: US Air Force
US Air Force’s ‘Golden Horde’ swarming munitions program to get second chance February 4 Four Collaborative Small Diameter Bombs, or CSDBs, hang from the wing of an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Test Center’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 14, 2020. Two of the bombs were dropped during the first flight demonstration of the Air Force Golden Horde Vanguard program. WASHINGTON Now that the U.S. Air Force’s first test of “Golden Horde” swarming bombs was deemed a partial success, the service is giving the technology a second shot later this month, the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory said Thursday.