In the USA, they tested the unobtrusive Avenger UAV with a Legion Pod container - "an alternative to the classic radar"

General Atomic has carried out flight tests of its stealth drone Avenger. It differs in that the Legion Pod container from Lockheed Martin is integrated with it.

This container has an infrared sensor for searching and tracking a target, including means aviation (planes, helicopters, UAVs), moving at a great distance. The unobtrusive Avenger drones, as indicated by the manufacturer, can be used both autonomously and as wingmen in joint operations, for example, with fighters. However, for the last specified option, certain difficulties arose in the USA. They are connected with the selection of the optimal and secure data exchange channel.

According to the latest information, flight tests of this drone went on for about an hour and a half. The main task was to find out how much the Avenger's aerodynamics and stealth characteristics would change if it carried the Legion Pod container on a special pylon.

A division of General Atomic - ASI - reports that it took less than 3 months to go from the concept directly to the use of the target designation container on the UAV and its control.

The creation of new equipment for unmanned platforms in the United States is carried out as part of a special Skyborg program, which is associated with the development of systems controlled by artificial intelligence. The Legion Pod container is an artificial intelligence system that allows the drone to be used in various options, including autonomous flight and target search options.

The Avenger has an in-body compartment to accommodate weapons, including air-to-air missiles.

The developers report that, unlike conventional radars, the Legion Pod's IRST sensors work passively.

Company representatives:

This means that the tracked aircraft may be unaware that it has been detected. This is an excellent alternative to classic radars, especially in terms of countering the enemy using electronic warfare systems.

Comments

[Ros 56]

And what the hell is he needed if he can only gather information. And if he starts transmitting it, then someone will see him and he is already quite noticeable.

[Runway]

Can you admit that the bla onboard zhahnet?

[Ros 56]

Then it is clearly not inconspicuous or what?

[Runway]

Before launch (for ground personnel) - yes. For the air target it fired "without illumination" - the suddenness of defeat.
Probably so?

[Ros 56]

I doubt it however.

This container has an infrared sensor for searching and tracking targets, including aircraft (aircraft, helicopters, UAVs) moving at a great distance. The unobtrusive Avenger drones, as indicated by the manufacturer, can be used both autonomously and as slaves in joint operations, for example, with fighters. However, for the last specified option in the United States, certain difficulties arose. They are connected with the selection of the optimal and secure data exchange channel.

Nowhere is it indicated that this is a combat unit, only reconnaissance and information transfer.

[Runway]

I read. The possibility of "concealing the game and hitting with a doublet" indirectly voiced, suggests "autonomous" hunting.
They are shy (range of work, sector, tsu for airborne).
If they finish it, it's a nasty thing, however.

[9PA]

It will be disgusting when they have fully structured unmanned air forces. Refueller, reconnaissance / target designator, jet UAV with air-to-air missiles. And it will be very soon

[Insurgent]

General Atomic has conducted flight tests of its stealthy Avenger drone. It differs in that the Legion Pod container from Lockheed Martin is integrated with it.


This the container has an infrared sensor for search and target tracking, including aircraft (aircraft, helicopters, UAVs), moving at a great distance. The unobtrusive Avenger drones, as indicated by the manufacturer, can be used both autonomously and as slaves in joint operations, for example, with fighters.

Clear , "IR" does not have radio emission, "stealth" of the UAV, at the very least, poorly observed ...

And what will happen when the UAV starts transmitting data from the radar-container, for example, to fighters with which it works in conjunction?
Or will the data transfer also be in the "IR" wavelength range?

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Insurgent

And what will happen when the UAV starts transmitting data from the radar-container, for example, to fighters with which it works in conjunction?

Nothing. High frequency short directional signal is almost impossible to detect, the same with satellite communications. For detection, you need to be between the UAV and the aircraft / satellite.

[Insurgent]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

Nothing. High frequency directional signal is almost impossible to detect, the same with satellite communications.

I doubt that such a blissful picture of the secrecy of information transmission can last for a long time without the emergence of an "antidote."

In general, everything is still exactly on paper, but on the ground ... On the ground, ravines begin.

[OgnennyiKotik]

There is no reception against scrap, except for other scrap

We need to develop our own unmanned and manned aircraft and satellites. In the electronic warfare performance, AWACS they can solve these problems. Ground systems are useless.

[venik]

Quote: Ros 56

And the hell is he needed if he can only gather information. A if it starts transmitting it, then someone will see him and he is already quite noticeable.

========
They will see, UNIFORMALLY! I give a tooth!

[Svetlana]

Without haste, he scouted the chihari, and passed it on to the dyor. And second: Intelligence from it can be read at the airfield.

[Insurgent]

Quote: Svetlana

Without haste, he scouted the chihari, and passed it on to the dyor.

And during the time while he was fleeing, the operational situation in the air changed so much that the fighters raised according to his data, from hunters themselves became game ...

[Svetlana]

I repeat, but with emphasis: I slowly scouted the Chihara, handed and shit.

[eklmn]

.

Quote: Svetlana

Intelligence from him can be read at the airfield.

Intelligence was read out at the airfield during WW2. Now the “handwriting” of the radars must be read / decoded in real time on board. And you need to react to the result of decryption instantly.
This is what this thing does ..

[Vol4ara]

Quote: Ros 56

And what the hell is he needed if he can only gather information. And if he starts transmitting it, then someone will see him and he is already quite noticeable.

Lpi mode

[bar]

This container has an infrared sensor for searching and tracking targets, including aircraft (aircraft, helicopters, UAVs) moving at a great distance.

Well, what is the magnitude of this "large offset" in the infrared range? Tanks on the ground, of course, can be seen under good weather conditions, but there is a clear fake about the planes / helicopters.

[rocket757]

Will do, will invent / design something new. They can do a lot, this cannot be ignored.

[Kerensky]

As a UAV hunter, the foe will do. He does not need the exchange of data, there are few signatures .. The main thing for him is not to get caught ahead of time and hang in the air longer.

[eklmn]

5 facts about Legion Pod:
(lane google)
"This is unique.
There is no doubt that the Legion Pod stands out from the competition. Using Lockheed Martin's IRST21 sensor, networking and advanced data processing technology, the Legion Pod provides highly accurate detection and tracking of air-to-air targets in non-radar environments. What exactly does this mean? This means the Legion Pod detects and tracks enemies while remaining hidden from radar. Then he takes the collected data, combines it and shares it with allies. "
It's flexible.
What we mean is the Legion Pod is designed to be flexible, allowing additional sensors to be placed within its current structure without costly system or aircraft modifications. Thus, if a customer requests the addition of another touch capability, it can be quickly integrated into the Legion Pod without modifying the pod or affecting the main aircraft. The Legion Pod is specially built with enough physical space, power, and carrying capacity to do just that.
It is transportable.
Yes, that means what it looks like - the Legion capsule can be easily moved around. In our case, this means moving from an aircraft platform to an aircraft platform. How it works? The Legion Pod is designed with a standardized interface or, as we often call it, a plug-and-play architecture. Think of the Legion Pod as a USB stick: you simply plug it into an aircraft and it instantly knows which aircraft it is on and what software it needs to run. ”
Ready for production.
All Legion Pod components have received limited qualifications and will be flight tested shortly. Why is it important? If the customer places a large order for Legion capsules tomorrow, the manufacturing team can immediately begin manufacturing and assembling the capsule parts while performing qualification and flight tests. The Legion Pod is real - and ready to cater to the warriors' needs.
It's sustainable.
The Legion Pod is modular, which means it consists of Linear Replaceable Modules (LRUs) that can be removed and replaced when repairs or upgrades are required. Think of it this way: Instead of taking the 550-lb Legion module off the plane and off the line of flight for operation, the operator can simply replace or repair a specific LRU while the Legion module remains in place. The same goes for upgrades, ensuring that the Legion Pod can easily evolve to meet customer requirements.
(cartoon how it works)
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38768/stealthy-avenger-drone-flies-with-infrared-search-and-track-pod