Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems operating unit AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, both Textron Inc. companies (NYSE: TXT), have teamed to develop a Manned Unmanned Operations (MUMO) Capability Development Laboratory in Huntsville, AL. to enable a software and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) development test capability using operationally relevant systems specific to manned unmanned teaming. This MUMO Capability Development Laboratory will serve as a research and development tool to support the U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) vision and roadmap objectives for manned unmanned UAS operations in the near, mid and far-term timeframes.

“This capability will allow Bell Helicopter and AAI to maintain and expand our concurrence with Army developmental laboratories and fielded aviation assets,” said Mike Miller, director of Military Business Development, Bell Helicopter.

The new Bell Helicopter MUMO Capability Development Laboratory will be adjacent to and operationally connected to the Shadow® Tactical UAS HWIL system integration lab (SIL). This laboratory is being expanded to house a Kiowa Warrior OH-58D baseline simulation facility that will conjoin the Shadow HWIL SIL.

The combined MUMO laboratory will enable accelerated technology insertion to ensure aviation forces are equipped and trained with the most current capabilities and advantages. The Bell Helicopter and AAI MUMO laboratory will enable a high fidelity and interoperable MUMO simulation environment to support individual operator requirements for UAS and rotorcraft mission crew requirements. Exploratory concepts and technology demonstrations will be coordinated to develop and incorporate emerging technologies for the UAS and rotorcraft aviation fleet.

The Bell Helicopter and AAI MUMO laboratory leverages incumbent architectures for UAS information dissemination, enabling multiple levels of UAS interoperability, evaluation of emerging technologies in an operational scenario based environment, and rapid fielding for greater capabilities. Simulation will enable the development of cognitive skills related to tactics, techniques and procedures for MUMO.

Construction is underway, and the facility opening is planned later this year.