Executive Summary 

Mission sensor systems historically have required costly sensor flight testing to stimulate video tracking. By leveraging machine learning-based target identification and tracking systems, the U.S. Government was able to improve accuracy, reduce costs and enable realistic theater of war simulations for mission commanders; pilots; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor crews.

Aechelon’s virtual ISR systems also supported the U.S. government-owned Multi-INt Operations Technologies And Unification (Minotaur) mission systems architecture, incorporating sensors and facilitating data evaluation in potential GPS-denied environments.

Expanded Summary 

Aechelon’s solutions focus on providing realistic training and stimulation for mission commanders; pilots; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor crews who operate advanced multi-domain platforms in theater of war scenarios. Our technologies address the need for more accurate and cost-effective simulation methods, replacing the historical reliance on flight testing of sensors.

Unified Storage and Multi-Spectral Rendering: Aechelon develops technologies that stream 3D terrain and 3D features while inserting next-generation threat system (NGTS) moving entities. This enables correlation between a large number of simultaneous pilot and sensor operator stations operating virtually in a large-scale theater of war—all from secure, unified storage systems.

Multi-Site, Multi-Country Installations: Aechelon’s solutions have been deployed across various platforms, including P-8, MQ-4C, MQ-8, HC-144B, HC-27J, HC-130J, and other undisclosed assets. This demonstrates the adaptability and broad applicability of our products in different scenarios and locations.

Real-Time Pilot Views and Sensor Data: Aechelon’s systems deliver real-time, realistic out-the-window (OTW) pilot views. We also provide electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and radar data generation (RDG) for aircrews. This ensures that trainees receive a comprehensive and accurate training experience.

Virtual ISR and Machine Learning: Aechelon’s virtual ISR solutions enable machine learning, providing millions of hours of machine training for mission systems on the ground. This helps improve the overall effectiveness of mission planning and execution.

Support for Multi-INt Operations Technologies and Unification (Minotaur) Architecture: Aechelon’s Virtual ISR solution supports the U.S. Government-owned Minotaur mission systems architecture by incorporating sensors; radar and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) equipment.

This allows aircrews to gather and process surveillance information, which can be transmitted to other platforms and units during flight. Furthermore, this solution facilitates the evaluation of data for geo-referencing in potential GPS-denied environments, ensuring continued functionality and effectiveness even in challenging situations.

Problem/Challenge

• Mission commanders, pilots, and ISR sensor crews who operate mission systems on advanced multi-domain platforms also need training and stimulation with realistic theater of war densities and multi-spectral realism.
• In lieu of accurate and less expensive simulation with machine learning-based target identification and track generation systems, mission sensor systems have historically required flight testing of sensors in order to stimulate video tracking.

Solution/Impact

• Aechelon develops unified storage and multi-spectral rendering technologies. By streaming 3D terrain and 3D features and inserting NGTS moving entities, we enable correlation to a large number of simultaneous pilot and sensor operator stations operating virtually on large-scale theater of war from secure unified storage systems.
• Aechelon has deployed multi-site, multi-country installations supporting P-8, MQ-4C, MQ-8, HC-144B, HC-27J, and HC-130J, as well as other undisclosed assets.
• Aechelon systems deliver real-time, realistic OTW pilot views and EO/IR sensors and RDG for aircrew.
• Our virtual ISR solutions enable machine learning—providing millions of hours of machine training of mission systems on the ground.
• Aechelon’s Virtual ISR solution supports the U.S. government-owned Minotaur mission systems architecture by:
  • Incorporating sensors, radar, and C5ISR equipment.
  • Enabling aircrews to gather and process surveillance information that can be transmitted to other platforms and units during flight.
  • Facilitating evaluation of data for geo-referencing on potential GPS-denied environments.