Northrop Grumman has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature to its Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Advanced Battle Manager (ABM) system, designed to help warfighters make real-time, informed decisions in C-UAS operations.
The AI feature aims to address the increasing complexity of UAS threats by simplifying decision-making and enhancing operational flexibility for the U.S. military, allies and coalition partners.
The new capability allows users to optimise responses to UAS swarms with a single button click on a mobile tablet, enabling faster and more efficient decision-making in high-stress environments. The system successfully underwent testing at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona during spring and late summer, demonstrating its ability to make real-time weapon-target pairings using both kinetic and non-kinetic weapons, leveraging AI and live fire data.
Designed for scalability, the FAAD ABM system can process data and generate engagement plans in under a quarter of a second, allowing for quick response to complex aerial swarm scenarios. It continuously monitors the battlespace and can replan engagements as threats evolve, currently supporting multiple weapon types with an open architecture design that allows for future weapons integration.
Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of Global Battle Management and Readiness at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the system’s significance:
“As threats evolve, the need for operations to become simple and clear during high-stress multi-target engagements has increased. This critical AI enhancement will create a streamlined and intuitive engagement plan, giving service members more time to save lives with a single click.”
“Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Army’s collaboration in innovation ensures the combat-proven FAAD system remains at the forefront of C-UAS technology.”
The FAAD system integrates short-range air defence, counter-rocket, artillery, mortar and C-UAS missions, providing real-time defence against manoeuvring threats. Its open, multi-domain architecture enables interoperability across diverse platforms and systems, ensuring rapid and cost-effective technology updates.
