Northrop Grumman Armament Systems is moving to verify the design and upgrade its Mobile Acquisition Cueing and Effector (M-ACE) system following a test event completed in 2020. M-ACE is designed by the company to provide a tactical counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capability that has an advanced predictive cueing capability to shorten the kill chain, allowing for the faster neutralisation of targets using networked sensors and gun systems. The M-ACE vehicle is equipped with White Gryphon R1400 radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), radio frequency (RF) sensors, and a command and control (C2) suite – and several Scorpion air defence (AD) vehicles fitted with 30 mm M230LF Bushmaster cannons.
M-ACE uses M-ACE C2, an NG-developed openarchitecture software system that supports all major industry protocols, integrates with hundreds of sensors and cameras, and has exceptional reliability. M-ACE C2 is exportable, and has a software development kit (SDK) available so that partners could assist in managing the system and its integrated
sensors/effectors. M-ACE C2 leverages advanced man-in- loop autonomy and Artifical Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) plug-ins to compress the decision cycle, identify targets, classify threats, and cue effectors. M-ACE can fit on a variety of commercial and military vehicle platforms. The M-ACE architecture can be easily adapted into different configurations based on each customers mission requirements.
M-ACE utilizes three dimensional (3D) radar, Radio Frequency (RF) sensors, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, global position systems (GPS), and secure radio for transmitting data over command and control (C2) networks. All sensors and effectors are high technology readiness level (TRL) as currently implemented, many
having been fielded in operational environments around the world. Systems can be swapped out or adapted to meet any end-user’s requirements. The advanced predictive cueing capability enables shortening the kill chain decision cycle (target identification, classification, and prioritisation) at near machine speed. Using its advanced C2, M-ACE can cue a variety of kinetic, non-kinetic, and directed energy effectors.
