Boeing Team Demonstrates Expanded Control of Unmanned Aircraft Swarm

• Operator uses laptop and military radio to task autonomous systems and receive time-critical information

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Aug. 6, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) have demonstrated that an operator on the ground, using only a laptop and a military radio, can command an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "swarm." Despite limited flight training, the operator was able to connect with autonomous UAVs, task them and obtain information without using a ground control station.

The team conducted flight tests in Oregon for several days in June, using two ScanEagle UAVs manufactured by Boeing subsidiary Insitu and swarm technology developed by JHU/APL. The technology allows UAVs to perform similarly to a swarm of insects, completing tasks more quickly and efficiently by communicating and acting together.

Boeing and JHU/APL conducted two tests last year in which dissimilar unmanned platforms across air, land and sea domains collaborated to autonomously conduct searches and communicate information.

"This swarm technology may one day enable warfighters in battle to request and receive time-critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information directly from airborne UAVs much sooner than they can from ground control stations today," said Gabriel Santander, program director of Advanced Autonomous Networks for Boeing Phantom Works. "Swarm network technology has the potential to offer more missions at less risk and lower operating costs."

The demonstrations are conducted under a collaborative agreement between Boeing and JHU/APL, a University Affiliated Research Center and a division of Johns Hopkins University that has been addressing critical national challenges through the innovative application of science and technology for nearly 70 years. It maintains a staff of about 5,000 on its Laurel, Md., campus.

UAV swarm technology is one of Boeing's many C4ISR capabilities that provide a seamless flow of information -- from collection to aggregation to analysis -- for customers' enduring need for situational awareness. The breadth of these capabilities will be on display at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America 2012 conference and can be experienced online at www.boeing.com/advertising/c4isr.

Boeing to Present Variety of Unmanned Systems and Technology at AUVSI 2012

• Company to demonstrate commitment to innovative, effective solutions

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 2, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] will spotlight several unmanned systems that meet a variety of customer needs during the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems North America 2012 conference and exhibition. This year's event takes place Aug. 6-9 in Las Vegas.

The Boeing exhibit at Booth 3646 will feature the Phantom Eye, Unmanned Little Bird H-6U, A160T Hummingbird and Echo Ranger unmanned systems, as well as unmanned aerial vehicle swarm technology and the Adaptive Vehicle Management System.

Boeing Unmanned Aerial Systems Director Rick Lemaster will give reporters an overview of the Unmanned Little Bird, and discuss a recent significant milestone, on Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to noon Pacific time at Booth 3646.

"Boeing continues to draw on capabilities from across the company to offer a diverse and growing set of unmanned solutions for both military and commercial customers," said Debbie Rub, Boeing vice president and general manager of Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems. "We are committed to helping our customers overcome their current and future challenges through continued innovation."

Boeing subsidiary Insitu's exhibit at Booth 4046 will display the ScanEagle and other unmanned products and services.