The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast CCA: Realizing Tomorrow's Airpower Today | 1st Annual Airpower Futures Forum
14 snips
Mar 7, 2025 Guest
Robert Winkler
Guest
Mike Benitez
Guest
Diem Salmon
Guest
Mike Shortsleeve
Guest
Col Timothy M. Helfrich
Col Timothy M. Helfrich, a Senior Materiel Leader for the Air Force, discusses advancements in the CCA program and innovative design challenges. Mike Shortsleeve from General Atomics highlights the hurdles of integrating autonomy into aircraft. Diem Salmon of Anduril shares insights on collaborative approaches to CCA development, while Mike Benitez from Shield AI emphasizes mission autonomy integration. Robert Winkler from Kratos outlines the importance of effective schedule management for military tech. The guests explore future prospects for CCA and the continued evolution of military capabilities.
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Episode notes
Baseline Software for Mission Autonomy
- Develop a baseline software product that minimizes hardware specificity for mission autonomy.
- This approach allows for broader application across different platforms (air, sea, etc.) and maximizes learning and efficiency.
Surrogate Testing with MQ-20
- General Atomics uses MQ-20 for surrogate testing in real-world environments, validating the separation of vehicle and mission autonomy.
- They received FAA approval to test in public airspace, demonstrating safety and enabling algorithm uploads and reinforced learning.
VENOM Project: F-16 Testbeds
- The Air Force is modifying F-16s into autonomous vehicles (VENOM project) to serve as testbeds for autonomy development.
- This approach maximizes competition and allows companies to test cutting-edge autonomy without needing their own aircraft.