Trillium reports HD80 use in Taiwan teaming exercise

The operation took place within the Taiwan Army’s annual exercise cycle, as a live-fire mission rather than a laboratory trial. Against simulated maritime targets, the Aerosonde flew ahead of the helicopter and held a forward overwatch position. The HD80 supplied operators with steady electro-optical imagery and the laser for a precise engagement.

Trillium describes the engagement as a sequence. An IMSAR NSP-3 SAR/GMTI radar on the Aerosonde detected targets at distance through the marine layer. The HD80 was then cross-queued to those detections, identified the targets in detail and tracked them. It lit the chosen target with its laser, and the Apache engaged it. Because the uncrewed aircraft did the sensing and designation, the Apache crew stayed farther away until it fired.

The payload integrates stabilized multi-sensor imaging, laser designation, rangefinding and pointing. According to the company, operators go from watching and identifying to tracking, ranging and designating without switching systems.

Why it matters

Manned-unmanned teaming pairs crewed and uncrewed aircraft. An uncrewed aircraft flying out in front of crewed platforms can deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting, which improves situational awareness and exposes aircrews to less risk. The Taiwan exercise puts that concept into a sensor-to-shooter chain in which the uncrewed aircraft is the forward node.

Maritime and littoral areas are where this matters most, Trillium says, as the work there is demanding: large operating areas have to be watched and several platforms coordinated. Radar detection through the marine layer, followed by optical identification and designation, covers the steps that precede an engagement.

Trillium sees the HD80 as confirmed in demanding ISR-T and designation roles on an established UAS. It cites its ongoing work with Textron Systems, whose Aerosonde carried the payload, and the wide use of its gimbals there.

The company adds that, in its view, uncrewed aircraft extend mission reach, shorten target acquisition and speed coordination between crewed and uncrewed assets.