Scientists with the Air Force Research Laboratory and researchers with Northrop Grumman have demonstrated technology that will allow warfighters to request and receive surveillance information via a handheld device while engaged in urban conflict. AFRL demonstrated the Heterogeneous Urban RSTA Team (HURT) system, which comprises a command and control center (HC3) that automatically determines what RSTA (reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition) unmanned aerial vehicles can provide real-time information tailored to a specific field request. “The HURT system was able to simultaneously control four small UAVs and provide streaming video through the HC3 back to a hand-held warfighter interface,” said AFRL’s William Koenig.
Army Building Up New Space Operations Branch
Oct. 15, 2026
The Army has long been dependent on space capabilities to navigate terrain, communicate in hard-to-reach areas, and identify and strike targets. Now, the service wants to deepen its space operations expertise and is making plans to expand its own cadre of operators in the coming years.