Focus - UAVs and You Buzzword MUM-T: Expeditionary HSC on the Leading Edge By LT Rebecca “Deuce” Atkinson, USN
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he phrase MUM-T (Manned Unmanned-Teaming) has been batted around a lot in the past few years. But what exactly does that mean, and how is the Navy doing it? If you were to type MUM-T into a Google search, you would get hits about the U.S. Army’s programs involving Apaches and various fixed wing UAVs, such as the MQ-1C Grey Eagle and RQ-1 Shadow. These aircraft work together with troops to build situational awareness on the battlefield and to provide real-time reconnaissance on the ground. The U.S. Navy uses UAVs in a similar fashion. Fixed wing UAVs, such as the ScanEagle, are used primarily overseas to support ground troops. Rotary wing UAVs, capable of staying airborne for extended time and with the ability to launch from ships, are excellent in a multitude of environments. While creating an efficient tool for use overland, the Navy has taken it a step further by equipping ships with built-in Mission Control Stations able to operate anywhere the ship can take it. These stations allow UAV operators to build a Recognized Maritime Picture with greater detail than ever before. Utilizing built in RADAR (AN / ZPY-4), multispectral imaging (BSBII), and imagery sharing components (VORTEX / Rover) including long legs and the ability to operate at high altitudes, a UAV is ideal in complementing the Navy’s manned aircraft both at sea and overland. The Navy’s HSC Community is taking on the UAV with enthusiasm. Squadrons on both East and West Coasts have operated the MQ-8B Fire Scout and MH-60S in the maritime environment while deployed on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) with big plans to take them to Fifth and Seventh Fleet.
Photo taken by HSC-22 Public Affairs Officer LTJG Michael Maxwell
In the past two years, the expeditionary squadrons have focused their energies on Fourth Fleet Counter-Narcotics operations. The Airborne Use of Force mission, executed in concert with the US Coast Guard, is a perfect example of how the MUM-T concept in the Navy is one of its greatest capabilities. When intelligence is passed that a vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs is en-route to its rendezvous, the Fire Scout can launch to locate and positively identify the contact. Once this is complete and the LCS is within two hours of the vessel, the MH-60S can launch to execute the interdiction while the MQ-8 stays on scene and provides updates during the boarding. During Strike Group workups, the LCS and expeditionary detachments have further demonstrated their MUM-T capabilities in mock straigts transits in which the Fire Scout has identified FAC / FIAC swarms and directed manned MH-60s to execute Pre-Planned Responses (PPRs) in order to protect the American assets. Overwater operations are not the only strength of the Navy’s expeditionary UAV squadrons. UAV operators and manned crews train to the overland environment as well. Due to the Fire Scout’s ability to remain relatively covert (flight at higher altitudes coupled with a quiet engine and rotor system), it can be the ideal platform to build situational awareness for both ground troops and the aircraft supporting them. In HSC-22’s Detachment workups in winter of 2020, crews flew a Direct Action event in which the UAV provided, with incredible detail, a real-time picture to Special Operation Forces of suspect enemies and directed them safely to their objective. Once complete, the MQ-8 cleared the MH-60S to their landing zone to exfil troops, resulting in mission success and an outstanding win for MUM-T.
MQ-8 and MH-60S. Photo taken by NASA Public Affairs, Wallops Flight Facility
Rotor Review #153 Summer '21
Now that the capabilities of the Navy’s MannedUnmanned Teaming have been proven in both the training environment and while operating in theater, the next step is to begin operations in more volatile regions of the world. With expeditionary squadrons currently receiving the improved MQ-8C and gaining experience through deploying detachments, MUM-T is bound to enhance an already incredible global force. 38
