The New Manned / Unmanned Teaming Kit (MUM-178)
Kutta Technologies, Inc. has announced its new Manned / Unmanned Teaming Kit (MUM-178). The MUM-178 toolkit is one of the first products of its kind available to help facilitate the teaming of both manned and unmanned assets and it was developed based on DO-178C principles. MUM-178 represents a significant step forward in how aviators utilize the growing number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms from a safety-critical point of view.
The MUM-178 is STANAG compliant with the latest DoD interoperability profiles and will allow aviators STANAG 4586 Level 3 and Level 4 (Supervised Usage) control of a UAS and its payload while simultaneously piloting their aircraft. “Now an aviator can utilize the UAS to scan ingress or egress paths for potential threats and get real-time updates of the landing zone before arriving on station. The route nomination feature even allows a pilot to easily scan a road in support of a wheeled-convoy escort mission,” said Doug Limbaugh, Kutta’s CEO.
The lightweight kneeboard device is worn by pilots during flight and is designed to eliminate the repetitive motion strain required to navigate and control a typical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) payload by providing an intuitive point-and-click interface through a resistive (supports gloved input) multi-touchpad. The end result is a seamless link between the pilot and unmanned system that can significantly extend mission range and increase standoff distances while maintaining the safety of the pilot at all times. The MUM-178 is currently STANAG 4586 compliant (v.2a.1). “We believe that the MUM-178 is a product that directly aligns with the increasing need to provide Army aviators a highly capable, interoperable solution across the Army’s aviation assets,” said David Barnhard, Kutta’s Director of Business Development.
Kutta will be exhibiting at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) trade show in Orlando, FL., 12-15 May 2014. Booth #1536.
