On October 21, 2025, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies collaborated on a flight test that successfully demonstrated Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming using an F-22 Raptor fighter jet and a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger® unmanned jet.
The effort integrated L3Harris’ BANSHEE™ Advanced Tactical Datalinks with its Pantera Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) via Lockheed Martin’s open radio architectures, all integrated and shared from an F-22 Raptor.
Two L3Harris Software‑Defined Radios (SDRs) supported the demonstration. The first SDR was installed into the General Atomics MQ‑20 Avenger, and the second was integrated in the Lockheed Martin F‑22 Raptor. Through the Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) tablet and the F‑22’s GRACE module, the system provided end‑to‑end communications, enabling the F‑22 command and control of the MQ‑20 in flight.
The collaborative demonstration showcased non-proprietary, U.S. government-owned communications capabilities and the ability to fly, transition, and re-fly flight hardware that is core to the Open Mission Systems and skills based unmanned autonomy ecosystem.
The demonstration took place at the Nevada Test and Training Range and is part of an ongoing series of flight demonstrations performed using internal research and development funding to showcase “the art of the possible” between manned and unmanned teaming.
