Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, September 18, 2020

vol. 4, no. 21 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR sept. 18, 2020

An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
ABMS Onramp

2 sees second

MQ-9 AIM-9X

shot, other

CMD tactics Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Haley Stevens

development A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron armed with an AIM-9X missile sits
on the ramp on Sept. 3, 2020, ahead of the ABMS Onramp #2. The network integration and cross-domain solutions
proven during the ABMS demonstration significantly decreased the total time from target discovery to engagement
to battle damage assessment.

by 1st Lt Savanah Bray Nellis AFB, Nev., and industry partners collaborated to plan explore integration opportunities the aircraft and cockpits
Creech AFB, Nev. and execute this event, validating a concept emerging from could provide to JADC2, as well as counterair capabilities
the Weapons School. Connecting the squadron operations cell and roles beyond the typical counter-terrorism role assumed
From employing an AIM-9X from an MQ-9 to improving and the ground-based cockpit to the ABMS network to enable by the MQ-9.”
AGR-20 cruise missile defense tactics from the F-16, units the MQ-9 to target the BQM-167 was a significant effort that The ABMS demonstration served as the second MQ-9
across the 53rd Wing played a critical role in the Advanced required resolution to the numerous technical challenges to AIM-9X employment since the first air-to-air shot in No-
Battle Management System Onramp #2 from August 31 to provide this connection. vember of 2017 against a target drone. Since 2017, the MQ-9
Sept. 3, 2020. Joint All Domain Command and Control provided criti- community has investigated and proven the efficacy of the
A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test cal data to the MQ-9 and crew for timely and accurate target MQ-9 in a counter-air role utilizing the AIM-9X and future
and Evaluation Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., suc- information. The network integration and cross-domain solu- non-kinetic effects. The combined test, weapons school, and
cessfully employed a live air-to-air AIM-9X Block 2 missile tions proven during the ABMS demonstration significantly industry team since 2009 has demonstrated the capability to
against a target BQM-167 drone simulating a cruise missile. decreased the total time from target discovery to engagement integrate the MQ-9’s effects in major combat operations across
The crew received off-board cueing information, found and to battle damage assessment. a variety of missions during large scale exercises at the USAF
tracked the target, then maneuvered to validly employ the “This truly was a combined effort to make this demon- weapons school, integrating with Naval assets, and flying
AIM-9X against the surrogate cruise missile. stration a success,” said Lt. Col. Michael Chmielewski, com- in numerous combatant commands.
The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron, alongside De- mander, 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron. “While early
velopmental Test partners, the 26th Weapons Squadron at in development, this successful test opens the door to further See tactics, on Page 2

HealtH emergency expires

The Public Health Emergency at Nel- Bravo base leadership will transition able at all Force Support facilities as well rent status to preserve physical spacing.
lis Air Force Base, Nev., expired Sept. 4. the installation status back to Green. as AAFES partner facilities. The Fitness The Club will also reopen with appropri-
Nellis will be moving to HPCON Limited in-house dining is now avail- Center will remain restricted in its cur- ate mitigation measures in place.

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