Lockheed Martin has demonstrated open system architecture on U-2 aircraft, in test flights that integrated multiple Air Force Open Mission Systems (OMS) payloads using the Skunk Works Enterprise Open Systems Architecture (E-OSA), according to Lockheed. The test shows the ability to rapidly modernize the aircraft's mission systems architecture, according to the company.
The flights culminated a five-month research effort that integrated four OMS-compliant sensors, including three electronic warfare systems and the U-2 SYERS-2C sensor, as well as a modernized Internet Protocol-based data link. The systems were integrated despite coming from different suppliers. The three-week test cycle included on-board contingency planning for no-fly zones, unplanned threats, and no-image zones.
"This demonstration builds upon our Project Missouri work and further demonstrates our innovative Open Architecture approach to quickly and affordably modernize aircraft like the U-2," said Rob Weiss, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
