The AFWERX Xband Emitter, or AXE, has advanced from prototype to operational use. The innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force said in a LinkedIn post that AXE is supporting F-35 Lightning II pilot training.
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AFWERX Xband Emitter Development
AXE was born out of an annual innovation competition called Spark Tank at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. It was originally called the Low-Cost Threat Emitter, or LCTE, designed to improve the accuracy of military training simulations.
It won a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract for further development, but initially failed to meet technical and operational requirements for large-scale deployment.
Ian Clowes, program manager for AFWERX, said his team worked with Spark Tank office leadership to continue developing the technology. They secured additional funding from an AFWERX division that provides resources to accelerate capability transitions.
Enhancing Training
The 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea and the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Utah have deployed the technology.
Tech. Sgt. Matthew Connelly of the 51st Fighter Wing, said he reviewed AXE and immediately saw the tool’s potential.
“Our primary mission here at Osan Air Base, through the flying hour program, focuses on the suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses,” he explained. “Seeing how our exercises play out, it was easy to recognize this as another effective tool we can use to enhance training.”
Meanwhile, the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron plans to use the system to replace conventional radars to enhance live-fire exercises.
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