The Defense Innovation Unit Experimental DUIx was founded by former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter as a sort of liaison between the Do. D and innovators who wouldnt want to work in the military environment. The red tape laden process of working within the government is the opposite of the move fast and break things mindset that Silicon Valley adores. So companies like Osterhout Design Group have popped up to work as a go between and the DIUx functions as a sort of semi hands off VC. Over 100,000 HQ DivX TV Movies All DVD Quality 99. Active Links The Fastest Streams Updated Daily No Cams And we love you too. Ever notice how Christopher Nolans movies Interstellar, Inception, The Prestige feel like an anxiety attack Well, maybe thats overstating things a bit. But. All in all, the program doesnt seem like its been going so well. Carter has announced the beginning of DUIx 2. Elon Musk recently had some meetings with the Pentagon to start something secret. The branch needs a win and the robotic wingmen are being pushed out in a show of results. The program itself may not be going smoothly but according to Defense News, its been good for the companies that DIUx invests in. Pentagons money. Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is handling the drone wingmen project. According to the Washington Post On Tuesday, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions officially announced two new classes of drones designed to function as robotic wingmen for fighter pilots. Development of the UTAP 2. Mako has been funded by the Defense Departments Silicon Valley laboratory, dubbed DIUx. Funny Comedian Videos Leo The Lion. Separately, the company showed off a larger, 3. Air Force called the XQ 2. Valkyrie, with a range of more than 4,0. Aviation experts say the speed and altitude capacities published by Kratos suggest the drones could fly in tandem with an F 1. F 3. 5 fighter. The company says it has already successfully flown the drones alongside manned aircraft and that it will soon embark on an advanced round of testing above Californias Mojave Desert employing a more sophisticated array of sensing technology to determine just how autonomous the drones can be. The testing is set for July and a demonstrated military exercise is scheduled for sometime in the second half of 2. Thats pretty darn fast for a military project. Usually, when we hear about these experimental designs, theyve been in development for many years, havent changed much, and have years of development ahead of them. According to Kratos president, Steven Fenley, These systems can conduct fully autonomous missions. The idea is for them to fly alongside a manned aircraft and be able to independently perform maneuvers. For now, the sensors are directing to drone to mimic the piloted aircrafts movements but in the future, they may be flying ahead or independently drawing enemy fire. Kratos contract with DIUx is for only 1. We dont know how much outside funding has also come in, but if the project is a success it would certainly demonstrate that the programs approach with small private sector investment is working. Dont hold your breath.