US Air Force explores converting cargo aircraft into drone launch platforms - Sarmad

The U.S. Air Force is seeking to convert its cargo aircraft into launch platforms for drone swarms.

According to Defense News, the U.S. Air Force wants to deploy transport aircraft carrying drones at its bases, enabling AI-controlled drones to independently defend the bases against any attack.

The project aims to transform cargo planes into adaptable, force-multiplying launch platforms that provide rapid-response drone swarms for base security, according to a request for proposals from the U.S. Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, with a submission deadline of October 21.

The U.S. Air Force is seeking a three-part contract, one of which involves equipping transport aircraft with onboard intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities by enabling them to serve as high-altitude motherships for drones—a capability demonstrated by a C-130 when it recovered an X-61 Gremlin drone mid-air.

U.S. Air Mobility Command has held discussions about using KC-135 tanker aircraft as launch platforms.

Another task involves providing self-defense capabilities for air mobility forces operating in contested airspace.