Through the occasion, the UAV built-in with air and naval forces to execute a simulated long-range missile strike on a simulated adversarial ship.
“The cutting-edge capabilities supplied by the MQ-9 allowed airmen on the opposite facet of the world to have a optimistic, direct influence on fight operations in the midst of the Ionian Sea, giving Naval Strike and Assist Forces NATO the flexibility to make selections in real-time and to ship decisive fight victories,” mentioned CAPT. Alex Hampton, commander, Service Air Wing (CVW) 7. “That is one instance of what the MQ-9 can do for the U.S. Navy to constantly improve NATO’s army capabilities throughout all warfighting domains.”
NATO Air Command, comprised of airmen from France and Nice Britain, positioned the ship within the southern Ionian Sea utilizing long-range synthetic-aperture radar. The staff used the data to create a sensible fight situation and supplied the data to the MQ-9.
The MQ-9 handed the goal ship’s coordinates to an E-2D Hawkeye, connected to Service Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW) 121, who then handed the data to a strike power comprised of F/A-18s, connected to CVW-7, and Spanish AV-8B Harriers.
The E-2D efficiently vectored the strike power to an space protected from simulated enemy air defenses. The strike power then started its’ assault using the intelligence supplied by the UAV.
“Having the MQ-9 concerned in Operation Neptune Strike was an ideal alternative to coach with our NATO companions, which we not often get to do,” mentioned Maj. Matt Mraz, MQ-9 liaison officer, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class plane provider USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). “Since partnering with Service Strike Group (CSG) 10 six months in the past, we have elevated our mixed lethality whereas lowering the time wanted to work by means of our customary kill chain course of. This strike train is the primary of many nice issues for U.S. Air Pressure and U.S. Navy integration.”
All through the assault run, the MQ-9 maintained optimistic identification of the enemy ship and performed scans round it to make sure the strike power’s weapons would solely goal the chosen vessel, eliminating collateral injury to civilian ships within the space.
The strike power launched the simulated munitions and maneuvered to stay outdoors the enemy’s simulated air defenses, successfully denying the enemy an opportunity to focus on pleasant plane.
After the strike, the UAV employed its highly effective full-motion video digital camera to finish a post-attack evaluation of the strike, relayed the information to Strike Pressure NATO, and handed important info to international locations throughout the alliance through radio, chat, and Hyperlink-16.
This train was the third iteration of Jackpot Hooligan. Jackpot Hooligan I used to be an artificial coaching train whereby personnel from throughout the strike group, associate branches, and a number of warfare commanders throughout the strike group built-in to extend their functionality whereas limiting danger to personnel and belongings. Jackpot Hooligan II was a first-of-its-kind maritime strike train that demonstrated the flexibility of the MQ-9 to combine with naval forces to eradicate a goal in an anti-surface warfare mission.
The expertise gained from the recurring integration of the models of CSG-10 and the MQ-9 group enabled clean integration throughout train Jackpot Hooligan III. It opened the door for extra profitable interoperability sooner or later.
George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, which additionally includes CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Info Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).
The ships of DESRON 26 inside CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).
The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Canines” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of VAW-121, the “Patriots” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command Areas of Accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by means of the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
