MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) provides significant advantages in military operations. For example, a pilot in a manned combat aircraft like KAAN can control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles around it, directing them to specific areas for reconnaissance missions. This enables the pilot to maintain operational capabilities in dangerous zones while remaining at a safer distance. Since the UAVs under manned system control don't need to communicate with ground control stations during operations, this prevents signal detection and enhances operational security by eliminating intermediate communications.
In the United States, MUM-T flights are being conducted with the Airbus H145 helicopter and Camcopter S-100 UAV.
The United Kingdom has successfully demonstrated joint operations between a helicopter and UAV.
Russia has stated that a Su-57 aircraft can control up to 4 Okhotnik unmanned aerial vehicles.
In Turkey, work continues on enabling Hürjet and KAAN aircraft to control ANKA-III and KIZILELMA UAVs.
What is MUM-T?
MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) is a concept that enables manned and unmanned systems to work together coordinately in joint operations, allowing manned systems to take control of unmanned systems. In this concept, manned systems such as helicopters or aircraft work together with unmanned aerial vehicles. This modern technology provides more effective operational capability by combining the strengths of both manned and unmanned systems.
Thanks to its artificial intelligence, the unmanned aerial vehicle can operate autonomously, while critical decisions remain under the control of the operator in the manned vehicle. This preserves human judgment while taking advantage of technological convenience.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence and autopilot systems means that MUM-T is becoming easier to implement.
Levels of Interoperability
The U.S. Army classifies MUM-T into five levels of interoperability (LoI):
LoI 1 (Indirect Receipt): UAV data is transmitted first to a relay or ground station, then to the manned platform.
LoI 2 (Direct Receipt): Data is transmitted directly from the UAV to the manned platform.
LoI 3 (UAV Control): The manned platform can control the UAV's sensors. For example, it can direct the UAV's camera.
LoI 4 (Control): The manned platform can control the UAV's route and payload.
LoI 5 (Full Control): The manned platform has complete control, including takeoff and landing. UAVs execute missions autonomously with AI while humans maintain supervision.
Türkiye's Domestic Products
Currently, ANKA-III MIUS can be controlled through Hürjet. With the development of this integration, which has undergone initial testing, Hürjet will be able to designate targets for ANKA-III, or ANKA-III can perform protective duties for Hürjet.
In 2022, at the Yıldız Technical University Defense Industry Summit, it was announced that a twin-seat variant of KAAN would be developed in the medium term for MUM-T capability. In this system, the pilot in the rear seat would control UAVs like Bayraktar KIZILELMA. However, TUSAŞ later announced that the twin-seat variant would not be produced, and the flight computer would perform the tasks expected from the second pilot. KAAN is intended to be integrated with UAVs through encrypted data links. As systems like KAAN's autopilot develop with artificial intelligence assistance, the pilot's primary focus will shift from flying the aircraft to commanding autonomous systems.
