Technology Related to the Highly Maneuverable Lethal Vehicle (HMLV) Concept

This paper presents the results of a technology feasibility study of the Highly Maneuverable Lethal Vehicle (HMLV) -an unoccupied, armed, reusable, semi-autonomous air weapon system. The HMLV combines characteristics such as high maneuverability, automatic target recognition (ATR) and decision-making/reasoning (DMR) algorithms, a jam-resistant data link, and lightweight precision guided weaponry.

The study indicated that the HMLV offers the possibility of greatly enhanced capability and much lower operating cost compared to manned systems. Most of the necessary technology appears to be sufficiently mature already. However, the areas of ATR and DMR will require significant advancement to make the HMLV possible.