AeroVironment Awarded RCCTO Contract to Deliver Kinesis Command and Control Software for HMIF Increment 1

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AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) has been awarded a significant contract by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The agreement is tied to the Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) Increment 1 program, a forward-looking initiative designed to accelerate the deployment of robotic formations on the battlefield. The primary objective of HMIF is to reduce risks faced by soldiers while simultaneously enhancing the quality and speed of decision-making in combat operations. By integrating autonomous systems into tactical formations, the Army aims to create a more resilient and adaptive force structure.

Photo: avinc.com

The Role of Kinesis Sofware

At the heart of AeroVironment’s solution lies Kinesis, the company’s proprietary command and control (C2) software. Kinesis is designed to streamline mission planning, provide real-time tactical awareness, manage autonomous functions, and enable payload control. Its unified interface simplifies complex operations, allowing operators to scale missions more effectively and execute them at higher speeds. By consolidating multiple functions into a single platform, Kinesis reduces cognitive load on operators and ensures seamless coordination across diverse mission sets.

Jason Hendrix, Vice President and General Manager at AeroVironment, emphasized the transformative potential of Kinesis: “AV's Kinesis software is a true force multiplier that allows a single tactical operator to control a mixed fleet of autonomous systems developed by multiple OEMs, transforming military operations and accelerating our combat readiness. By leveraging the simplicity and scalability of our open and modular software ecosystem, RCCTO is developing HMIF for ultimate mission flexibility–helping warfighters quickly, easily, and safely carry out autonomous missions across domains.”

Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems at AeroVironment, added: “We are delivering superior autonomous solutions to warfighters, not just through our trusted and proven platforms but with our advanced controllers and software capabilities that simplify sophisticated operations, augment force capacity, and drive mission outcomes. Together with U.S. Army RCCTO and an incredible team of industry partners, we are pushing the boundaries of the possible in multi-domain operations.”

One of the most notable advantages of the HMIF program is its ability to empower a single tactical operator to control a mixed fleet of autonomous systems from different manufacturers. This flexibility extends across multiple domains, including both ground and aerial platforms. Furthermore, Kinesis supports interoperability with other tactical C2 platforms, such as the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK/ATAK), ensuring that the Army can integrate new technologies without disrupting existing operational frameworks. This cross-domain capability enhances mission adaptability and strengthens joint-force effectiveness.

Collaboration and Industry Partnerships

To maximize the impact of the HMIF program, AeroVironment is collaborating with several strategic partners, including Neya Systems (a division of Applied Research Associates), Parry Labs, and QinetiQ. These partnerships are critical in advancing modularity, enabling third-party software integration, and improving overall operational efficiency. By leveraging the expertise of multiple industry leaders, the program is positioned to deliver a robust and scalable solution that aligns with the Army’s modernization goals.

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