Defense & Military
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Cross-Border UAS Autonomy Integration
Lockheed Martin showcased MDCX and Vigilance integration enabling secure, multi-domain control of multiple uncrewed aerial systems in the UK.
This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin.
On January 8, 2026, Lockheed Martin successfully completed a live demonstration of its advanced command and control (C2) capabilities at the Predannack National Drone Hub in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The event highlighted the integration of U.S. and U.K. defense technologies, specifically pairing the U.S.-developed Multi-Domain Combat System (MDCX™) with the U.K.-developed Vigilance mission system.
According to the company’s announcement, the demonstration proved that a single operator could simultaneously manage multiple classes of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) within a secure, multi-domain environment. This achievement marks a significant step in coalition interoperability, offering a “suite of capability” designed to be exportable to international allies while maintaining high security standards.
The demonstration featured a scenario where the MDCX™ autonomy platform commanded two distinct types of drones: the Indago 2 quadcopter (Group 1) and the Stalker fixed-wing UAS (Group 2). While MDCX managed the flight autonomy and mission planning, the Vigilance system handled sensor data fusion.
Lockheed Martin described the technical breakdown of the systems involved:
In a specific test of mission capability, the Indago 2 drone utilized a Software Defined Radio Payload to re-broadcast sonobuoy data, simulating an anti-submarine warfare mission managed by the integrated systems.
Lockheed Martin successfully completed a live demo of its ‘suite of capability’ for uncrewed system command and control featuring the MDCX™ and Vigilance.
— Lockheed Martin Press Release
This demonstration addresses a longstanding friction point in international defense acquisitions: the balance between purchasing advanced U.S. platforms and maintaining sovereign control over mission data. By integrating the U.K.-sovereign Vigilance Software with the U.S. MDCX architecture, Lockheed Martin is validating a modular approach to defense sales.
We observe that this “Open Architecture” model aligns with the U.S. Department of Defense’s vision for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). Rather than relying on proprietary, closed-loop systems, the industry is shifting toward modularity that allows allies to plug domestic sensor algorithms into U.S. operating systems. Furthermore, the specific platforms used in this demonstration, Stalker and Indago, are directly relevant to the British Army’s “TIQUILA” program. Awarded to Lockheed Martin UK in late 2022, the £129 million TIQUILA contract focuses on providing uncrewed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This successful integration suggests a pathway for enhancing those existing assets with advanced autonomy and cross-domain connectivity.
What is the significance of the “Marsupial” concept mentioned in related reports? How does this technology handle security between nations?
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Cross-Border Autonomy with MDCX and Vigilance Integration
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Frequently Asked Questions
While this specific demonstration focused on simultaneous control of separate assets, the underlying architecture supports “marsupial” operations, where larger drones launch and recover smaller uncrewed systems. This capability is increasingly relevant for extending the range and survivability of ISR assets in contested environments.
The system utilizes a Multi-Level Security (MLS) architecture. This design allows data to be shared securely between U.S. and allied networks, overcoming technical barriers that have historically complicated coalition warfare and data sharing.
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Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin