Lockheed Martin’s new VCSi vehicle control software makes it possible for operators to control dozens of unmanned vehicles at once.

The software, which can be used to conduct information, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, will make its debut during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi this month, according to a news release. It provides 3D visualization of vehicles and airspace, and is part of the company’s VCS unmanned control product family. Over the last 25 years, VCS has accumulated more than 1.5 million flight hours by operators controlling 40 different vehicles across several dozen companies.

“VCSi is a safe and reliable software platform that can be adapted to any vehicle – from one you can hold in your hand, to a 50,000-pound machine; from a vehicle that flies for a few minutes, to a vehicle that flies for months at a time,” said John Molberg, business development manager, Lockheed Martin CDL Systems, according to the release. “The user can integrate as many vehicles as required to complete their missions, including boats, quadcopters, fixed-wing aircraft or even high-altitude pseudo satellites. Across commercial or military missions, VCSi is adaptable to the challenge and further extends the power of the human-machine team.”

Control interfaces allow for true 1:n control of dissimilar vehicles anywhere on earth, according to the release. The software features a plug-in architecture, which enables users to add custom content or for it to be selected from pre-existing modules. 

VCSi is designed around the NATO Standardization Agreement known as STANAG 4586, which supports unmanned vehicle interoperability. Customers can build attachments or plug-ins beyond 4586 to customize the VCSi software, which also supports multiple languages and non-Latin scripts.