Northrop Grumman has demonstrated the ability to extend communications range and capability using the Killer Bee tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) built by Swift Engineering. Testing took place at Fort Hunter in Liggett, Calif., as part of the beyond line-of-sight TUAV communications relay (BTCR) program.

During the demonstration, geographically separated, mobile ground units were tasked to communicate with each other and also with a fixed, tactical command post using CenGen secure wireless, local area network. The units successfully made contact with the command post after their signals were relayed mid-air through the Killer Bee.