MQ-9 Development and Fielding

Abstract

The basic MQ-9 Reaper system consists of the aircraft, sensors, a ground control station (GCS), communications equipment, weapon kits, support equipment, simulator and training devices, Readiness Spares Packages (RSP), technical data/training, and personnel required to operate, maintain, and sustain the system. The system is designed to be modular and open-ended. Mission-specific equipment is employed in a 'plug-and-play' mission kit concept allowing specific aircraft and control station configurations to be tailored to fit mission needs. The MQ-9 Reaper aircraft is a single-engine, turbo-prop remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) designed to operate over-the-horizon at medium-to-high altitude for long endurance sorties. The aircraft is designed primarily to prosecute critical, emerging Time-Sensitive-Targets (TSTs) as a radar, Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), and laser designator-based attack asset with on-board hard-kill capability (hunter-killer). It also performs Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISR TA). In the hunter-killer role, the aircraft employs fused multi-spectral sensors to find, fix, and track ground targets (Automatic Target Cueing (ATC), Target Location Accuracy (TLA), Metric Sensor and other capabilities), and assesses post-strike results. The MQ-9 system is continuing to develop and field capability through incremental upgrades. Two test aircraft were purchased in FY10 to support development and test activity. Future developmental capabilities include increasing the maximum gross takeoff weight capability of the aircraft; automatic takeoff and landing capability (ATLC); enhancing aircraft systems to include integrated redundant avionics; modifying the system to include provisions for a Foreign Military Sale exportable version of the weapon system; Predator Primary Data Link (PPDL) communication system upgrades and communications upgrades to include data link encryption and Ka frequency migration; navigation system upgrades; electrical system upgrades; airframe and airframe system improvements; propulsion system improvements; secure voice and data communications, including SATCOM, upgrades; sensor/stores management computer improvement; MIL-STD-1760 advanced weapons data bus; Universal Armament Interface and Miniature Munitions/Store Interface; advanced sensor and weapon payloads; improved human-machine interface (HMI); integrating precision weapons (e.g. AGM-114 Hellfire missile, GBU-12/38/49 guided bombs, and Small Diameter Bomb variants); Mode 5 / Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) integration; hardware and software upgrades to the ground control station for MQ-9 operations; completing airworthiness certification; weapons system certification and accreditation; and producing applicable training devices that emulate weapon system capabilities. The MQ-9 program will continue to support other payload and capability development activities funded in other Program Elements (e.g. SIGINT, communications, electronic attack (EA), Broad Area Surveillance leveraging Gorgon Stare Quick Reaction Capability, advanced Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED), missile defense, and other sensors and weapons) and address reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and safety issues. Activities also include trade studies, analyses, preliminary systems engineering, system and subsystem level testing in accordance with DoD and military standards, and specification development in support of both current program planning and execution, and studies supporting analysis and investment in future program planning. The GCS, common with the MQ-1 Predator, functions as the aircraft cockpit and can control the aircraft either within line-of-sight (LOS) or beyond LOS (BLOS) via a combination of satellite relay and terrestrial communications. The GCS is either mobile to support forward operating locations or fixed at a facility to support Remote Split Operations (RSO). The GCS has the capability to perform mission planning; provides a means for manual control; allows personnel to launch, recover, and monitor aircraft, payloads, and system communications status; incorporates secure data links to send aircraft and payload commands and receive system telemetry and payload data; monitors threats to the aircraft; displays the common operational picture; and provides support functions. Launch and Recovery GCS (LRGCS) allow for servicing, systems checks, maintenance, launch and recovery of aircraft under LOS control for hand-off to a mobile or fixed facility GCS, and conducting operations within line-of-sight range of the LRGCS. Beginning in FY12 there is funding to acclerate development of a Multiple Aircraft Control (MAC) GCS capability. GCS upgrades will be developed and fielded in coordination with improvements to MQ-9 aircraft capabilities and in response to evolving operational and information assurance/certification and accreditation requirements. Key future efforts will also include Block 30 GCS upgrades that add new LINUX processors, high definition monitors, ergonomic improvements and Block 50 GCS upgrades that integrate improved human-machine interfaces, open systems architecture, and improved crew habitability. This program will participate in studies, analyses, development, testing, and implementation of future Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems and various standards to pursue joint, Allied, and coalition interoperability. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0205219F_7_3600_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: The increase in funding in FY12 is primarily due to project initiation for: Counter IED development, Multiple Aircraft Control (MAC) GCS development, and Exportable MQ-9 development.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Accuracy
• Aircrafts
• Anti-Tank Missiles
• Artificial Satellites
• Communication Systems
• Data Links
• Ground Control Stations
• Guided Bombs
• Human-Machine Interfaces
• Improvised Explosive Devices
• Line Of Sight
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Training
• Training Devices
• Weapon Systems

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Directed Energy
• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space
• Space - Satellites