MQ-9 UAV

Abstract

The basic MQ-9 Reaper system consists of the aircraft, sensors, 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 GCS configurations to be tailored to fit mission needs. The MQ-9 Reaper system has four separate development programs. This PE includes: 1. MQ-9 System Lifecycle Agile Modernization (SLAM). This effort is to develop improvements for existing systems and to field new capabilities for the baseline MQ-9 fleet using an Agile Acquisition Strategy to include concept exploration for an MQ-9 follow-on. 2. MQ-9 Development and Fielding. This effort is for development and fielding of the baseline MQ-9 aircraft and GCSs and associated communications systems, sensors, payloads, simulators, support equipment, and resolving Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues. 3. Squadron Operations Centers (SOC). This effort is for development and fielding of standardized operations centers. SOCs contain the equipment necessary for remote split operations, to provide mission data and tasking information to aircrew, and to disseminate and/or exchange mission data with decision-makers and the intelligence community. 4. MQ-9 Upgrade. This effort is to develop improvements for existing systems and to field new capabilities for the baseline MQ-9 fleet using an Agile Acquisition Strategy. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver MQ-9 weapon system capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Source ID
0205219F_7_3600_PB_2021
Change Summary Explanation
FY20 Base - $27.7M reduction identified by FY20 Appropriations Bill Line 176, Page 290 as "Upgrade program excess to need." FY21 Base - $73.920M reduction accounts for prior year funds that are currently available to execute in this funding period.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Command And Control
  • Data Links
  • Detectors
  • Digital Communications
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Human-Machine Interfaces
  • Line Of Sight
  • Network Protocols
  • Operating Systems
  • Product Development
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

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