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 Torrential Apex, a Next-Gen Multi-Role UAS. 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. The Air Force established the MQ-9 Multi-Domain Operation (M2DO) aircraft configuration which consisted of multiple projects intended to keep the platform viable in the wide-spectrum of armed conflict. The configuration included Anti-Jam Global Positioning System, Enhanced Power, Link 16, Open Mission System/Stellar Relay, Signal Excision, Digital Spread Spectrum Signal, Enhanced Line of Site, Enhanced Auto-Takeoff and Landing, Enhanced Autonomy (including Intelligence Electronic Units). The number of M2DO aircraft, and final capabilities within this configuration, are subject to change as requirements evolve. MQ-9 Development funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. 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. In PY $1.336M and in CY $2.268M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. 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, 2023
• Source ID: 0205219F_7_3600_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: FY23 Base - The FY 2022 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2023 through FY 2026 funding. Therefore, an explanation of the change between the two budget positions for FY2023 cannot be made in a relevant manner. Change in FY2021 President's Budget reprogramming is due to an unpaid bill, and the SBIR/SBTTR is due to small business taxes.
• 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
• Commerce
• Data Links
• Digital Communications
• Global Positioning Systems
• Ground Control Stations
• Human-Machine Interfaces
• Improvised Explosive Devices
• Line Of Sight
• Network Protocols
• Software Development
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

• Engineering

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

• Microelectronics
• Space