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 develops improvements for existing systems and fields new capabilities for the baseline MQ-9 fleet using an Agile Acquisition Strategy to include concept exploration. 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. The last year of funding was FY2022. 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 develops improvements for existing systems and fields 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, enhanced data processing, and Command and Control Resiliency. 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 emergent or unanticipated civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver MQ-9 Weapon System for emergent or unanticipated weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. In PY $2.874M and in CY $2.935M was expended 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, 2024
• Source ID: 0205219F_7_3600_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: FY2022 Changes: -$2.598 for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR); +$0.324M Below Threshold Reprogramming for Stellar Relay program. FY2023 Changes: +$51.500M for MQ-9 Modernization ($31.5M) and Disaggregated AMTI Development ($20M); -$4.500M for MQ-9 LOH carryover (-$2M), MQ-9 upgrade carryover (-$1.5M) and Talon AZREAL carryover (-$1M). FY2024 Changes: +$0.183M for inflation adjustments.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• C4I
• Engineered Resilient Systems (Alumni COI)
• Kinetic Weapons

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Artificial Intelligence
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Contracts
• Data Links
• Global Positioning Systems
• Ground Control Stations
• Product Development
• Secure Communications
• Simulators
• Situational Awareness
• Test And Evaluation
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Warfare

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space