Tactical Unmanned Aer Vehicles

Abstract

The MQ-8 Unmanned Air System is a Joint Military Intelligence Program. The Tactical Control System FY 2025 budget is dependent on the MQ-8 Fire Scout Program Element 0305231N. There is no funding requested in FY 2025 based on a Navy decision to divest of current inventory of MQ-8C Air Vehicles (AVs) and associated equipment. The Navy will divest the MQ-8C Fire Scout Uncrewed Aircraft System at the conclusion of FY 2024. Through coordination with Commander Naval Air Forces, Commander Naval Surface Forces, Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Sea Systems Command, operational employment of the MQ-8C will end in Q4 FY2024 and sundown will be completed by Q4 FY2026. This program element provides funding for the software development capabilities associated with Mission modules of the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Tactical Control System (TCS), a component of the MQ-8 System, provides software for the joint tactical MQ-8 Fire Scout System. TCS integrated into the MQ-8 Mission Control System (MCS) provides the warfighters with the capability for day/night aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, voice, data and command and control communications/relay, and mine detection and localization. Additionally, TCS provides a multi-level, scalable, and flexible operator control of the air vehicles and payloads as well as direct receipt and dissemination of unmanned aerial vehicle sensor data.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
0305204N_7_1319_PB_2025
Change Summary Explanation
Funding and schedule change from PB24 to PB25: FY 2025 funding reduced by $10.145M and schedule truncated due to Navy decision to divest of current inventory of MQ-8C Air Vehicles (AVs) and associated equipment at the conclusion of FY 2024. Through coordination with Commander Naval Air Forces, Commander Naval Surface Forces, Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Sea Systems Command, operational employment of the MQ-8C will end in Q4 FY2024 and sundown will be completed by Q4 FY2026.
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Readers

  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control

Related Documents