PREDATOR DEVELOPMENT/FIELDING

Abstract

The basic MQ-1 system consists of the aircraft, a control station, communications equipment, support equipment, simulator and training devices, Readiness Spares Packages (RSP), technical data/training, and personnel required to operate, maintain, and sustain the system. This funding supports development and enhancements to the Predator weapon system to include: aircraft, Ground Control Stations, sensors, communication equipment, training systems and support elements. 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-1 aircraft is a single-engine, propeller-driven, remotely piloted aircraft (formerly called unmanned aircraft vehicle, UAV) designed to operate over-the-horizon for long endurance sorties. The aircraft is designed to provide real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition (ISR TA), and attack capability to aggressively prosecute Time Sensitive Targets (TSTs). The MQ-1 operates primarily at medium altitudes, integrating with joint aerospace, ground, and maritime forces as well as coalition and Allied forces, to execute combatant commander priority missions. The aircraft carries a Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) (a sensor turret that incorporates electro-optical (EO), Infra-Red (IR), laser designator, and IR illuminator) capable of transmitting real-time motion imagery throughout the operational theater. The program plans to develop a capability for Mode S and develop and incorporate encryption for its data links. Major changes will be classified as distinct blocks or Mission Design Series (MDS) updates. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. The program will take steps to integrate a high-definition (HD) turret and transmit HD video. The aircraft is configured to carry Hellfire laser-guided missiles. The Ground Control Station (GCS) 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; provide a means for manual control; allow control of multiple aircraft and payloads; allow personnel to launch, recover, and monitor aircraft, payloads, and system communications status; secure data links to receive payload sensor data and command links; monitor threats to the aircraft; display common operation picture; and provide support functions. Additionally, GCS allows for servicing, systems checks, maintaining, launching, and recovering aircraft under LOS control for hand-off to a mobile or fixed facility GCS. The GCS will continue to evolve and upgrade its capabilities to keep pace with MQ-1 aircraft capabilities and the missions they perform. This program is budget activity 7, Operational Systems Development, because it involves Air Force R&D to field a highly capable operational system and provide essential operational capabilities.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0305219F_7_3600_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2009 $12.4M Congressional increase includes: $6.0M for sense and avoid work, $4.0M for Center for UAV Excellence, and $2.4M for PMATS upgrade. FY 2009 funding totals include $1.7M included as part of the 2009 Omnibus reprogramming action (IR 09-26). FY 2010 funding totals include $5.675M in Congressional Adds and $11.4M appropriated for Overseas Contingency Operations. FY 2011 funding added to complete critical improvements to keep aircraft viable beyond FYDP.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Sensors
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Artificial Satellites
• Communication Equipment
• Cost Analysis
• Costs
• Data Links
• Ground Control Stations
• Guided Missiles
• Laser Guided Missiles
• Line Of Sight
• Medium Altitude
• Tactical Reconnaissance
• Test And Evaluation
• Training
• Training Devices
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Space
• Space - Satellites