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 (GCS), 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 aircraft is configured to carry Hellfire laser-guided missiles. 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 full motion video (FMV) imagery throughout the operational theater. The Department's plan is to transition to the Common Sensor Payload (CSP) EO/IR sensor for commonality with the Army Extended Range/Multi-Purpose (ERMP) MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Predator will develop and incorporate encryption for its data links. Major changes will be classified as distinct blocks or Mission Design Series (MDS) updates. The overarching MQ-1 modernization activity is known as the Critical Capabilities Integration Program (CCIP). The first CCIP increment is Block 25 which includes the integration development of the Primary Predator Data Link, and Differential GPS. Integration development for additional features (Hellfire R Software, Digital Video, VORTEX FMV encrypted data link, and ACES HY hyperspectral sensor) will be performed also, but are listed separately. Planned 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 GCS, common with the MQ-9 Reaper, 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 a common operational 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 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, 2012
• Source ID: 0305219F_7_3600_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: Decrease from FY 2011 to FY 2012 is due to completion of Digital Video and IP Migration efforts, and nearing completion of Common Sensor Payload and Critical Capabilities Integration development.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Sensors
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Aircrafts
• Anti-Tank Missiles
• Artificial Satellites
• Command And Control
• Communication Equipment
• Communication Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Data Links
• Digital Video
• Full Motion Video
• Ground Control Stations
• Guided Missiles
• Line Of Sight
• Training
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

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