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 and Ground Control Stations (GCS) and associated software, 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. 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 will integrate Primary Predator Data Link (PPDL) into the GCS, upgrade the aircraft GPS, and integrate Hellfire R Software, Digital Video, VORTEX FMV encrypted data link, and ACES HY hyperspectral sensor. 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. 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, 2013
• Source ID: 0305219F_7_3600_PB_2013
• Change Summary Explanation: FY11 - Funding total includes $19.0M OCO ($15.0M for the Predator C Test Vehicle and $4.0M for the Counter IED effort) - $5M transferred to higher Air Force priorities - Cong General Reduction (-$0.137M ) included FY12 -$2.474M for CSP (Congressional directed reduction).
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Anti-Tank Missiles
• Command And Control
• Communication Equipment
• Data Links
• Engineering
• Full Motion Video
• Ground Control Stations
• Guided Missiles
• Line Of Sight
• Software Development
• Test Vehicles
• Training
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Vehicles

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

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