RQ-4 UAV

Abstract

This program element funds six (6) related Air Force projects sharing the Global Hawk platform in common: the Global Hawk Baseline (Block 10/20) sub-program, the RQ-4 Block 30 sub-program, the RQ-4 Block 40 sub-program, the RQ-4 Ground Segment/Communications System subprogram, the Common Airborne Sense & Avoid (C-ABSAA) sub-program, and the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP). Global Hawk: The Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) provides a high altitude, deep look, long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability that complements space and other airborne collectors during peacetime, crisis, and war-fighting scenarios. This funding supports the development of Global Hawk aircraft, payloads, ground and support segments. The RQ-4B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is the successor to the Block 10 RQ-4A, and is designed to employ 3,000 pounds of payload and enable multi-intelligence (multi-INT) collecting. The Block 20 employs the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) payload. Block 30 (Project Number 675145) employs upgraded Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors known as the Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) and the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) sensor. Activities include mission planning development and testing, adverse weather capability development and testing, airspace and interoperability updates, airframe/sensor upgrades and Next Generation Sensor integration. In FY15 and beyond, the RQ-4 Block 30 project 675145 includes budget necessary for enterprise management, test and evaluation, management services and fielding support for projects 675145, 675146 (Block 40) and 675147 (Ground Segment/Comm System) as well as program protection projects, studies and analysis supporting future system enhancements. This reflects contracting/acquisition strategy for these common elements within the Global Hawk program. The Block 40 (Project Number 675146) will integrate the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar sensor. In FY15 and beyond, the RQ-4 Block 40 project 675146 includes the Block 40 delta costs for the development of adverse weather capability development and testing, mission planning development and testing, airspace integration activities including IFF Mode 5 and ADS-B, airframe and sensor software and interoperability enhancements to the Block 40 fleet. The Ground Station Modernization (GSM)/Communication System Modernization (CSM) Project Number 675147 includes the GSM, CSM and Next Generation Communication System. The ground segment includes the Mission Control Element (MCE) and the Launch and Recovery Element (LRE). As a result of the reinstatement of the Block 30s in the FY15 PB, the operational need for ground stations increased and drives the need for a GSTR that is planned to be re-initiated with phase 2 in FY16 in support of 20 year operational lifecycle. CSM and Next Generation Communications are planned for development and testing in FY18 and out. When judged feasible and affordable, this program will participate in the development, testing, and implementation of international standards to enhance joint, allied, and coalition interoperability. Studies and activities may be initiated to explore the utility of incorporating the emerging architectural standards such as the USAF UAs Command and Control Initiative (UCI) or the DoD's Unmanned Control Segment standards (UCS). The Global Hawk program will maintain capability and interoperability for Blocks 20/30/40 including efforts with system of systems partners and continue to incorporate applicable synergies with other platforms such as the U.S. Navy's Triton, other RPA weapon systems, and Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination (PED) elements. Common Airborne Sense & Avoid (C-ABSAA): The C-ABSAA funding supports design, development, integration, and testing of an Airborne Sense and Avoid capability for Group 3-5 UAS on a yet to be determined Threshold Platform. Ongoing activities include technology development and maturation, sub-system integration and risk reductions activities. C-ABSAA is a separate ACAT II program in the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase of the acquisition lifecycle, supports the "Worldwide Operations" Key Performance Parameter (KPP) found in larger UAS requirement documents, and provides the ability for UAS integration into the National Airspace System (NAS) and full worldwide UAS operations across all mission environments. This is a continuation of efforts which began in FY10 under OSD PEC, 64400D. This project does not support platform specific integration or testing. Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP): The MP-RTIP sensor was designed as a family of modular, scalable sensors that provide next generation capabilities to support sustainable network centric operations with integrated Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C2ISR) capability. MP-RTIP provides the Global Hawk Block 40 aircraft with advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Moving Target Indicator (MTI) sensor capabilities. This project includes all MP-RTIP design, development, test, and integration efforts onto the GH Block 40 platform. Integration activities include platform integration of the MP-RTIP sensor and sustainment logistics planning support. MP-RTIP studies and development insertion include the implementation of Maritime Modes (MM), High Range Resolution (HRR) modes, electronic protection, technical refresh, product improvements and other advanced capabilities. Activities also include studies and analysis supporting current and future program planning and future modes development based on user requirements. 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, 2015
• Source ID: 0305220F_7_3600_PB_2015
• Change Summary Explanation: FY13 reductions in Other Adjustments were due to Sequestration. FY14 (-)$24.0M decrease: Congressional reduction due to execution issues. FY15 (+)$43.6M increase: Restoration of the Global Hawk Block 30.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Human Systems
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Engineering
• Ground Control Stations
• Ground Stations
• High Altitude
• Logistics Planning
• Optical Detectors
• Reliability
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Test And Evaluation
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

• Engineering

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