RQ-4 UAV

Abstract

USAF divested the Block 20 aircraft in FY21 and Block 30 aircraft in FY22. To win high-end conflict, the future AF design must deliver ISR capabilities and concepts of operation that can survive against peer/near-peer threats. To accomplish this in the FYDP the USAF will pivot to focus on Block 30 closeout actions and supporting the Block 40 fleet until its planned divestiture in FY27. This program element funds Air Force projects related to RQ-4 Block 40 and RQ-4 Capability Enhancements. The majority of the modernization funding was transferred to the Capability Enhancement project (675149) to support upgrades and modifications, including established ACAT I and II programs, to the fielded RQ-4 weapon system to meet evolving threats and warfighter requirements. 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 further explore the utility of incorporating the emerging architectural standards such as the USAF Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Command and Control Initiative (UCI) or the DoD's Unmanned Control Segment standards (UCS) and Open Mission Systems (OMS). Ground Segment Modernization Program (GSMP) will incorporate UCI and UCS standards. RQ-4 UAV funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver RQ-4 UAV capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. In FY21 5.331M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY22 5.8M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. 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, 2023
• Source ID: 0305220F_7_3600_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2022 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2023 through FY 2026 funding. Therefore, an explanation of the change between the two budget positions for FY2023 cannot be made in a relevant manner.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Contracts
• Engineering
• Government Furnished Equipment
• Ground Stations
• High Altitude
• Product Development
• Program Management
• Standards
• Surveillance
• System Of Systems
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Weapon Systems

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

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