RQ-4 UAV

Abstract

The RQ-4B Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, all-weather, day/night ISR platform delivering SAR-based GMTI capabilities to the warfighter. To win high-end conflict, the future force design must deliver ISR capabilities and concepts of operation that can survive against peer/near-peer threats in highly contested environments. To accomplish this, in FY24 the USAF will focus its investment efforts on maximizing the Block 40's value to the DoD until its planned divestiture in FY27. By FY27, space-based capabilities and CONOPS will be in place to meet Combatant Commanders' needs in accordance with the National Defense Strategy. 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). 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 weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY22 5.991M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY23 5.8M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. FY24 5.8M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY24 funding request was reduced by 12.678M to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. 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, 2024
• Source ID: 0305220F_7_3600_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: FY22 0.769M change due to upward adjustment. FY24 funding request reduced by 12.678M to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. These funds were available due to the termination of Ground Segment Modernization Program. FY24 54.288M decrease due to maturing divestment profile and to support higher AF priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Human Systems
• Kinetic Weapons

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Contracts
• Engineering
• Government Furnished Equipment
• High Altitude
• Maintenance
• National Security
• Product Development
• Program Management
• Standards
• 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
• Space