RQ-4 UAV
Abstract
RQ-4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) The BAMS RQ-4 is a High Altitude-Long Endurance UAS designed to provide Fleet and Combatant Commanders with persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of nearly all the world's high-density sea-lanes, littorals, and areas of national interest. Envisioned as an unmanned adjunct to the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft and crucial to the recapitalization of Navy's airborne maritime ISR capability, the system will seek to leverage Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force manpower, training and maintenance efficiencies. The RQ-4 air vehicle is based on Northrop Grumman's Block 20 Global Hawk and features sensors designed to provide near worldwide coverage through a network of five orbits inside and outside continental United States, with sufficient air vehicles to remain airborne for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, out to ranges of 2000 nautical miles. Onboard sensors will provide detection, classification, tracking and identification of maritime targets and include maritime radar, electro-optical/infra-red and Electronic Support Measures systems. Additionally, the RQ-4 will have a communications relay capability designed to link dispersed forces in the theater of operations and serve as a node in the Navy's FORCEnet strategy. Tactical-level data analysis will occur in real-time at shore-based Mission Control sites connected to the air vehicle via satellite communications. Further intelligence exploitation can be conducted at Fleet shore-based sites or aboard Aircraft Carriers and other ships. RQ-4 will play a significant role in the Sea Shield and FORCEnet pillars of Sea Power 21. In its Sea Shield role, the system will rely on its key attribute of persistence to provide the supported Combatant Command or Fleet Commander with unparalleled situational awareness of the maritime battle space as it develops and sustains the Common Operational Tactical Picture. The system will also serve as a Fleet Response Plan enabler, while acting as a trip wire for Intelligence Preparation of the Environment. Additionally, BAMS UAS will be a FORCEnet enabler and relay platform, directly connected to both the Global Information Grid and the Distributed Common Ground System-Navy Information Backbone. This PE includes funding in FY15-16 for future incremental development in support of BAMS Increment 3 signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 0305220N_7_1319_PB_2012
- Change Summary Explanation
- Technical: Not applicable. Schedule: Not applicable.
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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