RQ-11 Raven

Abstract

The Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) provides the battalion and below ground maneuver elements critical situational awareness and enhances force protection. The system provides the small unit commander an organic and responsive tactical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capability through the ability to view real-time Full Motion Video (FMV) and sensor data via the system ground control station. Other compatible receivers, such as the One Station Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT) and appropriately equipped manned platforms may also receive the SUAS products. A SUAS includes three aircraft that must be launched by hand or by some other means that does not require an improved launch/recovery location. In addition to the aircraft, the system contains ground support equipment, which includes an interoperable hand controller. This equipment is fully transportable in or on rucksack type packs that are organic to the unit. The SUAS RDT&E budget line includes funding for studies and incremental development/upgrade of current SUAS capabilities that will capitalize on new technology insertions based on identified user requirements. Past improvements include a Digital Data Link capability, introduced in 2010, which provided data link security, increased the number of communications channels allowing more aircraft to operate in close proximity, extended range through data link relay capability, and integrated advanced digital payloads. Future enhancements will follow the natural progression of technology and exploitation of improved payloads to meet warfighter needs. FY 2013 and future improvements will be in the areas of: continued communications link encryption; gimbaled payloads; software blocking integration; common hand controller development and integration; ADS-B integration; and noise reduction. Justification: FY 2013 engineering services efforts will continue to focus on communication link encryption, GPS Denied / Comms Denied Navigation, Autonomous Air Vehicle behaviors, Simulator upgrades, ADS-B integration, and noise reduction.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Source ID
0305232A_7_2040_PB_2013
Change Summary Explanation
Service Agency Name
Army

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircrafts
  • Cryptography
  • Data Links
  • Digital Data
  • Engineering
  • Full Motion Video
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Ground Support Equipment
  • Noise Reduction
  • Program Management
  • Sense And Avoid Systems
  • Situational Awareness
  • Surveillance
  • Tactical Reconnaissance
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Readers

  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites

Related Documents