Advanced Technology and Sensors

Abstract

The Advanced Technology and Sensors (ATS) program coordinates the development of advanced technologies (sensors, data links, targeting support, and quick reaction capabilities) in support of multiple airborne reconnaissance platforms, both manned and unmanned. Its objectives are to develop, demonstrate, and rapidly transition advanced, interoperable, multi-platform solutions to reduce the find, fix, target, and track kill chain timeline, and to provide safe separation and collision avoidance for remotely piloted aircraft. This program coordinates the development of common collection, processing, and dissemination solutions for near-real time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The ATS program also increases interoperability by developing common standards and interfaces. The funds in this program are distributed in priority order for the goal of building a comprehensive Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) capability for the USAF. On an annual basis, developmental technologies are reviewed against warfighter capabilities and requirements based on strategic roadmaps and on the results of the Airborne Sensors for ISR Analysis of Alternatives, as prefaced in the Challenging Targets Initial Capabilities Document. Efforts advancing the technological maturity of promising sensors and processing capabilities are reviewed and prioritized into a recommended list for senior executive direction to implement in the coming year. The program office has the ability to rapidly initiate an Imaging & Targeting Support (I&TS) project in order to expedite development and acquisition of urgently needed capabilities for the warfighter. The Air Force is pursuing a software intensive approach to maintain safe separation, avoid collisions, and provide the ability to safely integrate with other airspace users. The software solutions identified in this Information System Capability Development Document (IS-CDD) are open and modular and accept inputs from any type of sensor or data link and will operate any legacy and future Group 4 and 5 RPA. The effort includes technology maturation, risk reduction, EMD and life-cycle costs, such as: 1) prototyping activities, 2) streamlined development, test and implementation of the software, 3) development of open system architecture using modular design, standards-based interfaces, and widely-supported consensus-based standards, and 4) collaboration with the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and other services to develop national policy and standards. Funds in any project can also cover activities to include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver technology and sensor capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Source ID
0604257F_4_3600_PB_2022
Change Summary Explanation
In FY 2022, BPAC 645148, decrease of $35.371M, funds reallocated for higher Air Force priorities.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Links
  • Data Processing
  • Deep Learning
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Geospatial Intelligence
  • Human Systems Integration
  • Hyperspectral Imagery
  • Information Systems
  • Lidar
  • Open System Architecture
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar
  • Target Recognition

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Space

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