Unmanned Carrier Aviation (UCA)

Abstract

The MQ-25 program, PU 3278, rapidly develops an unmanned capability to embark on Carrier Vessel, Nuclear (CVN) as part of the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) to conduct aerial refueling as a primary mission and provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for a secondary mission. MQ-25 extends CVW mission effectiveness range, partially mitigates the current Carrier Strike Group (CSG) organic ISR shortfall and fills the future CVW-tanker gap, mitigating Strike Fighter shortfall and preserving F/A-18E/F Fatigue Life Expenditure for its primary missions. As the first carrier-based, Group 5 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), MQ-25 will pioneer the integration of manned and unmanned operations, utilize mature, complex sea-based Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) technologies, and pave the way for future multi-faceted, multi-mission UASs to pace emerging threats. The MQ-25 system will enhance CVN capability and versatility for the Joint Forces Commander through the integration of a persistent, sea-based, multi-mission aerial refueling and ISR UAS into the CVW. MQ-25 is comprised of an Air System which will integrate with the UCA Mission Control System (UMCS) program. These architectural segments will be managed by the PMA-268 Government Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) that provides system-of-systems integration and is also responsible for managing enterprise-level UCA architecture and associated interfaces. MQ-25 Development includes development and test of the air vehicle to include software, peculiar support equipment, training systems and other logistics elements. In FY 2022, the first Engineering Development Model (EDM) will conduct the initial UMCS-controlled flight with the new GCS. The program will integrate new software into the A/C in support of the new GCS and initial flight. The remaining three EDMs will complete production and begin flight test. The three System Demonstration Test Articles will be produced. The Unmanned Carrier Aviation (UCA) Mission Control System (UMCS) program, PU 3279, is the system-of-systems required for MQ-25 vehicle and payload control both shipboard and shore based. The UMCS consists of all ground and ship based hardware, software, and networks associated with the planning and execution of flight operations and tactical missions, and includes the control stations, displays, computers, and servers as well as line of sight (LOS) communications and beyond line of sight (BLOS) satellite communications (SATCOM) systems. Additionally, UMCS includes the human interface for Air Vehicle Operators (AVOs) with the MQ-25A Air Vehicle (AV) and external C4I systems that allow for establishing, maintaining, sharing, and passing command and control of the MQ-25A AV, its subsystems, and associated external systems. The new ground control station (GCS) hardware will streamline software development, readily support multiple classification levels, and position the MQ-25A for interoperability with other DoD systems. UMCS develops and integrates the MQ-25 control station, and auxiliary communications systems using ARC-210 and Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) capable radios as well as a situational awareness display called the Video Management System (VidMS). UMCS also develops control station software and integrates that software with MQ-25A unique software. UMCS performs CVN infrastructure modifications by reconfiguring several spaces within the CVN in order to install the GCS, auxiliary communications systems, and VidMS in support of MQ-25A test events and operations aboard select NIMITZ Class CVNs. The UMCS modifies and integrates with existing NAVWAR C4I systems to provide network paths for AV and mission payload data using a variety of wideband and narrowband communication paths. UMCS accomplishes this by integrating the GCS and the MQ-25A AV, with multiple networks and systems both afloat and on shore. In FY 2022, UMCS will continue developing ground control station (GCS) software and building/integrating hardware for ship and shore installations. UMCS will begin assembling an embarkable system consisting of GCS hardware and associated communication systems into multiple CONEX boxes (purchased in FY21). Planning for and installation of CVN modifications to support future MQ-25A test events will begin in FY22 and continue into FY23. UMCS will redesign portions of the CVN infrastructure based on new GCS hardware and updated installation guidance documents for future installations. The UMCS will continue development and integration activities with multiple NAVWAR C4I networks and communications, CVN and shore exploitation systems, and common datalink systems (e.g. Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise System (CANES), Wideband Military and Commercial SATCOM, Distributed Common Ground System Navy (DCGS-N) and Classic Reach). JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION because it includes projects that have passed Milestone B approval and are conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full-rate production decision.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 0605414N_5_1319_PB_2022
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2022 funding request was increased by ($36.218M): From PB21 to PB22 PU 3278, ($35.384M): ($41.894M) increase due to the development and integration of a modified Ground Control Station (GCS) (hardware and software);(-$2.500M) was reduced to fund higher priority efforts within the department; ($-4.010M) was reduced for other rate/misc. adjustments. PU 3279, ($0.834M): (1.406M) increase due to the development and integration of modified GCS; (-$0.572M) reduced for other rate/misc. adjustments. Schedule: PU 3278: R-4 schedule - Acquisition Milestone Knowledge Points have shifted based on the transition to a mature, industry-developed GCS to support JADC2 interoperability, multi-level security, and mitigated much of the 10-month delay anticipated when the number of operationally-equipped CVNs available for shipboard testing was reduced from four to two. - Air Vehicle (AV) Deliveries - Multiple factors have resulted in delays to the delivery of EDM aircraft. The aircraft design was intentionally paused to optimize weight and strength; a quality issue was identified during the build process and appropriately driven back to the supplier for correction; and finally, COVID has had an impact on the manufacture and delivery of parts from suppliers thus impacting the aircraft build timeline. PU 3279: R-4 schedule - Schedule updated to reflect GCS MD-5C/D/E strategy along with updated integration due to CVN availability. UCA test windows, CVN test availability, software development, and NAVWAR integration all updated.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Autonomy
• C4I
• Cyber
• Ground and Sea Platforms
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Aircrafts
• Classification
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Control Systems
• Ground Control Stations
• Line Of Sight
• Manufacturing
• Radio Communications
• Radio Equipment
• Software Development
• System Of Systems
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Facilities
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

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