MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Abstract

This Program Element (PE) identifies, develops, rapidly prototypes, integrates, and tests Special Operations Forces (SOF)-peculiar mission kits, mission payloads, weapons, and modifications on MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Ground Control Stations (GCSs), and training systems as a component of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical (MALET) program. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is designated as the DoD lead for planning, synchronizing, and as directed, executing global operations against terrorist networks. The USSOCOM requires the capability to find, fix, finish, exploit, and analyze time-sensitive high-value targets. These targets can often only be identified with patient collection of information and require rapid, decisive action during the short periods in which they present themselves. This program element addresses the primary areas of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition and Strike. This PE received Congressional Adds in FY 2022 for Speed Loader Agile Pod ($10.000 million) and Self-protection pods ($34.000 million). This PE also received Congressional Adds in FY 2023 for lightweight open architecture pod ($7.500 million) and to support Adaptive airborne Enterprise ($5.840 million). The total cost of the MQ-9 Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $426.506 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The MQ-9 is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 1105219BB_7_0400_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: Funding: FY 2022: Net decrease of $2.302 million is due to a reprogramming of funds to the congressionally mandated Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. FY 2023: Net increase of $13.340 million is due to a Congressional Add for lightweight open architecture pod ($7.500 million) and a Congressionally approved transfer from O&M, DW, 1PL7 for kick-off initiatives supporting Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) ($5.840 million). FY 2024: Net increase of $7.500 million supports development of the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) concept, which includes the MQ-9 Weapon System. These efforts will include integration of a Modular Open-System Architecture (MOSA) and collaboration environments that facilitate a more efficient and expeditious integration and fielding of SOF-p capabilities.
• Service Agency Name: United States Special Operations Command

Entities

Organizations

• United States Special Operations Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Aircrafts
• Contracts
• Control Systems
• Emerging Technology
• Ground Control Stations
• Medium Altitude
• Open System Architecture
• Product Development
• Small Business
• Software Prototyping
• Special Operations Forces
• Target Acquisition
• Test And Evaluation
• United States
• United States Special Operations Command
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Weapon Systems

Readers

• Aerial Unmanned Vehicle Swarm Micro Periodontal Dentistry.
• Aerospace Engineering
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

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