Advanced Payload Develop & Spt (MIP)

Abstract

The Advanced Payloads Development project is a shared funding line between multiple Payload programs. These Payload programs support the Army's transformation by developing Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) payload systems for Brigade Combat Teams, Divisions, and Corps Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This is in accordance with Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) and Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) UAS priorities. Additionally, this Program Element (PE) supports Future Advanced Payloads for Army UAS systems. Small Tactical Radar - Lightweight (STARLite) ACAT III - Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI) is a lightweight, high performance, all weather, multi-functional radar system for the Gray Eagle UAS. The STARLite system provides wide area, near real time RSTA capabilities. It operates throughout the UAS flight mission profile in adverse weather and through battlefield obscurants. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode generates quality images for the battlefield commander for detection, classification and location of stationary commercial wheeled vehicle-size targets. The MTI mode detects moving ground targets, to include man-sized detection, and provides location information and performs cross-cue with the Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors. STARLite is increasing its software capabilities based on Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) results which will increase automation and upgrade to a common Graphical User Interface (GUI) to align with the Common Operating Environment (COE) requirement to enable Sensor Processing and Exploitation (SPE). The SPE software enhancements will improve performance, reduce operator workload and enhance operator effectiveness. Common Sensor Payload (CSP)- ACAT III - Electro Optical / Infra-Red / Laser Designator (EO/IR/LD) provides Standard Definition (SD) (or High Definition (HD)as an upgrade.) Full Motion Video (FMV) in both the Electro Optical and Mid Wave IR spectrums with day/night capability to collect and display continuous imagery with the ability to designate targets of interest for attack by laser guided precision weapons. It is the EO/IR/LD sensor for Gray Eagle UAS which supports intelligence gathering, force applications, battlespace awareness, force protection, and net-centric operations across the battlefield to provide wide area, near real time RSTA capabilities. Additional initiatives will continue to focus on the transition of technologies directly supporting emerging requirements and the Army's Current and Future Force. CSP is being procured for the Gray Eagle UAS program and has potential application to other platforms. Additional updates to enhance the CSP’s usability for the Warfighter are to begin develop the CSP as a metric sensor providing rapid and enhanced Target Location Accuracy (TLA) and reduce cognitive burden by providing improved situational awareness, while providing multiple fields of view in a simplified manner through Hardware (H/W) and Software (S/W) improvements Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 base dollars in the amount of $3.241 million is for STARLite SPE Software integration onto Gray Eagle and enhanced CSP to reduce cognitive burden on the Warfighter. FY 2018 OCO development dollars in the amount of $7.492 million is for beginning the development of the CSP as a metric sensor to provide rapid and enhanced TLA for the Warfighter.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2018
• Source ID: 11A_0305204A_7_2040_PB_2018

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• 5G
• 5G - DoD 5G Program
• 5G - Internet of Things
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy