Tactical Control System
Abstract
The Tactical Control System (TCS) program supports the MQ-8 Fire Scout System and is a standards-based system, which provides interoperability and commonality for Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) interfaces of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). TCS software, operating on Mission Control System (MCS) (also referred to as a Ground Control Station) hardware, utilizes North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreements (STANAG)-4586 architecture to communicate across a Tactical Common Data Link. TCS provides a full range of scalable UAS capabilities from passive receipt of air vehicle and payload data to full air vehicle and payload command and control. TCS offers the warfighter a common core operating environment to simultaneously receive, process, and disseminate data from different UAS types for intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat assessment. This program supports enhancements and updates to TCS in order to continue to meet supported air vehicle enhancements, incorporation of new technologies that will be used to enhance overall system performance, incorporate new payloads and payload capabilities (such as advanced sensors and weapons), incorporate multi-vehicle control, incorporate NATO STANAG-4586 and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence enhancements, and alignment with OSD direction for UAS control segments. TCS software is incorporated into the MQ-8 Fire Scout System and fields in conjunction with MQ-8. TCS software addresses MQ-8 requirements validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council in the MQ-8 Capability Production Document (Nov 2016) and multiple Joint Emergent Operational Need/Urgent Operational Needs statements. TCS is supported by an Operational Requirements Document (Feb 2000). TCS maximizes the use of contractor and government off-the-shelf hardware and software whenever possible and incorporates software/hardware enhancements where appropriate to maintain growth potential and minimize hardware and operating system dependence. TCS software is interoperable and is compliant with the OSD Command and Control, Communications, Intelligence Joint Technical Architecture, Distributed Common Ground System standards, Global Command and Control System, and NATO standards. TCS hardware and software upgrades support the Navy's Common Control System (CCS) migration and as such can be used to support future UAS MCS requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 2478_0305204N_7_1319_PB_2021
Related Documents
- Root: Tactical Unmanned Aer Vehicles
- Child Accomplishment: TCS Development and Integration
- Child Accomplishment: Technical and Engineering Services
- Child Cost Item: 198714377dc37b192134591040aa90b5
- Child Cost Item: 6667cf72a1fd2a4b36c87c57a804e152
- Child Cost Item: 1c6ea9cca9d6d75d438e174d90397743
- Child Cost Item: fcd3603dc44eea160ecd7239b01e8387
- Child Cost Item: c06d529c1da689926def3d9f1d166cac
- Child Cost Item: 3483a50564a55a9b010eb4c077bf23c9
- Child Cost Item: 556c07ea32fcc12ab4827dc48961f2ae
- Child Cost Item: 79b7e98f7eb866ea607e22500fa881f7