VTUAV
Abstract
The MQ-8 Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV, popular name "Fire Scout") provides real-time and non-real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data to tactical users without the use of manned aircraft or reliance on limited joint theater or national assets. The baseline MQ-8 can accomplish missions including over-the-horizon tactical reconnaissance, classification, targeting and laser designation and including voice relay. The MQ-8 launches and recovers vertically, and can operate from air capable ships, as well as confined area land bases. Interoperability is achieved through the use of the Tactical Control System (TCS) software in the Ground Control Station (GCS), and through the use of the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL). The data from the MQ-8 will be provided through standard DoD Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance system architectures and protocols. The MQ-8 system is comprised of air vehicles, electro-optical/infra-red/laser designator-range finder payloads, GCS (with TCS and TCDL integrated for interoperability), UAV Common Automatic Recovery System (UCARS) for automatic take-off and landings, and associated spares and support equipment. The MQ-8 system supports Surface Warfare, Mine Countermeasures Warfare, and Anti-Submarine Warfare mission modules while operating onboard Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The MQ-8 is currently deployed on FFG ships and will be deployed on alternate classes of ships (including DDG, JHSV and others as assigned) supporting US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement (JUONS), AF-002, and the Navy Weapons and Radar Urgent Operations Needs (UONS), via Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) acquisitions. MQ-8 performs land-based operations in support of the ISR Task Force and Army units. A limited number of land-based ground control stations supplement the system to support shore based operations, such as pre-deployment or acceptance functional check flights. These land based ground control stations will also support depot level maintenance/post-maintenance activities. Endurance upgrade RDC is in response to AFRICOM JUONS, AF-002, dated 10 May 2011 request for a sea-based ISR. This JUONS was revalidated as a Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) on 28 July 2011. Endurance Upgrade RDC will provide a maritime based VTUAV equipped with endurance upgrade, referred to as MQ-8C, providing increased range and endurance, procure additional endurance upgrade aircraft, and modify 12 ships. The MQ-8C RDC re-hosts the avionics, software and Command and Control (C2) sub-systems into a new airframe which will provide the extended endurance and range capacity necessary to support the JEONS requirements for orbital coverage in specific Areas of Responsibility. Two test aircraft with spares and support equipment will be utilized for developmental testing. The MQ-8C effort will also assess/integrate new payloads/avionics to improve system reliability and performance, payloads that are specific to the SOF mission, electronic warfare payloads, Automated Identification System, specialty payloads as well as weapons and radar capabilities developed under MQ-8B RDCs. The endurance capability will be transitioned to a Navy Program of Record. The MQ-8 increased endurance capability and payload capacity may allow the Navy to meet LCS mission requirements with fewer aircraft lowering the Fire Scout's total ownership cost. The Vertical Take-Off Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, MQ-8B, is post Milestone C (MS C), which was approved in May 2007. MS C authorized entry into Low Rate Initial Production. A total of seven air vehicles and three control stations were previously purchased with Research Development Test & Evaluation funds under System Design Development. The MQ-8B is currently deployed in Afghanistan supporting the ISR Task Force and deployed on Navy FFGs partially supporting the AFRICOM JEON for SOF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2014
- Source ID
- 2768_0305231N_7_1319_PB_2014
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