USMC MUX Medium Altitude - Long Endurance (MALE) Group 5 UAV

Abstract

Funding provides for the early trade studies, analysis, experimentation, key technology maturation, rapid prototyping, and concept refinement for the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) with Vertical/Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (V/STOVL) capability. The MUX UAV supports Expeditionary Force 21 Operating Concepts and the 2017 Marine Aviation Plan (AvPlan) requires an advanced, multi-mission ship-based Group 5 UAS in support of Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Expeditionary Brigade-sized MAGTF to address future capability gaps. The future MUX UAV system will provide a weaponized, payload flexible, shipboard capable/expeditionary system that is runway independent for all weather, long range/persistence, operations from the sea in a contested environment. This next generation UAV capability will have far greater range, endurance, altitude, and payload capability than the current conventional VTOL technology can provide from air capable ships. The MUX system Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) was approved in Oct 2016. The Material Development Decision and Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) is planned to start in FY18. Rapid prototyping strategies are also being pursued by the USMC to meet an early operational need date. This effort will continue to inform program scope, phasing, and cost for development of the MUX capability. Funding in FY19 will also be used to reduce overall MUX program cost by leveraging other technology demonstrator developmental programs; such as the US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) TERN which both end in FY18, allowing for continued technical maturation effort, rapid prototyping, and smooth transition to a MUX POR.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Source ID
3135_0304240M_4_1319_PB_2019

Tags

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs

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