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

Abstract

Funding provides for the development of system architectures, development of air vehicle concepts, development of a CCS compliant Mission Control Station, experimentation, key technology maturation, 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 , the 2017 Marine Aviation Plan (AvPlan), US Military Strategy, and the US Maritime Strategy which require an advanced, multi-mission ship-based Group 5 UAS in support of Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Expeditionary Brigade-sized MAGTF to address 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 Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) technology can provide from air capable ships. The MUX system Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) was approved in Oct 2016. This effort will continue to refine program scope, phasing, and cost for development of the MUX capability. The funds will allow for data analysis in the MUX lab. FY22 funds the evaluation of the air vehicle data through model based systems engineering, as well as continuing lab-based simulation with data supplied by the payload and air vehicle prize challenges. Additional efforts will support the initiation of rapid prototyping with engineering analysis, program management, and sustainment planning. The program will continue leveraging other technology developmental programs, such as developmental communications/networking payloads capabilities, and USMC MQ-9 and USN MQ8, allowing for continued technical maturation effort, rapid prototyping, and effective transition to a MUX POR.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Source ID
3135_0304240M_4_1319_PB_2021

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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