UCLASS Development
Abstract
The Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program will address capability gaps identified in 2009 in the Navy's Power Projection from the Sea (PPftS) beyond 2024 Capability Based Assessment (CBA), which highlighted a lack of persistent, carrier-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Strike assets. The program's draft Initial Capability Document (ICD) identified 2018 for delivery of the UCLASS initial capability. The UCLASS objective is to enhance carrier versatility through integration of unmanned air vehicles into Carrier Air Wing (CVW) by 2018. The UCLASS System will enable a single carrier to conduct 24/7 operations (ISR, Targeting, limited Strike, and Bomb Damage Assessment) and precision strike. UCLASS operations are envisioned to include carrier launch, mission operations, and carrier recoveries within the Carrier Controlled Airspace (CCA); land-based launch, mission operations, and recovery outside the CCA; and potential air vehicle control within the carrier's Area of Responsibility (AOR) by other CVW assets. The UCLASS System combines capabilities provided by a carrier-suitable, semi-autonomous, unmanned Air Segment, a Control System & Connectivity (CS&C) Segment, a Government-led Carrier Vessel Nuclear (CVN) Segment, along with other Navy systems (either existing within the current infrastructure or under development) to fill the gaps identified within the PPftS CBA. Interfaces and upgrades with existing ship and land-based command and control systems, including ISR Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TPED) systems, will be implemented as necessary. The scope of the program includes, but is not limited to, system-level requirements identification, allocation of requirements to segments and components, design, development, integration, fabrication, test, training, and support to provide the UCLASS capabilities. The UCLASS system will deliver the necessary air vehicles, mission systems, shipboard and land-based launch and recovery control systems, associated support systems, interfaces, and upgrades to other Navy systems (as required) to meet these capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 3278_0604404N_5_1319_PB_2012
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