UCLASS Development
Abstract
The Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system will enhance carrier capability and versatility for the Joint Forces Commander through integration of a persistent and mission flexible unmanned aircraft into the Carrier Air Wing (CVW). The UCLASS Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) highlights the need for a persistent, survivable carrier-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike asset. The Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) endorsed the UCLASS ICD in April 2011 and formally approved it on 9 Jun 11 via JROCM 087-11. In support of affordability and adaptability directives, JROCMs 086-12 and 196-12 redefined the scope of JROCM 087-11 and affirmed the urgency for a platform that supports missions ranging from permissive counter-terrorism operations, to missions in low-end contested environments, to providing enabling capabilities for high-end denied operations, as well as supporting organic Naval missions. The Department continues to assess the program and has issued JROCM 009-14, directing UCLASS Early Operational Capability (EOC) delivery within four to five years from Air Segment contract award. The Service approved a draft Capability Development Document (CDD) on 5 Apr 13. The UCLASS system will provide persistent ISR with precision strike support in a range of missions including irregular warfare and major combatant operation environments. UCLASS will be a major step forward in achieving integration of manned and unmanned systems within the CVW and will contribute to increasing sea-based capacity across the spectrum of maritime and littoral missions. UCLASS will allow a CVW to provide continuous 24/7 ISR/strike capability. The UCLASS system will be sustainable onboard an aircraft carrier, as well as ashore, and will be designed to minimize increases in the logistics footprint of the current CVW. The UCLASS system will have the ability to pass command and control information along with sensor data to other aircraft, naval vessels, and ground forces. Sensor data will be transmitted, in either raw or processed forms, at appropriate classification levels, to exploitation nodes afloat and ashore (e.g. Distributed Common Ground/Surface System - Navy). The UCLASS system will achieve these capabilities through the use of a carrier-suitable, semi-autonomous, unmanned Air Segment; a Control System and Connectivity Segment; and a Carrier Segment. These segments will be overseen by the Government Lead System Integrator (LSI), providing government-led system of systems integration for the UCLASS Program. The LSI will coordinate across all segments and with external stakeholders to ensure program activities are synchronized. The UCLASS system will interface with existing ship and land-based command and control systems, including ISR Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination systems. 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 activities to provide the UCLASS capabilities. To accomplish these capabilities the UCLASS program will (as required) transition technologies from other programs and adapt them into the carrier environment. The UCLASS system will deliver the necessary air vehicles, command, control, connectivity, shipboard and land-based launch and recovery control systems, associated support systems, interfaces, and upgrades to other Navy systems (as required) to meet the required capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 3278_0604404N_5_1319_PB_2015
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- Root: (U)Unman Carrier Launch A/B Surv & Strk(UCLASS)Sys
- Child Accomplishment: Air Segment Product Development
- Child Accomplishment: Control System & Connectivity (CS&C) Segment Product Development
- Child Accomplishment: Carrier (CVN) Segment Product Development
- Child Accomplishment: Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) Product Development
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