UCLASS Development
Abstract
The Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS) program rapidly develops an unmanned capability to embark on CVN's as part of the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) to conduct aerial refueling and provide some Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) capability. These efforts restore fighter aircraft back to the CVW to conduct combat missions vice refueling missions. Additionally, CBARS extends CVW mission effectiveness range, partially mitigates the current Carrier Strike Group (CSG) organic ISR shortfall, fills the future CVW-tanker gap, and preserves F/A-18E/F Fatigue Life Expectancy. As the first carrier-based, group 5 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), CBARS will pioneer the integration of manned and unmanned operations, demonstrate mature complex sea-based C4I UAS technologies, and pave the way for more multifaceted multi-mission UAS to pace emerging threats. The CBARS requirements are aligned with the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) which highlights the need for a persistent, carrier-based 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 Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) 087-11. The JROC's guidance delineated in the validated ICD and subsequent JROCMs was to establish a requirement for a versatile platform that supports a myriad of organic Naval missions such as aerial refueling, counter-terrorism, and ISR to support the CVW. CBARS is expected to provide an Initial Operational Capability to the fleet by the mid-2020s. CBARS will be designed to conduct automated aerial refueling and 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 System - Navy). The CBARS 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. CBARS 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. The Government will perform Lead Systems Integration (LSI), providing government-led system of systems integration for the CBARS Program. The LSI will coordinate across all segments and with external stakeholders to ensure program activities are synchronized. CBARS will interface with existing ship and land-based command and control systems, including ISR&T Tasking, Collection, 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 Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS) capabilities. To accomplish these capabilities CBARS will transition (as required) technologies from other programs and adapt them into the carrier environment. CBARS 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, 2017
- Source ID
- 3278_0605414N_5_1319_PB_2017
Related Documents
- Root: (U) Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS)
- 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 Integration (LSI) Product Development
- Child Accomplishment: Management
- Child Accomplishment: Test and Evaluation
- Child Cost Item: 283766d58fed46c47a6c41a3ba0063a2
- Child Cost Item: 350fbf3bacd4252402caf27ef8b2cab2
- Child Cost Item: 42d80c3ebd6fdf49a31b1dbcc836e0ee
- Child Cost Item: bab4a16ce6c6537730cf29cf3f96ab8e
- Child Cost Item: 64691658d6eac89c5e762ac40a55d3e1
- Child Cost Item: d072275ab589ff33c7bc59b888975be7
- Child Cost Item: 78ca2bbd19bff73529d0b9770c5cf3fb
- Child Cost Item: 29a3ceffe859dc2a654167d185ef99cd
- Child Cost Item: 7460f27b04896d067aa679208c468fd2
- Child Cost Item: a7de60df1b28834c32a85a54b71d39ec
- Child Cost Item: 4170cabac46e612f39ea37aa7f50d2ed
- Child Cost Item: 9cb26cfa689b7e00bd16657d13d01167
- Child Cost Item: af9145b514f4aab51d0c9caf4ed9c25d
- Child Cost Item: dfdf2c7447250821c589d62e6042561b
- Child Cost Item: 0f3a0c5494142596efd26d4d65a813c1
- Child Cost Item: f02f524388ecb49feaf48fb3565c1487
- Child Cost Item: b69383df4746a43ee6055f4a5f6c2755
- Child Cost Item: 18d19724d5712d24146ccbdd22de5015
- Child Cost Item: eb9e35560975b89a5310fa1a0e14dbc9
- Child Cost Item: 88fb1d7e0cc41a5fea1c303bdd341033
- Child Cost Item: 9855d6dd16c1ee9ad5d3fe5f1a44a8cb
- Child Cost Item: 00be0f0a3644fbc9595e966597fa45e8
- Child Cost Item: 09d9137c62344672643f46edcb3ad3e7
- Child Cost Item: b0807d865c39741ee35e333fcbcf6f31