BAMS UAS
Abstract
RQ-4 is a High Altitude-Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System designed to provide Fleet and Combatant Commanders with persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of nearly all the world's high-density sea-lanes, littorals, and areas of national interest. Envisioned as an unmanned adjunct to the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), and crucial to the recapitalization of Navy's airborne maritime ISR capability, the system will seek to leverage Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) manpower, training and maintenance efficiencies. The RQ-4 air vehicle is based on Northrop Grumman's Block 20 Global Hawk and features sensors designed to provide near worldwide coverage through a network of five CONUS and OCONUS orbits, with sufficient air vehicles to remain airborne for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, out to ranges of 2000 nautical miles. Onboard sensors will provide detection, classification, tracking and identification of maritime targets and include maritime radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems. Additionally, BAMS will have a communications relay capability designed to link dispersed forces in the theater of operations and serve as a node in the Navy's FORCEnet strategy. Tactical-level data analysis will occur in real-time at shore-based Mission Control sites connected to the air vehicle via satellite communications. Further intelligence exploitation can be conducted at Fleet shore-based sites or aboard Aircraft Carriers and other ships in the sea base. RQ-4 will play a significant role in the Sea Shield and FORCEnet pillars of Sea Power 21. In its Sea Shield role, the system will rely on its key attribute of persistence to provide the supported COCOM or Fleet Commander with unparalleled situational awareness of the maritime battle space as it develops and sustains the Common Operational Tactical Picture (COTP). The system will also serve as a Fleet Response Plan enabler, while acting as a trip wire for Intelligence Preparation of the Environment (IPE). Additionally, RQ-4 will be a FORCEnet enabler and relay platform, directly connected to both the Global Information Grid (GiG) and the DCGS-N Information Backbone (DIB). The RQ-4 system is an evolutionary based acquisition, using an incremental development approach. Two Mission Need Statements (MNSs) support the requirement; 1) BAMS and Littoral Armed ISR MNS, and 2) Long Endurance, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) Capability MNS. The BAMS UAS Capability Development Document (CDD) was approved May 2007 by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). Prior to FY10, BAMS was budgeted for in PE 0305205N: Endurance Unmanned Aer Veh.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 4020_0305220N_7_1319_PB_2011
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