RQ-4 Block 30
Abstract
The RQ-4 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) provides a high altitude, deep look, long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability that complements space and other airborne collectors during peacetime, crisis, and war-fighting scenarios. RDT&E funding in this project supports design, development, integration, and testing of capabilities needed to meet validated requirements for Block 30 aircraft, including continuing aircraft system modernization for Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) sensors and the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP). This funding also supports aircraft systems modernization to include continuing aircraft operations surety, cybersecurity, information assurance, and mission critical repair of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). In FY15 and beyond, this RQ-4 Block 30 project 675145 includes budget necessary for enterprise management, test and evaluation, software integration, and fielding support for projects 675145, 675146 (Block 40) and 675147 (Ground Segment/Comm System) as well as program protection projects, studies and analysis supporting future system enhancements. This reflects the contracting/acquisition strategy for these common elements within the RQ-4 program. The RQ-4 program will maintain capability and interoperability for Block 30 including efforts with system of systems partners and continue to incorporate applicable synergies with other platforms, such as the U.S. Navy's Triton, other RPA weapon systems, and Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination (PED) elements. Activities include mission planning development and testing, completion of Synthetic Aperture Radar - Complex Imagery development testing, next gen sensor study, enhanced weather capability development and testing, airspace and interoperability enhancements and updates, airframe and software upgrades and deficiency report resolution across RQ-4 fleet, sensor interoperability enhancements and upgrades, upgrades to ASIP SIGINT sensor, Mode 5/ADS-B development and testing, development and testing activities associated with enhancing sensor capability and sensor integration, development and testing of ice protection system, program protection projects, and studies and analysis supporting future system enhancements. The RQ-4 program will maintain and upgrade interoperability for Blocks 20/30/40 with system of systems partners and continue to incorporate applicable synergies with other platforms such as the U.S. Navy's Triton, other RPA weapon systems, and Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination (PED) elements. The networking capability for intelligence dissemination is required to provide the data transport interface between the Weapons System, Operations Centers, and external Intelligence Community customers. When judged feasible and affordable, this program will participate in the development, testing, and implementation of international standards to enhance joint, allied, and coalition interoperability. Likewise, studies and activities may be initiated to further explore the utility of incorporating the emerging architectural standards such as the USAF Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Command and Control Initiative (UCI) or the DoD's Unmanned Control Segment standards (UCS).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 675145_0305220F_7_3600_PB_2016
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