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 upgrade for Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) sensors, the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP), and alternate sensor payloads. This funding also supports aircraft systems ugrades to include continuing airframe updates, aircraft operations surety, cybersecurity, airspace and interoperability enhancements, information assurance, and mission critical repair of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Activities include mission planning development and testing, enhanced weather capability development and testing, airspace and interoperability enhancements and updates, airframe and software upgrades and deficiency report resolution across RQ-4 fleet, periodic Operational Flight Program updates and releases, sensor interoperability and communication enhancements and alternate sensor upgrades, upgrades to ASIP Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) sensor, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) development and testing, development and testing activities associated with enhancing sensor capability and sensor integration, integration of alternate sensors, development and testing of ice protection system, support of demonstration/development and technology insertion, and studies and analysis supporting future system enhancements. This project supports system engineering/program management, test and evaluation, management services, and fielding support for all RQ-4 projects. This reflects contracting/acquisition strategy for these common elements within the Global Hawk program to provide efficiencies. 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, Exploration & 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. This program will participate in the development, testing, and implementation of international standards to enhance joint, allied, and coalition interoperability. Likewise, studies and activities will 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), the DoD's Unmanned Control Segment standards (UCS), or Open Mission Systems (OMS) as well as technology insertion activities in support of Better Buying Power (BBP).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 675145_0305220F_7_3600_PB_2018
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