Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS)

Abstract

Mission planning involves the creation of a flight plan based on multiple inputs including threats, targets, terrain, weather, aircraft performance capability, and configuration. It is an essential task that must be completed prior to any fixed or rotary wing aircraft sortie. The planner must have the ability to plan weapon, cargo, passenger, and/or fuel delivery, calculate fuel requirement and assess the route based on known enemy threat location and type. Mission planners must be able to optimize and de-conflict flight routes with other aircraft; review, print and brief the plan; download pertinent flight information to on-board aircraft avionics; and, conduct dynamic/in-flight replanning as applicable. This project continues the development of a Joint Precision Airdrop System-Mission Planner (JPADS-MP) Phase I capability in conjunction with the Army contract vehicle. JPADS provides a planning and execution capability for DoD airdrop requirements. It is the primary airdrop mission planning and execution system for all ballistic airdrop missions as well as precision guided airdrops that are required when the mission profile or surface-to-air threat assessment warrants a high-altitude and/or standoff precision delivery. It enables high-altitude, precise airdrop delivery to forward ground forces, mitigating surface-to-air threats, reducing risk of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and insurgent attack on ground convoys. JPADS allows the warfighter to consider weather, terrain, aircraft capabilities, threat, etc., to accurately deliver payloads to combat and other friendly forces. The Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT) is the key JPADS-MP software deliverable. It will increase the accuracy of airdrop mission planning by improving aircraft, payload, and chute specific calculations along with weather analysis visualization tools specifically adapted for airdrop. In addition, the AFRL-led Precision Airdrop (PAD) Flagship Capability Concept (FCC) effort will transition technology capabilities (including but not limited to Bundle Tracking, Forced Exit, Autonomous Weather Sensing, Humanitarian Airdrop, and Airdrop Performance) to the JPADS-MP PoR and into various CAT software release/deliverables. The PAD FCC is also charged with updating airdrop platforms and airdrop related systems to improve accuracy across all airdrop mission types. The following capabilities are currently planned for development within the JPADS-MP program: a. CAT 2.x includes, but is not limited to, the development and incorporation of Digital Terrain Data (DTED), Wireless Gate Release (WGRS), and aircraft specific Monte Carlo solutions into JPADS-MP. b. CAT v3.x includes, but is not limited to, updates to the operating systems and standard desktop configuration (SDC), refactor of the weather component known as WinPADS, replaces the Local Area Prediction System (LAPS), and Airdrop Damage Estimate (ADE) capabilities. It also transitions and supports the AFRL PADS FCC capability of bundle tracking. c. CAT 4.x includes, but is not limited to, Operating System/Standard Desktop Configuration (OS/SDC) updates, migration to the new Mission Planning Systems (MPS) capability, combination airdrop, and new map projections including polar stereographic. d. CAT v5.x includes, but is not limited to, approach headings for guided systems, secondary cargo airdrop release, and transitions AFRL PADS FCC forced exit and humanitarian airdrop capabilities. e. CAT v6.x includes, but is not limited to, new chute configurations and aerial guidance units, updates ballistics data and dispersion models and transitions AFRL PADS FCC Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and RADAR sensing capabilities for real-time weather. f. CAT v7.x includes, but is not limited to, OS/SDC updates, force deployment, and transitions AFRL PADS FCC human effectiveness capabilities. FY15 funding continues development, testing, and fielding of CAT ver 3.2 software to provide a precision and conventional airdrop capability for AF and other services (e.g. the Army) aircraft platforms. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, which includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production, and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2015
• Source ID: 675302_0208006F_7_3600_PB_2015

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• Aerospace Engineering