Blue Devil

Abstract

The Blue Devil Block 2 (BD2) system is an Air Force led single ship technology and concept demonstation of multiple intelligence sensors, cross-platform tipping and cueing of fused SIGINT data, wide area and high-definition (HD) EO/IR motion imagery on a persistent lighter-than-air (LTA) airship. BD2 is being developed to employ a payload integration infrastructure (PII) with a Command and Control (C2) and Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) Ground Station. This effort directly supports multiple validated CENTCOM urgent operational needs, and contributes directly to force protection and counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) missions for coalition Forces. BD2 is a rapid acquisition technology demonstration that started in FY 2010. The Blue Devil Block 2 initiative is supported by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and monitored intently as a program of interest by OSD's ISR Task Force. JIEDDO in coordination with the ISR Task Force provide $9.844M in FY11 to accelerated the procurement of the ARGUS IS Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera system. A $10.0M reduction in FY12 funding paid for the accelerated purchase of the ARGUS EO/IR sensor with FY11 funding. Funds also cover studies and analysis to support current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity 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, 2013
• Source ID: 676019_0305205F_7_3600_PB_2013

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control