Congressional Adds
Abstract
The MQ-8 Unmanned Air System program, popularly known as "Fire Scout", includes MQ-8B air vehicles (AV), MQ-8C AV, associated Mission Control Systems (MCS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Common Automatic Recovery Systems (UCARS), and payloads, to include Radar and weapons capabilities. The MQ-8 System provides real-time and non-real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data to tactical users without the use of manned aircraft or reliance on limited joint theater or national assets. The baseline MQ-8 can accomplish missions including over-the-horizon tactical reconnaissance, classification, targeting and laser designation and battle damage assessment (including voice communications relay). Development efforts respond to emerging fleet requirements through integration and improvements to Common Operational Picture capabilities, avionics, payloads, range, endurance, and targeting. The MQ-8 launches and recovers vertically, and can operate from suitably-equipped air capable ships, as well as confined area land bases. Interoperability is achieved through the use of the Tactical Control System (TCS) software in the MCS, also referred to as a Ground Control Station (GCS), and through the use of the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL). The data from the MQ-8 is provided through standard DoD Command, Control, Communications, Computers and ISR (C4ISR) system architectures and protocols. A deployed MQ-8 system includes air vehicle(s), payloads (i.e. electro-optical/infrared/laser designator-range finder, Automated Identification System, voice communications relay, Radar, Weapons, and other specialty payloads), MCS (with TCS and TCDL integrated for interoperability), a UCARS for automatic launch and recovery, and associated spares and support equipment. The MQ-8 Radar capability is the initial effort of the Surface Warfare (SUW) Increment to the MQ-8C. A non-developmental maritime Radar has been competitively selected for integration into the MQ-8C Fire Scout System. This system will provide MQ-8 operators enhanced situational awareness of the Recognized Maritime Picture (RMP) by providing multiple operational modes to include surface search, track, Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) maritime target classification, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) target classification capabilities. The maritime Radar will be fully integrated with the MCS and ship's combat systems, providing data in standardized format for ease of dissemination to other users. The MQ-8C Weapons Capability Integration study will evaluate weapons requirements outlined in the MQ-8C Capabilities Production Document (CPD). Weapons trade study will be conducted to assess the mission effectiveness and potential impacts of adding candidate weapons systems to the MQ-8C Fire Scout in a Surface Warfare (SUW) scenario. Additional trade studies will be conducted to analyze weapons platform integration, software architecture, stores management, and air vehicle structural requirements for addition of the MQ-8C Weapons capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 9999_0305231N_7_1319_PB_2020
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