MQ-8 Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fire Scout (VTUAV)
Abstract
The MQ-8 Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fire Scout (VTUAV) program supports the Close Range Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Capability Mission Need Statement, and the Capability Production Document for the VTUAV System, as ammended May 15, 2009. Additionally, the performance attributes of the MQ-8 support the Littoral Combat Ship, the Vertical Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), the Assured Maritime Access in the Littorals, the Joint Strike Enable and the Penetrating Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance for Area Denial Threat Environments Initial Capabilities Documents. An MQ-8 system is composed of air vehicles, Electro Optic/Infrared/Laser Designator Range Finder payload (one per air vehicle), Ground Control Station (GCS), Tactical Control System software, Tactical Common Data Link, UAV Common Automatic Recovery System for automatic take-offs and landings, and associated spares and support equipment. The MQ-8 launches and recovers vertically and can operate from all air capable ships as well as confined area land bases. Other characteristics include autonomous waypoint navigation with command override capability, a heavy fuel engine, and the ability to incorporate future mission packages. Each GCS will perform mission planning, air vehicle and mission payload control, receive incoming payload data and distribute the data to existing shipboard Command, Control, Communication, and Computer Information systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA614906