Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036 - Defense ...

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036
10.2.2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
MUM teaming has been successfully demonstrated
in combat operations to provide CCDRs with enduring
surveillance of hostile activities in real/near-real time
to accurately geolocate potential targets, to laserdesignate
targets, and to provide battle damage
assessment. UAS have proven successful in
performing their missions largely because they are
able to remain visually and aurally undetected by
hostile forces. They are providing the CCDR with
critical tactical data, which are used to plan and
support combat operations. When used in support of
ground operations, UAS have proven invaluable in
providing near-real-time intelligence to commanders
engaged in combat and have directly contributed to successful mission completion. Armed UAS
have the ability to engage targets directly or cooperatively with other air and ground systems.
Additionally, LOI 3 (control and monitoring of the UA payload in addition to direct receipt of
UA data) has been demonstrated successfully in combat operations with attack helicopter crews.
The attack helicopter crew is able to see on their cockpit display the sensor outputs that give
them overhead views to the target and surrounding area. This capability greatly enhances the
attack helicopter crew’s ability to identify, classify, and verify target locations to reduce the risk
of fratricide. In September of 2010, the Army conducted an integration exercise featuring
Apache helicopter pilots controlling Shadow, Hunter and Raven UAs.
The success of the exercise resulted in the inclusion of the LOI 2 and 3 UA control
requirement into the AH-64, which gives the manned aircraft sensor and flight-path control and
monitoring of the UA (less launch and recovery). The Apache Block III initial fielding is
scheduled for 2012 and will incorporate LOI 2, 3, and 4 UA control. The AH-64 BLK III will
have the capability to receive real-time UA FMV and the associated metadata (LOI 2), control
the UA electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload (LOI 3), and dynamically task the UA flight
path (LOI 4), all from the front seat of the Apache. The initial combat operations in Afghanistan
and Iraq validated the urgent need to integrate UAS capabilities with manned aircraft,
specifically the attack platforms. Commanders recognized that they could dramatically reduce
sensor-to-shooter times and improve situational awareness of helicopter pilots, while drastically
reducing collateral damage and the potential for fratricide. They crafted an Operational Needs
Statement for attack helicopter MUM teaming capability that led to a rapid prototype system for
the Apache called Video from Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Interoperability Teaming – Level
2 (VUIT-2). The VUIT-2 system allows the AH-64 crew to receive video feeds from UA
utilizing C-Band transmission. The Army has renamed this effort MUMT-2 and expanded it to
UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58D Kiowa Warriors.
Current MUM teaming applications are limited due to the fact the control interface currently
requires a dedicated crew member to fly the UAS while another crew member flies the manned
aircraft. However, some automated MUM mission segments are being developed. For example,
the Navy and USAF have developed and demonstrated technology for MUM air refueling and
have simulated cooperative MUM air combat missions.
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