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

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036
of micro-UAS operating semi-autonomously) into military operations with other manned and
unmanned systems.
“Everyone, regardless of the platform, receives the same information at the
same time, leading to true interoperability; this is the Army’s key goal.
Other MUM missions have different challenges including cargo, air refueling, interdiction in
contested areas, electronic/network attack (EA), suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and
other traditional air combat missions. The ability to communicate from a highly maneuverable
aircraft to a highly maneuverable future UAS will require significant advances in autonomy and
HSI. This advancement can be compounded if LPI communication is needed for missions such
as EA, SEAD, or control of long-dwell insect-size vehicles collecting information inside
buildings.
10.4 Way Ahead (2011–2036)
- Lt. Col. Adam Hinsdale,
Chief, UAS Division,
Department of the Army Aviation Directorate
Some key events will affect the future of MUM teaming over the next 25 years. As
improvements in communications and sensor technologies evolve, new tactics will surely follow.
For instance, it should be expected that there will be a shift away from the current reliance on
video with operators incorporating other sensors (such as audio or tactile) to augment the tactical
picture. Also, as commanders continue to integrate multiple manned and unmanned systems into
their operations, they will soon be able to implement a “field of view” approach, similar to the
“God’s eye” perspective seen in many current video games. A commander will be able to view a
target from multiple perspectives (i.e., UGV, UAS, or manned sensors), using multiple sensors,
to obtain more robust and comprehensive situational awareness. As MUM advances, new HSI
and autonomy will change the role of people in mission execution and dramatically increase their
effectiveness.
The most significant advances in MUM operations will begin as Services migrate away from
the current closed-loop scenario between sensor and shooter to networked systems. High
endurance UAS already have mission teams geographically separated from the platform and
from each other. Wide-area sensors are also changing the paradigm on STANAG 4586 LOIs and
USIP development. Employing MUM segments as nodes on a larger network will change how
missions are executed and will dramatically affect the combat effectiveness.
Investments in technologies such as automated air refueling, tactical data link control of
maneuverable aircraft, and autonomy in the near term will enable “loyal wingman” operations.
The effectiveness of air missions will not be achieved by a collection of assets, but collaboration
between manned and unmanned systems within the context of a network. These nodes on the
network will have scalable transparent control, not the brittle closed-loop control and inflexible
autonomy algorithms used today.
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