USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace
USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace
USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace
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chapter 3: programs<br />
weaponization, and a universal ground control station<br />
(UGCS) that will increase joint interoperability<br />
with other aircraft, UAS, and data systems. Procured<br />
as a near-term solution to shortfalls in the older RQ-<br />
2B program, the RQ-7B provides multiple capabilities<br />
to the MAGTF. Upgrades to the RQ-7B are planned<br />
through FY 2018. These upgrades will support the<br />
transition to a larger (Group-4) UAS that will provide<br />
the MAGTF with persistent ISR, strike, and electronic<br />
warfare, on board a faster UAS platform with an improved<br />
endurance and payload capacity while maintaining<br />
an expeditionary footprint.<br />
Operational Impact: SUAS<br />
The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the infantry<br />
regiment are supported by STUAS, with supporting<br />
personnel sourced as detachments from the VMU.<br />
The STUAS system is designed to provide reconnaissance,<br />
communications relay, and target acquisition in<br />
support of the GCE. The Marine Corps currently provides<br />
STUAS support to the GCE with the Aerosonde<br />
UAS under an ISR services contract with AAI.<br />
PROGRAM STATUS: RQ-21A Integrator<br />
The Marine Corps selected the RQ-21A Integrator<br />
(produced by Insitu Inc.) as a government-owned material<br />
solution for the STUAS requirement. As 32 RQ-<br />
21 systems are fielded, they will replace the remaining<br />
contract intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance<br />
(ISR) services in Operation Enduring Freedom. The<br />
RQ-21A program is in Engineering Manufacturing<br />
and Development and is planned for IOC in the fourth<br />
quarter of FY <strong>2013</strong>.<br />
UAS (also produced by AeroVironment Inc.) to perform<br />
a user assessment for a potential add to the UAS<br />
family of systems.<br />
OTHER UAS APPLICATIONS<br />
Cargo UAS has been added as an initiative to enhance<br />
our assault support capabilities and to reduce<br />
the vulnerability of ground logistics supporting Marines<br />
stationed at remote combat outposts. Two Lockheed<br />
Martin/Kaman KMAX Cargo UAS deployed to<br />
OEF in 2011 in support of a Military User Assessment<br />
with the VMU as a government-owned/contractor-operated<br />
cargo UAS service. The MUA will help to form<br />
future CONOPS and a formal program of record that<br />
will provide the MAGTF with a UAS system capable<br />
of cycling five tons of supplies between a support base<br />
and remote outpost within a 24-hour period.<br />
Electronic Attack and UAS. The Marine Corps<br />
will incorporate an electronic warfare (EW) capability<br />
into current and future UAS platforms, partly to<br />
address the eventual retirement of EA-6B Prowlers.<br />
This UAS EW capability will comprise a portion of<br />
the system-of systems-approach by which electronic<br />
warfare capabilities are distributed across manned<br />
and unmanned aerial systems. The system-of systems<br />
approach allows the nation to move away from lowdensity/high-demand<br />
assets (such as the EA-6B) and<br />
make EW ubiquitous across the battle space.<br />
Procurement Profile: FY 13 FY 14<br />
Quantity:<br />
RQ-7B (MCTUAS) 0 0<br />
RQ-21 (STUAS) 4 4<br />
RQ-11 (SUAS) 13 0<br />
PROGRAM STATUS: RQ-11B Raven<br />
The RQ-11B Raven is produced by AeroVironment<br />
Inc. In 2008, 439 RQ-11 systems began replacing the<br />
older RQ-14 Dragon Eye. The Marine Corps has also<br />
purchased limited quantities of the smaller Wasp III<br />
187
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