9-l Tactical Payload s for UAVs Authored by Amy Houle Carruso - Presented by Davi d L. Maddox PMTS-1 47123 Buse Rd Unit IPT Patuxent River, MD 20670 Tel: 1 (301) 757-5848 Introduction The Tactical Systems Pro gra m Offic e of the Prog ram Executive Offic er, Cruise Missiles and Unma nned Aerial Vehi cles PEO(CU) is developing and refining Paylo ad Concepts of Operation (CONOPS) based on demonstrated capabilities, ne w technology, and emerg ing opera tor needs. The Tactical Systems Program Office continues to expand technical and operation al capabilitie s for increased Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications. To support future military operations, the Tactical Systems Prog ram Offic e fores ees UAVs as a comp leme nt to ma nne d and space based systems. Traditionally, UAV Paylo ad operations focuse d on the ElectroOptic aHnfraRed (EO/IR) reconnaissance role. While still the highest priority requireme nt, new technologies have expanded potent ial payload applications. Awar e of the importance of new ly maturing technolo gies, the Tactical Systems Program Offic e continuously monitor s technologies sponsored by the Govern ment and industry to determine their dire ct application to UAV airborne platforms and ground stations. The following discussion address es the Tactical Unm ann ed Aerial Vehicle functional priorities. Reconnaissance Surveillance & Target Acquisition (RSTA) A me thod of direct support to the battlefield commander, RSTA utilizes tactical vers us strategic methods of intelli gence gathering IM IN T and SIGI NT. Information can be gathered months, days, hours or minut es prior to battle. R STA technology employs the followi ng methods/equipment to accomplish the objecti ve. FAX: l(301) 757-5885 Electra-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Presently, the Pion eer UAV carries either an electro-optic daylight TV camera system or a day/night i nfrared i mag ing system. To lower cos ts while increasing capability, reliability, and maintainability, Naval Air Systems Comm and (NAVAIR) Pioneer Progra m Office has identified a requirement for a Pioneer paylo ad to take advantage of off- the- shel f technologies and production capabilities. This payload, DS12, (Figure 1) maxim izes the use of non- developmental components to provide a sensor payload, whic h combines Electra-optic and infrared imagin g capabilities into a single low Figure 1 cos t package. The Pioneer Program Office procured two prototypes and integrated the m into the Pioneer UAV system. The Pioneer te st team conducted six succ essf ul test flights at Webster Field, three day and three ni ght flights. Since prototype testing proved succes sful , NAVAI R award ed a contrac t to deliver 40 units to the fleet b y th e end of this calendar year. As the fleet transitions from Pioneer UAV to the Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical UAV (VTUAV) program, the program offi ce is consid ering the DS12 as the basi c EO/ IR payload. Paper pre sented at the RTO AVT Course on “Development and Operat ion of UAVs for Military and Civil A pplications”, held in Rhode-Saint-Genkse, Belgium, 13-17 September 1999, and published in RTO EN-9.
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