USMC UAS Family of Systems (April 2015)

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MAGTF Integration Division MAGTF Integration Division UNCLASSIFIED

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Outline

• Family of Systems (FOS) CONOPS

• UAS Capability Analogy

• UAS Mission Sets

• USMC’s UAS FoS Roadmap

• Small (Group 1) UAS

• RQ-21A Blackjack

• MQ-X

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Family of Systems CONOPS

• Provides the vision of how UAS will support MAGTF operations in the 2015-2025 timeframe.

• Provides an understanding of USMC’s UAS

operational concepts and capabilities. • Provides developmental goals and objectives

for the systems’ acquisition community. • Describes integration of future UAS

capabilities in support of the Marine Corps’ capstone concept, Expeditionary Force 21.

• Desired end state:

• Inform planners at the MAGTF, joint, and combined levels

• Provide conceptual operational information for the acquisition community and industry


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Bottom-Up Capability Analogy

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Company / Battalion

Platoon / Company

Regiment

MEU

Battalion

Regiment / Division

MEU / MEB / MEF

MEB/MEF UAS = General Support Capability = HIMARS

RQ-21 = Direct or General Support Capability = M777

FoSUAS = Organic Capability = 60mm/81mm

Echelon

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USMC UAS Mission Sets

X

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Smal

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S

SUA

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(STU

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MEB

/MEU

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JCID

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EF/M

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2014 2020 2024

RQ-12A, RQ-11B, RQ-20A (FoSUAS Common Control Architecture) VTOL & LMAM capabilities

IOC MS “C” CPD ICD CDD CBA MDD

2018 2016 2022

STUAS & MQ-‘X’ Common Control Architecture: UMOS/GCS

AAO = 32 Systems RQ-7B TCDL

RQ-21A ISR Services

Platform: Engine / Beyond Line of Sight / Launch Weight / Laser Designator

GCS: ICOMC2 / Universal Mission Operation System (UMOS)

Payloads: SIGINT / EW – Cyber / CRP / SRP / SAR – GMTI / Wide Area / Weapons / V-22 Compatibility

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go U

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CR

UA

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Field User Evaluations MQ-“X” DARPA S&T Projects (TERN)

JCIDS – Joint Capabilities Integration & Development System

CBA – Capabilities Based Analysis ICD – Initial Capabilities Document

MDD – Materiel Development Decision CDD – Capability Development Document

CPD – Capability Production Document MS “C” – Milestone C

IOC – Initial Operational Capability

MQ- ‘X’–Future Medium/High Altitude Long Endurance TERN – Tactical Exploited Reconnaissance Node

ARES – Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System AACUS – Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System

GCS – Ground Control System

SIGINT – Signals Intelligence EW – Electronic Warfare

CRP – Communications Relay Payload SRP – Software Reprogrammable Payload

SAR – Synthetic Aperture Radar GMTI – Ground Moving Target Indicator

VTOL – Vertical Takeoff & Landing LMAM – Lethal Miniature Aerial Munitions

MS “C” CPD ICD CDD CBA MDD

Field User Evaluations CRUAS DARPA S&T Projects (ARES/AACUS)

USMC UAS FoS Roadmap (FY15 AVPLAN)


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Small UAS Family of Systems

• Based on Small Unit Remote Scouting System (SURSS) Service ORD (2006 USMC O/O)

• Fielded SURSS systems: - RQ-20 Puma - RQ-12 Wasp - RQ-11B Raven (DDL)

• CBA in progress, ICD is expected to begin staffing

summer of FY15

• UxS Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA)

• VTOL/micro systems fielded with MARSOC in late FY14 (non-POR)

RQ-11B Raven (Fixed Payload)

RQ-12 Wasp IV

RQ-11B Raven (Gimbaled Payload)

RQ-20 Puma

MICRO

MEDIUM

LONG ENDURANCE


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SUAS Technology Development Areas

• Capability Gap/ Shortfall • Lack an organic device or method at the company, platoon, and squad-sized levels to extend an

operator’s situational awareness through, around, or over the obstructions • The USMC’s current SUAS inventory is exclusively fixed wing, and unable to be rapidly deployed in

terrain dominated by vertical obstacles. • The USMC’s current SUAS Family of Systems does not include a Nano-UAS; a lightweight system

designed to fit in a cargo pocket or small pouch, capable of immediate (less than 2 min) deployment and requiring minimal training.

• Current Development Areas

• LMAM TTPs – both air and ground launched • Nano systems – deployable at the squad level • VTOL systems – counter IED, platoons in the defense, FOB security, urban ops/building clearance • Communications / Mesh Networking payloads – self-healing, voice/data to the squad and fire team • Autonomy – reduced user cognitive workload • Swarming – capability and mission resiliency • Air Launched UAS – MAWTS-1 MV-22 prior to LZ insert


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Common Controller

• Operate any unmanned aircraft and its payload

and not just that of that single manufacturer • Facilitate collaboration of unmanned systems as

defined in the Joint Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap

• Enable cooperative levels of control described in

STANAG 4586 • Reduce training and maintenance requirements

associated with multiple systems, and support unified action of joint military forces

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• Capability to precisely target enemy assets such as snipers and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) emplacement teams.

• Precisely and accurately engage hard-to-hit targets while minimizing collateral damage:

⁻ Targets on rooftops

⁻ Inside Buildings (through open windows /doorways)

⁻ Fleeting Targets – UAS (Counter UAS)

⁻ Defilade positions

⁻ Moving Vehicles

• Potential to use as a counter UAS weapon

and/or launch from larger UAS.

Lethal Miniaturized Aerial Munitions (LMAMs)


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Micro/Nano SUAS

• Airborne binoculars – complete system fits inside a pocket.

• Small and inaudible – airborne within one minute and is reusable or expendable.

• Used by the British during OEF. • 20 min flight time

• Weighs less than 2 pounds

• 1+ km range

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MESH Networking

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• Similar to cell technology in ability to self-detect, self-heal. • Nodes span ground, air, and space. • Scalable nodes to establish intranet/extranet.


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Autonomy

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• Reduces the cognitive workload on operator

• “Man On the Loop” vs. “Man in the Loop” for level 3 autonomy feasible

Level Name Description

1 Human Operated A human operator makes all decisions. The system has no autonomous control of its environment.

2 Human Delegated The vehicle can perform many functions independently of human control when delegated to do so.

3 Human Supervised The system can perform a wide variety of activities when given top-level permissions or direction by a human.

4 Fully Autonomous The system receives goals from humans and translates them into tasks to be performed without human interaction.

Ref. Unmanned Systems Integration Roadmap FY 2011-2036


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Swarming

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• Not necessarily Micro/Nano UAS – can be Group 5 UAS! • Leverages autonomy and mesh networking for multi mission capabilities

(EMSO, Strike, deception, etc).


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Air Launched UAS

• Allows observation below intervening clouds. • Enables standoff from some surface to air

threats. • Avoids acoustic detection of manned aircraft by

target. • Enables observation of multiple points of

interest (friendly forces, critical route coverage, target disposition, actions on target.

• Quiver of arrows for various sensors or weapons as required.

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RQ-21A Overview

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• First RQ-21A Blackjack system is set to deploy in support of the 22nd MEU.

• Scheduled to chop in Jan of 2016

• AAO : 32 Systems • Flown by VMU squadrons

VMU-2 MCAS Cherry Point, NC VMU-1 MCAS Yuma, AZ VMU-3 MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI

• A modular, flexible and multi-mission capable UAS that will provide Regiments and subordinate commands a dedicated ISR and target acquisition system capable of delivering intelligence products directly to the tactical commander in real time.

• Payload Capabilities

• Communications Relay • SIGINT (4Q FY15) • SAR ( AFRL FY16)


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Areas RQ-21A Growth

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• Communications & Data Relay • GBSAA

• Multispectral • Spiral 1 (EO/IR/SAR Sensor Fusion) • TNWAS

Cosworth Engine


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GBSAA

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Operational Description: System uses a self separation algorithm to generate TCAS quality turn guidance allowing the operator to maneuver the UA freely in the NAS

• Allows free operation in the NAS • TCAS based separation algorithm (FAA

recognized) • Limits human error (safety case

advantage) • Designed to operate in high volume

traffic areas • 3-D radar capable (ignore high alt

targets) • Fuses multi-radars (larger op area,

better coverage) • Includes existing airfield sensor


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Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS)

• Can persistently monitor a very large areas.

⁻ Gives the capability of conducting detailed analysis and playback of specific events within a large area.

• Has been used to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), not by detecting the hidden bombs but by recording the activities associated with them.

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Tactical Nighttime Wide Area Surveillance (TNWAS) System

• TNWAS will provide organic capability for day/night airborne persistent surveillance

• Will stream live video clips to remote video terminals from a small unmanned aerial vehicle

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• Area of persistence of 3.8 km diameter • Effective ground sample distance of

0.55 meters • Five independent video streams

disseminated to remote video terminals

• Image quality of IR NIIRS 4.5 • Geo-location accuracy of less than 15

meters (CE90) • Payload weight less than 35 pounds • Video stream/image: MISB/MISP 5.5

and National Imagery Transmission Format compliant


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Sensor Fusion

• Multi-sensor data fusion seeks to combine information from multiple sensors and sources to achieve inferences that are not feasible from a single sensor or source.

• Fusion of information from sensors with different

physical characteristics enhances the understanding of our surroundings and provides the basis for planning, decision-making, and control of autonomous and intelligent machines.

• Currently applied to multiple fields such as

pattern recognition, visual enhancement, object detection, and area surveillance.

⁻ Sensor fusion improves image content and makes it easier for the user to detect, recognize, and identify targets while increasing situational awareness.

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Sensor fusion of EO/IR Sensors


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Communications & Data Relay

• MAGTF success relies heavily upon communications

• Whether voice or data, the FoUAS

provide an optimal platform to increase our ability to communicate.

• Top priority because the endurance and

payload capacity make UAS ideal to provide airborne multi-channel radio relay for voice and data, as well as an airborne network node for command and control of MAGTF forces.

- The persistent nature of the FoUAS is

optimal to facilitate effective communication

- Airborne relays using UAS must maintain compatibility with the existing and planned terrestrial and space communications infrastructures

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Multi-Spectral Payload Capabilities

Electro-Optical (EO)

- Provide a familiar view of a scene. - Offer system resolution unachievable using other optical systems or in thermal images and radars. - Is preferred for detailed analysis and measurement. - Has passive sensors.

Infrared (IR)

- Has passive sensors. - Provides good resolution. - Provides images in low-light environments.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

- Supports near continuous coverage even in adverse weather. - Provides detailed images of large areas. - Captures photograph-like images. - Detects changes in the environment.

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Future Sensors for Consideration

Foliage Penetration (FOPEN)

- Typical radars cannot see through foliage. - FOPEN radars assist in detecting targets under foliage and are typically associated with large UA.

Laser Illuminated Detection And Ranging (LIDAR)

- Uses pulses of laser energy similar to radar. - Can build high resolution, map-like images of an area as well as three-dimensional models. - Additionally, LIDAR can penetrate foliage (e.g., through gaps in leaves).

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MQ-X Capability Requirements

• CR-1. Conduct long range, wide area, persistent air reconnaissance and surveillance.

• CR-2. Conduct long range, persistent, penetrating, responsive, airborne electro-magnetic spectrum operations.

• CR-3. Conduct long range, day/night/all weather, persistent, low collateral damage Offensive Air Support (CAS and DAS)

• CR-4. Support over the horizon, netted and networked, early warning, identification, cueing and defenseCR-3. Conduct long range, day/night/all weather, persistent, low collateral damage Offensive Air Support (CAS and DAS)

• CR-5. Provide long range armed aerial escort and support to assault support missions

• CR-6. Provide long range survivable digitally interoperable network bridge and communications relay, airborne router, and data management capabilities

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MQ-X Platform Technologies

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• Effective 21st-century warfare requires the ability to conduct airborne ISR and strike mobile targets anywhere, around the clock

• Seeks to combine the strengths of both land and sea-based approaches to supporting airborne assets

• Envisions using smaller ships as mobile launch and recovery sites for medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft (UAVs)

• Would enable on-demand, ship-based unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations without extensive, time-consuming and irreversible ship modifications

TERN

X-Plane

• Faster VTOL aircraft could shorten mission times and increase the potential for successful operations, while reducing vulnerability to enemy attack

• Speed: Achieve a top sustained flight speed of 300 kt-400 kt • Hover efficiency: Raise hover efficiency from 60 percent to at least 75 percent • Cruise efficiency: Present a more favorable cruise lift-to-drag ratio of at least 10, up

from 5-6 • Useful load capacity: Maintain the ability to perform useful work by carrying a useful

load of at least 40 percent of the vehicle’s projected gross weight of 10,000-12,000 pounds


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Emerging UAS Capabilities

• The MQ-X UAS must capitalize on emerging technologies unlocking greater opportunities for combat effectiveness

⁻ Plug & Play Payloads ⁻ All UAS nodes in the DODIN (Networked) ⁻ Electronic Warfare ⁻ Operating in Non-Permissive Environment-Denied Access (A2AD) ⁻ Long-endurance ⁻ Multi-mission, multi-sensor, multi-spectral ⁻ Increased automation (1 operator/5 missions vice 5 operators/1mission)

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Questions?

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USMC UAS Family of Systems (April 2015)