Executive Summary - NASA

UAV Roadmap 2002 – Section 2Current UAV Programs(ISR) capability in support of the warfighter. In response, the Navy developed a twophasedapproach to rapidly acquire a Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAVsystem using current available platforms to speed acquisition, sensor development,concept of operations (CONOPS) development and achieve low risk. The first phase, theGlobal Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD), will procure two off-the-shelf Air ForceGlobal Hawk UAV platforms with sensors modified for maritime ISR missions andassociated ground equipment for Navy use in CONOPS development, technologyvalidation and to conduct experimentation in a maritime environment. The second phase,the BAMS UAV Program, is a formal DoD acquisition initiated to develop, test, field andsupport a maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and strike support UAV system. An Analysisof Alternatives is currently underway that will be used to help determine the platform andforce structure required to support the BAMS UAV mission. An estimated 50 air vehiclesare planned but the final number will be adjusted when the objective platform is selected.The BAMS UAV Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is currently planned for FY09.2.2.3 RQ-8 Fire ScoutThe Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) tactical UAV (VTUAV)program is currently in EMD and LRIP. Five Air Vehicles and four Ground ControlStations are now in Developmental Testing. A significant number of successful testflights have been accomplished demonstrating autonomous flight, Tactical Control DataLink (TCDL) operations, Multi-Mission Payload performance and Ground ControlStation operations. Fire Scout Tactical Control System developmental testing isscheduled for mid-FY03. With continuing FY03 EMD testing successes, the Navy hasrecognized the VTUAV program value for the emerging Landing Craft Support series ofsurface vessels. The Navy is currently reviewing the VTUAV Operational RequirementsDocument (ORD) and funding has been added to the FY04 budget to continuedevelopment and to conduct shipboard demonstrations. Additional out year funding forVTUAV is being considered for future development and production.http://uav.navair.navy.mil/vtuavRQ-8 Fire Scout/Northrop Grumman/NavyWeight:Length:Rotorspan:Payload:Ceiling:Radius:Endurance:2650 lb22.9 ft27.5 ft300 lb19,000 ft150 nm5+ hr2.2.4 MQ-9 Predator BPredator B is a larger, more capable, turboprop-engined version of the Air ForceMQ-1B/Predator developed jointly by NASA and General Atomics as a high altitudeendurance UAV for science payloads. Its initial flight occurred in February 2001. TheOffice of the Secretary of Defense acquired both existing Predator B prototypes inOctober 2001 for evaluation by the Air Force. With the capability to carry up to ten9