Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030 - Federation of ...

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030 - Federation of ... Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030 - Federation of ...

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UAS ROADMAP 2005 2.5.2 Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) User Service: Air Force Manufacturer: ILC Dover Inventory: 10 Delivered/10 Planned Background: TARS primary mission is to provide low level radar surveillance data in support of federal agencies involved in the nation’s drug interdiction program. Its secondary mission is to provide North America Aerospace Defense Command with low level surveillance coverage for air sovereignty in the Florida Straights. One aerostat, located at Cudjoe Key, FL, transmits TV Marti, which sends American television signals to Cuba for the Office of Cuba broadcasting. All radar data is transmitted to a ground station, then digitized and fed to the various users. Airborne time is generally limited by the weather to 60 percent operational availability; notwithstanding weather, aerostat and equipment availability averages more than 98 percent system wide. For security and safety reasons, the air space around USAF aerostat sites is restricted for a radius of at least two to three statute miles and an altitude up to 15,000 feet. http://www2.acc.af.mil/library/factsheets/tars.html. Characteristics: TARS TARS Length 208 ft Tail Span 100 ft Volume 275,000/420,000 ft 3 Payload Capacity 1,200 lb Performance: Endurance 10/30 days Altitude 12,000-15,000 ft Sensor Radar Sensor Make AN/TPS-63 2.5.3 Joint Land Attack Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) User Service: Joint (Army Lead) Manufacturer: Raytheon/TCOM Inventory: 12 Planned Background: JLENS is primarily intended to tackle the growing threat of cruise missiles to U.S. forces deployed abroad with radars to provide over-the-horizon surveillance. A JLENS system consists of two aerostats, one containing a surveillance radar (SuR) and one containing a precision track illumination radar (PTIR). Each aerostat is tethered to a mobile mooring station and attached to a processing station via a fiber optic/power tether. The SuR provides the initial target detection and then cueing to the PTIR, which generates a fire control quality track. The JLENS system is integrated into the joint tactical architecture via Link 16, cooperative engagement capability, single-channel ground and air radio system, and enhanced position location reporting system. Both radar systems will include identification, friend or foe interrogators. Characteristics: JLENS JLENS Length 233 ft Tail Span 75 ft Volume 590,000 ft 3 Payload Capacity 5,000 lb Performance: Endurance 30 days Altitude 10-15,000 ft Sensor Radar Sensor Make Jasper SECTION 2 - CURRENT UA PROGRAMS Page 33

UAS ROADMAP 2005 2.5.4 Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) User Service: Army Manufacturer: Raytheon/TCOM Inventory: 3 Delivered/3 Planned Background: The Army initiated RAID to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). The tethered RAID aerostat was a smaller version of the JLENS platform, operating at an altitude of 1,000 feet and with a coverage footprint extending for several kilometers. In Afghanistan, the RAID aerostat is performing the missions of area surveillance and force protection against small arms, mortar and rocket attacks. Although considerably smaller than the JLENS platform, and performing missions secondary to those of missile detection and early warning, the RAID experience in Afghanistan represents a valuable learning opportunity that should be useful to future tactical users of the JLENS. Characteristics: RAID RAID Length 49 ft Tail Span 21 ft Volume 10,200 ft 3 Payload Capacity 200 lb Performance: Endurance 5 days Altitude 900+ ft Sensor EO/IR Sensor Make FSI Safire III 2.5.5 Rapidly Elevated Aerostat Platform (REAP) User Service: Army Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin/ISL-Bosch Aerospace Inventory: 2 Delivered/2 Planned Background: REAP was jointly developed by the Navy’s Office of Naval Research and the Army’s Material Command for use in Iraq. This 31-feet long aerostat is much smaller than the TARS, and operates at only 300 feet above the battlefield. It is designed for rapid deployment (approximately 5 minutes) from the back of a HMMWV and carries daytime and night vision cameras. Its sensors can see out to 18 nm from 300 feet. REAP deployed to Iraq in December 2003. Characteristics: REAP REAP Length 31 ft Tail Span 17 ft Volume 2,600 ft 3 Payload Capacity 35 lb Performance: Endurance 10 days Altitude 300 ft Sensor EO Sensor Make ISL Mark 1 IR Raytheon IR 250 SECTION 2 - CURRENT UA PROGRAMS Page 34

UAS ROADMAP <strong>2005</strong><br />

2.5.4 Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID)<br />

User Service: Army<br />

Manufacturer: Raytheon/TCOM<br />

Inventory: 3 Delivered/3 Planned<br />

Background: The Army initiated RAID to support Operation<br />

ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). The tethered RAID aerostat<br />

was a smaller version <strong>of</strong> the JLENS platform, operating at an<br />

altitude <strong>of</strong> 1,000 feet and with a coverage footprint extending<br />

for several kilometers. In Afghanistan, the RAID aerostat is<br />

performing the missions <strong>of</strong> area surveillance and force protection against small arms, mortar and rocket<br />

attacks. Although considerably smaller than the JLENS platform, and performing missions secondary to<br />

those <strong>of</strong> missile detection and early warning, the RAID experience in Afghanistan represents a valuable<br />

learning opportunity that should be useful to future tactical users <strong>of</strong> the JLENS.<br />

Characteristics:<br />

RAID RAID<br />

Length 49 ft Tail Span 21 ft<br />

Volume 10,200 ft 3<br />

Payload Capacity 200 lb<br />

Performance:<br />

Endurance 5 days Altitude 900+ ft<br />

Sensor EO/IR Sensor Make FSI Safire III<br />

2.5.5 Rapidly Elevated Aerostat Platform (REAP)<br />

User Service: Army<br />

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin/ISL-Bosch Aerospace<br />

Inventory: 2 Delivered/2 Planned<br />

Background: REAP was jointly developed by the Navy’s Office <strong>of</strong> Naval<br />

Research and the Army’s Material Command for use in Iraq. This 31-feet<br />

long aerostat is much smaller than the TARS, and operates at only 300 feet<br />

above the battlefield. It is designed for rapid deployment (approximately 5<br />

minutes) from the back <strong>of</strong> a HMMWV and carries daytime and night vision<br />

cameras. Its sensors can see out to 18 nm from 300 feet. REAP deployed to<br />

Iraq in December 2003.<br />

Characteristics:<br />

REAP REAP<br />

Length 31 ft Tail Span 17 ft<br />

Volume 2,600 ft 3<br />

Payload Capacity 35 lb<br />

Performance:<br />

Endurance 10 days Altitude 300 ft<br />

Sensor EO Sensor Make ISL Mark 1<br />

IR Raytheon IR 250<br />

SECTION 2 - CURRENT UA PROGRAMS<br />

Page 34

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