Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles and Commercial Satellites

Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles and Commercial Satellites
Author: Mark Nichols
Publisher:
Total Pages: 45
Release: 1998
Genre:
ISBN:

In the not too far distant future, a new Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), a cousin of the UAVs flying over Bosnia today, is destined to fly the most sensitive and dangerous missions the USAF is expected to accomplish. This vehicle, though uninhabited, will not operate in a vacuum, but instead will be supported by the most sophisticated network of satellite communications the nation can offer. Today, as our engineers develop a concept that will fly in the first quarter of the 21st century, most of the satellites that will be used to support this aircraft are already in design or in orbit. The Air Force Space Architecture Plan, released in 1996, projects that during the time frame that the UCAV is envisioned to be operational, the U.S. military satellite communications network will be operating. This paper examines the risk mentioned in the space architecture plan. It argues that the use of the newest commercial satellite constellations already in the process of being launched gives the DoD a unique opportunity to meet the warfighter's needs, and argues that commercial low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites is an integral part of the DoD's strategy for the UCAV. The exploitation and partnership with the civil community offers the U.S. a reliable and redundant backup capability by utilizing the technology enhancements already funded and marketed by the commercial space industry. The integration of commercial satellites is the UCAV's 'Missing Link'.

Uninhibited Combat Air Vehicles and Commercial Satellites: 'The Missing Link'

Uninhibited Combat Air Vehicles and Commercial Satellites: 'The Missing Link'
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 45
Release: 1998
Genre:
ISBN:

In the not too far distant future, a new Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), a cousin of the UAVs flying over Bosnia today, is destined to fly the most sensitive and dangerous missions the USAF is expected to accomplish. This vehicle, though uninhabited, will not operate in a vacuum, but instead will be supported by the most sophisticated network of satellite communications the nation can offer. Today, as our engineers develop a concept that will fly in the first quarter of the 21st century, most of the satellites that will be used to support this aircraft are already in design or in orbit. The Air Force Space Architecture Plan, released in 1996, projects that during the time frame that the UCAV is envisioned to be operational, the U.S. military satellite communications network will be operating. This paper examines the risk mentioned in the space architecture plan. It argues that the use of the newest commercial satellite constellations already in the process of being launched gives the DoD a unique opportunity to meet the warfighter's needs, and argues that commercial low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites is an integral part of the DoD's strategy for the UCAV. The exploitation and partnership with the civil community offers the U.S. a reliable and redundant backup capability by utilizing the technology enhancements already funded and marketed by the commercial space industry. The integration of commercial satellites is the UCAV's 'Missing Link'.

UCAVS and Commercial Satellites

UCAVS and Commercial Satellites
Author: Mark J. Nichols
Publisher:
Total Pages: 38
Release: 1998
Genre: Air defenses
ISBN:

The purpose of this research paper is to determine the importance of commercial satellite links to the newest familiy of unmanned aerial vehicles-the Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). This paper will focus on communication links and more specifically, satellite requirements and the commercial satellite opportunites available to make the UCAV concept a more viable and robust system in the future. A significant portion of this paper will discuss the utility of using commercial satellite constellations in low earth orbits (LEOs) as primary and secondary command and control links.

Defense Science Board Study

Defense Science Board Study
Author: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 76
Release: 2014-08-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9781500731854

Lessons from recent combat experiences in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that UAVs can provide vastly improved acquisition and more rapid dissemination of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data. They are one of the principal contributors to successful outcomes for the United States, in these campaigns. The benefits and promise offered by UAVs in surveillance, targeting and attack have captured the attention of senior military and civilian officials in the Defense Department (DoD), members of Congress, and the public alike. Indeed, these recent combat operations appear to indicate that unmanned air systems have at last come of age. There is no longer any question of the technical viability and operational utility of UAVs. The success of UAVs in recent conflicts represents a historic opportunity to exploit the transformational capabilities inherent in UAVs/Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). Transformation is not a term, it is a philosophy. Transformation is a predisposition to exploring adaptations of existing and new systems, doctrine and organizations. True transformation is not the result of a one-time improvement, but of sustained and determined effort. For example, the American forces used multiple Predator UAVs during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) to provide a far more comprehensive operational perspective across the theater to the Combined Air Operations Center by integrating the Predator common operating picture with the Falcon View mission planning system. There is now another mission imperative and that is distance. During this review the new concept of Global Persistence Surveillance has specifically focused on the contributions of UAVs and UCAVs. During OIF Predator UAVs also enabled time-critical targeting via streaming video to strike platforms. Likewise one Global Hawk in the Iraqi theater from 8 March 03 to 23 April 03 accounted for 55% of the Time Sensitive Targets generated to kill air defense equipment. In 16 missions, Global Hawk located 13 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) batteries, 50 SAM launchers, over 70 SAM transport vehicles and over 300 tanks. Notwithstanding the success of UAVs in OIF, UAVs have not been fully "embedded" in current Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) or valued with effects driven methodology. Future UAV programs must be conceived with this mix in mind, i.e. predefined operational concepts and effects driven methodology. UAVs are ideal systems to support the emerging joint character and the asymmetric nature of warfare. The Task Force feels it is time for DoD and the Services to move forward and make UAVs and UCAVs an integral part of the force structure, not an "additional asset." To do so requires appropriate planning, appropriate budgeting, and continued management attention of DoD and Service leadership. The DoD and the Services have already started to integrate UAVs into their force structure plans. Currently there are UAV plans and roadmaps within the DoD and Services and the FY 04 budget also shows substantial increases in funding of UAV programs. While progress has been made in planning and funding for UAVs, the Services need to move from deconfliction to integration to interdependence. UAV capabilities should be assessed in the larger context of the Global Persistent Surveillance. UAVs can ideally complement current architectures for Future Imagery Architecture, New Imagery System, and Space Based Radar. This study identifies steps the Department of Defense and Armed Services can take to field a robust UAV and UCAV capability. The recommendations in his executive summary indicate the Task Force's top level recommendations. Additional recommendations can be found in the body of the report. The Task Force's findings and recommendations fall into eight subject areas and are described in this executive summary in order of importance.

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
Author: Fouad Sabry
Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2024-06-19
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

What is Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle An unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), also known as a combat drone, fighter drone or battlefield UAV, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance and carries aircraft ordnance such as missiles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and/or bombs in hardpoints for drone strikes. These drones are usually under real-time human control, with varying levels of autonomy. UCAVs are used for reconnaissance, attacking targets and returning to base; unlike kamikaze drones which are only made to explode on impact, or surveillance drones which are only for gathering intelligence. How you will benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Unmanned combat aerial vehicle Chapter 2: General Atomics MQ-1 Predator Chapter 3: History of unmanned combat aerial vehicles Chapter 4: List of unmanned aerial vehicles Chapter 5: TAI Anka Chapter 6: NESCOM Burraq Chapter 7: CAIG Wing Loong Chapter 8: Shahed 129 Chapter 9: Drone warfare Chapter 10: CASC Rainbow (II) Answering the public top questions about unmanned combat aerial vehicle. Who this book is for Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle.

Three Horizons

Three Horizons
Author: Bill Sharpe
Publisher: Triarchy Press
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2020-06-16
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1911193872

A practical framework for thinking about the future... and an exploration of 'future consciousness' and how to develop it

Future Capabilities and Roles of Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV).

Future Capabilities and Roles of Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV).
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2004
Genre:
ISBN:

In 2001, Congress stated " ... that, within 10 years, one-third of U.S. military operational deep strike aircraft would be unmanned and, within 15 years, one-third of all U.S. military ground combat vehicles would be unmanned." While aggressive and optimistic, this statement demonstrates the determination of our nation's decision makers in supporting unmanned aviation technology. This determination, coupled with recent successes in the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) demonstration program, makes uninhabited combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) a credible combat force in the near future. Unfortunately, the futuristic air surrounding these accomplishments has led to inaccurate analysis methods for future employment, resulting in outlandish claims or limited expectations. In similar circumstances, other emerging technologies have been rushed into use, without the establishment of joint doctrine, with fatal results. Therefore, to exploit UCAV's emerging abilities, military leaders must possess a clear analysis of the unmanned systems undergoing testing, the advantages and limitations of UCAVs, the weapons intended for integration, and the implications of using these unique capabilities under existing doctrinal architecture. (2 figures, 28 refs.).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Author: David Glade
Publisher:
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2000
Genre: Drone aircraft
ISBN:

The development of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) could potentially revolutionize how military force is used in the future. While the early operational experiences with UAVs show great promise, their full range of capabilities is largely unknown. However, it is clear that these technologies will enable military forces to use aerospace power more efficiently, which means at lower cost and with less risk to the humans who pilot aircraft. The broader question is the wisdom of using unmanned aerial vehicles for employing lethal force, and in particular which air power missions are best accomplished by uninhabited, piloted, and autonomous vehicles. The corollary is to examine the essential roles of human pilots or operators in aerospace operations in the twenty-first century. Since it is common to draw distinctions between vehicles with an on-board pilot, vehicles with off-board operators, and autonomous vehicles, this study explores the essential role of pilots and contrasts it with the roles of remotely piloted and autonomous vehicles. The assumption is that piloted, remotely piloted, and autonomous vehicles have advantages and disadvantages in military operations, and that these vary in strategic significance for different levels of conflict. Since it is essential for the U.S. defense establishment to consider the strategic and technological implications of these types of aerial vehicles, this study is devoted to addressing the issues raised by the new generation of aerial vehicles.

An Examination of Latency and Degradation Issues in Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Environments

An Examination of Latency and Degradation Issues in Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Environments
Author: Shane A. Dougherty
Publisher:
Total Pages: 60
Release: 2002
Genre: Aeronautics, Military
ISBN:

There are two basic ways to control an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) as it searches for targets: allow the UCAV to act autonomously or employ man-in-the-loop control. There are also two target sets of interest: fixed or mobile targets. This research focuses on UCAV-based targeting of mobile targets using man-in-the-loop control. In particular, the interest is in how levels of satellite signal latency or signal degradation affect the ability to accurately track, target, and attack mobile targets. This research establishes a weapon effectiveness model assessing targeting inaccuracies as a function of signal latency and/or signal degradation. The research involved three phases. The first phase in the research was to identify the levels of signal latency associated with satellite communications. A literature review, supplemented by interviews with UAV operators, provided insight into the expected range latency values. The second phase of the research identified those factors whose value, in the presence of satellite signal latency, could influence targeting errors during UCAV employment. The final phase involved developing and testing a weapon effectiveness model explicitly modeling satellite signal latency in UCAV targeting against mobile targets. This phase included an effectiveness analysis study.