U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2010-2035
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Eyes of the Army U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035 Foreword The U.S. Army began combat operations in October 2001 with 54 operational Hunter and Shadow unmanned aircraft. Today, the Army has over 4,000 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in various sizes and capabilities with still more programmed. After nearly 9 years of continuous combat operations, we have significantly evolved the way we employ UAS in support of our Warfighters. These adaptations are reflected in the tremendous growth of platforms and the expanded capabilities in the current UAS force. While Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) documents have captured approved requirements and official programs of record have been established, it is now time we pursue a comprehensive strategy or roadmap for establishing future UAS requirements. The purpose of The US Army UAS Roadmap (2010-2035) is to provide a broad vision for how the Army will develop, organize, and employ UAS across the full spectrum of operations. The major ideas that emerge will provide a common foundation for continued learning and analysis. We will evaluate ideas and challenge assumptions to develop a full range of UAS capabilities. The roadmap will inform warfighting functional concepts, contribute to capabilities-based assessments, and assist in the development of resource informed decisions on new technologies that will be evaluated through comprehensive experimentation and testing. Ultimately, our roadmap will frame an answer to the question, “What UAS capabilities do we need for the Army in the future?” As described in the Army’s Capstone Concept, to operate effectively under conditions of uncertainty and complexity in an era of persistent conflict, leaders must understand the situation in depth, adapt the actions of their formations to seize and retain the initiative, and be capable of rapid operations over extended distances while sustaining operations over time and across wide areas. Developing and integrating UAS into these formations provide the means to broaden situational awareness as well as improve our ability to see, target, and destroy the enemy. We also expect the UAS of the future to contribute to responsive and continuous sustainment in unsecure, austere environments. The road map provides the basis for an evolutionary approach to developing and integrating UAS capabilities into our formations. The road map is divided into three time periods: near (2010-2015), mid (2016-2025), and far (2026-2035). The near-term focus addresses gaps in today’s UAS capabilities while emphasizing the rapid integration of existing technologies to meet current demands of the Warfighter on the ground. The mid-term focus is on integrating additional multipurpose UAS into all aspects of Army operations ranging from “Network” support to “Cargo” capable. The more distant future is focused on increasing capability while reducing size, power, and weight requirements. We will review the roadmap every 2 years to remain relevant with operational needs, lessons learned, and emerging technology. Our first edition UAS Roadmap provides a new direction for future UAS development, and we will adapt it over time to meet the needs of the Soldiers on the ground. ____________________________ GEN Martin E. Dempsey Commanding General, TRADOC U.S. Army Page i Eyes of the Army U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035 Page Left Intentionally Blank Page ii U.S. Army Eyes of the Army U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035 U.S. ARMY UAS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE “Eyes of the Army” U. S. Army Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems 2010-2035 Army UAS CoE Staff U. S. Army UAS Center of Excellence (ATZQ-CDI-C) Bldg 5000, Lucky Star Street Fort Rucker, Alabama, 36362-5101 (334) 255-9850 U.S. Army Page iii Eyes of the Army U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035 Page Left Intentionally Blank Page iv U.S. Army Eyes of the Army U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035 Table Of Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 1 2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Purpose ..............................................................................................................................................................................3 2.2 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................................................3 2.3 Historical Background ..........................................................................................................................................4 2.4 Vision ...................................................................................................................................................................................7 2.5 Assumptions .................................................................................................................................................................7 2.6 UAS Definition .............................................................................................................................................................8 2.6.1 Unmanned Aircraft ..................................................................................................................................8 2.6.2 Mission Packages ......................................................................................................................................8 2.6.3 Human Element ..........................................................................................................................................9 2.6.4 Control Element .........................................................................................................................................9 2.6.5 Display ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.6.6 Communication Architecture ...................................................................................................... 10 2.6.7 Life Cycle Logistics ............................................................................................................................... 10 2.6.8 UAS Integration ...................................................................................................................................... 11 2.6.9 Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination ........................................... 11 2.7 UAS Groups ................................................................................................................................................................ 12 2.7.1 Group Capabilities & Limitations ............................................................................................. 12 2.7.1.1 Group 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.7.1.2 Group 2 ............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.7.1.3 Group 3 ............................................................................................................................................. 13 2.7.1.4 Group 4 ............................................................................................................................................ 13 2.7.1.5 Group 5 ............................................................................................................................................ 13 2.8 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................................................. 13 3. UAS Operational Environment .................................................................................................15 3.1 UAS Operational Environment .................................................................................................................. 15 3.1.1 Manned-Unmanned Teaming ..................................................................................................... 15 3.1.2 Command & Control of Army UAS .......................................................................................... 16 3.2 UAS Interoperability with Joint Forces .............................................................................................. 16 3.2.1 Army UAS Applied to Joint Capability Areas .................................................................. 17 3.3 UAS Interoperability with Other Government Agencies .................................................... 17 3.4 UAS Interoperability with Coalition Partners............................................................................... 18 4. Threat Environment ...........................................................................................................................19 5. Army UAS Employment ..................................................................................................................21 5.1 UAS Support of Warfighter Functions................................................................................................. 21 5.2 UAS Echelons ...........................................................................................................................................................