FMI 3-04.155 April 2006 Expires April 2008 ARMY UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM OPERATIONS HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Distribution Restriction-Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. FMI 3-04.155 Field Manual Interim Headquarters No. 3-04.155 Department of the Army Washington, DC, 4 April 2006 Expires 4 April 2008 ARMY UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM OPERATIONS Contents Page PREFACE ..............................................................................................................v Chapter 1 ORGANIZATION, MISSIONS, AND FUNDAMENTALS..................................... 1-1 Section I –General ............................................................................................ 1-1 Unmanned aircraft system Types....................................................................... 1-1 Organization ....................................................................................................... 1-1 Mission ............................................................................................................... 1-2 Capabilities ......................................................................................................... 1-2 Limitations .......................................................................................................... 1-2 Fundamentals..................................................................................................... 1-3 Echelons of Support ........................................................................................... 1-4 Section II–Unmanned Aircraft System Organizations................................... 1-6 RQ-1L I-Gnat Organization ................................................................................ 1-6 RQ-5/MQ-5 Hunter Aerial Reconnaissance Company ...................................... 1-7 RQ-7 Shadow Aerial Reconnaissance Platoon ................................................. 1-8 RQ-11 Raven Team ........................................................................................... 1-9 Section III–Duty Descriptions and Responsibilities ................................... 1-10 Company Commander ..................................................................................... 1-10 Platoon Leader ................................................................................................. 1-10 Unmanned aircraft system Operations Officer (150U)..................................... 1-11 First Sergeant ................................................................................................... 1-11 Platoon Sergeant.............................................................................................. 1-11 Air Mission Commander ................................................................................... 1-12 Unmanned aircraft system Operator (15W) ..................................................... 1-12 External Pilot (RQ-5/MQ-5 Hunter Only).......................................................... 1-12 Unmanned Aerial System Operator (RQ-11 Raven)........................................ 1-12 Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. i Contents Chapter 2 ARMY UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS...........................................................2-1 RQ-1L I-Gnat.......................................................................................................2-1 RQ-5/MQ-5 Hunter..............................................................................................2-3 RQ-7 Shadow......................................................................................................2-6 RQ-11 Raven ....................................................................................................2-10 Chapter 3 JOINT UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS...........................................................3-1 Section I–Joint UAS Request Procedures......................................................3-1 Joint Command Architecture...............................................................................3-1 Unmanned aircraft system Support ....................................................................3-2 Section II–Air Force ..........................................................................................3-4 RQ-4 Global Hawk ..............................................................................................3-4 RQ/MQ-1 Predator..............................................................................................3-6 MQ-9 Predator B.................................................................................................3-8 Force Protection Aerial Surveillance System–Desert Hawk.............................3-10 Section III–Navy...............................................................................................3-12 RQ-2 Pioneer ....................................................................................................3-12 RQ-8B Fire Scout..............................................................................................3-13 Section IV–Marine Corps................................................................................3-14 FQM-151 Pointer ..............................................................................................3-14 Dragon Eye .......................................................................................................3-15 Silver Fox ..........................................................................................................3-16 Scan Eagle........................................................................................................3-17 Section V–Coast Guard ..................................................................................3-19 Eagle Eye..........................................................................................................3-19 Section VI–Special Operations Command ...................................................3-20 CQ-10 SnowGoose...........................................................................................3-20 FQM-151 Pointer ..............................................................................................3-21 RQ-11 Raven ....................................................................................................3-22 Dragon Eye .......................................................................................................3-23 Chapter 4 UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS MISSION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 4-1 Section I–Overview ...........................................................................................4-1 Section II–Employment Considerations .........................................................4-2 Location of Unmanned aircraft systems .............................................................4-2 Sustained Operations .........................................................................................4-4 Terrain and Weather ...........................................................................................4-4 Sensor Considerations........................................................................................4-5 Threat Considerations.........................................................................................4-6 Time/Resources Available ..................................................................................4-7 Dynamic Retasking .............................................................................................4-8 Civil Considerations (Combat Operations) .........................................................4-9 Section III–Mission Planning Process ............................................................4-9 Mission Supported Unit.......................................................................................4-9 Echelons Above Brigade Combat Team Tasking and Planning.......................4-10 Brigade and Below Planning Responsibilities ..................................................4-11 Brigade and Below Tasking/Planning ...............................................................4-11 ii FMI 3-04.155 4 April 2006 Contents Unmanned aircraft system Unit Planning Process........................................... 4-13 Post Mission Actions ........................................................................................ 4-17 Section IV–Army Airspace Command and Control..................................... 4-17 Section V–Command and Control ................................................................ 4-19 Levels of Interoperability .................................................................................. 4-19 Communications............................................................................................... 4-21 Using a Remote Video Terminal ...................................................................... 4-22 Section VI–Risk Mitigation ............................................................................ 4-23 Safety................................................................................................................ 4-23 Risk Management............................................................................................. 4-24 Unmanned aircraft system Safety Considerations........................................... 4-25 Chapter 5 UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS EMPLOYMENT ........................................... 5-1 Section I–Reconnaissance and Surveillance ................................................ 5-1 Reconnaissance................................................................................................