Unmanned Aerial System

C3C Matthew Jordan

What is an Unmanned Aerial System?◦ Difference between Unmanned Aerial Systems

and Remotely Piloted Aircraft◦ How this applies to your future

Remotely Piloted Aircraft◦ Reconnaissance◦ Hunter/Killer

UASs application to Air Force Core Competencies and Doctrine

Overview

UAS = Unmanned Aerial System◦ Consists of all components necessary for an RPA

to function◦ Includes the aircraft, operator,

control/communications systems RPA = Remotely Piloted Aircraft

◦ The aircraft associated with a UAS◦ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

What is a UAS?

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Recently created to train directly into field◦ Previously only pilots were chosen

Will receive initial pilot training then sent to Undergraduate RPA Training (URT)◦ Considered a rated slot◦ Receives flight crew incentive pay◦ Incurs six-year service commitment

RPA Pilot Career Track

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Reconnaissance and Surveillance◦ Drones dedicated to this purpose given RQ prefix◦ Used to track targets and patrol for long durations◦ Generally not equipped with munitions

Hunter/Killer◦ Drones dedicated to this purpose given MQ prefix◦ Equipped with various Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air

missiles Prefix Meanings

◦ R = Reconnaissance◦ M = Multirole◦ Q = Unmanned

Functions of UASs

Reconnaissance

RQ-4 Global Hawk “Phantom Eye”

Northrop Grumman ~30 hrs “on station” 2000 lb usable load FL650 max 343kts TAS Turbofan jet engine Only UAS FAA certified

for regular flights in US airspace

Boeing Phantom Works

~4 DAYS “on station” 450 lb usable load FL650 max 150kts TAS Propeller driven

RQ-4 Global Hawk Phantom Eye

RQ-4 vs Phantom Eye

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/file.php/81969/MSF10-0138-001_PhantomEye_th.jpg

http://www.intell.rtaf.mi.th/intellUserFiles/image/News/Global%20Hawk_04.jpg

Hunter/Killer

MQ-1 Predator MQ-9 Reaper

General Atomics ~770 miles 450 lb usable load FL350 max 70kts TAS Propeller driven 2x AGM-114 Hellfire

General Atomics ~1,150 miles 3,750 lb usable load FL500 200kts TAS Propeller driven GBU-12 Paveway GBU-38 JDAM 4x AGM-114 Hellfire

MQ-1 Predator MQ-9 Reaper

Predator vs. Reaper

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/USAF-MQ-1-predator.jpghttp://files.air-attack.com/MIL/predator/mq9_afghanistan_20071108.jpg

First widespread use seen in War on Terror Roles expanding

◦ RPA Pilot pipeline RPAs becoming bigger and better

◦ Taking forces out of harms way◦ Logging more kills than traditional aircrews

Developing Doctrine

Rapid Global Mobility◦ Able to be quickly loaded anywhere in the world

Precision Engagement◦ Guided munitions provide for precise strikes

Air and Space Superiority◦ Ability to perform Air-to-Air combat

Information Superiority◦ Necessary to keep secure control of UASs

Agile Combat Support◦ Ability to perform CAS and interdiction

Core Competencies

What is a UAS? RPA Pilot Career track Different Missions for UAS Different types of RPAs The developing doctrine of UASs Relevance to Core Competencies

Summary

Questions?