These UAVs emerged from the High Altitude Endurance UAV program at ARPA, a program intended to develop and demonstrate two rival reconnaissance UAVs, then let the users decide on the force balance and needed capabilities based on the performance of the candidates. The UAVs, designated Tier 2+ and Tier 3-, are intended to be theater-level assets supplementing existing reconnaissance platforms.
Characteristics of the Tier 2+ and 3- UAVs are presented in Table 1. Both UAVs use inertial guidance, Global Positioning System (GPS) updating, and differential GPS for takeoff and landing. Both are autonomous, with no direct control inputs being made by the operator. Instead, the operator loads way points into the autopilot, which can be updated in flight, and the UAV's guidance system will make control inputs.
Communications are line-of-sight and satellite data links. Tier 2+ and Tier 3- will receive commands and report aircraft status through military UHF satellite communications (SatCom). Tier 3- will transmit intelligence information the same way, while Tier 2+ will use Ku-band commercial SatCom for sending imagery, because of the extremely high anticipated data rates.
A common ground station, under development, will be capable of operating both Tier 2+ and Tier 3- UAVs. The ground station has been divided into two parts: The Launch and recovery element, which controls the UAV during takeoff and landing; and the mission control element, which controls the UAV during the mission and serves as a communication node for disseminating reconnaissance data.
Two prototypes of each UAV are being built for developmental testing through 1997. These will be followed by eight further examples of each UAV, which will support operational demonstrations in 1998. These demonstrations will determine the relative merit of each type of UAV, whether modifications are needed, and the force structure of an operational UAV fleet.
What does this mean to the fleet? It means a revolution in intelligence gathering. Instead of begging the National Command Authorities (NCA) for a satellite pass or a U-2 flight, theater-level commanders will have their own extremely capable assets. The trickle of intelligence that we have today will become a flood of facts, enough to support not only the theater commander but lower-echelon commanders as well. In theory, a handful of Tier 2+ and 3- UAVs could create a single, up-to- date, extremely detailed picture of the battlefield that could be distributed to everyone from the NCA to squad leaders. This kind of timely, detailed, coordinated intelligence can win not only battles but wars.
What must the fleet do? First, planners must be aware that the Tier 2+ and 3- are on their way and start thinking about how they can be employed. Remember that Predator was taken from the middle of a test program to go to Bosnia in 1995. These new UAVs will be available before 2000. Second, both UAVs supply tremendous amounts of information. The fleet needs to consider ways to distribute this information to where it can do the most good. Third, the fleet should examine housekeeping issues, such as the desirability of installing a mission control element in a ship. Finally, everyone should keep alternate missions in mind. Jamming and communications relay are already being discussed, but there may be other roles that ARPA has not yet thought of.
The new Tier 2+ and Tier 3- UAVs represent a potential quantum jump in warfare, but without preparation and planning, their potential to turn the tide of battle will be stillborn.
Mr. McDaniel is a flight-test engineer with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's High Altitude Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Office.