1. MQ-1 Predator / MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Jeffrey W. Eggers, Col Director, UAS Transformation Air Force Combat Support Office
8 Feb 2008

2. One Man’s Vision
“We have just won a war with a lot of heroes flying around in planes. The next war may be fought by airplanes with no men in them at all. It certainly will be fought with planes so far superior to those we have now that there will be no basis for comparison. Take everything you’ve learned about aviation in war, throw it out of the window, and let’s go to work on tomorrow’s aviation. It will be different from anything the world has ever seen.”
Gen Hap Arnold, USAAF VJ Day, 1945

3. Large/Theater Capable
AF Family of Systems
Low Capability
High Capability
Micro
Man-Portable
Small
Large/Theater Capable
Multi-Mission
- Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV) and Raven-B are flown by any AF Specialty in addition to their regular duties (primarily Security Forces and Special Operators)
- The ScanEagle UAS is completing an Operational Utility Assessment with the 820th Security Forces Group at Moody AFB, GA
-- As of 8 Nov 07, there are five enlisted pilots (Security Forces) and one 2d Lt (Intel Officer) that have completed initial qualification training
-- The primary duty of these pilots is to fly ScanEagle and are part of an aviation flight
-- Mission Qualification Training is being developed and administered by AFSOC
- The MQ-1, MQ-9, and Global Hawk all fly in Class A airspace under IFR, direct and employ fires, and are complex aircraft that integrate with manned aircraft in the battlespace
Small UAS Operators
Rated Aviators

4. Predator/Reaper System
Aircraft
Predator Primary Satellite Link (PPSL)
Ground Control Station (GCS)
Operations Center 14

5. MQ-1/MQ-9 Comparison MQ-1 Predator MQ-9 Reaper C-172 Size A-10 Size
4 x Hellfire
2 x Hellfire
Endurance: 24 Hrs
Max Speed: 120 Kts
Max Altitude: 25,000
Payload: 300 Lbs
Endurance: 24 Hrs
Max Speed: 240 Kts
Max Altitude: 50,000
Payload: 3000 Lbs
2 x 500 lb bombs

6. Total Combat CAPs - Predator: 20 Reaper: 2
Current Combat CAPs
Total Combat CAPs - Predator: 20 Reaper: 2

7. Remote Split Operations
Ku Satellite
Creech AFB
In Theater
GCS
Ops Ctr
Fiber Optics
PPSL
LOS Only
LMA – Link Manager Assembly – the satellite “modem”
ATM – Asynchronous Transfer Mode
DATMS – DISN ATM System
DISN – Defense Information System Network
Predator Video Network
Mission Control Element
Launch & Recovery Element

8. Current Operations

9. MQ-1B Tactical Systems IR Marker Multi-spectral Targeting System
Laser Designator
IR Marker
EO & IR Camera
AGM-114P Hellfire

10. Target Coordination Laser Rangefinder Designator* For guiding weapons
Laser Target Marker* Visible in NVGs
Mensurated Target Coordinates
ROVER Video Direct to JTAC
Tactical Datalink Link-16 and SADL
Standard J-CAS and J-Fire Procedures
Target Designator for Laser Guided Bombs and Missiles
ROVER video shows target
Target Marking Laser for NVGs
JTAC
* Predator cannot see LRDs or LTMs from other providers.

11. Close Air Support - Raid

12. Close Air Support – An Najaf
Friendlies
Sniper

13. Close Air Support – An Najaf

14. Disaster Relief

15. Dept Homeland Security
Relief Operations
MQ-1 to provide full motion video at USNORTHCOM’s direction in the event of CONUS catastrophe
Commercial Satellite
Creech AFB
GCS*
FMV
Fiber Optics
ROVER Feed
LRE*
Network
Ops Cell
Katrina New Orleans
USNORTHCOM
Dept Homeland Security
POTUS
GCS: Ground Control Station
LRE: Launch and recovery element
Relief Personnel

16. Mission Collaboration
How the Mission Gets Done
Aircrew collaborates real time with end user, intel analysts, cmd elements, airspace ctrl, other aircraft, ground forces
Secure UHF/VHF/FM radio and secure computer chat
SA provided on FalconView w/ airspace diagrams, Link-16, target sets, tgt imagery, weather, msn planning data…
Mission integration screens NOT tied into gnd ctrl station!
Army TOC
DCGS
ASOC
CAOC
LRE
CRC
SOF TOC
SIPR SA & Comm
JWICS SA & Comm
all pads, 13K
[02:17]<QueenTk>Dy01 Clrd KB07 pad K avoid Betty
[02:18]<Deadly01> c, kb01 pd1-6 13k, betty hot—tks
[02:17]<Kelt_PM>QueenTK, stardust RTB 0215 NSTR
[02:18]<QueenTK> c, stardust, clrd hammond
[01:57]<CJTF-2>sb, I’ll see if it is ready
[02:11]< CJTF-2 >n2s
[02:10]<Deadly_MC>got it. start from north or by #?
[02:05] <CJTF-2> target deck sent to your JWICS
[02:21]<DGS_2> 3 pax sw
[02:20]<Deadly_MC> on tgt 2140Z
support rqd att
[02:11]<ASOC_3>TIC03 activated N W
[02:10]<MNCG_2>Reported shots fired sect 23d
[01:33]<ASOC_3>c, rock.
[02:13]<MNCG_2>mortar poo
[02:13]<ASOC_3>Strike 44 enroute tic 03, QT pls activate betty sfc to 180
[02:22]<Deadly01> LRE, were low on gas, expect 0330 handback
[02:25]<LRE_P1>Deadly, we can handle that, just don’t be late or you’ll bump hamer22
[02:22]<LRE_P1> sb, let me check
[02:25]<Deadly01> copy, we can make it
all pads, 13K
[02:17]<QueenTk>Dy01 Clrd KB07 pad K avoid Betty
[02:18]<Deadly01> c, kb01 pd1-6 13k, betty hot—tks
[02:17]<Kelt_PM>QueenTK, stardust RTB 0215 NSTR
[02:18]<QueenTK> c, stardust, clrd hammond
[01:57]<CJTF-2>sb, I’ll see if it is ready
[02:11]< CJTF-2 >n2s
[02:10]<Deadly_MC>got it. start from north or by #?
[02:05] <CJTF-2> target deck sent to your JWICS
[02:21]<DGS_2> 3 pax sw
[02:20]<Deadly_MC> on tgt 2140Z
support rqd att
[02:11]<ASOC_3>TIC03 activated N W
[02:10]<MNCG_2>Reported shots fired sect 23d
[01:33]<ASOC_3>c, rock.
[02:13]<ASOC_3>Strike 44 enroute tic 03, QT pls activate betty sfc to 180
[02:13]<MNCG_2>mortar poo
[02:22]<Deadly01> LRE, were low on gas, expect 0330 handback
[02:25]<LRE_P1>Deadly, we can handle that, just don’t be late or you’ll bump hamer22
[02:22]<LRE_P1> sb, let me check
[02:25]<Deadly01> copy, we can make it
JTAC
AIRCREW

17. Pilot’s Mission Integration Screen
killbox
[02:16]<QueenTk>SE31, sb coordinating
[02:16] ]<Deadly01> QT, rqst kp01 all pads, 13K
[02:17]<QueenTk>Dy01 Clrd KB01 pad K avoid Betty
[02:17]<Kelt_PM>QueenTK, stardust RTB 0215 NSTR
[02:18]<Deadly01> c, kb01 pd1-6 13k, betty hot—tks
[02:18]<QueenTK> c, stardust, clrd hammond
[01:55]<Deadly_MC>c, sb
[01:57]<Deadly_MC>eta 0220, do you have target list?
[01:57]<CJTF-2>sb, I’ll see if it is ready
[02:05] <CJTF-2> target deck sent to your JWICS
[02:10]<Deadly_MC>got it. start from north or by #?
[02:11]< CJTF-2 >n2s
[02:20]<Deadly_MC> on tgt 2140Z
[02:21]<DGS_2> 3 pax sw
support rqd att
[01:33]<ASOC_3>c, rock.
[02:10]<MNCG_2>Reported shots fired sect 23d
[02:11]<ASOC_3>TIC03 activated N W
[02:13]<ASOC_3>Strike 44 enroute tic 03, QT pls activate betty sfc to 180
[02:13]<MNCG_2>mortar poo N W
[02:14]<QueenTk>rgr, ROZ Betty active sfc-180 ufn
your clrd Golf sector 12K, ready to handover
[02:21] ]<MAC_P1>got it thanks, copy 12
[02:22]<Deadly01> LRE, were low on gas, expect 0330 handback
[02:22]<LRE_P1> sb, let me check
[02:25]<LRE_P1>Deadly, we can handle that, just don’t be late or you’ll bump hamer22
[02:25]<Deadly01> copy, we can make it
UNCLASSIFIED

18. Operations Supervisor
Operations Center
How the Missions are Managed
Operations Center
Manages sortie generation and crew assignment
Provides msn comm and situational awareness (SA) to mission crews
Distributes video and tactical data link tracks
Provides weather and intel support to msns
Supports aircraft emergencies and msn retaskings
Air Crew
Air Crew
Air Crew
Air Crew
Army TOC
DCGS
Marine TOC
DCGS
SOF TOC
DCGS
SOF TOC
DCGS
Msn Coord
Msn Coord
Msn Coord
Msn Coord
Weather
Operations Supervisor
Senior Intel Manager
CAOC
LRE

19. Global Operations Concept
ND ANG
MQ-1
Global Operations Center
15, 17 RS, 3rd SOS MQ-1
NY ANG
MQ-9
42 ATKS
39 Sq (UK) MQ-9
Distributed Operations Centrally Coordinated Globally Applied
CA ANG
MQ-1
AZ ANG MQ-1
TX ANG
MQ-1

20. Consolidation and Allocation of Critical Resources
Global Ops Center
Matches dispersed resources to multiple combatant forces
Preset allocations and alignment for normal ops
Rapid reallocation for weather, equipment failures, combat surge needs
Multi-Aircraft Control Station run from ops center to feed aircraft to flying units near the target area
AOR 2
AOR 1
Global Operations Center
AOR 3
Geographically Separated Stateside units

21. Predator Self Image

22. From Galileo to Predator
1609-Galileo discovers moons of Jupiter
1655-Lens used to discover Titan
2006-MTS-B Sensor
Development of UASs will be a long and difficult process too! But we must lead the way.

23. Integration Collaboration
Why UAS?
Missions That Need
Now
Integration Collaboration
Persistence
Was
Missions That Are
Tied-In Teamed-Up
Tenacious
Dull Dirty
Dangerous

24. Concepts in Automation
The mission drives the automation design
Automate to EMPOWER not replace aircrew
Autonomous = BAD, Highly Automated = Good
Hybrid Multi-Aircraft Control
Multi-control for low-dynamic periods
Single-control for high-dynamic periods

25. High Altitude ISR Ideal for Automation Example Scenario
Image predefined targets
Occasional ad hoc targets
Altitude above 60,000 ft
Ideal for Automation
Objectives clear and consistent
Above most weather, other aircraft, mobile threats
Notional: Real-world environments and missions can be much more complex

26. Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
Example Scenario
Electronically detect and classify threat systems
Predefined search area
Predefined rule set for prioritizing and targeting
But impacted by
WX, other aircraft, threats
Airspace control and WX reporting not yet automated all the way to the aircraft
Challenging for Automation
Many aspects can be automated, but some still cannot

27. Resistant to Automation Very difficult environment to codify
Close Air Support
Example Scenario
Fluid ground environment
Continually changing objectives
Difficult to ID friendly, enemy, and non-combatant
Airspace and weapons deconfliction is complex
Coordination by voice
Results proportional to performance, division of attention can cost lives
Resistant to Automation
Very difficult environment to codify

28. Networked Multi-Aircraft Control
Networked-Control Allows all aircraft to be monitored and controlled from one or more “Multi-Aircraft Control Stations” (MACS) and rapidly switch to the Advanced Cockpit Control Station
One Mind-One Mission The Advanced Cockpit provides an immersive environment providing full control of one or more aircraft coordinating on a single mission.
Multi-Aircraft Manager A pilot who controls multiple aircraft en route to and from targets and manages static/ autonomous missions.
Network Server
Multi-Aircraft Control Stations
Advanced Cockpit Control Stations

29. Automated Mission Integration
Weather
Ground Forces
Threats
Predator Operations Center
Blue Forces
Voice Radio ROVER Video
Video Distribution
Msn Assignment
Msn Coord
Synthesis
Target Coord
Airspace Coord
Scheduling
Automation is not just for aircraft ctrl, but for mission management too
Information is life! Build a virtual battlespace
Info fusion--multiple domains, multiple security levels

30. Automation Conclusions
The Mission Drives the Automation
One Mind – One Mission
Automate to Empower not Displace
Just say “No” to Autonomy
Information is Life
Network, Network, Network

31. Questions?

32. Concepts for Multi-Aircraft Control
One to Many
Benign Ops Manager
One to Many
One to Many
Cooperative Engagement
Swarm