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Reference Number: 14-S-0553

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Executive Summary

Unmanned systems continue to deliver new and enhanced battlefield capabilities to thewarfighter. While the demand for unmanned systems continues unabated today, a number offactors will influence unmanned program development in the future. Three primary forces are
driving the Department of Defense’s (DoD) approach in planning for and developing unmannedsystems.
1. Combat operations in Southwest Asia have demonstrated the military utility of unmannedsystems on today’s battlefields and have resulted in the expeditious integration of
unmanned technologies into the joint force structure. However, the systems andtechnologies currently fielded to fulfill today’s urgent operational needs must be further
expanded (as described in this Roadmap) and appropriately integrated into Military
Department programs of record (POR) to achieve the levels of effectiveness, efficiency,
affordability, commonality, interoperability, integration, and other key parameters needed
to meet future operational requirements.
2. Downward economic forces will continue to constrain Military Department budgets forthe foreseeable future. Achieving affordable and cost-effective technical solutions isimperative in this fiscally constrained environment.
3. The changing national security environment poses unique challenges. A strategic shift innational security to the Asia-Pacific Theater presents different operational considerations
based on environment and potential adversary capabilities that may require unmannedsystems to operate in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) areas where freedom to operate iscontested. Similarly, any reallocation of unmanned assets to support other combatantcommanders (CCDRs) entails its own set of unique challenges, which will likely require
unmanned systems to operate in more complex environments involving weather, terrain,
distance, and airspace while necessitating extensive coordination with allies and hostnations.
The combination of these primary forces requires further innovative technical solutions
that are effective yet affordable for program development.
The purpose of this Roadmap is to articulate a vision and strategy for the continued
development, production, test, training, operation, and sustainment of unmanned systems
technology across DoD. This “Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap” establishes atechnological vision for the next 25 years and outlines actions and technologies for DoD andindustry to pursue to intelligently and affordably align with this vision. The Roadmap articulates
this vision and strategy in eight chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction — This chapter explains the Roadmap’s purpose and scope. It
examines the current unmanned environment from an inventory and budget perspective while
also surveying the potential future environment. The chapter includes an operational vignette toshow potential future capabilities using some of the technologies described later in thisRoadmap. Also, the chapter explains the reduction in budget over the next five years beginningwith the President’s Budget request for $5.6 billion in unmanned systems in Fiscal Year 2013. In
fact, the unmanned air domain as described in the 2014 President’s Budget released to the U.S.
v

Congress shows a 33.4% reduction in research, development, test, and evaluation andprocurement funding from the previous year.
Chapter 2: Strategic Planning and Policy — This chapter expounds on the structure,
direction, and established guidance from DoD leadership toward planning and developing
unmanned systems. It briefly discusses some of the prevailing unmanned issues of the day andexpresses departmental direction in their resolution.
Chapter 3: CCDR Mission and Capability Needs — A joint perspective emerges in thischapter through a discussion of mission capabilities unique to unmanned systems and an
explanation of the requirements process used to deliberately develop those capabilities to achieve
improved efficiency, effectiveness, and survivability and to reduce the burden on manpower atlower costs while still meeting future operational requirements. The perspective establishes that
future unmanned systems must••••

Provide capabilities more efficiently through such attributes as modularity,interoperability, integration with manned systems, and use of advanced technologies.
Be more effective through features such as greater automation, improved
performance, and flexible use of capabilities.
Be more survivable in contested environments through improved and resilient
communications, increased security from tampering, and system design.
Reduce manpower requirements to operate and support unmanned systems.

Chapter 4: Technologies for Unmanned Systems — Certain key areas of interest for
improving technology reflect DoD’s shift in strategic priorities and address the requirement tocontinue to reduce lifecycle costs across all systems, including unmanned systems. The six areasof interest highlighted in this chapter are interoperability and modularity; communication
systems, spectrum, and resilience; security (research and intelligence/technology protection(RITP)); persistent resilience; autonomy and cognitive behavior; and weaponry. This chapter
also describes how limited science and technology funding will potentially impact such emerging
technology solutions.
Chapter 5: Operating Environment — This chapter describes the operating
environments of unmanned systems, which are critical in determining system performanceflexibilities (e.g., appropriate levels of automation, maneuverability, communication options)needed to accomplish the mission. The chapter emphasizes that every aspect of the operating
environment, including the physical and regulatory, should be incorporated in all acquisition
lifecycle stages. Guidance is currently available from each Military Department althoughrequirements and standards must still be developed to support new capabilities.
Chapter 6: Logistics and Sustainment — The rapid development and fielding of large
numbers and types of unmanned systems present DoD with a significant sustainment challenge.
This chapter discusses the necessary transition from supporting immediate warfighter capability
requirements to creating an affordable, long-term sustainment environment utilizing a flexible
blend of original equipment manufacturers (OEM), other contractors, and organic support tomeet logistics support objectives.

vi

Chapter 7: Training — The current state and forces shaping the training environment are
similar to those that have shaped the logistics environment. As DoD transitions to a peacetime
environment, the proper mix among the live, virtual, and constructive domains must be put into
place to ensure that the asymmetric advantages offered by unmanned systems can be employedin future operations and at a reduced cost. This chapter describes the current state of training forunmanned systems, related challenges, and the way ahead.
Chapter 8: International Cooperation — This chapter reflects DoD’s efforts to include
cooperative research, development, test and evaluation, and regulatory/standard agreements ofdefense technologies and systems with foreign partners as well as the procurement of defense
articles, systems, and services from foreign partners. DoD objectives and methods are explained.
While DoD unmanned systems development funding will likely be constrained over the
early part of this decade, unmanned systems (air, maritime, and ground) continue to hold muchpromise for the warfighting tasks ahead. If the technical, logistics and sustainment, training, andcooperation challenges are addressed by accomplishing the projects and tasks described in thisRoadmap, advances in capability and affordability can readily address the needs dictated by theplans, policies, and operating environments. These advances will achieve well beyond what is
attainable today.

viiTable of Contents
1

Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 DoD Vision ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Current Environment .......................................................................................................... 2
1.3.1

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ..................................................................................... 4

1.3.2

Unmanned Ground Systems ..................................................................................... 6

1.3.3

Unmanned Maritime Systems ................................................................................... 8

1.4 Future Environment ............................................................................................................ 8

2

1.4.1

Objectives ................................................................................................................. 9

1.4.2

Trends and Characteristics ...................................................................................... 10

1.4.3

Operational Vignette ............................................................................................... 10

Strategic Planning and Policy .............................................................................................. 14
2.1 Strategic Guidance ............................................................................................................ 14
2.2 Congressional Direction.................................................................................................... 14
2.3 Acquisition Initiatives ....................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Departmental Policy Consideration .................................................................................. 15

3

2.4.1

Autonomy ............................................................................................................... 15

2.4.2

Data Protection – Near, Middle, and Long Terms .................................................. 16

2.4.3

Data Exploitation .................................................................................................... 17

2.4.4

Selective Innovation................................................................................................ 18

2.4.5

Manned-Unmanned System Teaming (MUM-T) ................................................... 19

Combatant Commander Mission and Capability Needs ...................................................... 20
3.1 Why Unmanned? .............................................................................................................. 20
3.2 Requirements Processes .................................................................................................... 20
3.3 Joint Capability Areas (JCAs) .......................................................................................... 23
3.3.1

Battlespace Awareness JCA – JS/J-28, BA FCB.................................................... 23

3.3.2

Force Application JCA – JS/J-8, FA FCB .............................................................. 24

3.3.3

Protection JCA – JS/J-8, Protection FCB ............................................................... 24

3.3.4

Logistics JCA – JS/J-4, Logistics FCB ................................................................... 24

3.4 A Look to the Future ......................................................................................................... 25
4Technologies for Unmanned Systems ................................................................................. 26
4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 26
viii

4.1.1

Interoperability and Modularity .............................................................................. 28

4.1.2

Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience .............................................. 28

4.1.3

Security: Research and Intelligence/Technology Protection (RITP) ...................... 29

4.1.4

Persistent Resilience ............................................................................................... 29

4.1.5

Autonomy and Cognitive Behavior ........................................................................ 29

4.1.6

Weaponry ................................................................................................................ 29

4.1.7

Sensor Air Drop ...................................................................................................... 29

4.1.8

Weather Sensing ..................................................................................................... 30

4.1.9

High-Performance Computing (HPC) .................................................................... 30

4.2 Interoperability and Modularity ........................................................................................ 31
4.2.1

Background ............................................................................................................. 31

4.2.2

Interoperability Functional Description .................................................................. 32

4.2.3

Modularity Functional Description ......................................................................... 33

4.2.4

DoD Initiatives to Increase Interoperability and Modularity.................................. 33

4.2.5

Interoperability and Modularity Key Technologies ................................................ 37

4.2.6

Summary ................................................................................................................. 38

4.3 Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience ........................................................ 39
4.3.1

Introduction ............................................................................................................. 39

4.3.2

Issues with Current Unmanned Systems Communication Infrastructure ............... 40

4.3.3

Communication Gateways and Relay Sites ............................................................ 42

4.3.4

Enterprise Data Centers and Distribution Nodes .................................................... 43

4.3.5

Satellite Communications ....................................................................................... 45

4.3.6

Networking Infrastructure and Systems.................................................................. 45

4.3.7

Antennas ................................................................................................................. 46

4.3.8

Transmitter/Receiver Systems ................................................................................ 47

4.3.9

UMS Communications............................................................................................ 48

4.3.10Spectrum Considerations ........................................................................................ 49

4.3.11

Waveforms .............................................................................................................. 50

4.3.12Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) Systems ............................................... 52

4.3.13

Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) ......................................................... 52

4.3.14

Optical Communications ........................................................................................ 53

4.3.15

Advanced Navigation Developments ..................................................................... 53

4.3.16

Improved GPS Operations ...................................................................................... 54

4.3.17

Cost Effectiveness Considerations .......................................................................... 54ix

4.3.18

Future Trends .......................................................................................................... 55

4.3.19

Mobile Technologies .............................................................................................. 55

4.3.20

Summary ................................................................................................................. 55

4.4 Security: Research and Intelligence/Technology Protection (RITP) ................................ 57
4.4.1

Data at Rest (DAR) Encryption .............................................................................. 58

4.4.2

Cost Effectiveness ................................................................................................... 58

4.4.3

Near-Term Goals .................................................................................................... 58

4.4.4

Middle- and Long-Term Goals ............................................................................... 59

4.4.5

Unified Security Classification Guidance ............................................................... 59

4.4.6

Cloud Computing and Multilayer Security ............................................................. 60

4.5 Persistent Resilience ......................................................................................................... 61
4.5.1

Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling (SWaP-C) ........................................................ 61

4.5.2

Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) ............................................ 62

4.5.3

Survivability............................................................................................................ 63

4.5.4

Structures and Material Degradation ...................................................................... 64

4.5.5

Propulsion ............................................................................................................... 65

4.5.6

Summary ................................................................................................................. 66

4.6 Autonomy and Cognitive Behavior .................................................................................. 66
4.6.1

Today’s State (2013–2017) ..................................................................................... 68

4.6.2

Middle-Term Future State (2017–2022) ................................................................. 71

4.6.3

Long-Term Future State (Beyond 2020)................................................................. 72

4.6.4

Key Enablers and Concerns .................................................................................... 72

4.7 Weaponry .......................................................................................................................... 73

5

4.7.1

Interoperability........................................................................................................ 75

4.7.2

Unmanned System–Specific Weapons ................................................................... 76

4.7.3

Advanced Weapons Technology Areas .................................................................. 77

Operating Environment ........................................................................................................ 80
5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 80
5.2 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................ 81
5.3 Physical Environment ....................................................................................................... 81
5.4 Policy and Regulatory Environment ................................................................................. 82
5.4.1

Testing and Certification......................................................................................... 83

5.4.2

Sense and Avoid (SAA) Capability ........................................................................ 84

5.4.3

UAS Executive Committee (ExCom) ..................................................................... 84x5.5 Technology Application.................................................................................................... 84
5.5.1

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ................................................................................... 85

5.5.2

Unmanned Ground Systems ................................................................................... 87

5.5.3

Unmanned Maritime Systems ................................................................................. 88

5.6 Way Ahead........................................................................................................................ 90
5.7 Case Study: Air: Airworthiness and GBSAA ................................................................... 90
5.8 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 91
6

Logistics and Sustainment ................................................................................................... 93
6.1 Current Sustainment Environment .................................................................................... 93
6.2 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................ 93
6.3 Challenges to Logistics and Sustainment ......................................................................... 94
6.3.1

Sustaining Non-PORs ............................................................................................. 94

6.3.2

Limited RAM Data ................................................................................................. 95

6.3.3

Delayed Core Logistics Capability Requirements .................................................. 95

6.3.4

Transition from CLS for Life to Organic Capabilities............................................ 95

6.3.5

Immature or Lack of Lifecycle Sustainment Planning ........................................... 96

6.4 The Way Ahead ................................................................................................................ 96
6.5 Planning for Organic Depot Maintenance ........................................................................ 98
6.6 Sustainment Metrics and Performance-Based Logistics................................................... 99
6.7 Joint Logistics Integration................................................................................................. 99

7

6.7.1

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ................................................................................... 99

6.7.2

Unmanned Maritime Systems ............................................................................... 101

6.7.3

Unmanned Ground Systems ................................................................................. 101

Training ........................................................................................................................... 102
7.1 The Need to Train ........................................................................................................... 102
7.2 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 102
7.3 Challenges to Training .................................................................................................... 102
7.4 Current Training Environment ........................................................................................ 103
7.4.1

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ................................................................................. 103

7.4.2

Unmanned Ground Systems ................................................................................. 108

7.4.3

Unmanned Maritime Systems ............................................................................... 109

7.4.4

The Acquisition Process ....................................................................................... 109

7.4.5

The Regulatory Environment ................................................................................ 110

7.4.6

Technology ........................................................................................................... 110
xi

7.4.7

Manpower ............................................................................................................. 110

7.4.8

Asset Availability.................................................................................................. 110

7.4.9

Policy and Documentation .................................................................................... 111

7.5 The Way Ahead .............................................................................................................. 111
8International Cooperation .................................................................................................. 113
8.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 113
8.2 Methods of International Cooperation ............................................................................ 113
8.2.1

MOAs and MOUs ................................................................................................. 113

8.2.2

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) ............................................................................... 114

8.2.3

Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) ........................................................................... 114

8.2.4

NATO ................................................................................................................... 114

8.3 International Cooperation Authority, Jurisdiction, Approval, and Disclosure ............... 114
8.3.1

Authority and Jurisdiction..................................................................................... 115

8.3.2

Approval and Disclosure....................................................................................... 116

8.4 Special UAS-Related Considerations ............................................................................. 117
8.4.1

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) ..................................................... 117

8.4.2

Armed UAS .......................................................................................................... 117

8.5 Reform Efforts ................................................................................................................ 117

9

8.5.1

Security Cooperation Reform ............................................................................... 117

8.5.2

Defense Exportability Features (DEF).................................................................. 118

8.5.3

Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative .............................................................. 118

8.5.4

Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TS&FD) ...................................... 119

Summary ........................................................................................................................... 120

Appendix A

FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES .............................. 121

Appendix B

PRIORITY INTEROPERABILITY STANDARDS......................................... 123

Appendix C

DOD INITIATIVES TO INCREASE INTEROPERABILITY AND
MODULARITY ................................................................................................ 126

Appendix D

UNMANNED SYSTEMS T&E CAPABILITIES CURRENT STATUS ........ 137

Appendix E

MANNED UNMANNED TEAMING (MUM-T) AND MUSIC ..................... 139

Appendix F

CASE STUDY MQ-9 REAPER ....................................................................... 142

Appendix G

POINTS OF CONTACT LIST.......................................................................... 145

Appendix H

ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................... 148

xii

List of Figures

Figure 1. Unmanned Warfare Information Repository ................................................................... 2
Figure 2. UAS Inventory vs. Funding............................................................................................. 4
Figure 3. Inventory of DoD UAS ................................................................................................... 5
Figure 4. UAS (PB13 and Beyond) ................................................................................................ 6
Figure 5. UGS by Mission/Capability Area.................................................................................... 7
Figure 6. UMS by Mission Area ..................................................................................................... 8
Figure 7. Operational Battlespace ................................................................................................. 11
Figure 8. Array of Future Unmanned Systems (Notional) ........................................................... 12
Figure 9. Linked JCIDS Process ................................................................................................... 21
Figure 10. DoD S&T Funding: FY1962–2016 ............................................................................. 26
Figure 11. Near-, Middle-, and Long-Term Goals........................................................................ 28
Figure 12. Interoperability and Modularity Goals for Unmanned Systems.................................. 39
Figure 13. High-Level C4 Infrastructure Operational Concept Graphic (OV-1) ......................... 40
Figure 14. DISA Proposed UVDS Functional Architecture ......................................................... 44
Figure 15. Current UVDS Operational Architecture (February 2012) ......................................... 44
Figure 16. Possibilities of Obtaining Spectrum Support in Various Host Nations for
Wider Frequency Range ............................................................................................................... 51
Figure 17. Unmanned Systems Target Architecture ..................................................................... 56
Figure 18. Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience Goals for Unmanned Systems 57
Figure 19. SWaP-C Goals for Unmanned Systems ...................................................................... 62
Figure 20. RAM Goals for Unmanned Systems ........................................................................... 63
Figure 21. Survivability Goals for Unmanned Systems ............................................................... 64
Figure 22. Structures and Material Degradation Goals for Unmanned Systems .......................... 65
Figure 23. Propulsion Goals for Unmanned Systems ................................................................... 66
Figure 24. Army’s Vision for Five Problem Domains (Think – Look – Move – Talk – Work) . 70
Figure 25. RCTA’s Capstone Experiment in FY2014 .................................................................. 71
Figure 26. Laser Homing Attack or Anti-Tank Missile (LAHAT) .............................................. 73
Figure 27. Laser-Guided SPIKE ................................................................................................... 74
Figure 28. Switchblade Munition ................................................................................................. 75
Figure 29. Nanoparticles and Explosions ..................................................................................... 77
Figure 30. Weaponry Goals for Unmanned Systems.................................................................... 79
Figure 31. SAA Self-Separation Functions .................................................................................. 84
xiii

Figure 32. UAS Pilot Simulator Training ..................................................................................... 86
Figure 33. Operating Environment Technology Development Timeline ..................................... 92
Figure 34. Lifecycle Sustainment Planning Analysis Way Ahead ............................................... 97
Figure 35. Organic Depot Maintenance Sources of Repair Approved Consolidations .............. 100
Figure 36. Army Group 3 and Above UAS Operator Training Flow ......................................... 104
Figure 37. Current Marine Corps Group 3 UAS Operator Training Flow ................................. 105
Figure 38. Air Force MQ-1/9 Pilot & Sensor Operator Training Flow ...................................... 106
Figure 39. UAS Training Objectives .......................................................................................... 112
Figure 40. Overarching Innovation Goals Timeline ................................................................... 120
Figure 41. MUSIC I Operational View (OV-1) .......................................................................... 140
Figure 42. MQ-9 Reaper Sustainment Plan ................................................................................ 144

List of Tables

Table 1. DoD Unmanned Systems Funding ($ mil/PB14) ............................................................. 3
Table 2. MUSIC I Capabilities and Use Cases ........................................................................... 141

xiv

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1 Introduction
The purpose of this Roadmap is to articulate a vision and strategy for the continued
development, production, test, training, operation, and sustainment of unmanned systems
technology across the Department of Defense (DoD). Recent combat operations in Southwest
Asia have demonstrated the military utility of unmanned systems in today’s combat environmentand have resulted in the rapid integration of unmanned technologies into the joint force structure.
This Roadmap establishes a vision for the next 25 years and outlines actions and technologies for
DoD, industry, universities, and others to pursue to achieve the sustained, affordable, rapid
integration and application of unmanned systems.
This Roadmap is required by goals within the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Task
Force charter. Specifically, Goal 5 of the charter refers to the roadmap task: 1

Goal 5. Serve as the Department’s lead activity for thedevelopment and promulgation of the Unmanned Systems
Roadmap.
1.1 DoD Vision
DoD will develop and field affordable, flexible, interoperable, integrated, andtechnologically advanced unmanned capabilities that will
•
•
•
•

•
•

Prevail in the full range of contingencies and in all operating domains, including
cyberspace (Defense Strategic Guidance 2012); 2
Enable decisive force effectiveness in Joint and coalition operations;
Be critical to future success;Emphasize missions according to strategic guidance from intelligence, surveillance,and reconnaissance (ISR); counterterrorism; counter-weapons of mass destruction(WMD); and operations required to operate across all environments, including antiaccess and area denial (A2/AD);
Protect the homeland; andBe able to surge and regenerate forces and capabilities.

1.2 ScopeThis Roadmap continues the path outlined in the 2011 edition of the Roadmap andaddresses three unmanned operating domains: air, ground, and maritime. It leverages the existingroadmaps produced by the individual military departments and agencies and focuses on thecommon technical, training, and policy challenges that each Armed Service faces in achieving
the full potential of unmanned systems technology. A list of the applicable Service documentsthat form the foundation of these conclusions can be found in Appendix A.
1

The full charter is available on the Unmanned Warfare Information Repository (Figure 1).
“Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Leadership,” Defense Strategic Guidance, January
2012.

2

1

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

This document serves a diverse stakeholder community with one of the primary target
audiences being DoD. By providing a common vision toward overcoming unmanned challenges,
this Roadmap can shape military department investments in unmanned innovations. The plansoutlined in this document also shape the efforts of Service requirements developers, budget
planners, program managers, laboratories, warfighters, andother key DoD stakeholders. In addition, this document
serves the defense industry by providing insight into DoD
priorities and helping to shape industry investments,
particularly for independent research and development
investment strategies. Finally, this Roadmap informs key
stakeholders outside DoD, including Congressional staffs,
the Government Accountability Office, advocacy groups,
and academic institutions.
The traditional unmanned catalog, historically contained inthis document, now resides in a separate, online tool. This
tool has been in place since 2010 and provides greater
functionality than a hard-copy document. The online
approach also facilitates more frequent updates to thecatalog than the biennial publication of this Roadmap.
Readers can find the common access card–protectedcatalog on the Unmanned Warfare Information Repository(Figure 1) at https://extranet.acq.osd.mil/uwir/. 3

Figure 1. Unmanned Warfare
Information Repository

1.3 Current Environment
Urgency resulting from the swiftly changing international environment is deeply felt
within DoD’s acquisition programs. Specifically, three forces are driving this sense of urgency:
department budgetary challenges, evolving security requirements, and a changing militaryenvironment. Budgets for unmanned systems are discussed in this section while the other two
forces are addressed in the future environment section (see Section 1.4).
As we turn the page on more than a decade of grinding conflict, we must
broaden our attention to future threats and challenges. That means
continuing to increase our focus on the Asia-Pacific region, reinvigorating
historic alliances like NATO, and making new investments in criticalcapabilities like cyber.
In order to accomplish our mission, we also must make wise budget
decisions prioritizing our interests and requirements.

— Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense 4

3

Common access card protection is required on the OUSD(AT&L) network infrastructure. Inquiries can be made to
OUSD(AT&L)S&TS-UW&ISR. See page 149 of Appendix G for contact information.
4
Source: http://www.defense.gov/Speeches/Speech.aspx?SpeechID=1754.

2

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

The 2013 Presidential Budget (PB13) reduced the overall DoD budget by $259 billion
over the next Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP), with a total reduction of $487 billion over the
next 10 years. The 2014 Presidential Budget, with the potential effects of sequestration, further
reduces the budget by about $55 billion across the FYDP. 5 Some defense programs werebolstered with additional funds while others required adjustments downward. The budget
focuses on developing A2/AD technologies to ensure dominance in A2/AD scenarios and willfund the next-generation bomber and other modernizations. Table 1 explains the unmannedsystems portion of PB14.
Table 1. DoD Unmanned Systems Funding ($ mil/PB14)
FYDP
RDTE
Proc
OM
Domain Total
FYDP
RDTE
GroundProc
OM
Domain Total
FYDP
RDTE
Maritime
Proc
OM
Domain Total
FYDP
RDTE
All
Proc
Unmanned
Systems
OM

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
1189.4 1674.0 1521.4 1189.4 1087.9
6662.21505.5 2010.2 1843.5 1870.7 2152.8
9382.71080.9 1135.2 1102.7 1156.9 1178.5
5654.13775.9 4819.4 4467.6 4217.0 4419.3 21699.1
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
6.5
19.1
13.6
11.1
10.6
60.9
6.5
27.9
30.7
42.6
55.4
163.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
13.0
47.0
44.3
53.7
66.0
223.9
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
62.8
54.8
66.1
81.0
87.2
351.9
104.0
184.8
160.1
158.1
101.1
708.2
163.4
170.3
182.4
190.5
193.6
900.2
330.2
409.8
408.6
429.7
381.8
1960.2
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
1,258.7 1,747.9 1,601.1 1,281.5 1,185.7
7,075.0
1,616.0 2,222.9 2,034.3 2,071.4 2,309.3 10,253.9
1,244.3 1,305.4 1,285.1 1,347.4 1,372.1
6,554.3

Domain Total

4,119.1 5,276.2 4,920.5 4,700.4 4,867.1 23,883.2

Air

Note: Ground operations and maintenance (OM) is funded with overseas contingency operations
funding.

Over the past decade, the quantities and types of unmanned systems acquired by the
Military Departments have grown, and their capabilities have become integral to warfighter
operations. The size, sophistication, and cost of the unmanned systems portfolio have grown torival traditional manned systems. Unmanned systems now include both major acquisition
programs to provide long-term capability and short-duration projects to meet urgent needs.
For this Roadmap, unmanned systems operating in the air domain are referred to as
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); in the ground domain, unmanned ground systems (UGS); andin the maritime domain, unmanned maritime systems (UMS). Each operating domain brings aunique set of environmental attributes affecting the warfighter. In complex mission
5

Source: http://www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1643.

3

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

environments, multiple systems across several domains must cooperate and interoperate toeffectively perform mission tasks.
1.3.1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is a “system whose components include thenecessary equipment, network, and personnel to control an unmanned aircraft.” 6 In some cases,
the UAS includes a launching element. DoD inventories and funding of UAS are expected tocontinue a gradual upward trend through 2015 (see Figure 2) and then trend downward in 2016
and beyond, although UAS experienced a full $1.3 billion (33.4%) reduction from fiscal year
(FY) 2013 to PB2014 in combined research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) andprocurement funding. Outside DoD, UAS sector growth is predicted to continue to rise and was
described as “the most dynamic growth sector of the world aerospace industry this decade.” 7
Within DoD, RDT&E
funding is planned to taper off overthe next five years; and depot
maintenance consolidation efforts
underway are expected to reduce
operation and maintenance costs(O&M).
However, considering
current inventory levels, overallfunding demonstrates a continued
commitment to invest in UAS
performing predominately ISR
missions. Thus, while one industry
analysis and forecasting group
estimates worldwide UAS spending
will almost double over the next 10
Figure 2. UAS Inventory vs. Funding
years to a total of $89 billion, 8 acomparison of DoD funding plans versus industry predictions indicates DoD will not be the bulk
user within that market. However, DoD does intend to be the most innovative user. From astrategic planning perspective, UAS have grown to a sizable fleet providing a variety ofcapabilities that DoD will need to maintain over the near term. See Figure 3.

6

Joint Publication (JP) 3-52, Joint Airspace Control, 20 May 2010.
“Teal Group Predicts Worldwide UAV Market Will Total $89 Billion in Its 2012 UAV Market Profile andForecast,” Press Release Newswire, United Business Media, 11 April 2012.
8
Ibid.
7

4

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Figure 3. Inventory of DoD UAS
Looking toward the future, modernization of current capabilities will dominate, andlimited development of new capabilities will likely focus on smaller numbers of higher end
platforms capable of operating in more contested air environments. With fewer new systems indevelopment and many future projects being deferred, the planning outlook toward futuresystems is much more conservative. See Figure 4.
Additionally, DoD seeks to improve overall interoperability over time. The latest Joint
Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for UAS (approved by the Joint Requirements OversightCouncil (JROC) builds on all applicable joint guidance for manned aircraft operations while
describing the capabilities and complexities of employing UAS. 9 Similarly, the latest Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Interoperability Initiative (UI2) Capability Based Assessment (CBA) provides
an operational assessment of UAS interoperability tasks needs. 10 The CBA identifies andprioritizes DoD’s ability to satisfy those needs and suggests doctrine, organization, training,materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) solutions toclose each gap.
9

Joint CONOPS for UAS, Third Edition, November 2011:https://extranet.acq.osd.mil/uwir/docs/Joint_Concept_of_Operations_for_Unmanned_Aircraft_Systems_Third_Editi
on_Final_November_2011.pdf.
10
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Interoperability Initiative (UI2) Capability Based Assessment, 14 May 2012:https://extranet.acq.osd.mil/uwir/docs/UI2%20CBA%20Report%20Final%20Signed.pdf.

5Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Figure 4. UAS (PB13 and Beyond)
1.3.2 Unmanned Ground Systems
UGS are a powered physical system with (optionally) no human operator aboard theprincipal platform, which can act remotely to accomplish assigned tasks. UGS may be mobile or
stationary, can be smart learning and self-adaptive, and include all associated supporting
components such as operator control units (OCU). Integration of UGS enabled by add-on
mission module payloads to the other military domains is an essential part of future DoD
operations, not only from a system perspective, but also from a joint-service and coalition
perspective. This vision continues to be strengthened as ground-based robots have proven theirworth in Iraq and Afghanistan across a spectrum of mission areas as shown in Figure 5.
As the Nation’s 10 years of war wind down, DoD inventories and funding of UGS are
expected to decrease in 2014, followed by a gradual upward trend in 2016 and beyond with thefielding of new programs of record (PORs) to meet expanding mission requirements. The firstwave of UGS fielding resulted from rapid acquisition programs driven by urgent warfighter
needs in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Recognizing the need to maintain the UGS
capability beyond today’s fight, but lacking fielded PORs, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army
approved a directed requirement for continued support and sustainment of selected contingency
systems. This directive authorizes the sustainment of specific capabilities beyond today’s
6Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

worldwide engagements to bridge the capability gap until enduring capabilities are developed
and acquired using traditional Armed Service programming.

Figure 5. UGS by Mission/Capability Area
DoD has maintained an enterprise approach to UGS capability since the early 1990s. The
Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise (JGRE) construct has enhanced joint-service capabilities andcoordination and provided a means for focusing DoD efforts in UGS. The JGRE focus has
evolved over time in response to technology advancements and warfighter needs. Today’senterprise focus is on synchronizing UGS programs across the Services to eliminate redundancy
and maximize investments to ensure that future systems are affordable, mission flexible, andsupportable while eliminating duplication across DoD.
In response to Congressional concerns, the U.S. Army has developed a 30-year UGS
campaign plan. This campaign plan was developed as a broad avenue of approach to coordinate
and synchronize UGS RDT&E efforts with Army force modernization requirements. The
purpose of the resulting UGS execution order is to provide a modernized force of mannedunmanned teams with improved persistence, protection, and endurance. Realization of this goal
will decrease physical and cognitive workloads on our warfighters, while increasing their combat
capabilities. The end state is an affordable, modernized force as a manned-unmanned team withimproved movement and maneuver, protection, intelligence, and sustainment.
7Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1.3.3 Unmanned Maritime Systems
UMS comprise unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs), which include both unmanned
surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), all necessary support
components, and the fully integrated sensors and payloads necessary to accomplish the required
missions. While funding for UMS is falling 45% across the FYDP, future UMS inventories
continue to rise. Indeed, as new littoral combat ships arrive in service, support UMS will rise in
number. Refer to Figure 6 for an overview of UMS.

Figure 6. UMS by Mission Area

1.4 Future Environment
As stated in 1.3, the swiftly changing strategic environment is causing a sense of urgency
primarily driven by three forces: department budgetary challenges, evolving security
requirements, and a changed military environment. Sections 1.3.1, 1.3.2, and 1.3.3 addressedbudget challenges, and 1.4.1, 1.4.2, and 1.4.3 address the security requirements and militaryenvironment and describe the future operating environments as foreseen in U.S. strategic
documents.

8Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1.4.1 Objectives
The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review identified two clear objectives 11 for DoD:••

Rebalance the capabilities of America’s Armed Forces to prevail in today’s wars
while building the capabilities needed to deal with future threats.
Continue strong support for DoD processes to better support the urgent needs of thewarfighter; buy weapons that are usable, affordable, and truly needed; and ensure that
taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and responsibly.

In today’s conservative fiscal environment, austere military budgets must be focused onpurchasing improved capabilities that responsibly support the nation’s strategies while
maintaining a leading edge in appropriate technology innovations. These strategies are based on
potential conflicts around the world. Two strategy and budget documents that guide joint
priorities, “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Leadership” and“Defense Budget Priorities,” both released in January 2012, state that U.S. military strategy willplace renewed emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. 12,13
Indeed, as we end today’s wars, we will focus on a broader range ofchallenges and opportunities, including the security and prosperity of the
Asia Pacific.

— Barack Obama, President of the United States14
Consequently, air, land, and naval forces in the DoD planning cycle will be focused on
improving operational capabilities to address current and future threats plus A2/AD security
challenges analogous to the strategic state of the Asia-Pacific region as described in the “Joint
Operational Access Concept.” 15
Today’s problems and their solutions may not solve the problems arising 20 years fromnow. What possible strategic world situations should the United States prepare for to prevail
militarily in conflicts 25 years in the future? What will the operational environment be like? Who
are potential rivals? How should the United States invest in cutting-edge, critical unmanned
capabilities to ensure success of the joint strategy while using networked cross-domain
solutions?

11“Quadrennial Defense Review,” February 2010.
“Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Leadership,” Defense Strategic Guidance, January
2012.
13“Defense Budget Priorities,” January 2012.
14“Quadrennial Defense Review Report,” February 2010.
15“Joint Operational Access Concept,” 17 January 2012.
129

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1.4.2 Trends and Characteristics
Consider these environmental
trends and characteristics and how they
will affect DoD’s operational unmannedsystems:
•

•
•

•
•

•
•

Pressure for reductions infederal budgets (and thus
reduced military department budgets) will continue to increase; therefore, DoD
cannot afford to acquire capabilities exceeding military needs. This increased
pressure will further drive the need to be interoperable and better share information
across the joint force. 16
Operational issues will be more complex as the pace of technological change
accelerates. 17 Designing systems to easily accept technological improvement
capabilities and support multiple mission needs will be increasingly important.
U.S. military forces will be rebalanced.
– Tension and change will contribute to uncertainty in the Middle East.
– Unable to compete force-on-force or globally, determined adversaries will adapt
their strategies toward attempting to prevent access to certain regions or airspace
and will target critical, less protected nodes (e.g., South Asia, Africa, and the
Middle East). Such strategies will likely include attempts at the proliferation of
nuclear weapons.
Violent extremism will continue to threaten U.S. interests at home and around theglobe.
Unmanned technologies will continue to improve in many different capability areas.
– Competitors are catching up in unmanned technology.
– Increasingly data-intensive multisensor/multi-mission capabilities are evolving.
– Unmanned technology innovations are rapidly increasing.
Cyber domain will be a conflict environment as readily as land, sea, or air andspace. 18
Enemy unmanned systems will complicate air, ground, and maritime operations byadding new low-altitude, ground, and amphibious threats to the force that must be
countered. This concern will require the development of friendly countermeasures,
including tactics, techniques, procedures, and training that enable the force to operate
in the emerging environment.

1.4.3 Operational Vignette
The following futuristic storyline gives insight into the capabilities that could come about
with today’s emerging technologies applied on future unmanned systems.

16“Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Leadership,” Defense Strategic Guidance, January
2012.
17
Ibid.
18
“Joint Operational Access Concept,” 17 January 2012.

10

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1.4.3.1 The Setting
In the year 2020, a nuclear inspection team from the United Nations (U.N.) International
Atomic Energy Agency is expelled from the (notional) country of Norachi while on its second
visit in three weeks. The agency team was denied access to nuclear sites and, therefore, could notverify any “military dimension” within the country’s nuclear program. A government
spokesperson for Norachi insists its nuclear program does not have military applications.
Meanwhile, Norachi’s leader declares on state-owned TV that the country has weapons grade
nuclear enrichment capability and announces new military exercises “to prevent aggressions” byWestern powers. Western concern centers on a new uranium enrichment plant, which is buried
deep underground and, therefore, much harder to monitor or, if necessary, attack. Additionally,
the potential transport and/or selling of WMDs materiel or technology increases the threat to theWestern powers.
Western officials are divided over whether Norachi is shifting toward a defensive postureor is just playing for time to pursue its nuclear program, which it says is for strictly peacefulpurposes. The U.N. has responded by enacting a ban on the sale of goods to Norachi, including
an embargo on oil sales. Neighboring nations that are friendly to Norachi do not share this view.
The U.N. is requesting the support of the United States and allied powers in surveillanceand enforcement of the export bans to Norachi. Norachi is situated on the coast withmountainous areas inland. See Figure 7. Many ports have active commercial shipping enterprises
in addition to their military facilities and berths. Additionally, Norachi has a modern road
network and mature air transportation network for transport of goods to and from the country.
1.4.3.2 U.S. Forces
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Traditional manned air, sea, and land forces
Land-based unmanned aircraft
Sea-based unmanned aircraft operated
from aircraft carriers and support ships
Unmanned ground systems
Vertical lift unmanned systems
UUVs
Small tactical UAS and UGS

1.4.3.3 Norachi Forces
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Homeland Defense ground forces
Surface ships (patrol boats and frigates)
Kilo-class submersibles
Integrated air defenses with anti-aircraft
artillery and surface-to-air missile systems
Late-model fourth-generation fighters
Sophisticated jammers
Sensor intelligence

Figure 7. Operational Battlespace11

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

1.4.3.4 Air, Maritime, and Ground Intelligence
The National Command Authority (NCA) tasks the Combatant Commander (CCDR) to
support the U.N. resolution and assist in enforcing the ban on Norachi. NCA also requests
increased surveillance and reconnaissance efforts on Norachi for indications and warnings ofpotential escalation of threats.
To enforce the ban, the CCDR employs a variety of land-based and sea-based systems to
conduct ISR and interdiction. Unmanned systems provide a critical enabler to this mission. To
survey the land and sea approaches to the country, the Air Force’s and Navy’s unmannedsystems, including the high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAS with its multiday ISR andcommunication relays, provide extended persistence with a wide variety of sensors. Also, theaircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its supporting carrier strike group ships are tasked tohelp enforce the maritime portion of the ban on exports to Norachi. Using the Unmanned Carrier
Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System (UCLASS), persistent ISR and strikecapabilities are available to the CCDR. Using ship-based and land-based UAS and UMS withsophisticated sensor suites, maritime movement to and from Norachi is effectively tracked andidentified. UUVs provide an effective network that detect underwater traffic and track identified
submersibles in detail. Some of these underwater systems have extreme endurance and can patrol
enemy coastlines.
After a few days, unmanned reconnaissance flights and UMS intelligence establish
pattern of life in the region and at the WMD facilities, including maritime traffic in the region.
Activity-based algorithms exploit the incoming intelligence data and conclude anomalies exist in
the Norachi nuclear facility network. Additional unmanned assets are employed to further
investigate these anomalies. Special Operations Forces deploy inexpensive, small, low-power
unmanned sensor systems. One bird-like vehicle is deployed to conduct an overwatch of one
noted facility. It perches on an electrical power line where it derives its power to gather andtransmit images. Rugged UGS are deployed; they navigate over difficult terrain autonomously
and provide closer video surveillance. These electrically powered vehicles accept power fromsolar/moon panel converters and a low-power laser light received from overhead assets in the

Figure 8. Array of Future Unmanned Systems (Notional)
12Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

vicinity, such as the perched bird-like vehicle. See Figure 8. When these unmanned assets areapplied and the resulting intelligence data are analyzed, U.S. leadership concludes Norachi hasreached a critical stage in development at the nuclear site. Human intelligence correlates andconfirms this conclusion.
1.4.3.5 Escalation of Tension
Norachi determines the international community is aware of the maturity of its nuclear
program. To garner support, Norachi reaches out to another like-minded nation and negotiates asale of WMD material. Through human intelligence, the international community becomesaware of the sale, yet does not know how or when the WMD will be moved. The threat of WMDproliferation, plus the potential of interception and stealing by non-state actors, escalates thetension with Norachi.
The United States maintains a heightened level of surveillance to detect any shipmentsfrom the WMD facilities. The integrated network of air and ground sensors, with automatedprocessing and exploitation algorithms, monitors activity and cues sensors based on activities.
The sensors detect abnormal movements of vehicles from a key WMD storage site. The U.N.
authorizes interception of the WMD because proliferation and potential terrorist use of the WMD
are greater risks than a likely response from Norachi. Penetrating, high-altitude airborne systems
track the vehicle and provide cueing information to incoming strike aircraft. Launched from theoff-shore aircraft carrier, the strike package comprises of manned tactical aircraft with numerous
combat support UAS providing tactical intelligence communication relay, jamming support, andstrike support. The joint strike fighter operates as a command ship and works in concert with its
supporting unmanned systems as a seamless network of strike and jamming aircraft. The strikepackage penetrates Norachi airspace and intercepts, strikes, and stops the convoy. An extraction
team follows shortly behind, secures the area, and locates the WMD. The extraction team loads
the cargo on unmanned vertical-lift transports and departs the area. The operation stands down
while maintaining a continuing presence of air, sea, and land systems to maintain situationalawareness as the Norachi situation evolves.
As illustrated by this vignette, many new capabilities might be possible utilizing today’s
emerging technologies and applying those technologies on unmanned systems.

13Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

2 Strategic Planning and Policy
2.1 Strategic Guidance
DoD uses a vast array of unmanned systems to complete its mission, from ground andundersea to aircraft flying in the upper regions of the atmosphere. In the past, those systems weresuch an enhancement to ongoing operations that some systems were fielded before they werecompletely ready for production and without adequate training plans while others were being
rapidly developed in limited numbers to satisfy an immediate warfighter need.
Unmanned systems continue to prove their value in combat operations in Afghanistan,where military operations are planned and executed in extremely challenging environments.
Indeed, adversaries are fighting using increasingly unconventional means, taking cover in thesurrounding populations, and employing asymmetric tactics to achieve their objectives. In future
conflicts, we must be prepared for these tactics as well as for a range of other novel methods of
opposition, including so-called “hybrid” and A2/AD approaches to blunting U.S. power
projection. Unmanned systems will be critical to U.S. operations in all domains across a range ofconflicts, both because of their capability and performance advantages and because of theirability to take greater risk than manned systems.
As unmanned systems have proven their worth on the battlefield, DoD has allocated anincreasing percentage of its budget to developing and acquiring these systems. With thetransition from a handful of innovative experimental systems to normalized program
developments, unmanned systems have received their share of inclusion in Congressional
direction and are influenced by many acquisition initiatives and departmental policies.

2.2 Congressional Direction
Legislation requiring••

Creation of an executive committee (ExCom) for UAS airspace
integration
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plan integration of UAS into
the National Airspace System (NAS) by 2015

2.3 Acquisition Initiatives••••

Should Cost/Would Cost 19
Affordability20
Better Buying Power 21
Roadmap Guidance — Mandate Affordability
as a Requirement 22

19

Carter, Ashton B., Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, “Should-cost andAffordability Memorandum”: http://www.acq.osd.mil/docs/Should-cost%20and%20Affordability.pdf.
20
Ibid.
21
Better Buying Power (Public Site): https://acc.dau.mil/bbp.
22
Carter, Ashton B., Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, “Implementation
Directive for Better Buying Power — Obtaining Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending”:
http://www.acq.osd.mil/docs/USD(AT&L)_Implementation_Directive_Better_Buying_Power_110310.pdf.

14

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

2.4 Departmental Policy Consideration
Of the many issues arising over the use of unmanned systems in today’s world
environment, several have become questions of departmental policy and required active direction
from leadership. Five of the many unmanned issues that required departmental consideration
over the past two years include autonomy, data protection, data exploitation, selective
innovation, and Manned-Unmanned System Teaming (MUM-T).
2.4.1 Autonomy
DoD defines unmanned aircraft as “an aircraft or balloon that does not carry a humanoperator and is capable of flight under remote control or autonomous programming.” 23
Therefore, when the aircraft is under remote control, it is not autonomous. And when it isautonomous, it is not under remote control. While these two conditions could exist (controlled
and uncontrolled), current DoD UAS are remotely operated and capitalize on automation in
extreme circumstances, such as a lost link condition, to automatically perform a preprogrammed
set of instructions. This distinction is important because our community vernacular often uses theterm “autonomy” to incorrectly describe
automated operations. Chapter 4 contains adetailed discussion on autonomy and cognitive
behavior and notes that research anddevelopment in automation are advancing froma state of automatic systems requiring humancontrol toward a state of autonomous systems
able to make decisions and react without
human interaction. DoD will continue tocarefully consider the implications of theseadvancements.
The potential for improving capability and reducing cost through the use of technology todecrease or eliminate specific human activities, otherwise known as automation, presents great
promise for a variety of DoD improvements. However, it also raises challenging questions when
applying automation to specific actions or functions. The question, “When will systems befielded with capabilities that will enable them to operate without the man in the loop?” is often
followed by questions that extend quickly beyond mere engineering challenges into legal, policy,
or ethical issues. How will systems that autonomously perform tasks without direct human
involvement be designed to ensure that they function within their intended parameters? More
broadly, autonomous capabilities give rise to questions about what overarching guiding
principles should be used to help discern where more oversight and direct human control should
be retained.
The relevant question is, “Which activities or functions are appropriate for what level ofautomation?” DoD carefully considers how systems that automatically perform tasks withlimited direct human involvement are designed to ensure they function within their intended
parameters. Most of the current inventory of DoD unmanned aircraft land themselves with very23

JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, 8 November 2010 (as amended
through15 April 2013): http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

limited human interaction while still operating under the control of a human and perform thisfunction with greater accuracy, fewer accidents, and less training than a human-intensive
process; as a result, both a capability improvement and reduced costs are realized. This specificautomatic process still retains human oversight to cancel the action or initial a go-around, but
substantially reduces the direct human input to one of supervision. Human-systems engineering
is being rigorously applied to decompose, identify, and implement effective interfaces to support
responsive command and control (C2) for safe and effective operations.
Systems are designed and tested so that they perform their tasks in a safe and reliable
manner, and their automated operation must be seamless to human operators controlling thesystem. This automation does not mean operators are not monitoring the control of the system.
Currently, automated functions in unmanned systems include critical flight operations,navigation, takeoff and landing of unmanned aircraft, and recognition of lost communications
requiring implementation of return-to-base procedures. As technology matures and additional
automated features are thoughtfully introduced, DoD will continue to carefully consider the
implications of autonomy. For armed platforms, DoD Directive (DoDD) 3000.09 establishes
policy for the development and use of autonomous capabilities. 24
2.4.2 Data Protection – Near, Middle, and Long Terms
Near Term (0–4 years). Encryption of UAS C2 and data links is critical for protecting
UAS operations, ISR, and other communicated information. Presently, DoD specifies encryption
and key management for UAS C2 communications and both still and motion imagery. Type 1
validated encryption is required for processingclassified communications, and FIPS 140-2 validated
encryption at a minimum must be used for processing
unclassified communications. 25 DoD Instruction(DoDI) S-4660.04 also specifies further encryption
and key management methods, such as the use of
encryption keys provided by the National Security
Agency (NSA), to enable interoperability.
Middle Term (4–8 years). Future encryption
solutions will contain products that have a quicker
time to market, greater coalition interoperability, andimproved key management. The use of software Suite B 26 cryptography, which enables theprotection of classified information, 27 is the primary driver behind faster product certification,
which allows faster approval for coalition partner use. The development of UAS noncontrolled
cryptographic products in the near term is expected to aid in coalition interoperability and lower
lifecycle and logistics costs. Key management improvements will provide greater scalability,
efficiency, and standardization for dynamic group keying techniques in UAS airborne
networking with dynamic joining and leaving.
24

DoDD 3000.09, Autonomy in Weapons Systems, November 2012.
Details of these requirements, which apply to groups 2 through 5 UAS, can be found in DoDI S-4660.04,
Encryption of Imagery Transmitted by Airborne Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Control Communications (U),27 July 2011.
26
Suite B cryptography is defined by NSA: http://www.nsa.gov/ia/programs/suiteb_cryptography/index.shtml.
27
For additional information, see Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) Policy (CNSSP) 15.
25

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Long Term (more than 8 years). In the longer term, advancements in component
consolidation, higher data rate cryptography, and open standards will enhance UAS encryption.
Hardware consolidation yielding single chip and coprocessor encryption modules will makeroutine cryptography both faster and feasible for smaller, group 1 UAS. 28 Improvements in
hardware will also lead to higher data rate cryptography. Further standardization in common
radio and cryptographic interfaces will enable improved remote UAS management and lower
lifecycle costs.
2.4.3 Data Exploitation
Data are increasing in volume and availability as is the number of sensors with increased
resolution and time-dominant requirements that present significant challenges and opportunities
for DoD. As more and more sensors arrive on the battlefield and those sensors’ capabilities
increase, more data are delivered to warfighters, but the warfighters’ ability to process andexploit such a large volume of data in a timely fashion is increasingly challenged. The problem isalso exacerbated on both ends of the transmission link. Either huge volumes of data must be
downsized before their transmission, or the data highway on which they travel must be increased
in size and speed. Many gaps identified and prioritized in the UI2 CBA describe this in detail.
Further, after reception, the data must be used by analysts to draw conclusions for thedecision makers. If the data are already formatted and arrive prioritized, fewer analysts are
required to take advantage of the intelligence. Similarly, if the various databases are archived ina standard way, the various warfighter intelligence cells will use far fewer analysts to exploit
databases and draw conclusions. Data must be immediately accessible by both anticipatedanalysts/consumers and unanticipated analysts/consumers.
Automated exploitation techniques are improving in ground-based intelligenceproduction systems in the distributed common ground station (DCGS) families, the attack andJoint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) programs, and other elements of theunmanned systems family. Current sensor resource management commands must be extended toinclude preset data resolution and reporting criteria. These current capabilities must be addressed
for use as a requirements base and prototyping for UAS onboard applications. Onboard
exploitation is further discussed in Section 4.6.4.
Strategic Studies Quarterly 29 recognized that DoD improvements to the warfighters’situational awareness are necessary and a metamorphosis is needed to develop into a tightly
organized and dynamic ISR force. The Air Force report makes the following recommendations:
1. Overhead capabilities must be planned and executed in coordination with the National

Reconnaissance Office because surveillance is increasingly becoming a standoff
capability.

28

In commercial industry, Intel implemented instructions, named Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) New
Instructions (AES-NI), for Core processors in 2010 that can conduct several steps of AES encryption and decryption
into a single instruction.
29“Air Force Strategic Vision for 2020–2030,” Strategic Studies Quarterly, Spring 2011.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

2. Planning for a postwar (Afghanistan and Iraq)

transition surveillance and reconnaissance structure must
address the DCGS (a prime user of raw, unmanned-systemderived intelligence) and shift focus to processing anddisseminating national and allied intelligence products.
3. Automated technologies must be exploited to improvedata analysis so that human analysts are employed in thehighest order tasks. Accelerated development of translation
software, artificial intelligence, and electronic means toprocess raw data — signals and electronic intelligence — isthe most practical approach to managing this glut of data andshould become an Air Force funding priority. Additionally,collaborative tools could transform traditional data
exploitation, including addressing high-value target
intelligence mission exploitation. This activity traditionallyconsumes large amounts of human resources; therefore, a tool for this priority would
reduce analyst requirements.
2.4.4 Selective Innovation
Both national military strategy and joint concept documents describe a vision of utilizing
technical innovation for future capability improvements. Given the aforementioned budgets
constraints, future mission needs will have to be met by funding capability improvements that
exploit existing systems with innovative improvements to their indigenous technologies. Thisapproach might be as simple as modifying a sensor to improve data flow or applying standard
message set architectures to improve interoperability.
…even at a time of increasing budget constraints, the Army has been goodabout finding money for UAS improvements…. Advances in technology
have taken sensors, cameras and other gear from the analog to the digitalage, making them ever smaller, lighter, more energy-efficient and useful.

— COL. Tim Baxter, Army UAS Project Manager
in the Program Executive Office for Aviation30
Innovation must continue, especially under the current fiscal environment, and must
include not only improvements to existing CONOPS but also the development of entirely new
CONOPS. More emphasis on innovative approaches must be given to all future unmannedsystems development. Unmanned systems open up new avenues for pursuing systems that aresmaller, lighter, faster, and more maneuverable and that take more risk than equivalent manned
platforms. In particular, the ability of unmanned assets to take risks that would not be taken withmanned assets opens up new CONOPS, such as low-cost, expendable systems that trade armorand stealth for quantity. In other words, a fleet of low-cost, disposable platforms could survive
through attrition rather than through expensive, exquisite capabilities.
30

Source: http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2012/04/armysunmanned_aircraft_systems.html.

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2.4.5 Manned-Unmanned System Teaming (MUM-T)
Technological advances and military adaptation will result in merging unmanned systems
from air, ground, and sea domains into teams of unmanned and manned systems. MUM-T willbe essential as DoD makes a shift in geographical priorities toward the Asia-Pacific region while
retaining emphasis on the Middle East. A force of the smaller, more agile manned-unmannedsystems of the near future will enable DoD to mobilize quickly to deter and defeat aggression by
projecting power despite A2/AD challenges. MUM-T will provide the following key capabilities:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Defeating explosive ground surface, sub-surface (tunnel), and sea hazards fromgreater standoff distances.
Assuring mobility to support multiple points of entry.
Enabling movement and maneuver for projecting offensive operations.
Establishing and sustaining the shore lines of communications required to follow
forces and logistics.
Protecting austere combat outposts.
Providing persistent surveillance to detect and neutralize threats and hazards withinsingle- to triple-canopy and urban terrain.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

3 Combatant Commander Mission and Capability Needs
3.1 Why Unmanned?
The prevalence and uses of unmanned systems continue to grow at a dramatic pace. The
past decade of conflict has seen the greatest increase in unmanned aircraft systems, primarily
performing ISR missions. Use of unmanned systems in the other domains is growing as well.
The growth of unmanned systems use is expected to continue across most domains. Unmannedsystems have proven they can enhance situational awareness, reduce human workload, improve
mission performance, and minimize overall risk to both civilian and military personnel, and all at
a reduce cost.
The capabilities of unmanned systems are not unique over manned systems. Weapon
systems produce effects in nearly all domains, independent of being manned or unmanned. It is
important to highlight that there are no requirements for unmanned systems within the Joint
force, but some capabilities are better fulfilled by unmanned systems. Unmanned systems
provide persistence, versatility, survivability, and reduced risk to human life, and in many cases
are the preferred alternatives especially for missions that are characterized as dull, dirty, or
dangerous. With that mindset, unmanned systems are being optimized for these dull, dirty, or
dangerous missions:•••

Dull missions are ideal for unmanned systems because they involve long-duration
undertakings with mundane tasks that are ill suited for manned systems. Good
examples are surveillance missions that involve prolonged observation. Unmannedsystems currently fulfill a wide variety of “dull” mission sets, and the number will
increase in all domains as unmanned systems capabilities improve.
Dirty missions have the potential to unnecessarily expose personnel to hazardous
conditions. A primary example is chemical, biological, and nuclear detection
missions. Unmanned systems can perform these dirty missions with less risk exposure
to the operators.
Dangerous missions involve high risk. With advances in capabilities in performanceand automation, unmanned systems will reduce the risk exposure to personnel by
increasingly fulfilling capabilities that are inherently dangerous.

3.2 Requirements Processes
Growth in unmanned platforms of all sizes and shapes has been substantial, with acorresponding increase in payload numbers and capability. Several of these systems weredeveloped using the deliberative requirements and acquisitions processes. Policies have reflecteda shift to support the integration of unmanned systems into the joint force and use across thebattlefield when the capability is required by the CCDR. Many systems were rapidly acquired
and immediately fielded using the Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONs) process. JUONs
have successfully added significant capability to joint warfighting. While those unmannedsystems were rapidly developed to meet the immediate needs of the warfighter in the near term,
they have not undergone rigorous requirements review and joint coordination through the normal
Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process, including, for example,
review for systems interdependencies and interoperability. Further, their long-term enterprisewide capability portfolios have not been fully considered. Consequently, they have not received
20

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

due consideration in the context of broader joint capability areas (JCAs), which provide structure
and organization to requirements development. In the future, consideration of such factors as therecently required JCIDS Training Key Performance Parameter (KPP) will more fully allow
operators, maintainers, and leaders to realize full design capability sooner in the requirements
process.
A formal review and approval process has been implemented for delineating which
programs should transition to enduring programs (and eventually PORs) and/or which program
sensors or other components need to be maintained via other programs. During this process, the
JUONs and CCDR’s integrated priority list (IPL) requirements were considered as well as thecapabilities adjudicated against the Joint Direct Support Aerial ISR JROC-approved initialcapabilities document that outlines the tactical commander’s needs.
DoD recently revised the JCIDS requirements process to streamline urgent and deliberatecapability development and enable requisite timeliness in meeting warfighter needs while giving
important consideration to long-term
affordability and sustainability. JCIDS is a
key supporting process for DoD acquisition
and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, andExecution (PPBE) processes. It ensures thecapabilities required by the warfighter are
identified with their associated operational
performance criteria to successfully executethe assigned missions. This coordination
ensures a better understanding of thewarfighting needs early in capability
development and provides a morecomprehensive set of valid, prioritized
requirements. DoD’s acquisition arm can thenfocus on choosing options to meet wellFigure 9. Linked JCIDS Process
defined requirement capabilities. Figure 9shows the linked and streamlined process.
The key decision body in the JCIDS process is the JROC, chaired by the Vice Chairman,
Joint Chiefs of Staff. JROC has the responsibilities under Title 10 of the United States Code toconsider input from CCDRs on joint requirements as well as to consider cost, schedule, andperformance tradeoffs in establishing requirements. Currently, JROC is shaping the force with amore robust requirements review process. The Council is addressing the complex issues earlier
and iteratively, using better upfront fidelity on cost, schedule, and performance tradeoffs andmore analytic rigor in risk analysis. JROC constantly assesses joint capabilities by comparing
risk and affordability against current defense strategies. Unmanned systems must provide
capabilities with superior cost, schedule, and performance metrics to compete against othersystems within JROC or other DoD forums.
Given today’s highly constrained fiscal environment, it is imperative that DoD look at
areas where efficiencies can be gained to create unmanned systems that are both effective andaffordable. DoD will look at capitalizing on commonality, standardization, and joint acquisition
strategies, among other strategies. Unmanned systems must become more efficient in addressing
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

capability gaps, including increases in interoperability, autonomy, modularity, effectiveness, andteaming with manned systems. In addition, DoD demands these unmanned systems be affordableat the outset, experience little or no cost growth in their development and production evolution,and control lifecycle costs. To achieve these objectives, the full range of DOTMLPF-P options
must be considered in the earliest development activities.
Capability requirements, validated by the JCIDS process, inform prioritization activities
in the competition for funding during the PPBE process. The objective of the PPBE process is toprovide the best mix of forces, equipment, training and support attainable within fiscal
constraints according to DoDD 7045.14. 31 To meet this objective, the PPBE process aims tomeet goals established by the President and the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) in the Strategic
Planning and Joint Planning Guidance. In the PPBE process, the Military Departments match
available resources (e.g., fiscal, manpower, material) against validated requirements to achieve
the strategic plan. A key task is to develop a balanced, affordable capabilities-based Service
Program Objective Memorandum (POM). The POM position for the capability to meet a given
requirement is assessed and revised when necessary to fit with Joint and coalition capabilities,
and the final position becomes part of the President’s budget.
An important input to the POM position is each CCDR’s IPLs. These lists arecommunicated annually by the CCDRs to SECDEF, the U.S. Congress, and the Joint Staff. IPLs
can be specific or cross-cut capability gaps. The Joint Staff develops recommended solutions to
the gaps. These gaps can span from programmatic changes of current programs, initiation of a
new capability documents via JCIDS, and investment in science and technology (S&T) solutions
to the initiation of new studies and experiments. JROC decides which gaps are most important to
mitigate based on risk assessments and the adequacy of DoD’s ongoing efforts. Thisprioritization of gaps is part of the capability gap analysis (CGA) process and results in a key
input to the PPBE process. While specific capability gaps are classified, they typically include a
range of needed capabilities. Within the CGA process, the Joint Staff determines whether any
system could best satisfy the capability gap. Unmanned systems do not get special consideration.
Systems must demonstrate a superior ability to satisfy the capability to garner support.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 6212.01F provides another
JCIDS consideration. 32 It further defines responsibilities and establishes policy and procedures todevelop the Net Ready Key Performance Parameter (NR KPP) and its certification requirement
for all information technology (IT) and national security systems (NSS) that contain joint
interfaces or joint information exchanges. The DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) is also in
the final stages of issuing DoDI 8330 to address IT and NSS. 33 This issuance will supersede
DoDD 4630 issuances and the DoD CIO’s Interim Guidance Memorandum. DoDI 8330 employs
a new concept of “tiered accountability” to meet interoperability requirements internal to DoD
and external mission partners.

31

DoDD 7045.14, Planning, Programming, Budgeting System (PPBS).
CJCSI 6212.01F, Net Ready Key Performance Parameter (NR KPP), March 2012.
33
DoDI 8330 (DRAFT), Interoperability of Information Technology (IT), including National Security Systems(NSS).
32

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

3.3 Joint Capability Areas (JCAs)
The JCAs 34 are currently the preferred
method DoD uses for reviewing andmanaging capabilities. The JCA frameworkprovides the structure around which
capabilities and capability gaps can bealigned across DoD and across the various
portfolios to correlate similar needs, leverage
effective solutions, and synchronize related
activities. Also, various frameworks, such as
the Universal Joint Task List, are readily available to aid in identifying and organizing the tasks,
conditions, and required capabilities.
Mapping current and projected unmanned systems against the JCAs provides a sense ofwhat the product line portfolio is for unmanned systems and how it currently contributes, andcould contribute in the future, to the missions of DoD. Each JCA represents a collection ofrelated missions and tasks that are typically conducted to bring about the desired effects
associated with that capability. Nine Tier One JCAs are defined, and unmanned systems are key
contributors in the Battlespace Awareness, Force Application, Protection, and Logistics JCAs.
Each area is assigned to a Functional Capability Board (FCB) on the Joint Staff (JS). FCB
contact information is available on Intellipedia through the Secure Internet Protocol Router
Network (SIPRNet). 35
Current technology and future advancements can and will enable single platforms toperform a variety of missions across multiple capability areas. This versatility represents anopportunity for DoD to achieve a greater return on investment. Furthermore, the projections showthat there will be opportunities for joint systems to conduct missions for each Service, just as there
will be situations in which domain conditions or Service missions will dictate unique solutions.
3.3.1 Battlespace Awareness JCA – JS/J-28, BA FCBBattlespace Awareness is a capability area where unmanned systems in all domains havethe ability to contribute significantly into the future to conduct ISR and environment collectionrelated tasks. Applications in this JCA include aerial, ground, surface sea, and undersea
surveillance and reconnaissance. Today, these functions are performed by several systems acrossall domains and mission sets. In the future, technology will enable mission endurance to extend
from hours to days and allow for long-endurance persistent reconnaissance and surveillance in all
domains. Unmanned systems are expected to integrate a greater range of C2 options from soldierto-platform direct control to increased CONOPS options for operations that can be independent of
C2. Therefore, onboard sensors that provide the systems with their own organic perception willcontribute to Battlespace Awareness regardless of their intended primary mission. To achieve thisgoal, unmanned systems development and fielding must include the tasking, collection, processing,
exploitation, and dissemination (TCPED) processes required to translate vast quantities of sensor
data into a shared understanding of the environment. Many ongoing efforts are streamlining these34
35

Source: http://www.dtic.mil/futurejointwarfare.
Source: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/jroc.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

processes. This capability area lends itself to tasks and missions being conducted collaboratively
across domains as well as teaming within a single domain.
3.3.2 Force Application JCA – JS/J-8, FA FCBForce Application is another JCA that includes a proliferation of unmanned systems
contributing to maneuver and engagement. Today, Predator, Reaper, and Gray Eagle UAS are
weaponized to conduct offensive operations, irregular warfare, and high-value target and highvalue individual prosecution; this trend will likely continue in all domains. In the air domain,
projected mission areas for UAS include air-to-air combat, electronic warfare (EW), andsuppression and defeat of enemy air defense. On the ground, UGS are projected to conduct
missions such as remotely conducted, nonlethal crowd control; dismounted offensive operations;and armed reconnaissance and assault operations. In the maritime domain, both UUVs and USVs
are projected to be particularly suited for mine laying and mine neutralization missions.
DoD personnel must comply with the law of war, including when using autonomous or
unmanned weapon systems. For example, paragraph 4.1 of DoDD 2311.01E requires that“[m]embers of the DoD Components comply with the law of war during all armed conflicts,
however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military operations.” 36
Current armed unmanned systems deploy lethal force only in a fully human-operated
context for engagement decisions. For these systems, the decisions both to employ force and tochoose which specific target to engage are made by a human. The United States operates defensive
systems for manned ships and installations that have human-supervised autonomous modes andhas operated these systems for decades. As technology advances and more automatic features are
introduced, DoD will continue to carefully consider the implications of autonomy in weapon
systems to ensure safe and reliable operations and minimize the probability and consequences offailures that could lead to unintended engagements. For this reason, DoDD 3000.09, Autonomy in
Weapon Systems, mandates a policy review before entering formal development for proposed
weapon systems that would use autonomous capabilities in a novel manner.
3.3.3 Protection JCA – JS/J-8, Protection FCB
Protection has particular applicability for unmanned systems to assist in attack prevention
or effects mitigation. Unmanned systems are ideally suited for many protection tasks that are
deemed dull, dirty, or dangerous. As the future enables greater automation with respect to bothnavigation and manipulation, unmanned systems will be able to perform tasks such as
firefighting, decontamination, contingency base and base camp security, installation security,
obstacle construction and breaching, vehicle and personnel search and inspection, mine clearance
and neutralization, sophisticated explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), casualty extraction andevacuation, and maritime interdiction. In the Protection JCA, teaming within domains andcollaboration across domains will likely prevail.
3.3.4 Logistics JCA – JS/J-4, Logistics FCB
Logistics is ideally suited for employing unmanned systems in all domains to deploy,
distribute, and supply joint forces. Unmanned systems will perform logistics tasks at home and
36

DoDD 2311.01E, DoD Law of War Program, 9 May 2006.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

with the forward deployed. The purpose of the capability is to enable unmanned cargo systems infull-spectrum operations to perform the dull, dirty, and dangerous missions by capitalizing on thepersistence of unmanned systems to free up manned assets for more difficult missions within anarea of operation. The following tasks are particularly well suited for unmanned systems:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Transportation of routine supplies (e.g., food, water, ammunition, and medical
supplies) to the forward units in all types of ground terrain.
The resupply from sea-based assets located offshore.
Support for special operations forces.
An alternative delivery option to widely dispersed operating forces for routine(around the clock) and immediate (time-sensitive) logistics support.
Routine maintenance-related tasks such as inspections, decontamination, andrefueling.
Material handling and combat engineering.

Although currently prohibited by policy, future capabilities by unmanned systems could
include casualty evacuation and care, human remains evacuation, and urban rescue. The unmanned
vehicles are intended to mitigate risk to the maximum extent by reducing the requirement tooperate manned vehicles when the weather, terrain, availability, and enemy pose an unsuitablelevel of risk.

3.4 A Look to the FutureThis Roadmap provides a DoD vision for the continuing development, fielding, andemployment of unmanned systems. Chapter 4 discusses the investments in technology toenhance capability and reduce cost. Warfighters value the inherent benefits of unmannedsystems, especially their persistence, versatility, and reduced risk to human life. The Joint Staff
will continue to support unmanned systems when they fulfill joint requirements and are effective
and affordable. Unmanned systems must••••

Provide capabilities more efficiently through modularity and interoperability.
Be more effective through greater automation and greater performance.
Be more survivable with improved and resilient communications, development for
antipermissive environments, and more security from tampering.
Take the “man” out of unmanned. Currently personnel costs are the greatest single
cost in DoD, and unmanned systems must strive to reduce the number of personnel
required to operate and maintain the systems. Great strides in autonomy, teaming,
multi-platform control, tipping, and cueing have reduced the number of personnel
required, but much more work needs to occur.

JROC supports a Joint Doctrine and Planning Conference review of the approved
November 2011 Joint CONOPS for UAS to determine whether it has matured enough totransition to joint doctrine and become integrated into existing Joint Publications.

25

4Technologies for Unmanned Systems

4.1 Introduction
The pace of technological advances across the broad spectrum of unmanned systems
applications has allowed what were once rather cumbersome vehicles and systems outside the“circle of warfare trust” (systems trusted by the warfighter) to shoulder burdens in warfare
mission areas unforeseen only a few years ago. With dramatic increases in battery life andcomputer processing; reduction in size and complexity of sensors; and improvements inreliability, maintainability, automation, and operator interfaces, unmanned systems are now vital
components of an operational commander’s tool kit.
While commanders have become more accustomed to the capabilities (and limitations) of
unmanned systems from operations during the first decade of the 21st century, the next decades
are already presenting a two-sided challenge that represents stark differences from recent
operations. First, a strategic shift in national security to the Asia-Pacific Theater presents
different operational considerations based on environment and potential adversary capabilities.
Second, a shrinking fiscal environment (without overseas contingency operations (OCO)
funding) and base budget levels that are likely to be flat at best will challenge both unmannedsystems operators and suppliers to seek efficiencies in total cost of unmanned systems
ownership, from cost of manufacture, avionics, and deployment to manpower savings andlogistics. This challenge is two-sided because one side cannot be considered without the other:meeting operational demands must be accomplished in the context of budgetary constraints — in
the near, middle, and long term. See Figure 10 for an example of the President’s 2012 S&T
budget request for DoD. 37

Figure 10. DoD S&T Funding: FY1962–201637

Slide #15 extract from Mr. Bob Baker, Deputy Director, Plans & Programs, Assistant Secretary of Defense &Engineering, FY2012 President’s Budget Request (PBR) for the DoD S&T Program Briefing, 21 June 2011.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

When I announced the new guidance, I highlighted five key elements of thestrategy and five key elements of the vision that we have for a military forceof the future. And let me just summarize each of those…First, the military
will be smaller and leaner, but it will be agile, flexible, rapidly deployable
and technologically advanced. It will be a cutting-edge force…[F]ifth, wewill protect and prioritize some very important and key investments intechnology and new capabilities as well as our capacity to grow, adapt, tomobilize, to surge as needed.

— Leon E. Panetta, Former Secretary of Defense38
As a result of DoD’s new warfighting strategy and in recognition of new budgetary
constraints, the Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics(USD(AT&L)) is sponsoring a Defense Science Board study with the following charter:“The Defense Science Board (DSB) is requested to conduct a study of emerging
technologies that will enable the next generation of dominant military capabilities to be indevelopment or fielded by 2030. Some of the products of the study will be:
1. A set of recommendations intended to guide the DoD research and development
investments in applied technology and technology demonstrations over the period of2014 to 2020;
2. Mapping of the identified technologies to applications and capabilities that may beenabled; and3. For a select set of promising technologies, recommended experiments or concept
demonstrations that foster innovation and provide entry ramps to enhance operational
capabilities via block upgrades to existing systems or as entry ramps to new systems
and operational concepts.”
The study is guided in part by the January 2012 military strategy guidance, “Sustaining
U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense.” 39
The study will include surveying and assessing the potential for significant advances intechnology outside DoD that could contribute to future military capabilities. These advances
could augment DoD investments in areas such as quantum computing, microelectronics,
robotics, nanomaterials, genetics, “big data,” alternative energy sources, advanced materials, andmodeling and simulation. Technologies that have the potential to significantly enhance ortransform the nature of warfare in the sea, land, air and space, and cyber regimes will be thefocus of this study.

38

Source: http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4962.
USD(AT&L) Memorandum, “Terms of Reference-Defense Science Board Study on Technology and Innovation
Enablers for Superiority in 2030,” 15 March 2012.
39

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

This chapter highlights six areas of interest for the technological advancement of
unmanned systems. The areas are reflective of DoD’s shift in strategic priorities and also address
the requirement to continue to reduce lifecycle costs across all systems, including unmannedsystems. In each section, near-, middle-, and long-term goals, as defined in Figure 11, arediscussed.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Capabilities andadvancements which should be
operational within the next five years.
These items principally require
industry investment to mature and/or
operationally demonstrate to ensure
rapid fielding and/or budgetaryprioritization with discrete andoperationally representative data.
Investment in advanced technology
initiatives via S&T 6.3 funding, also
apply here to an extent.

Mid-Term: Capabilities andLong Term: Capabilities
advancements which could be and advancements(or are currently) in discrete
which are in the basic
project stages at laboratories research stage, such as
and S&T directorates such as(but not limited to)
DARPA, IARPA, ONR/NRL, AFRL, materials development
ARL, JHU-APL, MIT-LL amongst or new & novel
others. These items principally processes or
require investment via both
approaches. These
S&T 6.3 initiatives and Applied items principally
Research initiatives via S&T 6.2 require investment infunding. The timeframe for Mid Basic ResearchTerm objective is five to ten
initiatives via S&T 6.1
years.
funding. Time frame forlong term objectives isten years and out.

Figure 11. Near-, Middle-, and Long-Term Goals
The six areas of technology key for DoD to enhance capability and reduce cost areinteroperability and modularity; communication systems, spectrum, and resilience; security(research and intelligence/technology protection (RITP)); persistent resilience; autonomy andcognitive behavior; and weaponry. Other important areas include sensor air drop, weather
sensing, and high-performance computing (HPC).
4.1.1 Interoperability and Modularity
Sensor and weapon technology is rapidly maturing, as is processing and algorithm
development, often outpacing DoD’s ability to transition upgraded capability and material
improvements to fielded platforms. The current myriad of sensors, communications, andweapons systems is continually evolving due to leveraged commercial processes and electronic
standards technology. Coupled with DoD’s major systems inventory designed to last several
years, technology refresh presents both an intra-platform challenge (modularity) and an interplatform challenge (interoperability). Interoperable interfaces for enhanced modularity and crossdomain data sharing present an opportunity to minimize future lifecycle costs, reduced force
structure requirements, and adapt rapidly to changing threats or new available technologies. See
4.2 for more details.
4.1.2 Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience
The challenges that all unmanned systems face include the availability of communication
links, the amount of data that the communication links support, certification of thecommunication spectrum, and the resilience of all radio frequency (RF) subsystems againstinterference (e.g., electromagnetic). See 4.3 for more details.

28Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

4.1.3 Security: Research and Intelligence/Technology Protection (RITP)
Unmanned systems are often employed with critical program information and sensitive,classified data to complete the assigned mission and, therefore, require RITP. Unmannedsystems must include appropriate security measures not only to prevent unauthorizedaccess/control, unauthorized or unintentional disclosure of data, and preservation oftechnological superiority, but also to enable more rapid adaptation of new sensors, weapons, andprocessing software. See 4.4 for more details.
4.1.4 Persistent Resilience
While unmanned systems are inherently more persistent based on significantly better
fuel/weight ratios, unmanned systems’ design schema can be better optimized to provide overall,more effective on-station time. Additionally, further miniaturization of avionics, power andpropulsion, and stores management enables smaller systems, which, when combined with more
persistence, can minimize investment. Increased persistence calls for improvements in reliability,
maintainability, and survivability. Therefore, while further size, weight, power, and cooling(SWaP-C) improvements are hallmarks of all systems, including unmanned, they must be
accomplished while enhancing reliability, maintainability, and survivability to ensure broadspectrum warfighting effectiveness. See 4.5 for more details.
4.1.5 Autonomy and Cognitive Behavior
Nearly all unmanned systems require active control of basic vehicle operations andbehavior that affects communications, manpower, and system effectiveness. One of the largest
cost drivers in the budget of DoD is manpower. A significant amount of that manpower, when it
comes to operations, is spent directing unmanned systems during mission performance, datacollection and analysis, and planning and replanning. Therefore, of utmost importance for DoD
is increased system, sensor, and analytical automation that can not only capture significant
information and events, but can also develop, record, playback, project, and parse out those data
and then actually deliver “actionable” intelligence instead of just raw information. As with otherfacets of unmanned systems, the need for greater autonomy is subject to fiscal pressures, i.e.,
operating within budget constraints while reducing manpower needs and U.S. exposure todangerous risks and increasing operational effectiveness. See 4.6 for more details.
4.1.6 Weaponry
Expanding options for weapons delivery from unmanned systems includes new munition
options where some capability is now integrated and adding additional weaponized platforms to
the unmanned force structure. To fully integrate the use of weapons and unmanned systems, itwill be critical to leverage the key technology areas in the preceding paragraphs (4.1.1 to 4.1.5)
as well as in specific, weapons-related areas. See 4.7 for more details.
4.1.7 Sensor Air Drop
Unattended sensors were used extensively during the Vietnam War and were influential
in reducing the rate of arrival of personnel and equipment into the south. Emplacement ofmultiple types of unattended ground sensors can provide indications and warning,communications relay, weather reports, activity identification, high-value individual/target
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

detections, kinetic weapon cueing, and near-real-time alarms and can support predictive
movements via array lay-downs. Using UMS for placing sensors provides a method forincreasing persistence and determining/identifying activity and targets without dedicating
personnel or multiple high-demand sorties to provide both area and/or point coverage.
Many unmanned platforms are already equipped to externally carry equipment, and all
have mission plans that provide their controlled, overwatch and/or autonomous covert
movement. Unattended ground sensor technologies are increasing and are able to collect andreport unique information and to use coordinates-seeking location capabilities for accurate covert
emplacements. The unmanned family of vehicles typically has complementary sensors that can
provide exact emplacement location along with imagery information and that can support
mission planning and route following. However, the need to improve persistence and situationalawareness continues to increase beyond the expected numbers and capabilities of unmanned
assets. In the future, UAS platforms and profiles may be ideal for penetrating denied battlespace
to accurately dispense sensors and nonkinetic capabilities, etc. Future capabilities may also
include deploying “attach bots” that would allow tracking/identification of personnel who passthrough an area.
4.1.8 Weather Sensing
UAS platforms fly throughout areas of operations on a near-all-weather 24/7 basis at
multiple altitudes. These missions require accurate and timely weather forecasts to improvesensors planning and data collection in support of the CCDR and to avoid potential weatherrelated accidents. Accurate weather reporting also supports complementary ground and flightplanning synchronization. Future weather reporting will be ingested in near real time in the
DCGS weather application and CONUS weather central and will be correlated with other
weather information to improve accurate predictions for the tactical commander. Weather
sensing information will be automatically formatted and reported via multiplexing on theplatform’s data link with automated routing to the DCGS and other appropriate weather
prediction and reporting positions. As UAS endurance dramatically increases, weather
predictions will be more imperative to ensure launch, recovery, and ranging limitations areaccurate so that potential weather-related incidents can be avoided and coordinated flight andground operations can be improved.
4.1.9 High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Very high capacity and high-definition sensors are causing bandwidth issues. Each sensor
and communications have independent components to process disparate information. This
individualism creates a wide breadth of nonstandard airframe kits, component interfaces, and
SWaP-C configurations. Future technologies will provide the capability for a standard HPC(family) for most unmanned systems. HPC allows a common hardware-defined architecture tocorrespond with a common software-defined architecture to form a consolidated plug-and-playstandard performance and applications architecture that would host the processing in one
miniaturized chassis. The common architecture would be available to UAS vendors forcompliance to make integration less costly. Using a member of the HPC family and/or use of acommon hardware would also support technology insertions as one of several possible
component interchanges within processor boards, memory, or other electronics. It would also
further enable improved software downloads. HPC can be applied in multiple subsystems within
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

unmanned systems to address challenges in cloud computing and multilayer security,communications, open standards, data storage, cost, ease of technology insertion, SWaP-C, etc.

4.2 Interoperability and Modularity
4.2.1 BackgroundWarfare has become increasingly complex, and U.S. military operations often requirecost-effective integration of disparate assets from across the Services and other joint,interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational (JIIM) partners. Furthermore, unmannedsystems are playing an increasingly vital role in these operations. For this reason, it is imperativefor DoD, in cooperation with JIIM partners, to not just develop standard information exchange
requirements (IERs), but also to stabilize them. Stable IERs that address joint and Service needs,interoperability profiles (IOPs), middleware (which can translate multiple system inputs andoutputs), and other areas are needed to reach the necessary level of interoperability acrossmanned and unmanned systems.
It is DoD policy 40 (based on federal laws) that IT and NSS employed by DoD
components shall, where required, be interoperable with existing and planned systems andequipment of joint, combined, and coalition forces, other U.S. Government departments andagencies, and nongovernmental organizations, as appropriate. DoDD 5000.01 requires that
“Systems, units, and forces shall be able to provide and accept data, information, materiel, andservices to and from other systems, units, and forces and shall effectively interoperate with other
U.S. Forces and coalition partners.” 41 CJCSI 6212.01F requires DoD components to develop,
acquire, test, deploy, and maintain ITs that are interoperable and supportable with existing,developing, and proposed (pre-Milestone A) ITs through architecture, standards, definedinterfaces, modular design, and reuse of existing IT solutions and are interoperable with hostnation, multinational coalition, and federal, state, local, and tribal agency partners.
DoD unmanned systems have historically been developed for Service-specific needs
driven by the rapid fielding timelines in support of immediate operational requirements. While
fielding these systems rapidly has been valuable, fully stable IERs have often been, of necessity,
sacrificed to battlefield urgency, and fielded systems can generally demonstrate only limited
interoperability with other manned and unmanned platforms across Services. As more and moreunmanned systems are fielded, open architectures (OAs), nonproprietary interfaces, governmentowned data rights, and standard IOPs will be required to further enable a broader net-centric
environment that is truly interoperable, open, and scalable.
As a result, DoD is adopting and exploiting open system design principles andarchitectures to increase competition, foster reuse across systems, and increase interoperability.
This new acquisition model requires access to multivendor solutions to enable rapid insertion of
new technologies to counter emerging threats, avoid technology obsolescence, and decrease time
to field new capabilities. For example, DoD is adopting an open business model to support theimplementation of an OA for UAS ground control stations (GCSs) to drive greater acquisition

40
41

CJCSI 6212.01F, Net Ready Key Performance Parameter (NR KPP), 21 March 2012.
DoDD 5000.01, The Defense Acquisition System, 12 May 2003.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

efficiencies and reduce the total ownership costs. This effort will also include application of acommon UAS Control Segment (UCS) architecture as described in 4.2.4.3.
4.2.2 Interoperability Functional Description
The USD’s vision for interoperability spans the JIIM domains. Successful definition andimplementation of proper interoperability will enable the warfighter to add capability, encourage
innovation, and support program cost control.
The ability of systems, units, or forces to provide services to and accept
services from other systems, units, or forces and to make use of the services,
units, or forces; and to use the services so exchanged to enable them tooperate effectively together. An example for the use of this policy would be
the condition achieved among communications-electronics systems or itemsof communications electronics equipment when information or services canbe exchanged directly and satisfactorily between them and/or their users.42

Interoperability is integral to the continued success of missions using unmanned systems
and represents a long-term objective of the Services and their stakeholders. The urgent needs intheater and corresponding rapid acquisition approach during recent years have resulted in thecurrent fleet of unmanned systems that generally do not interoperate with each other or withexternal systems. The combat development community is calling for interoperability as a criticalelement to the future unmanned systems fleet. The ability for manned and unmanned systems toshare information will increase combat capability, enhance situational awareness, and improveflexibility of resources. Interoperability will improve the ability for unmanned systems to operate
in synergy in the execution of assigned tasks. 43 Properly stabilized, implemented, andmaintained, interoperability can serve as a force multiplier, improve warfighter capabilities,
decrease integration timelines, simplify logistics, and reduce total ownership costs.
New rules in acquisition establish the requirement to acquire systems and families ofsystems (FoSs) that are interoperable. 44 Once mature and stable IERs and other key
interoperability areas are defined in support of this overall objective, DoD’s unmanned systems
must demonstrate interoperability in a number of realms that will challenge current systems:•••

Among different systems of the same domain, i.e., using a common GCS or OCU for
multiple, heterogeneous unmanned vehicles.
Among systems of different domains, i.e., allowing ground, aircraft, and maritime
vehicles to work cooperatively.
Among systems operated by different military departments under various CONOPS
and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), i.e., allowing joint Service systems towork in concert to execute a common task or mission.

42

Unmanned Interoperability Initiative (UI2) Capability Based Assessment, 1 March 2012.
JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, 12 April 2001 (as amended through17 March 2009).
44
DoDD 5000.1, Enclosure 1, paragraph E1.10.
43

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038••

Among systems operated and employed by coalition and allied militaries under thegovernance of various Concepts of Employment (CONEMPs) and TTPs in
multinational combined operations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
standardization agreements, i.e., allowing coalition and allied systems to work inconcert to execute a common task or mission based on predefined roles andresponsibilities.
Among military systems and systems operated by other entities in a common
environment, i.e., allowing military UAS to share the NAS and international airspacewith commercial airliners and general aviation or allowing military UGS to operatesafely in the civilian roadway environment.

4.2.3 Modularity Functional Description
Concurrently, subsystem modularity and interoperability of components are essential toaffordable improvements, maintenance and sustainment, and increased capability. As payloads,
sensors, software, and computing algorithms and devices are anticipated to evolve much fasterthan the vehicle platforms, creating interoperable component/subsystem interfaces for enhanced
modularity represents an opportunity to minimize future lifecycle costs and adapt rapidly tochanging threats or new available technologies. Upgrading existing proprietary components may
be both expensive and logistically unfeasible because whole platforms may need to be taken outof service and/or replaced. Such a closed development approach has resulted in a number ofunfavorable characteristics that impede applications of technical progress and the adoption of
new capabilities. In addition to the interoperability characteristics mentioned in 4.2.2, unmannedsystems must be modular so the same or at least similar components can be used in the same ordifferent types of systems, e.g., plug-and-play use of different sensors on unmanned systems (thevehicle and its supporting systems).
4.2.4 DoD Initiatives to Increase Interoperability and Modularity
The following subsections summarize the DoD initiatives that will require technologicaladvances and cooperation among DoD, governmental agencies, and industry. Each initiative isalso described in more detail in Appendix C.
4.2.4.1 Unmanned Interoperability Initiative (UI2) Capability Based Assessment (CBA)This CBA is the culmination of a joint working group (WG) effort to conduct anoperational assessment of unmanned systems interoperability task needs, identify and prioritize
gaps in the ability to satisfy these needs, and identify potential DOTMLPF-P priorities tomitigate the identified capability gaps. Appendix G of the CBA provides the prioritized listingand description for each of the 29 joint interoperability gaps. Each military department andagency will find aspects of the CBA relevant to its mission responsibilities. The Interoperability
Integrated Product Team (I-IPT) under the UAS Task Force will continue to work with themilitary departments and agencies to close gaps identified within the CBA to ultimately improvecapability to the warfighter.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

4.2.4.2 Standards and Governance Efforts
DoD is working to accomplish unmanned systems interoperability by standardizing
critical interfaces within the overall UAS architecture by implementing standard IOPs. Since“standards are ever evolving,” key enablers in this effort will be to clearly and consistently
define the communication protocols, message formats, and implementation methods across theseinterfaces for new start efforts and system upgrades. In addition, development of middleware that
can translate the multiple system inputs and outputs will be a key enabler. This effort will
facilitate the mandated acquisition, technology, and logistics lifecycle management efficiencies
across current and future unmanned programs.
4.2.4.3 UAS Control Segment (UCS) Architecture
The UCS Architecture is a framework representing the software-intensive capabilities ofcurrent and emerging UAS programs in the Army, Navy, and Air Force inventories. The goal is
to develop an architecture based on Service-oriented architecture (SOA) principles, which will
be adopted by each Service as a common business model for acquiring, integrating, andextending the capabilities of the control systems for UAS. 45
4.2.4.4 Unmanned Systems Interoperability Profiles (USIPs)
USIPs are the implementation of the mandate by the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s“Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Memorandum 14667-07” (13 September 2007) to develop
standard IOPs linked to JCIDS documents. They help drive the implementation of approved DoD
and/or joint interoperability priorities at the Service level and may even require a new Service
IOP or revision to an existing IOP.
USIPs also support the CJCSI interoperability requirement by creating specific points of“capability-based interoperability.” The purpose of a USIP is to define profiles of standards
sufficient to guarantee interoperability in support of a specific mission capability. A USIP may
reference DoD standards, Intelligence Community standards, Service-specific IOPs, andcommercial standards to achieve capability-based interoperability. All approved USIP standards
can be found on the DoD IT Standards and Profile Registry (DISR).
4.2.4.5 Service Interface Control Working Groups (ICWGs)
The intent of a Service-level ICWG is to ensure UAS program/product managers,developers, Services, and end users actively participate in the development and implementationof Service-specific interoperability solutions. This collaborative organization (Governmentindustry partnerships) serves as the standards recommendation body chartered within each
Service to promote interoperability across various product lines.
4.2.4.6 Service IOPs
Historically, unmanned systems have used very deterministic point-to-point interfaces;
however, provisions of network-centric warfare require UAS programs to implement common
standards in support of a FoS type of architecture. Widely accepted or approved standards are45

Source: https://ucsarchitecture.org/.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

often too broadly defined with varying options and inadvertently allow compliance but notnecessarily interoperability (e.g., common data link (CDL) standards and Motion Imagery
Standards Board (MISB) standards). Interface “standards” vary and allow for diverse
implementation strategies and interpretations. To be truly interoperable, a FoS requires theService-level development of IOPs, and eventually those IOPs must be interoperable with IOPs
of the other Services.
4.2.4.7 DoD CIO Interoperability Steering GroupDue to the SECDEF’s efficiency initiatives, the DoD CIO and Director for Force
Structure, Resources, and Assessment of the Joint Staff (J-8) formally agreed to transfer all
Interoperability Certification Panel (ICP) responsibilities to the DoD CIO in a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) dated 26 August 2011. The DoD CIO subsequently renamed the ICP to
the Interoperability Steering Group. The DoD CIO will designate the chairperson of theInteroperability WG and direct its associated activities to review interoperability policy,
program, testing, and certification matters in coordination with the Defense Information Systems
Agency (DISA) and Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC).
4.2.4.8 Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)JITC is an organizational element of the DISA Test & Evaluation Directorate and has
responsibility (per DoDI 4630) for certifying joint and combined interoperability of all DoD IT
and NSS. It works closely with the Services, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense(OSD), and DoD CIO to provide recommendations to the Interoperability Steering Group for
waivers, extensions, and ultimately full interoperability certification and compliance status
reporting to defense acquisition executives (DAEs) and service acquisition executives (SAEs).
4.2.4.9 Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory (JSIL)
JSIL supports the assessment of system integration readiness during the productdevelopment process, prior to actual flight testing. JSIL provides for distributed hardware-in-theloop testing of payloads, air vehicles, ground system components, and joint interfaces using theMultiple Unified Simulation Environment (MUSE) in globally distributed command exercisesand experiments. The purpose of JSIL is to provide simulation, integration, and a full range oftest support to the joint unmanned systems family.
4.2.4.10 DoD IT Standards and Profile Registry (DISR)DISR is an online repository of DoD IT and NSS standards and related information,
formerly captured in the Joint Technical Architecture (JTA), version 6.0. DISR replaces JTA. All
approved USIPs are submitted to DISR. The Navy intends to use the DISR to formalize its
approved Service IOPs. 46
4.2.4.11 Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE)
The Army common operating environment (COE) is an approved set of computing
technologies and standards that enable secure and interoperable applications to be rapidly
46

Source: https://gtg.csd.disa.mil/uam/homepage.html?timestamp= .

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

developed and executed across a variety of computing environments. Within the COE initiative,
FACE is Army Aviation’s implementation. The objective of FACE is to establish a standard
COE to support portable, capability-based applications across DoD avionics systems.
4.2.4.12 Sensor/Platform Interface & Engineering Standardization (SPIES) Initiative
The goal of the SPIES initiative is to develop electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensorplatform interface standards that reduce acquisition, integration, and lifecycle costs; improveagility; promote OA and interoperability objectives via Navy/DoD standardization; and maintainsystem performance, reliability, maintenance, and availability.
4.2.4.13 IOPs Defined for UGS
As payloads, sensors, software, and computing devices are anticipated to evolve much
faster than base platforms, creating interoperable interfaces for enhanced modularity represents
an opportunity to minimize future lifecycle costs and adapt rapidly to changing threats or new
available technologies. The Robotic Systems Joint Project Office (RS-JPO) I-IPT, formed in
2009, is working to establish, adopt, and apply interoperability standards for UGS by working
with the combat developers, the S&T community, and private industry. The effort is focusedaround utilization of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) AS-4 standard for Joint
Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) with implementation guidance defined by the UGS
IOPs.
4.2.4.14 Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems (AEODRS) Common
Architecture
Currently, fielded EOD robotic systems are modified commercial products with different
OCUs, limited autonomy, different architectures and designs, and company proprietary software.
AEODRS is being executed by the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division via
the Navy Program Office for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PMS 408) to provide joint forces
with an improved and modular EOD capability to respond to unexploded ordnance, counterimprovised explosive devices, and WMD missions. AEODRS comprises three system variants,
utilizing Government-owned common system architecture and interfaces, which will be fieldedin an incremental approach. The common architecture is present at the physical, electrical, andlogical interface levels for the UGS FoS to enable modular plug-and-play components andinteroperability.
4.2.4.15 Test & Evaluation – Architecture and Bench Testing
The AEODRS program utilizes an architecture test bed and simulation environment toverify logical interfaces that are defined by architecture definition documents and interface
control documents. Capability module evaluation is accomplished by utilizing a test bed to verify
compliance with AEODRS common architecture. Each capability module is plugged into the test
bed separately to ensure individual capability modules adhere to architecture and performancerequirements.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

4.2.4.16 GEOINT Functional Manager Seal of Approval (GFMSA)The Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), serving in the dual
roles of the DoD Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Manager and the Intelligence Community
GEOINT Functional Manager, has established a GEOINT Functional Manager Seal of Approval(GFMSA) endorsement process. The GFMSA is recognition that an IT component has beentested and/or evaluated by a credible independent party and has been found to meet the standards
conformance and interoperability qualification criteria set by the National System for GeospatialIntelligence (NSG) community. GFMSA addresses NGA’s responsibility to developinteroperability test and evaluation (T&E) criteria, measures, and requirements related to
GEOINT per CJCSI 6212.01F. GFMSA increases visibility of GEOINT test criteria, measures,and requirements by offering recognition for entities that follow existing statutory and regulatory
T&E processes while giving due diligence to GEOINT.
The GFMSA objective is to promote a standards-based interoperable working
environment throughout the NSG enterprise. The GFMSA process enables program and project
managers to confirm that the required GEOINT capability is delivered. One of the greatest
challenges for a program/project manager is to extend high-level capability requirements
sufficiently into manageable functional, operational, and technical components to accommodate
acquisition development. The key questions are 1) “What do I want to have happen as a result of
my program activities?” and 2) “How will I know it when it happens?” For the GEOINT
functional aspect of a program/project, the GFMSA recognition program adds significant fidelity
to answer these questions and minimizes the research needed to understand the application of
GEOINT standards and the interoperability objectives and operational capabilities that must be
realized across the NSG enterprise.
A group within NGA, the NSG Interoperability Action Team (NIAT), is an assistanceand outreach body composed of subject matter experts in the field of GEOINT (and associatedmetadata) standardization and architecture deployment. The GFMSA is tightly connected with
the NIAT functions to promote GEOINT interoperability across the NSG enterprise. The NIAT
aids program offices with expertise in the area of GEOINT implementations for a given
sensor/platform pairing in support of the system’s capability. The NIAT supports acquisition
category (ACAT) programs throughout the requirements and acquisition processes, joint
capability technology demonstrations, and quick reaction capabilities. GFMSA ensures theadequacy of those implementations within the system in support of its data and metadata
interoperability across the enterprise. This effort also encompasses the appropriate provisions of
the standards needed to meet regulatory, architectural, operational, and functional requirements
for integration of GEOINT functions and capabilities across the NSG enterprise.
4.2.5 Interoperability and Modularity Key Technologies
IER performance today is driven by a number of factors, including proprietary interfaces,
data, bandwidths, communication waveforms, frequencies and settings, the type of data being
shared (e.g., imagery, detections, voice), and the metadata tagging required (which varies widely
depending primarily on end users, their processing needs/capabilities, and types of data). The
ability of platforms to share data among a variety of users depends primarily on thecharacteristics described above, and in most instances, system engineering tradeoffs must be
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

made in each of those characteristics so that a system’s development, production, maintenance,and performance are optimized.
Two primary challenges related to improving and maintaining IER performance go handin hand: 1) the ability to modify platforms for different IERs rapidly while avoiding broken IERs
and safety degradation (particularly airborne platforms) and 2) the ability to rapidly modify
platforms for different sensor capabilities while concurrently ensuring new sensing capabilities
are distributed via the appropriate IERs.
Attempting to keep pace with these evolving needs with “core” platform systems is likely
unattainable; however, maturation of a few key technologies could address these evolving needs
while minimizing platform impact:
•

•

•

•

Middleware. The ability to easily adjust data tagging and formatting to keep pacewith evolving analytical and processing needs. If “raw” sensor data can be retagged
or formatted without affecting core platform sensors or computers, IER performance
could be more easily maintained while realizing the benefits of technology advancesand minimizing platform impacts.
Multiformat discovery and processing. The ability to ingest and process different
data types simultaneously. This key enabler for continued performance can minimize
platform impact. If data formats, tags, and content are known for fielded systems andif processing and analytical algorithms and computing can interact with different data
formats and types at the same time, then analyst workload can be reduced indiscovery and reallocated to analysis while platforms can more synergistically update
their products via middleware and in concert with other improvements possibly
driven by obsolescence issues or related emerging performance needs.
Federated mission computing. The ability to plug and play payloads whileneeding only to address SWaP-C constraints. Adding new payloads to older
platforms, which do not rely on centralized mission computers, is typically mucheasier to do than adding new payloads to newer platforms with their centralized
computing. The move about 20 years ago to centralized mission computing meantthat while payloads could physically be added, the cost and time to recertify the
mission computing made those modifications more lengthy and difficult. Either
changing mission computing philosophy or federating mission computing down to the
payload (or possibly GCS) level could greatly improve rapid integration of newtechnologies.
Universal payload adapters. The ability to install and uninstall different payloads
given a platform’s allocated SWaP-C. When combined with federated mission
computing and defined platform SWaP-C, a standard hardware and interface
installation point is critical to rapidly reconfiguring platforms for emerging needs.
Today, platform weapons stations are typically used for this function because their
SWaP-C and data interfaces are defined and controlled by the weapons that must be
carried. A similar approach for sensing payloads would be a key enabler.

4.2.6 Summary
While the initiatives summarized in 4.2.4.1 to 4.2.4.16 are by no means all inclusive, they
serve to illustrate the vast amount and diversity of effort and attention being given to38

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

interoperability and modularity concerns and the pursuit of mature and stable IERs. The battlelines in the maneuver space of the battlefield are blurring, and the need to share information,
sensors, payloads, and platforms is real. The fiscal battlespace is also blurring, and vendors must
shift strategies to adhere to open standards to the maximum extent practical by utilizing tools
such as universal payload adapters, different mission computing philosophy, and key open
subsystems (KOSS); developing middleware solutions to manage the input and output fromlegacy systems and manned systems; migrating toward OAs; reusing software; and developing
robust repositories. As unmanned systems are relied on more and more heavily, their ability tocommunicate data with Service and joint systems along with their ability to adapt internally andexternally will be critical to maintaining warfighting effectiveness against emerging threats while
taking advantage of more capable technology. Figure 12 summarizes the goals forinteroperability and modularity for unmanned systems.
p

y

y

y

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Implementation of
Mid-Term: Software
middleware or translators into existing reprogrammable interfaces,
systems to maximize standards
universal payload adapters;
compliance; Universal payload
federated mission computing.
adapters; KOSS analysis to identify andimplement candidates for migration to
open interfaces.

Long Term: Multiple
Input/Multiple Output
systems andsubsystems.

Figure 12. Interoperability and Modularity Goals for Unmanned Systems

4.3 Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience
4.3.1 Introduction
Key challenges all unmanned systems (other than pure autonomous systems) face are theavailability of communication links, the amount of data that the communication links support,
the assignment of spectrum allocations, and the resilience of all RF subsystems againstinterference (e.g., electromagnetic). There is a continued need for the Services and agencies tomatch and improve interoperability requirements to meet mission needs for CCDRs. DoD
unmanned systems need a process for operational control and mission data distribution,
especially for nonautonomous systems. For some UGS and UMS, these types of informationexchanges can use a cable for the transmission path, but for highly mobile unmanned operations,the exchange is more likely to use signals sent across the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) or byother means (e.g., acoustical or optical).
Figure 13 illustrates the communication network operational architecture (OV-1) required
to support unmanned systems. Manned systems are included in this architecture to illustrate theneed for a common communication support infrastructure between manned and unmanned
sensor and other C2 systems — the supporting command, control, communications, andcomputers (C4) infrastructure should be platform agnostic (manned or unmanned). The
operational architecture employs various EMS frequency bands, communication gateways andrelay sites, data centers and data dissemination nodes, and terrestrial radio and network services.
The communication links within this architecture support the C2 of unmanned platforms andtheir respective payloads and support the backhaul of information from those payloads totactical, operational, and strategic consumers. Wherever possible, payload mission data should
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

instantly reside on globally accessible data centers that enable users worldwide to find, obtain,
and consume real-time and non-real-time ISR and other mission data quickly and easily.
Sections 4.3.2 through 4.3.17 address needed and planned developments within the unmanned
communication systems architecture and identify applicable standards and system guidance foreach area.

Figure 13. High-Level C4 Infrastructure Operational Concept Graphic (OV-1)
4.3.2 Issues with Current Unmanned Systems Communication Infrastructure
Operational lessons learned, detailed analytical studies, after action reviews, JUONs, andcombat mission need statements over the past 10 years of global combat operations haverepeatedly shown C4 infrastructure shortfalls in our ability to support unmanned platforms.
Specific issues include•

Poor Global Connectivity. Insufficient ability and capacity to globally distributehigh-bandwidth data from unmanned platforms (e.g., full-motion video (FMV)) tostrategic, operational, and tactical users. A majority of the current unmanned
infrastructure is focused on the Middle East and unable to support operations in otherparts of the globe.
40Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

•

•

•

Costly Satellite/Network Contracts. Much of our satellite communication
bandwidth for each system is procured separately through commercial leases, often ata premium over the traditional DISA commercial satellite communications(SATCOM) portfolio. Many systems also rely on separate platform-centric terrestrial
network infrastructures to provide connectivity with tactical, operational, andstrategic consumers. Because this connectivity is often provided by leased
commercial networks, the overhead cost of each system is further increased.
Stovepipe Infrastructures. Many unmanned systems programs established vendor
proprietary communication solutions, including gateways for beyond-line-of-site(BLOS) communication and access to terrestrial network infrastructures. Thisapproach prevents the sharing of resources across platforms, significantly increases
infrastructure overhead costs (e.g., facilities, program management), and inhibits
system interoperability.
Poor Information Sharing. Many systems employ dedicated processing,
exploitation, and dissemination (PED) and mission data infrastructures that prevent
effective data sharing among systems, services, and organizations.

In short, the current unmanned systems communication infrastructure is prone to wasteful
redundancy of efforts, lacks interoperability, and inhibits the distribution of system data topotential consumers.
To better understand the best ways of addressing the challenges facing future unmannedsystems operations, it is helpful to make several key assumptions:
•

•

•

•

Programmed Resources Will Be Limited. OCO funding has been sustaining mostunmanned systems operations in recent years. This funding will disappear in the
coming years as troops draw down. Without program resources, the limited leased C4
infrastructure in place today will atrophy.
C4 Infrastructure Demand Is Growing. Unmanned systems capacity requirements
will grow with improvements in sensor technology and greater global distribution andwill require a robust and flexible communication infrastructure, which in turn will
require growth in the transport of multiplexed and multilevel classified disparate
information. UAS data link capacities are expected to be capable of consolidating
several high-bandwidth ingests and be network capable. Advanced airborne routers
should be able to sort single-data-link disparate data and route to the appropriate
consumer with assured classification transport. Onboard processing should also
provide applications to provide appropriate bandwidth, compression, imagery frames
per second, and resolutions in accordance with user capabilities.
Operating Environment Will Be Challenged. Future unmanned missions are
expected to occur in both benign and contested C4 operating environments. The C4
infrastructure must be resilient and able to perform the mission even in hostileelectromagnetic and cyber environments.
Open Standards Improve Interoperability. Future development of unmannedsystem platforms and their associated communication infrastructure must be guided
by open standards and interfaces to enable interoperability and efficiently utilize
limited resources.
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038•

Enterprise Capabilities Improve Efficiency. Establishing a sensor-agnostic
communication infrastructure that is shared by multiple unmanned programs will
provide cost reductions and improve information sharing and interoperability.

4.3.3 Communication Gateways and Relay Sites
DoD and commercial gateways provide access to military and nonmilitary satellites andto the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) transport and Internet Protocol (IP) netcentric services, which in turn provide global distribution of mission data and enable long-range
C2 of unmanned systems. Likewise, relay sites connect line-of-sight (LOS) communications
with BLOS radio systems for mission data and C2 connection to DISN.
Numerous platform-centric and proprietary gateways are provided today to support
operations in the Middle East. To reduce long-term expenditures on gateways and to more
efficiently and effectively process information from unmanned systems, DoD will transition toplatform-agnostic gateways utilizing existing global enterprise SATCOM gateway facilities (e.g.,
teleport standard tactical entry point (STEP) sites). Existing enterprise gateways can provide
common, secure facilities; operators and maintainers; and rack space. They can also provide
centralized management of floor space; power; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC). As a result, they can reduce the duplication of efforts among the various unmannedsystem program offices. Leveraging these Government assets greatly improves the affordability
over a communication infrastructure based on dedicated, proprietary gateways currently used forsome unmanned systems. Near-term efforts are already underway to establish manned andunmanned ISR connectivity at the Lago Patria Gateway, Italy, and Pope Air Force Base (AFB),
North Carolina, STEP sites. These facilities will be configured to support a wide variety ofairborne platforms utilizing commercial Ku band SATCOM.
Each gateway site will host multiple IP SATCOM systems including frequency divisionmultiple access (FDMA) (e.g., enhanced bandwidth efficient modem) and multiple frequency
time division multiple access (MF-TDMA) (e.g., Joint IP Modem, iDirect, Linkway, Linkstar,and Advantech) modems. The gateways provide intermediate frequency (IF) routing of signals
between modems and earth terminals. All IP-enabled modems are connected to the converged IP
transport and routing network to provide dynamic routing of IP packets and access to DISN
services. Each gateway site will provide cooperative technologies to enable and/or support
automated bandwidth leveling, di-plexing and further IP dissemination (routing) of multilevelsecurity information, alternate routing, and recovery and data backup.
SATCOM gateways alone will not satisfy all deployed warfighter requirements forsatellite coverage. Certain operating environments will fall outside the coverage area of thesegateways and their associated SATCOM assets or may require service from satellites with which
the SATCOM gateways are currently unable to communicate. In such scenarios, a dedicated
BLOS gateway will still be required to support unmanned systems. DISA is developing
cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) with industry to look at expanding
the SATCOM gateway enterprise to include commercial satellite gateways. DISA’s SATCOM
gateway vision includes leveraging commercial satellite gateways as black (encrypted) packet
entry points into DISN. This capability could provide a lower cost alternative to coverage
shortfalls and preclude the need to hire dedicated vendors to establish all new entry facilities,
baseband and encryption equipment, and associated terrestrial connectivity to DoD networks. To
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

support this CRADA effort, DISA is also exploring improvements in gateway transporttechnology, in particular, the development of digital IF technology for interfacility transport of amodem IF output. This capability would facilitate connectivity from any modem to any antennain the world, through the DISN fiber core. Digital IF will enable collapse of modem assets into
centralized enterprise sites and transform SATCOM gateways into simplified radio accessfacilities. Additionally, digital IF would also allow the option of using commercial gateways as
radio access facilities to provide black packet transport in areas where DoD SATCOM gateways
do not provide sufficient coverage.
Unmanned systems require standard relay system architectures to facilitate connection of
LOS systems to potential global consumers. To support operations in Afghanistan, a JUON
drove the development of relay systems to support delivery of high-volume sensor traffic. The
corresponding C4 infrastructure took more than a year to build and deploy. To provide support
for operations outside the Afghanistan area of operation and to ensure this capability is available
at the start of a contingency operation, DoD might consider a designated lead agent to manage
and develop future relay systems. The lead agent could leverage existing radio systems wherever
possible. For example, linking state-of-the-art transceivers used for LOS transmission of FMV
and C2 data with two-way Global Broadcast Service (GBS) systems can provide a standard relay
component for the unmanned systems architecture.
4.3.4 Enterprise Data Centers and Distribution Nodes
The Intelligence Community and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I))
are responsible for ensuring that data are accessible, and they have made great strides inincreasing accessibility to the warfighter. Ultimately, NGA and NSA are the functional combat
support agencies for imagery and signals intelligence and maintain the authority andresponsibility for data storage and dissemination. The stovepipe nature inherent in current
unmanned systems extends to the data storage, handling, and dissemination functions of thesesystems. To reduce overhead costs, optimize manpower requirements, and improve data sharing
among various services, organizations, and allied partners, unmanned systems data should be
consolidated into cloud-enabled enterprise data centers with a standard infrastructure establishedto distribute the data to all authorized consumers. This approach falls in line with overall federal
and DoD mandates to consolidate and reduce data centers and establish a select number offacilities to support all platforms and joint consumers. Recent efforts to accomplish this goal
include the Intelligence Community’s “big data” cloud computing efforts and DISA’s Unified
Video Dissemination Service (UVDS) established to support real-time distribution of FMV datato consumers around the globe. See Figure 14.
DISA’s UVDS provides DoD-wide FMV consolidation, enterprise-wide FMV situationalawareness, metadata transformation and dissemination services, and a robust routing capability
for worldwide dissemination of FMV. Installed in DISA’s Defense Enterprise Computing
Centers, UVDS supports various FMV sources and user communities by providing for the
dissemination of black (encrypted) and red (unencrypted) FMV streams via multicast streamingand near-real-time web-based streaming. UVDS implements DoD and industry standards,
protocols, and profiles (e.g., SD, HD, H.264, MPEG-2, FLASH) to ensure the greatest level ofinteroperability among existing systems while taking advantage of existing computing
infrastructures associated with DoD’s Global Information Grid (GIG) terrestrial connectivity.
The robust routing architecture connects CONUS and OCONUS locations and takes advantage
43Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

of DoD gateways for efficient and real-time dissemination of FMV across SATCOM networks(e.g., GBS, Joint IP Modem, and USCENTCOM Digital Video Broadcast with Return Channel
via Satellite). UVDS replaces the need for dedicated point-to-point communication circuits
supporting Predator and Reaper operations. See Figure 15.

Figure 14. DISA Proposed UVDS Functional Architecture

Figure 15. Current UVDS Operational Architecture (February 2012)44

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

4.3.5 Satellite Communications
A significant cost of current unmanned systems architectures is the procurement ofsatellite bandwidth through commercial leases. Most bandwidth used in support of deployed
unmanned systems missions was procured individually, under unfavorable terms. By aggregating
commercial SATCOM leases across multiple unmanned systems, DoD could significantly
reduce costs in the future. To do so, future lease arrangements should be investigated through the
DISA commercial SATCOM portfolio, utilizing the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition(FCSA) contract structure. Additionally, DoD should pursue innovative, alternative contractual
opportunities and arrangements with industry that minimize the necessity for annual or multiyear leasing. These approaches allow more competitive pricing and increased buying power for
Government customers. Using a common infrastructure, including compatible waveforms, will
make possible the sharing of satellite bandwidth and potentially reduce the aggregate demand
below the sum of the individual requirements of each system. Furthermore, the FCSA contract
structure will provide the flexibility for “surges” in capabilities in response to changing mission
environments.
In addition to more efficient commercial leases, the overall cost of satellite bandwidth
can be further reduced by leveraging more DoD SATCOM assets. Wideband global satellite(WGS) can be used in conjunction with DoD enterprise gateways to offload unmanned systems
data traffic from commercial transponders. However, this strategy is not feasible today due to alack of installed Ka band terminals on unmanned platforms. All unmanned systems programs
requiring BLOS connectivity must develop plans to establish Ka band capability to leverage
military SATCOM resources and avoid costly annual commercial leases. Wherever possible,
unmanned systems BLOS transceivers should consider support of both commercial and military
satellite bands to provide operational flexibility and use available DoD resources.
These benefits should be carefully weighed against the potential operational risks if
military units use commercial SATCOM services. UAS programs must consider a strategy
and/or provisions to manage the potential risks of using the non-U.S. military SATCOM
services. The major components of an implementation strategy should include need, potential
operational risks identified in all related operational scenarios, and the optimal balance between
cost effectiveness (benefits) and operational risks.
4.3.6 Networking Infrastructure and Systems
Wherever possible, unmanned systems programs should leverage the DISN core as theirbaseline terrestrial networking infrastructure for global connectivity. Connection points to the
DISN core are already available at DoD gateway sites. Additionally, DISA is further developing
its DISN core and enterprise wide area network IP service offering to complement the unmannedsystems relay solution set.
The IP networking component of enterprise gateways provides routing and encryption/
decryption to multiple security enclaves for access to DISN. Encrypted unmanned systems traffic
would be routed through the DoD gateway net-centric convergence router, which provides
connectivity between IP modem hubs and DISN. The convergence router is currently connected
to both the Layer 3 unclassified provider edge and Layer 2 multiservice provisioning platform
and supports multiple traffic types, virtual private network tunnels, and circuit connections.
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Unmanned system design configurations and DISN must ensure that proper IP address and ports
and services assignments are planned into the design before the systems are fielded and that thesystems’ network configurations are modifiable in the field to quickly respond to network
intrusion events.
However, unmanned systems design configurations and DISN will need to provide
technology that rectifies jitter and latency inherent within an all-IP-based system for the mostsensitive type sensors or other critically high reliability mission functions. Buffering issues
discovered on legacy unmanned systems can cause loss of sensitive data due to dropped packets
if transferring on an all-IP-based environment. In the past, deterministic technologies, such as
asynchronous transfer mode, would provide the precise timing and buffer resilient capability toensure complete data transfers with effectively no jitter or latency. Unmanned systems and DISN
will need to develop and provide a similar network that ensures no packets are lost end to end
between the most sensitive sensors from the unmanned vehicle, through the respective unmanned
controlling segment, to various networking, to end user mission partners.
DISN core connectivity will not be readily available in all potential operating
environments. Networking of multiple deployed unmanned systems may be necessary to better
ensure connectivity of the systems in non-line-of-sight (NLOS), urban, hostile, and/or noisy
EMS environments to relay or transfer the collected information onto GIG. Currently, envisioned
network concepts include employing topology control algorithms for sparsely connected
directional networks in response to jamming detection; developing cognitive algorithms for
jammer detection; utilizing resilient topology control for directional networks, using IP-based,autonomous, self-organizing, nonhomogeneous networks; and providing LOS control to UAS
from within an isolated network (i.e., no reach back). In 2012, the Air Force demonstrated a
network with UAS and several ground nodes under the Net-T demonstration. Another concept iswithin the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) LANdroids program, 47
which calls for the deployment of small, inexpensive, smart robotic radio network relay nodes
that can leverage their mobility to coordinate and move autonomously. The program seeks todemonstrate the capabilities of self-configuration, self-optimization, self-healing, tethering, andpower management. There is interest in the application of SOA approaches to future network
configurations and the use of multicast communication technologies to allow semiautonomousand autonomous collaborations.
4.3.7 Antennas
Communication with highly mobile systems requires high-gain, rugged, and lower cost
multidirectional antennas. The larger UAS may also use highly focused beams to achieve
connectivity with more distant systems. 48 Developments in phased array antennas and “smart”
antennas (including combining signals from multiple antennas) could offer an alternative to
traditional dish antennas; however, they require tradeoffs among SWaP-C. DoD and industry
must also continue developing such techniques as multifocused and supercooled antenna
systems.

47
48

Source: http://www.darpa.mil/ipto/programs/ld/ld.asp.
Global positioning system (GPS) could be used to aid in this connectivity.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Future antenna systems must be able to receive signals over a broad range of frequencies,
but they also must be frequency selective (see 4.3.13). Therefore, phased arrays are a viableapproach. Dynamically controlled (e.g., null jammers) element (~ 9 elements) arrays areavailable now, but significantly larger numbers of elements that are conformal (e.g., using
metamaterial) and that are molded within the vehicle surfaces are in development (2020).
SWaP-C and low-profile aspects are major developmental areas. The utilization of common
apertures has called for the development of new interference mitigation methodologies thatminimize co-site interference effects and improve the potential for achieving simultaneoustransmit/receive operations within adjacent frequency bands.
4.3.8 Transmitter/Receiver Systems
Future transmitter/receiver systems require improved interoperability, resiliency,
efficiency, and operational flexibility. Wherever possible, future BLOS transceivers should
support both commercial Ku band and military Ka band connectivity. Programs such as the
Navy’s Triton and Army’s Gray Eagle efforts are already moving in this direction. Suchhardware will allow maximum flexibility across operating environments and improve resiliencyof the systems in contested environments. The challenge of using multiband terminals on
unmanned sensor platforms is often not caused by technological limitations, but rather bybudgetary constraints. Significant upfront cost is involved with upgrading or installing new
multiband terminals on unmanned platforms. However, the lifecycle costs of such systems arelower than the lifecycle costs of a Ku band–only platform, which continues to rely on leased,
costly commercial SATCOM bandwidth to support operations. Further, all platforms should
consider employing multiband LOS transceivers. This strategy will provide an alternate means ofconnectivity to potentially contested satellite resources, improve link diversity/resiliency, andlink to future ground and airborne (e.g., Joint Aerial Layer Network (JALN)) relay nodes. In
addition to this broad guidance on transmitter/receiver systems, the following technicalrecommendations are provided:•

Transmitters. Current transmitter solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) are typicallymade with gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate. Gallium nitride (GaN) SSPAs,
currently in development, provide significant advantages over GaAs SSPAs. GaN
SSPAs offer more than double the efficiency of GaAs amplifiers; they increase theamplifier operational bandwidth; and they may provide for a wider range of
frequency of operation. The high transmit efficiency of GaN systems will also reducethe cooling requirements. To achieve some of these benefits, the amplifier designs arebeing enhanced with adaptive operating point controls that adjust to the instantaneous
power being demanded from the amplifier. This enhancement significantly reduces
the average prime power required by the transmitter’s high-power amplifier (HPA) byallowing it to effectively turn itself off when not in use, yet adjusting to maintainproper conditions to ensure minimal distortion at higher instantaneous powers. The
GaN technologies are currently available for selected frequency bands and will soon
be available for fielding (2014). The HPAs may also utilize signal-processing-based
signal predistortion techniques to compensate for the basic nonlinearity of theamplifier’s transfer characteristics. To help in anti-jam and RF interference risks,developments in frequency-hopping characteristics should continue.

47

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038••

Receivers. Instantaneous bandwidth performance and analog-to-digital converter
sampling speeds have continued to improve year after year. 49 In addition,
improvements in integrated chip fabrication methods have allowed for significant
miniaturization and reductions in part counts and for various transmit/receive andantenna functions and components to be integrated on a single chip (2013). These
receivers must incorporate higher system selectivity, high spur-free dynamic range(greater than 80 dB to 90 dB from adverse adjacent and off-channel electromagnetic
environmental effects (E3)), and resistance to adverse E3. Fiber optics has been used
to speed up the data and signal transfers from and to the antenna and the signal
processing hardware (2012). 50 Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
developments should provide smaller size, more flexibility, and greater performance(by a factor of 100 or better) in receiver designs (2015). However, these receivers
must be able to operate in the presence of adjacent high-power transmitters that candrastically desensitize their RF front end, and tunable analog preselector filtering(using innovative low-SWAP-C technology) may reduce such desensitization. Future
developments are expected to provide improved reliability and fabrication yields,
reduced thermal characteristics, reduced integration complexity, and lower production
costs.
Transmit/Receive Systems. Such systems will emphasize new technologies likespatial, combining, high-power, solid-state amplifiers using monolithic microwave
integrated circuits (MMICs). A MMIC (sometimes pronounced “mimic”) is a type of
integrated circuit device that operates at microwave frequencies (300 MHz to 300
GHz) and typically performs functions such as microwave mixing, power
amplification, low-noise amplification, and high-frequency switching. MMICs are
smaller and cheaper than conventional integrated circuits.

Recent developments, including software-defined radios, have produced a diversity oftechnologies, but no formal standards have been developed yet for this technology. Recently, the
VITA 49 Radio Transport (VRT) standard 51 has been proposed as a solution to theinteroperability dilemma. This standard provides an interoperability framework that can be used
for analysis of RF spectrum and localization of RF emissions. The framework is based on atransport protocol to convey time-stamped signal data in IF data packets and metadata in context
packets. The protocol abstracts the receiver data from specific hardware implementations andthus enables a common software suite to be developed independent of the receiver architectures,
manufacturers, and physical links.
4.3.9 UMS Communications
Ocean dynamics challenge underwater and surface communications and are unique to
UUVs and USVs. However, there is a significant difference between UUV and USV
communication requirements. An UUV is very autonomous and requires less bandwidth than an
USV acting on the surface. Due to collision regulations and safety, the USV must send to a49

Lundberg, Kent H., High-Speed Analog-to-Digital Converter Survey, MIT Press, 2002.
See the DARPA Optical RF Communications Adjunct and the Office of Naval Research’s Enabling Capability
programs. This application is more for ground-based systems than for airborne systems. This use also significantly
minimizes the signal loss and allows more advantageous placement of selected components.
51
Reference work by Robert Normoyle, DRS-Signal Solutions.
50

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

watchstander live feedback that requires significant bandwidth. Once autonomy becomes morereliable, perhaps the bandwidth could decrease, but a USV is expected to always have arequirement for higher bandwidth due to its mission types. For example, the USV will be usedgenerally for engagement of surface targets requiring active oversight by an operator/weapons
person.
UUVs will gain efficiency and effectiveness with the development of improved real-time,
two-way communications that do not undermine mission accomplishment. The Navy’s Undersea
Dominance Roadmap (published in 2012) identified current and future architectures to link
UUVs, distributed netted systems, and tactical platforms. The Navy has begun initial productionof a planned 150 littoral battlespace sensing UUVs, which are capable of completing up to sixmonth-long autonomous sensing missions. Advanced UUV sensors and clandestine and lowlatency communication and networking capabilities are viewed 52 as key game changers. Future
developments will come through the Office of Naval Research S&T research and development
efforts.
4.3.10 Spectrum Considerations
The EMS is highly regulated at the national 53 and international 54 levels. Federal
Acquisition Regulations and Office of Management and Budget policies require U.S. national
spectrum approval before funds are expended on spectrum-dependent systems (SDS). DoD
policy and military department regulations require submission of technical parameters to thenational spectrum approval process as well as to host nation’s approval processes for priorapproval before spectrum operations can commence within the United States or other nations.
While numerous over-the-air communication systems and active sensors, such as radar, havebeen designed, built, and fielded so they comply with national and host nation spectrum
regulations and technical standards and have performed reasonably well, others have been
fielded in a noncompliant status and have often not met final operational constraints.
U.S. military operations are now occurring in many parts of the world where adequate
spectrum is not available for C2, sensor, and data link systems. There is a significant increase in
the number of SDS the United States, our partners, and our coalition forces deploy to address
current, and may want to deploy to address expected future, mission areas. In addition, these
SDS collect more information, and missions often require greater bandwidths to send theirinformation directly to warfighters. Also, mission areas are becoming more spectrally “noisy”
because of increasingly cluttered and hostile spectrum environments. As such, a continual
demand for improved spectrum efficiency and effectiveness is being placed on all DoD SDS. 55
All unmanned systems must complete, during their development process, a spectrum
supportability and risk assessment (SSRA) in accordance with DoDI 4650.01. The SSRA is to
identify and mitigate regulatory, technical, and operational spectrum supportability. Because

52

Navy’s updated UUV Roadmap.
For the U.S. Government, see the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Manual ofRegulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management. Washington, DC, January 2008 edition,
September 2009 revision (incorporated by reference under 47 CFR 300.1).
54
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Radio Regulations, Geneva, Switzerland. 2007 Edition.
55
All new and modified SDS programs now must conduct an SSRA prior to Milestone B (source: DoDI 4650.01).
53

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

national and international spectrum rules and policies can rapidly change, 56 developers should
maintain a close liaison with appropriate DoD spectrum offices before finalizing communication
system designs.
There is particular interest in expanding DoD UAS operations in nonsegregated portionsof the NAS; this expansion may require the use of specific types of spectrum allocations toperform C2 and sense and avoid (SAA) functions due to safety and regularity of flightrequirements. The preferred allocations are those set aside for, and carefully controlled by, civil
aviation authorities. Where necessary, alternative allocations may be used by Government users
provided an equivalent level of protection can be demonstrated. That equivalent level may
include higher performance specifications, e.g., those for reliability and data latency.
The teleoperation of UGS from a remote location requires negotiation between LOS andNLOS conditions to provide situational awareness and reconnaissance to the warfighter. Widefrequency bandwidths are needed to support the near-real-time imaging required to negotiate
confined areas, doors, etc. The availability of the right spectrum is critical for the operation of
UGS to support various missions. This availability is determined by a number of factors,
including a host nation’s allocation and assignments of spectrum within its borders, congestion,and operational requirements of the SDS. Based on the results of appropriate SSRAs, the SDS
may need to be planned and designed for multiband operation and/or provide significant tuning
flexibility to maximize global use.
The DARPA’s Next Generation project and its follow-on Wireless Network after Next
(WNaN) program demonstrated the feasibility of dynamic spectrum access (DSA). DSA offers
the ability to change frequency band use based on the actual use or nonuse of certain bands byother adjacent SDS. The Army is also considering having WNaN become part of an Army POR.
However, a recent Air Force Scientific Advisory Board study said that DSA is far from being
proven technology. Developmental challenges include susceptibility to countermeasures, costs ofintegrating with existing systems, developing standards (including regulatory aspects), and cosite interference (2015).
4.3.11 Waveforms
In accordance with DoD policy, CDL is the DoD standard waveform for all airborne
manned and unmanned platforms with ISR sensors. All ISR wideband terminal variants,
including tactical CDL equipment, must comply with Specification 7681990 and the overarching
Specification 60038365. 57 Furthermore, wideband terminal variants must comply with the latest
revision of Specification 60038368. 58 Legacy ISR programs upgrading communication
56

Relatively near-term spectrum usage changes came from ITU and its 2012 Worldwide Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC); UAS spectrum use was a conference agenda item. Changes in frequency band usage for UAS
may also come from the FAA and the International Civil Aeronautics Organization (ICAO) as part of the UAS
operations in the NAS airspace and in other nation-states’ airspace during preparations for the WRC to be held in2015.
57
Specification Number 7681990, Performance Specification for the Standard Common Data Link (Std-CDL)
Waveform, November 2009, and Specification Number 60038365, Capstone Specification for the Network-CentricCommon Data Link (CAPSTONE), November 2007.
58
Specification Number 60038368, Performance Specification for the Bandwidth Efficient-Common Data Link
(BE-CDL) Waveform, May 2011.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

capabilities must comply with the latest revision of the appropriate CDL specification, and any
systems not implementing a current interoperable version of CDL must develop a migration plan
for review by the DoD CIO and USD(I). Any waivers from these requirements must be approvedby the USD(AT&L).
The CDL family (currently five variations) of waveform specifications permits terminals
to operate in S, C, X, Ku, and Ka bands. Other bands are under consideration (see Figure 16),
and they are employed in multiple aerial and ground ISR platforms. Current plans call for CDL
to evolve from a point-to-point capability. Near-term added capability plans include modernizedcryptographic solutions (including agile and dynamic key distribution methods to support
mission retasking at the strategic and tactical level), dynamically adaptive waveform parametersand A2/AD requirements [anti-jam, and low probability of intercept/low probability of detection(LPI/LPD)]. Middle-term (2019) plans include new networking capabilities (e.g., self-healing
and self-forming, ad-hoc networking, disruption-tolerant networking, and dynamic and multipleaccess network management). Long-term (2020+) plans include autonomous policy-based
network management and cognitive CDL. CDL waveform changes must comply with DoDI
4630.09. 59

Figure 16. Possibilities of Obtaining Spectrum Support in Various Host Nations for
Wider Frequency Range
Due to size, weight, and power considerations, small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS),
which require data link terminals smaller than available miniature CDL technology, may be
exempted from this policy after waiver review by the OUSD(AT&L). Moreover, to ensure
SUAS transition to achieve DoD net-centric policies and to support efficient spectrum use,
incorporation of encryption, and interoperability requirements, the DoD CIO and USD(I) will
review and approve any SUAS data link solutions prior to acquisition. The miniature CDL
terminal has low enough size, weight, and power that it could be used on vehicles down to59

DoDI 4630.09, Wireless Communications Waveform Development and Management, 3 November 2008.

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roughly 30 lb. All CDL terminals require an approved encryption capability (DoDI S-4660.04).
Any CDL terminals not compliant with encryption policy require a review by the DoD CIO andUSD(I) with support of NSA.
The CDL program will promote interoperability, standardize interface implementations,promote compliance with industry-accepted standards (including USIP and other commercial
development/maintenance standards), and maximize use of open standards. Future CDL
technologies will promote reuse of waveforms, software, and hardware so that the amount of
new development (i.e., items created from scratch) is reduced. The Services are encouraged touse competitive acquisition for procurement of CDL systems, and any new CDL developments
shall include unlimited rights for technical data and software.
4.3.12 Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) Systems
MIMO is a proven technology and is currently being used in commercial fourth
generation (4G) wireless systems moving at less than 30 knots. It has been tested at data rates up
to 300 Mbps. 60 MIMO combines information theory, forward error correction coding, signal
processing, and propagation theory; therefore, the mathematics behind MIMO and space-timecoding is complicated. MIMO would use multiple paths (although they are not necessarily
independent) with lower data rates on each path; apply space-time coding and capacity
optimization to achieve a total high data rate mission; apply power saving to jammer margin; andevaluate performance in benign and stress conditions.
With further improvements in electronic discovery, interface design, and adaptive
protocols, self-forming and self-healing mesh networks may enable unmanned systems tooperate in multiplatform, multisensor networks.
4.3.13 Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3)Electronic systems may be susceptible to damaging E3 that can arise from a variety ofnatural or manmade (including enemy EW and friendly counter-EW) environmental sources. 61
E3 applications include full vehicle susceptibility analysis; enclosure shielding effectivenesscalculation; test rig design, assessment, and normalization to free space environments (e.g.,lightning return conductor systems); cable design and shield transfer impedance extraction;
prediction of induced currents and voltages in complex cable systems; and performance ofelectromagnetic interference (EMI) filters, ferrites, or nonlinear transient protection circuits. The
DoD E3 handbook 62 describes the tasks that should be accomplished to ensure E3 control and
EMC measures are incorporated into the development and operational procedures of an item toachieve the desired level of EMC during its life cycle. The joint E3 control strategy recognizes
that electromagnetically interfering and susceptible equipment designs should be eliminated or
avoided (via proper budgeting support) during development and in acquisition and proposes use
60

The conditions in UAS applications are much different than those for commercial cell phones.
These sources may include electromagnetic pulse (EMP), radio frequency interference, high-intensity radiatedfields (HIRF), electromagnetic interference (EMI), electrostatic discharge (ESD), lightning strikes, and precipitation
static (P-STATIC). Other concerns include the hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel, ordnance, andvolatile materials (RADHAZ).
62
MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD 461F, and MIL-HDBK-237B, Guidance for Controlling Electromagnetic
Environmental Effects on Platforms, Systems, and Equipment.
61

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of a positive control methodology called “gating” in conjunction with established “exit criteria”
to monitor the planning and application of E3 control measures.
A critical challenge is that while communication needs continue to increase, degradationfrom interference also tends to increase at a comparable, if not more accelerated, rate. While it is
not an easy task to design a highly sensitive radio receiver that also has a wide dynamic range,
communication systems transmission advances without comparable E3 resilience advances will
not ensure continuous operations of unmanned systems.
4.3.14 Optical Communications
The application of lasers in unmanned systems communications could provide increased
target detection capabilities, improved anti-jam performance, robust LPI/LPD, and decreased
EMI within the communication subsystem. Optical routers will be more practical when we
employ unmanned high-flying vehicles like the Global Hawk, Boeing’s Phantom Eye, and the
X-37B. Optical communication systems are hampered by atmospheric absorption challenges, yetthey offer far greater bandwidth (measured in gigabits per second) capabilities. LOS optical links
have successfully been demonstrated at link ranges in excess of 50 km. Applications could apply
to fixed locations and in air-to-air and ship-to-ship scenarios. Theoretical estimates indicate that
air-to-ground links are feasible at rates up to 100 Mbit/s for link slant ranges up to 100 km,
depending on atmospheric conditions. Due to the extreme narrow beamwidth of such systems,
maintaining pointing accuracy to and from a moving unmanned system will be a major
challenge (>2020). A recently completed DARPA program, Free Space Optical Experimental
Network Experiment, employed a hybrid optical/RF communication technology anddemonstrated air-to-air (>200 km range; data rates of 3 Gb/sec to 6 Gb/sec) and air-to-ground(>130 km slant range; 3 Gb/sec to 9 Gb/sec) point-to-point communications.
4.3.15 Advanced Navigation Developments
DARPA 63 is working on two advanced navigation strategies that are kinematic (i.e., there
is no force rebalance) and should offer significant improvements in effectiveness.
The Precision Inertial Navigation Systems (PINS) program seeks to use ultra-cold atominterferometers as an alternative to GPS updates. Advancements in atomic physics in the past
two decades have given scientists much better control over the external quantum states of atoms,
including deliberate production of matter waves from ultra-cold atoms. This advancement has
allowed development of matter wave interferometry techniques to measure forces acting on
matter, including high-precision atomic accelerometers and gyroscopes. Using this technology,
this program seeks to develop an inertial navigation system, which should have low
unprecedented drift rates yet address many scientific and technical challenges. The program is onschedule to demonstrate a high-precision atom interferometer inertial navigation system on an
aircraft during 2013, with a total system volume less than 20 liters. Since this innovation is anentirely inertial system, it will require no transmissions to or from the platform, thus enabling a
jam-proof, nonemanating inertial navigation system with near-GPS accuracies for future military
submarines, aircraft, and missiles.

63

The point of contact is Dr. Stefanie Tompkins.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

The program has developed improved gravity gradiometers, accelerometers, andgyroscopes where the atoms are in a nearly perfect inertial frame of reference (no sensor case)and the laser/atomic physics interactions determine the relative motion between the inertial frame
and the sensor case. The sensor accuracy derives from the use of optical wave fronts todetermine relative motion.
The High Dynamic Range Atom (sensors) (HiDRA) program seeks to develop thecompact sensor operation used on dynamic platforms where the inertial measurement unit (IMU)
would offer accuracies of a 20 m/h, 10 g, 100 º/s, <4 L sensor, <20 L system. Relative toconventional sensors, it would offer a common technology for accelerometers and gyroscopes, ahigh sensitivity and linearity for high-g environments, and cost-effective fabrication andmaintenance. Relative to PINS II sensors, it would offer use in multiple axes, high-g operation,compact sensor heads, integrated laser system/sensor heads, field-programmable gate arraytiming system for high repetition rate operations, atom recapture, scattered light suppression for
short modulation period, and multipulse beamsplitters (optional).
4.3.16 Improved GPS Operations
The NGA has developed the Estimation and Prediction of Orbits and Clocks to HighAccuracy (EPOCHA) real-time software for GPS orbit/clock estimates, which enables thecapability for potentially higher accuracy GPS positioning for many platforms. Using the NGAEPOCHA products could provide more current, higher rate information to improve position
estimates. The concept has been demonstrated in post-processing, and the results confirm theimproved accuracy; decisions regarding incorporating it within existing or future systems have
yet to be made. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for EPOCHA real-time support to militaryplatforms is FY2014 (October 2013), with a 5-minute message update rate. Full Operational
Capability (FOC) is scheduled by FY2016 (October 2015), with a 30-second message update
rate.
Many UAS conduct Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) using GPS. Currently,
DoD requires Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS 64 as SAASM
decreases GPS vulnerabilities by offering encrypted GPS data and satellite authentication. In thenear future, a military GPS upgrade known as M-code GPS will be made available. M-code GPS
is required for all new acquisitions starting in FY2017. 65 The M-code signal provides better
jamming resistance and has enhanced features for authentication, confidentiality, and key
distribution. Unlike prior systems that may rely on GPS for positioning, M-code GPS cancalculate PNT independently using only the M-code signal.
4.3.17 Cost Effectiveness Considerations
DoD’s desire is to operate unmanned systems in theaters or within the United States andits possessions so that constraints on communications and active sensor systems do not adversely
affect successful mission execution. Specifically, DoD must significantly improve
communication transmission efficiencies; attain better bandwidth efficiencies; increasetransmitter/receiver efficiencies; acquire communication systems that are of less size and weight,
64

Relevant SAASM GPS policies include DoD GPS Security Policy, 4 April 2006, and Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Master Positioning, Navigation and Timing Plan, 13 April 2007.
65
The M-code GPS mandate is stated in Public Law 111-383, Sec 913.

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require less power, and need less cooling to operate satisfactorily; and acquire higher gain
antennas that are able to receive signals over a broader range of frequencies while retaining
frequency selectivity. Unmanned systems programs must also leverage existing DoD enterprisefacilities wherever possible and avoid building separate platform-centric communication
infrastructures. Current and future operational employment of unmanned systems will also
require access to a range of SATCOM capabilities. Planning and budgeting for such unmannedsystems operations must take into account realistic assessments of projected SATCOM
bandwidth (both military and commercial) in a range of operational scenarios. Investments inunmanned systems must be matched with appropriate investments in the military andcommercial SATCOM capabilities that are required to support unmanned systems operations.
4.3.18 Future Trends
Based on the force multiplier that unmanned systems have provided to our combat troops,
it is expected that there will be a continued and increasing demand for capabilities to besupported by their communication systems. Those demands will include such capabilities as
having a single operator conduct more real-time analysis of multiple situations, while theunmanned system performs many of its assigned functions autonomously. Future communicationequipment must be simple plug-and-play payloads that are easily, quickly, and cost-effectively
modified, updated and/or upgraded, and linked to globally available enterprise capabilities (e.g.,gateways, data centers) to ensure rapid discovery and exploitation of mission information fromany authorized DoD consumer.
4.3.19 Mobile Technologies
The mobile technologies initiative is pursuing rapid Government off-the-shelf application
development; transition to tablets and smartphones for computing platforms; and a 4G cellularinfrastructure to disseminate intelligence, data, and voice transmissions. By leveraging thedevices developed and supported by commercial industry, significant cost advantages andinfrastructure can be used to accomplish missions without requiring taxpayer investment in alarge and bureaucratic network or capability.
4.3.20 Summary
Several steps can be taken to solve the challenges faced by the future unmanned systems
communication infrastructure. Affordability may be improved by centralizing unmanned systems
enterprise management. Centralized management of C4 transport and network infrastructures cangreatly improve system availability and efficiently use scarce system resources. Common
management of multiple system assets will result in network redundancy, resilience, and path
diversity for sensor platforms. It will also allow flexible frequency usage for launch andrecovery. Interoperability should be the key factor in considering affordability of futurearchitecture solutions. The architecture should transition away from redundant stovepipe
solutions to leveraging existing enterprise SATCOM, gateway, and terrestrial network assets.
Common IP modems (e.g., JIPM) should become the standard for providing net-centric systemcapabilities. Future commercial services should be procured through more innovative strategies(e.g., FSCA leases, point-of-presence access to commercial gateways). Additionally, the pool ofcommunication resources can be deepened by expanding operating spectrum usage to military55

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Ka band and leveraging aerial networking capabilities such as JALN, including its GIG injection
points.
Open standards and interface definitions are key to mitigating the challenge ofinteroperability of unmanned systems communication infrastructures. Enforced open standards
and Government-owned data rights will promote the leveraging of common components andfacilitate reuse among heterogeneous unmanned system platforms. Using Government-owned
enterprise assets (e.g., WGS, DoD enterprise gateways, DISN core) will help unify thecommunication infrastructure.
Figure 17 summarizes the target unmanned systems communication architecture with theproposed solutions in place, and the new infrastructure exhibits greater interoperability among
various unmanned system platforms through the use of common control and data dissemination
systems. Resiliency is improved through use of multiband terminals and common interfaces, andthis improved resiliency allows access to DoD and commercial SATCOM resources as well as toenterprise gateways and small points of presence at commercial radio facilities. The increased
utilization of DoD assets in this architecture offsets commercial resource requirements, improves
efficiency, and reduces the operating costs.

Figure 17. Unmanned Systems Target Architecture56

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Figure 18 summarizes the goals for communications systems, spectrum, and resilience
for unmanned systems.
,

,

g

y

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Unmanned System
Mid-Term: Multi-focused, Super- Long Term: Adv. Error
connectivity to Teleport sites
cooled Antennas, Conformal
Control, Further Adv.
supporting Africa and Pacific, Global
phased array antennas,
MIMO configurations,UVDS capabilities, Secure Micro Digital standard multi-band
Network Path Diversity,
Datalink, DSA,WNaN, Chip Counttransceivers, cloud-enabled
Opticalreduction, Ka-band terminals, Single
enterprise data centers,
Communications,
Chip T/R, GaN technology, Eff. FEC, "Dial- transition BLOS gatewaycommercial gateway
points-of-presence witha-rate" CDL, Adv. MIMO, consolidated capabilities to enterprise
gateway sites supplemented Digital IF inter-facility
gateway sites under common
with dedicated gateways
transport.
communications architecture,
aggregate COMSATCOM leasing under outside coverage areas, techrefresh terminal upgrades to
FCSA.
Ka-Band or multi-band
hardware.

Figure 18. Communication Systems, Spectrum, and Resilience
Goals for Unmanned Systems

4.4 Security: Research and Intelligence/Technology Protection (RITP)
While the challenge of incorporating security measures on unmanned systems mirrorsthat of manned systems, additional C2 requirements are unique to unmanned systems and expand
the overall requirement for system security. This section addresses those overall requirements.
The evolution of integrated sensors across multiple systems drives the need for amodified approach to program protection. The emphasis has shifted from protecting systemorganic technologies and information to a more comprehensive methodology: a platformagnostic, sensor-specific approach to address program protection across multiple systems andplatforms. This methodology seeks to ensure protection of not only the technology on which thesensors are based, but also the intelligence information collected by these sensors.
RITP includes the layered application of protective principles, techniques, and solutions
to prevent compromise of critical information and/or technology to an adversary or otherwise
unintended entity. This concept was developed to address the range of security elements required
to carry out policies described in DoDI 5200.39. 66 RITP incorporates DoD and Navy directives,
instructions, policies, and guidance concerning program protection and/or countermeasures,
including anti-tamper. RITP is accomplished through the rigorous evaluation of subsystems toidentify critical program information (CPI) and assessment of resulting CPI to determine whichelements require additional protective measures. RITP bridges systems security engineering andother overarching security operations to ensure protection of intelligence sensors and products.
System vulnerabilities and threats are examined, as well as risk of exposure andconsequence of system compromise, to proactively establish the foundation of security
disciplines as early as reasonable in the developmental life cycle. Impact to the program in termsof cost, schedule, and performance is also factored into the determination of appropriate
protective measures. When applicable, protective measures selected for implementation are
66

DoDI 5200.39, Critical Program Information (CPI) within the Department of Defense.

57

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

validated and verified as part of program systems engineering, T&E, and systems security
engineering processes. With the integration of emerging technologies with critical information, it
is more important than ever to evaluate appropriate layered protective measures through an
integrated approach that includes complementary disciplines such as information assurance,
operational security, anti-tamper, and counterintelligence and intelligence analysis. Anti-tamper
is more cost effective when implemented at program onset.
4.4.1 Data at Rest (DAR) Encryption
To date, no NSA-approved, type 1–certified DAR encryption devices are suitable for
U.S. military operational and/or tactical airborne platforms storing data labeled top secret andsecret compartmented information (TS/SCI) and below. The manned systems community often
relies on an emergency destruct plan to ensure physical destruction of classified media, including
DAR stored on hard drives, should an operator believe the classified media are at risk ofcompromise.
As spinning hard drives are replaced by solid state drives and other media storage
devices, the need for other methods of destruction becomes more critical. Other manned
platforms face similar data destruction challenges. While NSA-approved data sanitization
techniques are available, these techniques are either too time consuming for emergency scenarios
or not approved for the sanitization of TS/SCI data. These limitations drive programs to seekother protective measures, including encryption.
For UAS, destruction of data becomes an even more challenging endeavor because
aircrews are not available to carry out procedures such as an emergency destruct plan.
Unmanned programs must rely on autonomous protective measures. Unmanned platforms are
required to have an emergency location transmitter that transmits its GPS location to support
rapid recovery and/or for coordinates-seeking NLOS weapon targeting for data/vehicle
destruction.
4.4.2 Cost EffectivenessSince the DAR encryption capability for data labeled TS/SCI and below is extremely
limited, several programs have collaborated to devise a solution that can be implemented acrosssystems in the very near term, such as within 24 months. Although some development work is
still required, the cost involved with the acquisition, development, and production is relatively
minimal when the overall payoff is considered. The end product would cost less than mostType 1–certified network encryptors and would help to ensure that, with a push of a button (oreven with an autonomous command), DAR would be rendered unobtainable by the adversary.
The overall cost savings in terms of prevention of technology or information/intelligence loss
would far exceed the initial development cost.
4.4.3 Near-Term Goals
Representatives from the Navy and Air Force have identified the need to integrate morerobust methods for protecting classified DAR. The proposed solution includes the identificationof resources for concept development of an NSA-approved Type 1–certified DAR encryptor thatwill be integrated on airborne (manned and unmanned) platforms and their associated groundsupport and processing stations. Unmanned systems must have the ability to remotely and58

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

autonomously render DAR unrecoverable by the adversary through a reliable and immediate
encryptor key zeroization process. The proposed solution also allows the DAR to be recovered
when appropriate key recovery protocols are executed.
The proposed next-generation DAR encryptor must be installed in a manner that is astransparent to platform subsystem functionality as possible to minimize subsystem redesign
requirements. Performance must not be degraded due to encryptor latency. The use of inline
media encryptors (versus software-based and/or embedded encryption methods designed into
each platform subsystem) may minimize the integration impact on legacy platform subsystems
requiring DAR encryption. Inline media encryptors will also allow for flexibility to upgrade tomedia with greater storage capacity. Mission and ground support and processing CONOPS have
proven to be a primary driver for DAR encryptor functional specifications. Key management
processes must be conducive to interoperability across systems and GCSs. Multiple encryptor
keys may be loaded through a single key fill port. The single encryptor may support multiple
inputs and multiple target storage media locations, at multiple classification levels. Technicalconcepts for a next-generation DAR encryptor have been identified and evaluated forcompatibility with the intended CONOPS. Several platforms have provided input for encryptor
functionality with a focus on platform-agnostic, sensor-specific integration.
4.4.4 Middle- and Long-Term Goals
Evolving technologies for storage media will drive the need for faster, more specified
encryption devices that support data in various states and blur the line between DAR and data intransit. Similarly, storage media requirements will increase, along with the need to move thosemedia at a more efficient speed. As more data are processed and stored off the system, the needfor adaptive technologies for data encryption becomes more critical. As these adaptive
technologies emerge to support encryption, program protection requirements will also evolve.
The complementary approach of integrating layered protective measures will likely yield themost cost-effective and robust means to prevent compromise of the data and/or technologies.
4.4.5 Unified Security Classification Guidance
As sensors are integrated across multiple platforms with similar mission requirements,
the need for unified security classification guidance becomes more evident. Systems will
integrate sensors from multiple classification levels and comply with guidance from various
classification authorities. As conveyed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence,
Associate Director of National Intelligence, and the DoD CIO in the “Intelligence Community
Classification Guidance Findings and Recommendations Report”:
A critical component of effective intelligence collaboration and information
sharing is a common understanding of information classification standards
and policies. Inconsistent interpretation and application of the classificationlevels defined by Executive Order 12958, as amended, often results inuneven guidance, misunderstanding, and a lack of trust between
Intelligence Community agencies and mission partners concerning theproper handling and protection of information. Agency-unique orcontradictory classification guidance can slow or prevent information
sharing across agency, Government, and partner lines. Therefore, we must59

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

create classification guidelines that transcend organizational cultures. True
information sharing and intelligence collaboration cannot occur until all
participants trust that when they provide information it will be appropriately
protected. A capstone Intelligence Community classification guide
governing intelligence information is necessary to enable that trust.
4.4.6 Cloud Computing and Multilayer Security
With the progression of unmanned ISR platforms and the resulting surge of data, the needto disseminate this information to a broad area of users in a timely manner becomes painfully
evident. On a similar note, as DoD continues to feel budgetary pressure, programs are urged tofind ways to more effectively conduct their operations — the Intelligence Community is no
exception. There is a tremendous push to consolidate IT systems, eliminate redundancy, andfocus on a cloud solution instead of traditional desktop or network architectures. It is not
surprising that the Intelligence Community embarks on this endeavor with a great deal of
caution.
There is going to be a cultural shift in addition to a technology shift in theway we do business, and in the agencies recognizing that some of theirindividualities and their equalities are not going to be given up, but they’regoing to interface with them in a different way.
Cloud computing initiatives are being developed as the Intelligence
Community works to transform its use of IT to a model that incorporates
shared services and requires less duplicative resources.

Grant Schneider,
Deputy Director, Information Management and
CIO, Defense Intelligence Agency
Some of the driving concerns about cloud computing within the Intelligence Community
involve confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Stringent requirements are set to prevent
unauthorized disclosure of classified data. It is critical to ensure that the implementation of acloud computing architecture in the Intelligence Community enables the user to distribute andreceive information, while maintaining the required level of security controls to protect that
information. Integrity of that information must be preserved to ensure that the data are notunintentionally (or maliciously) modified or degraded. Availability to users is a primary concern.
The expansive operational (and often mobile) user environment dictates the need for a robust
cloud computing capability. The increasing requirement for larger volumes of data presents
bandwidth, latency, and storage challenges. As the user base becomes broader and multiple
classification domains are introduced, these challenges become even more difficult to manage.
Incorporating a multiple-security-level network (and the associated requirement for datatagging) presents its own inherent challenges: combining these networks into a well-defined,
interoperable architecture requires extensive consideration. As agencies move to a centralizedarchitecture, security processes, policies, and standards must be integrated into a unified,60

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

enforceable structure. This transition is not simple because agencies are already operating underwell-established processes and governances. Initiatives are in place to incorporate cloudcomputing in the Intelligence Community. The residual challenges reside in how the operational
platforms will be able to incorporate their mission CONOPS and platform architectures into thecloud to enable more effective information dissemination.

4.5 Persistent Resilience
By working with Service sponsors and their respective laboratories in aligning the S&T
portfolios to the warfighters’ needs, the Services must take a synergistic approach to provide
linkages and insight to upcoming technology initiatives across the unmanned systems portfolio.
To that end, persistent resilience is a key component to all unmanned systems, regardlessof whether the system is being used in air, ground, or maritime domains. The Navy is currently
developing a Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAS under the Persistent Maritime
Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office (PMA-262). BAMS UAS, now called Triton, isbeing developed to provide persistent ISR, which to successfully execute will not be possible
without the resilient subsystems that make up the overall UAS. In simplistic terms of a system orsubsystem, without resilience, persistence is not possible. Resilience is the ability for an
application, system, or subsystem to react to problems in one of its components and still provide
the best possible service. Persistence is the continuance of an effect.
The areas where emerging technology enablers should focus for persistent resilience are
•
•
•
•
•

Size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) (see 4.5.1)
Reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) (see 4.5.2)
Survivability (see 4.5.3)
Structures and material degradation (see 4.5.4)
Propulsion (see 4.5.5)

4.5.1 Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling (SWaP-C)
DoD wants to reduce the size, weight, and power consumption of military platforms, as
does the consumer electronics business, because large SWaP-C impedes mobility and raises
maneuvering costs. Day-to-day operations may require tradeoffs in available time on task when apayload must be added at the expense of less fuel. If the payload is too large to add into existing
internal space, it may have to be added externally. External placement can add drag to a UAS
and reduce time on task. Additionally, some program offices are currently being constrained by
the power consumption of payloads. These programs must look at upgrading to larger, more
powerful generators, which add more weight, take up space, increase heat, and cause coolingconcerns.
Miniaturization generally enables smaller systems and, when combined with more
persistence, often minimizes investment. Miniaturization also generally reduces weight andpower consumption. Therefore, SWaP-C issues can be addressed by focusing on compact sensor
operation on dynamic platforms. In development under DARPA’s PINS/HiDRA programs is a
six-degrees-of-freedom cold atom IMU, which is an example of a miniaturized three-axis gyroaccelerometer currently being developed to address package size, weight, and power61

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

consumption while still providing precision navigation. Additionally, focus is turning towardmodularity of payloads, which allows plug-and-play capabilities in joint and combinedarchitectures. Plug-and-play attachments are capable of rapid integration into existing systems,
including joint systems that integrate into an OA in which the interfaces comprise open standards.
As DoD envisions cost savings by reducing stovepipe development and shifting toward
standardized architectures to further enable interoperability, modularity will also play a key roleto ensure interoperability, ease of upgrades to systems, and synergized DOTMLPF-P.
Miniaturized systems that allow multirole, multi-mission capabilities will further reduce costs by
allowing Services and program offices to leverage modular systems that have already beendeveloped. Ultimately, less continual investment is required when a smaller volume cancontinually accomplish the same missions. Figure 19 summarizes the goals for SWaP-C for
unmanned systems.
p2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Miniaturized Position,
Navigation, Time (PNT) solutions;
Miniaturized Warning and SelfProtection Systems; Adaptive Power
Generators; Improved / Smaller
Batteries and Lithium-ChemistryBatteries; Overall Power
Improvements without Additional
Volume, Weight and Heat.

Mid-Term: Improvements in
Micro and Nano Technology;
Improved Power and Energy
Density.

Long Term:
Improvements in Energy
Storage and Energy
Harvesting; Extreme
Environmental
Conditions Battery
Technology.

Figure 19. SWaP-C Goals for Unmanned Systems
4.5.2 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM)
Reliability and maintainability are critical performance attributes for unmanned systems
to accomplish their missions and to achieve required operational availability. With many
unmanned systems being required to provide persistent support, such as ISR for periods of 24 to
30 hours (and potentially more in the future) by one vehicle, it is inherent that the systems arereliable with low failure rates. Use of failure rate will be consistent with any reliability parametersuch as mean time between failure (MTBF). Systems must meet or exceed mission reliability
goals to ensure that unmanned systems can reliably accomplish their missions once they havebeen deployed. Furthermore, when a system becomes degraded, it must be simple enough tomaintain and replace, especially in the austere expeditionary environments with little
infrastructure support in which these systems are being operated. These systems must remain
simple and supportable by the operators and maintainers in the field. Built-in tests may besufficient at a weapons-replaceable-assembly (WRA) level, but at a system or subsystem level,
the lack of integration causes RAM issues.
The more reliable the systems, the more cost effective they become over the life cycle.
As well, the simpler a system is to maintain and repair, the more cost savings it provides.
However, one of the largest challenges to maximizing system RAM is the potential impact todevelopment and production cost. Another hurdle to achieving RAM in systems is the continued
pursuit of new capabilities, which often consumes program resources at the expense of RAM. To
overcome this hurdle, it is important for strong RAM requirements to be developed concurrently
with the system CONOPS and capability requirements. Satellite systems are designed to last
without repair for years and sometimes decades by necessity, but that also comes at a significant
62

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

development and production cost. To achieve total ownership cost effectiveness in RAM, higher
reliability materials and parts must be used to reduce sparing levels, improve maintainability(including enhanced integrated diagnostics), and reduce levels of corrective/direct maintenance,
etc. Figure 20 summarizes the goals for RAM for unmanned systems.
y,

y

y

p

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Low cost/high reliability
materials and components;
Prognostics Health Monitoring (PHM)
Algorithms for Existing Systems;
Composite Repair Improvements;
Corrosion Control; Software Maturity
Prediction and Growth Methodologies(including a better understanding of
the integration of software and thecomputational environment and therequired testing); Composite
Manufacturing Technologies for Repair
Parts Fabrication (out of autoclave);
Wireless Data Transmission(elimination of signal wires).
Standardized RAM-Cost (RAM-C)
modeling and analysis (including Life
Cycle Cost and CONOPS optimization)

Mid-Term: Low cost/highLong Term: Low
reliability materials andcost/high reliability
components; Integration ofmaterials and
Health Monitoring
components; Material
Design/Coding with
Behavior Prediction and
Prognostics Design/Coding;Integration with
Composites Flaw
Structural Prognosis;
Detection/Resolution
Advanced
Technology; Methods forTroubleshooting to
Predicting Hardware Reliability Component Level;
Based on HALT Tests; Sensor
Reduce Scheduled andFusion for Diagnostics andUnscheduled
Prognostics; Composite
Maintenance; Robust
Manufacturing Technologies
Life-prediction infor Repair Parts Fabrication
Automated Logistics(additive manufacturing forEnvironments.
structural components): Direct Collection and LongWriting Technology
term Storage of all PHM(elimination of signal wires).
Data.

Figure 20. RAM Goals for Unmanned Systems
4.5.3 Survivability
Survivability is a function of five key elements:
•
•
•
•
•

Detectability is the probability of being discovered by an enemy force.
Susceptibility is the probability of being hit or jammed in a particular environment.
Vulnerability is the probability of surviving if hit or jammed in a particularenvironment.
Stability is the probability the vehicle will reliably operate in the manner that was
intended after it has been hit or jammed in a particular environment.
Crashworthiness is the probability the vehicle and its load will survive an impact
without serious damage.

An important characteristic of unmanned systems is that to some extent their loss is
acceptable if it prevents the loss of warfighters or innocent civilians. Areas of survivability thatare always a challenge, particularly for UAS, are susceptibility and vulnerability. Many of thewarning and self-protection systems that are found on manned platforms may seem applicable tounmanned platforms because they face the same threats. However, the vehicles typically havenot been designed with the SWaP-C or, in some cases, the maneuverability of the manned
platforms, which would more easily support the warning and self-protection systems currently
used on manned platforms. The warning and self-protection systems found on manned platforms
require high electrical power, which causes high temperatures, or heat, in the avionics
compartments; because UAS (and unmanned systems in general) have smaller compartments,
heat dissipation is a constant issue. Adding to the heat issues, due to bandwidth limitations in
uplinks and downlinks, more and more processing is being done aboard the platforms to reduce63Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

the high amounts of raw data being transmitted via the C2 links. With the need for more
processing power aboard the platforms come increases in temperature on the small computer
chips and boards of the survivability systems. Another challenge area in susceptibility andvulnerability is jamming or spoofing. Miniaturized solutions for anti-jam antennas or SAASMs
to counter threats such as GPS-denied environments are needed. Again, unmanned systems are
typically smaller than manned systems; however, some unmanned systems still have large radarcross sections, IR, and acoustic signatures that make them detectable and, therefore, susceptible.
Cost effectiveness in the area of survivability is going to be achieved much the same waythat it will be achieved in SWaP-C. Survivability systems require a lot of power and put out a lotof heat, which, in the smaller compartments of unmanned systems, can cause RAM issues. By
miniaturizing the survivability systems and improving power consumption and heat dissipation
with more reliable and durable components, cost savings can be realized. This approach will alsotranslate into systems that can be used by both manned and unmanned platforms and thereby
provide a way to leverage common systems across similar and dissimilar platforms.
Additionally, improvements or new technologies, e.g., IR signature reduction or low IR paints,
must be cost neutral to standard paints and equipage currently being used. These products mustalso remain as maintenance and cost recurring friendly as possible. Figure 21 summarizes thegoals for survivability for unmanned systems.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Miniaturizing Warnings and Mid-Term: Light Weight Towed
Decoys; Smaller/Lighter Radar
Self-Protection Systems ( Anti-Jam,
SAASM, etc); Antenna Improvements;
Warning /Missile Warning
SWaP-C Improvements / Power
Receiver Sets for
Efficiencies; Increased Onboard
Countermeasures; ElectroProcessing Capability for Warning and Magnetic Pulse Protection.
Self-Protection Systems; RF/IRCountermeasures / Use for Slow
Movers; Cooling/Heat Dissipation for
Warning/Self-Protection Systems; MultiSpectral DIRCM (LASER); Signature/RCS
Reduction / Low Infra-Red (IR) Paint;
Crashworthiness; Stellar Navigators(GPS Independent Navigationl ti)Long Term: Improved
Electronics; NitrideTransistor Technology;
Alternatives to SiliconBased Electronics; 3-D
Integrated Circuits.

Figure 21. Survivability Goals for Unmanned Systems
4.5.4 Structures and Material Degradation
Today’s unmanned systems operate in extreme environments ranging from sandy and hot
climates to humid or freezing climates and from high altitudes to fathoms beneath the oceans.
Unmanned systems need optimized material properties that can endure these conditions inaddition to withstanding stress, corrosion, and other structural effects of the operating
environments. Today’s unmanned systems are relying more and more on composite materials
that provide lightweight, flexible, strong structures. While these new composites are currently
difficult and expensive to repair, industry and DoD are making great strides in the design andproduction of advanced composite materials.
The tradeoff for a lighter yet strong material is its high cost. Cost effectiveness forstructural and material durability must now be achieved by focusing on the strength anddurability of materials and structures to reduce or avoid repair costs. DARPA’s Defense Sciences
64Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Office has multiple programs with objectives to improve materials in the areas of novel materials
and material processes, multifunctional materials and material systems, and biologically inspired
materials. However, more industry focus must be on the near term for structures and material
degradation. Figure 22 summarizes the goals for structures and material degradation for
unmanned systems.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Corrosion Protection,
Mid-Term: High-Fidelity
Detection, and Mitigation; Structural
Residual Strength and Life
Mode Characterization; High-Loading; Prediction Tool for Adhesively
Lightweight Structural Materials;
Bonded Composite Structures;
Advanced Structural Concepts;
Innovative Approaches forMaterials Degradation/Corrosion;
Enhancing Interlaminar Shear
Structural Protection /Maintenance;
Strength of Two-Dimensional
Advanced Joining Methods for CMC
Composite Reinforced Flex
subcomponents; Durable
Beams and Yokes; Composites
Thermal/Environmental Barrier
Flaw Detection/Resolution
Coatings; Manufacturing/Fabrication
Technology.
Processes for Affordable CMCs in Hot
Section Applications. Use of nano tube
technology for EMI hardening, anti-icing
and maintenance prediction

Long Term: Advancematerial science. This
area is currently one of
the focus areas for
DARPA and its Defense
Sciences Office (DSO).
For more background on
the DARPA DSO
programs in thesematerial areas, visit thefollowing link:
http://www.darpa.mil/
Our_Work/DSO/Focus_A
reas/Materials.aspx.

Figure 22. Structures and Material Degradation Goals for Unmanned Systems
4.5.5 Propulsion
As mentioned in 4.5.4, today’s unmanned systems operate in many different and extreme
environments. With these external factors, fuel-efficient propulsion and power output is needed
for the many systems aboard unmanned systems. Persistence in conducting missions such as ISR
is not possible without adequate propulsion and power. Unmanned systems must maintain theirhealth, currency, and technical superiority with innovative approaches for increasing power andthermal management and improving power output and thermal loads. Many of today’s persistentsystems rely on efficient forms of propulsion that are sustainable for long-endurance missions.
Other systems require propulsion that can be optimized for long range and endurance or
optimized for high speed. Additionally, systems such as UUVs face challenges to extend
endurance into months with energy technologies that are air independent. Regardless ofproviding propulsion for an air system or a surface system, a propulsion system must be not only
efficient, but also adaptive to faults by continuing to operate in a degraded state or by stabilizing
itself and returning to a normal state.
As technology for propulsion systems continues to evolve and improve, the areas ofmaintenance, sustainment, and lifecycle cost reduction will always remain key to achieving costeffectiveness. Smarter systems (via software and computers) should allow for diagnostics orlogic-based tools to perform “virtual inspections” and thereby reduce the time to troubleshoot thesystem or its components. Likewise, validated propulsion health monitoring systems will allow
for just-in-time maintenance. Also, biofuels that are renewable and that meet or exceed militaryor jet fuel performances metrics will help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, as
mentioned above in RAM, the more resilient propulsion systems become, the more cost effective
they will be, and the more cost savings they will provide. Figure 23 summarizes the goals for
propulsion for unmanned systems.

65

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038pp2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: More Efficient ElectricalPower Generation, ThermalManagement; Air Independent Energy
Systems (UUV); Quick
Recharge/Refueling (UUV); Jet Noise
Reduction; Component Technologies
Accommodating Increasing
Power/Thermal Loads; Hot-Section
Materials and Coatings, Maintenance,
Sustainment, Life-Cycle Cost
Reduction; High Capacity & Power
Battery Technology.

Mid-Term: Introducing Geared
Turbofan Developments into
Smaller Systems; Future
Vertical Lift; Turbo-machineryand Drive Systems; Variable
Cycle Engine Technologies;
Hybrid turbine-electric power.

Long Term: Fuel
Cell/Non Hydrocarbon
Fuels (same propulsive
qualities and similar or
lower cost); Bio-Fuels,
Alternative Fuels, New
Energy Sources.

Figure 23. Propulsion Goals for Unmanned Systems
4.5.6 Summary
As stated in 4.5, the areas of focus for emerging technology enablers in persistentresilience are
•
•
•
•
•

Size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C)
Reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM)Survivability
Structures and material degradation
Propulsion

For unmanned systems in future middle- to high-intensity combat against more capable
adversaries, persistent resilience must not be limited to traditional analysis of just the unmanned
vehicle(s), but must also investigate the ground, communication, tactics, and manning aspects
that collectively provide the unmanned systems capability. The ultimate benefit from this activity
is the avoidance of significant loss of unmanned systems capability and resulting adverse combat
outcomes for the total force. The objective of early analysis of persistent surveillance is toachieve early identification of system weaknesses in the context of known and projected threats;
subsequent identification, analysis, and exploration of alternatives to mitigate significant
weaknesses; and the development of material solutions and/or training and tactics solutions toinstitute before encountering such conflicts in the future.

4.6 Autonomy and Cognitive Behavior
Unmanned systems that have the option to operate autonomously today are typically fully
preprogrammed to perform defined actions repeatedly and independently of external influence orcontrol; that is not to say these systems are unmonitored. These systems can be described as selfsteering or self-regulating and can follow an externally given path while compensating for small
deviations caused by external disturbances. However, the automatic system is not able to initiallydefine the path according to some given goal or to choose the goal that is dictating its path.
The future of autonomous systems is characterized as a movement beyond autonomous
mission execution to autonomous mission performance. The difference between execution andperformance is that the former simply executes a preprogrammed plan whereas performance isassociated with mission outcomes that can vary even during a mission and require deviation from66

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

preprogrammed tasks. Autonomous mission performance may demand the ability to integratesensing, perceiving, analyzing, communicating, planning, decision making, and executing toachieve mission goals versus system functions. Preprogramming is still a key part and enabler ofthis kind of operation, but the preprogramming goes beyond system operation and into laws andstrategies that allow the system to self-decide how to operate itself. Initially, these control
algorithms are created and tested by teams of human operators and software developers.
However, if machine learning is employed, autonomous systems can develop modified strategies
for themselves by which they select their behavior. An autonomous system is self-directed bychoosing the behavior it follows to reach a human-directed goal. Various levels of autonomy, in
any system, guide how much and how often humans must interact or intervene with theautonomous systems. In addition, autonomous systems may even optimize behavior in a goaldirected manner in unforeseen situations (i.e., in a given situation, the autonomous system finds
the optimal solution).
It is important to note here that automation is only as good as the software writer anddeveloper because the control algorithms are created and tested by teams of humans. In thesealgorithms, the “patterns of life” are critical to automation and must be observed and captured
properly to ensure accuracy and correctness of a decision-making process within the software.
Ensuring accuracy and correctness requires a continual process in which the observe – orient –decide – act (OODA) loops in the software are continually updated via manual analysis, training,and operator understanding of algorithm inputs and outputs. The human brain can function in
dynamic environments and adapt to changes as well as predict what will happen next. In
simplistic terms, the algorithms must act as the human brain does.
To take on increased autonomy in unmanned systems, the systems will require additional
sensors that can provide a more accurate perspective of their surroundings as well as the capacity
to interpret those inputs so that they can respond appropriately to the situation. Additionally, they
will require the ability to be untethered from human interaction. A key enabler in unmannedsystems autonomy will be navigation. Given the dependence UAS have on PNT, the platform
will execute only as well as the accuracy of the PNT in the system. Inaccurate PNT introduces
error to air vehicle navigation and sensor cueing. Mission computers are continuously updatedwith position, air speed, ground speed, and drifts so the UAS can intelligently pick the best routeto take while maneuvering away from restricted areas or boundaries. Navigation alternatives
must be researched and evaluated to overcome dependency on systems such as GPS.
Autonomy in unmanned systems will be critical to future conflicts that will be fought andwon with technology. The near-term area for Air Force and Navy capability development is
implementing land and carrier-based UAS to provide ISR and strike from the land and sea.
Middle- and long-term naval capability will focus on A2/AD. The Air Force and Navy are
investing research and development efforts and procurement programs to overcome these accessthreats and assure the ability of the joint force to project power in support of our allies andpartners and to protect U.S. interests.
An important element of overcoming access threats and maximizing the fleet’s capacity
is unmanned systems. As a result, autonomy in unmanned systems has been identified by Navyand DoD leadership as a high priority. However, specific pathways for the introduction oftechnologies that enable greater levels of autonomy have not been identified. The special featureof an autonomous system is its ability to be goal-directed in unpredictable situations. This ability
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is a significant improvement in capability compared to the capabilities of automatic systems. An
autonomous system is able to make a decision based on a set of rules and/or limitations.
To aid in the ongoing solutions for autonomy on unmanned systems, the Naval Research
Advisory Committee is conducting a study to clarify the potential of autonomy to transform
naval operations and eventually the operations of other Services. The study will explore thecurrent and anticipated potential of technology to achieve various levels of autonomous
operations. The study will also consider potential naval uses of autonomy, with emphasis on
maritime systems, and the challenges associated with realization of these applications. The study
will consider autonomy as a capability that is enabled by a set of technologies, such as sensing,intelligence, reliability, and endurance. Advances in these technologies are key to permitting anautonomous system to make decisions in the framework of an operational mission. The study
will assess state-of-the-art autonomy and identify technical shortfalls or opportunities tosignificantly advance the capability. The goal is to identify where autonomy has high potential toenable naval missions; however, implementation of autonomous systems also introduces
operational challenges, such as affordability, policy, and doctrine.
Additionally, S&T development programs are underway in the Air Force, Army, andNavy as well as at DARPA. While applications of autonomy among the Services tend to be
applied to a specific domain of interest, in many cases the underlying technology is applicable
across domains. For example, the Air Force is developing teaming technologies for air platforms,
while the Navy and Marine Corps are applying similar technologies to ground vehicles and the
Army is applying similar technology to robots. The following subsections detail efforts by the
Department and show similarities where appropriate.
As the level of autonomy increases, manpower savings can be achieved and/or humanresources can be redirected to other tasks. As examples, Army tactical robots could ultimately
augment manning in small units, Marine Corps intelligent UGS may also conduct logistics
missions, and Air Force/Army systems are envisioned to be designed so a single operator cancontrol multiple UAS. All these systems offer the opportunity for significant manpower savingsor the opportunity to use the saved manpower in other critical tasks.
As DoD advances the state of the art in autonomy, industry and academic partnerships
will be critical. Investment to produce affordable systems will allow unmanned systems tobecome ubiquitous on the battlefield.
4.6.1 Today’s State (2013–2017)
In general, research and development in automation is advancing from a state ofautomatic systems requiring human control toward a state of autonomous systems able to makedecisions and react without human interaction.
Related to UAS, the Navy is partnering with the Air Force in advancing airborne sense
and avoid (ABSAA) technologies. The Army is leading the ground-based sense and avoid(GBSAA) common requirements development coordination for the Airspace Integration IPT. In
addition to technologies for airborne operation, the Navy is investing in development ofautonomous deck operations. In the near term, autonomous deck operations research and68Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

development includes technologies to support high operating tempo (OPTEMPO) launch andrecovery of small UAS and precision on-deck UAS locating and tracking.
A major goal of naval developments for Marine Corps applications is to make systems
smarter and cheaper. The Navy is developing low-cost, ubiquitous, intelligent, tactical UGS thatwill operate as a force multiplier integrated with manned, unmanned, and optionally mannedsystems. The current state of autonomy for most tactical UGS requires human decision makers
and LOS communications. Systems that are autonomous require highly structured andpredictable environments. In the near term, Navy research focuses on transitioning fromteleoperated UGS to autonomous logistics connector UGS with independent path planning
functionality and doctrinally appropriate maneuvers and behaviors. Further, the Navy isdeveloping technologies to navigate trafficable on- and off-road terrain at tactically appropriate
speed. Affordability is a key requirement for all these developments, and effective operation inday, night, and GPS-denied environments is critical. In the near term, the Office of Naval
Research is developing technologies that will enable a 2016 limited military utility assessment of
the logistics connector Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), which includes multimode
perception, day and night operation, and complex terrain traversibility.
We can’t support small teams of Marines using robotic platforms whose
sensors cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and whose software cost
millions or in some cases billions of dollars to develop.

— George Solhan, Director,
Office of Naval Research Code 30
The Army S&T vision is one where manned and unmanned systems work together withgreatly enhanced capabilities in the following five problem domains: adaptive tactical reasoning;
focused situational awareness; safe, secure, and adaptive movement; efficient proactive
interaction with humans; and interaction with the physical world. The Robotic Collaborative
Technology Alliance (RCTA) uses the following anthropomorphic shorthand to describe these
five problem domains: think – look – move – talk – work. 67 Figure 24 summarizes the Army’s
vision for these five problem domains, barriers to achieving its vision, and work to be done toadvance toward the vision.
In the near term, the RCTA plans a Capstone Experiment in FY2014. See Figure 25. The
Capstone Experiment is centered around a notional cordon-and-search operation: during urban
transit by a small unit (i.e., four to five soldiers), a fugitive is reported to have entered a building
the unit is approaching. A man-transportable robot is instructed to “cover the back door” of thebuilding by the unit commander because he cannot safely split up his limited resources. The
robot must understand and acknowledge the order, associate the order with its perceived
environment, move safely and securely to an appropriate vantage point, observe activity behindthe building, and report any salient events to the unit commander. As needed, it enters thebuilding and negotiates stairs or other mobility obstacles. It then returns to its unit, maintaining
situational awareness, and is ready for another assignment. While this narrative occurs in thecontext of a cordon-and-search operation, its underlying capabilities support a broad range of67

Robotic Collaborative Technology Alliance (RCTA) FY2012 Annual Program Plan.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

potential operational missions. Similar to the other Services, middle- and long-term work by the
RCTA will continue to evolve and improve capabilities to increase the level of autonomy insystems from the current, remotely operated systems to autonomous systems and system-ofsystems (SoS) approaches.

Barriers to Achieving our Vision ----- >"Think" Adaptive Tactical Reasoning
Understand tasks, missions (METT-TC)
Follow semantic instructions
Generate behaviors to achieve mission,
adapting to changing situation
Understand teammates and what they need toknow"Look" Focused Situational Awareness
Maintain SA relevant to current task/mission
Contribute to general SA of unit
Look for salient unforeseen events
Observe and report on salient activity"Move" Safe, Secure and Adaptive Movement
Move cognitively in reaction to safest route in
the world (as people do) with GPS or othermetric crutches
Move in tactically and continually relevant
mannerAdjust to mobility challenges such as terrain,
weather, barriers"Talk" Efficient Interactive Communication
Receive and acknowledge semantics
instructions
Explain own behavior
Report information relevant to mission
Seek guidance as needed"Work" Interaction With Physical Wold
Inspect and manipulate objects
Transport objects as needed
Open doors, windows, hoods, trunks, etc.
Use tools as needed

Simplistic andShallow World
Model
World Model iseither at only ametric level
precluding
reasoning, or atonly a cognitive
level without
physical grounding

No Shared
Tele-operated or
Understanding of(at best)
Missions and Roles
Scripted Planning
Objects in the world Bots are almost
Bots are opaque andare perceived
always tele-operated distributed, and cannot
primarily only as
or at best only
explain what they aremobility regions not perform sample
doing - primarily
as discrete objects of scripted behaviors - because they don't
semantic andand scripting allknow
cognitive importance needed behaviors is
not tractable
Mobility-Focused
Perception

World model needs
to represent
concepts such as
missions, tasks,
and generally METTTC.
World model needs
to represent,
maintain, monitor,and correct all info
needed for SA.

Robots need togenerate behaviors
pertinent toachieving themission, adapt tochanging situation.
Robot needs tocontribute to thegeneral SA of the unit,
noting salient
observations.

Robot needs to reporton salient observations
as needed to otherelements of its unit.

Robot needs to send
and information
relevant based on ashared perception(common ground).

World model needs Robot needs toto represent wide perceive well enoughvariety of objects to to interact effectively
be manipulated.
with objects in a 3D
world.

Robot should learn bycomparing its
observations and actions
to those of ts humancounterparts.
Robot needs to learn fromits movement experience
whether from mobility
challenges or tacticalbehavior.

Robot needs to receive Robot needs to be able tolearn through cognitiveand acknowledge4
level interaction withcognitive-level
human teammates.
instructions andsimilarly explain its own
behavior.
Robot needs to figureout how and when to
manipulate ortransport objects asneeded.

Figure 24. Army’s Vision for Five Problem Domains(Think – Look – Move – Talk – Work)

70

Bots must be explicitly
programmed to do tasks,
so it is intractable toproduct the needed scopeof behavior. Any learning
capability is shallow andlacks generalization

Robots need to be able
to follow instructions
given at a semantic or
cognitive level, not just"goto (x,y)."World model needs Robot must perceive Robots must move into store andall entities in its
a tactically correct
operate upon allenvironment relevant manner and react toentities needed to to safe, secure, andchanges in mission or
relate movement to adaptive movement. circumstances.
tacticalconstraints.
World model needs
to have sharedmental models as abasis for humanrobot interaction.

Missing or Shallow
Learning Capabilities

Robot needs to learn frominteraction with thephysical world, e.g. whendoor is locked.

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Figure 25. RCTA’s Capstone Experiment in FY2014

4.6.2 Middle-Term Future State (2017–2022)
The middle-term future state in the 2017–2022 time frame will consist largely of a further
maturation of near-term capabilities. Middle- and long-term goals primarily increase capability,
scale technologies, move from ground-based to platform-based technologies, and move thecapability further along the scale from automatic to autonomous behavior. As an example, theAir Force’s multiple-aircraft manager could be matured to include management of transit
operations involving multiple UAS, which could reduce crew requirements and optimize theallocation and use of crews.
The Navy’s middle-term technology developments will evolve near-term technologies togreater levels of autonomy and team-oriented behaviors. In the middle term, naval autonomousdeck operations research includes technologies for autonomous flight deck awareness andmovement, decision aids for interactive manned/unmanned operations, and robust intelligent
autonomous flight deck operations. Middle-term plans for Marine Corps UGS include transition
from autonomous logistic connector to integrated operations with dismounts with followme/come-to/go-to capability; autonomous “wingman” capable of human-like tactical behaviors;
in-stride support of Marine Corps rifle squads, including tactical decision making while in enemy
contact; advanced perception of individual humans, urban environments, and effective operations
71Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

in challenging weather conditions; and enhanced human-robot interaction that enables teaming
and trust.
4.6.3 Long-Term Future State (Beyond 2020)
The long-term state for unmanned systems will bring further maturation of the middleterm capabilities. It will also bring higher levels of automation. It will allow concepts like smart
teams of unmanned systems operating autonomously to conduct operations in contested
environments. It will also allow concepts like “loyal wingmen,” i.e., unmanned systems that
operate in conjunction with manned platforms to conduct operations.
Similarly, naval research and development for both shipboard systems and marine UGS
in the long term are focused on greater automation and SoS. The desired long-term capabilities
for UGS include fully autonomous, multirole platforms with independent and cooperativedecision making. Additionally, the Marine Corps desires self-sustaining, integrated warfightermachine SoS approaches in the long term.
4.6.4 Key Enablers and Concerns
To fully realize the operational benefits of autonomy, certain key enablers must be
available. Included among these are mission planning that is dynamically modifiable; precise
navigation and timing; cross-cueing sensors; handoff capabilities and information transport toother onboard systems; and data dissemination to GCS operators, controllers, and edge
warfighters. Autonomous controls are required to develop and disseminate requisite information
tailored to bandwidth and user profiles. Precise PNT is critical for autonomous systems
operation. PNT allows for freedom of movement, understanding of the operational area, collision
avoidance, and sensor and weapons cueing. Precise PNT must be maintained even in harsh andGPS-denied environments. Ultra-high precision inertial navigation systems and other non-GPS
navigation systems will be key enablers for autonomous system operations.
Additionally, cross-cueing and/or dynamically retasking of multi-intelligence
sensors/modes and/or weapons capabilities are required to support onboard processing thatprovides aided target recognition, identification, and tracking. Filtered target information must be
passed to onboard weapons systems as the onboard cueing and/or tasking of onboard sensor
target information is confirmed. Change and status notification must be given to UAS operatorsand operations intelligence staffs so they can monitor, and override if necessary, the autonomous
payload and/or weapons systems information and controls. The system must be able to operate ina continuous OODA loop. This ability will depend on well-written and tested software, coupledwith sensors that allow the system to autonomously observe and react to patterns of behavior. To
achieve autonomy, this OODA loop interaction must occur continuously and must not be basedon a single point in time.
As autonomous systems become ubiquitous, efficient utilization of bandwidth will be a
key enabler. As more autonomous systems occupy the battlefield, MIMO communication
networks could be one of the crucial technologies. Further, bandwidth must be used efficiently
and effectively to prevent denial of service.
Finally, several concerns are associated with full-scale operation of autonomous systems,
many of which are related to the key enablers. As examples, maintaining accuracy and72Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

availability of PNT is a key concern. Proper training and timeline to develop the operational
experience that enables the continuous OODA loop are additional concerns. Development of theability for operators to turn processing on and off and conserving bandwidth via metadata
standards are additional concerns. Lastly, development of appropriate rules of engagement for
utilizing processed information and for lost links is a developmental concern. As autonomy
development continues to proceed from automatic to autonomous systems, developers must
address these concerns.

4.7 Weaponry
The increased use of unmanned systems as weapons delivery platforms has been asignificant step in the integration of unmanned systems in the battlespace. Unmanned systems
can be used in significantly different operating and threat conditions than manned platforms,
come in a much wider range of classes and sizes than manned systems, can exhibit greater
persistence and endurance than manned systems, and have the potential to support a large rangeof mission sets.
The introduction of remote video links, enabling operators to monitor the unmannedsystems payload view in real time, enables users to employ weaponized unmanned systems withmore flexibility and with improved confidence. Network-enabled systems employing distributed
C2 elements with ISR and armed airborne assets (either separate platforms or integrated into asingle unit) benefit from progress made with unmanned systems and precision-guided weapons.
Typical weapons that could be adapted for UAS use include the Laser Homing Attack or
Anti-Tank Missile (LAHAT) (Figure 26). As early as 2004, this weapon was proposed for testingwith U.S. Hunter UAS. LAHAT utilizes the semi-active laser homing guidance method toaccurately home in on targets from a distance beyond 10 km. Fitted with a shaped charge
multipurpose warhead, LAHAT can engage targets marked by a laser designator mounted on the
launching platform or by an indirect designation from another unit located closer to the target.
Each missile weighs about 13 kg, and a complete launcher with the four missiles weighs only
75 kg, significantly less than any alternative weapon.

Figure 26. Laser Homing Attack or Anti-Tank Missile (LAHAT)
The laser-guided SPIKE (Figure 27) was developed by the Weapons Division of theNaval Air Warfare Center with assistance of DRS Technologies. Originally designed as a manportable weapon for the Marines and the Navy’s special operations force, SPIKE fills a criticalniche for a low-cost, lightweight guided weapon for U.S. ground forces. It is also considered fortactical UAS and a force-protection weapon to defend surface ships from small-boat swarms orlight aircraft. The missile uses a semi-active laser seeker to engage laser-designated targets from73

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

a distance of two miles. Each SPIKE missile weighs 5.3 lb (2.5 kg) and is 25 inches (63.5 cm)
long. The missile performed its first controlled flights in 2005. The Spike missile is designed to
be used on medium-weight and lightweight UAS. The missile has already been tested with the
DRS Sentry HP drone at Eglin AFB, Florida, as part of Air Force UAS Battlelab evaluation.

Figure 27. Laser-Guided SPIKE
Another type of lightweight weapon considered for UAS is the 2.75-inch Hydra-70
rocket. In 2005, four 2.75-inch rockets were fired from Vigilante UAS test bed and demonstrated
the weaponization potential of rotary-wing UAS. The tests evaluated the stability and flightcontrol adjustments necessary to compensate for excessive loads during the weapon’s firing. On
these tests, the Vigilante was controlled from a nearby UH-1 manned helicopter. Such tests will
provide important data for the integration of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System(APKWS II) with future rotary-wing UAS.
APKWS II is intended to fill an aviation systems weapons gap between the Hellfire
missile and unguided Hydra-70 2.75-inch rocket and introduce an affordable, lightweight,
precision aerial guided rocket. APKWS II weighs about 13 kg and integrates a strap-down laser
seeker (fixed in the wing roots) and guidance section onto the Hydra-70 rocket. It will beeffective against soft and lightly armored targets as well as urban operations. A new design uses
existing or new production rockets, fitted with a middle-body guidance approach that employs a
distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker; the same element is also used in the Army’s
Precision-Guided Mortar Munitions program.
APKWS II will use the Hydra Universal Rail Launcher (HURL), a lightweight four-rail
launcher originally developed for the Comanche attack helicopter but modified for use with
UAS. Designed as a “smart rocket launcher,” HURL can be linked to onboard avionics through
MIL-STD-1760 and MIL-STD-1553 interfaces.
A version of a 2.75-inch laser-guided rocket called Direct Attack Guided Rocket(DAGR) is designed to be fully compatible with the Hellfire II system and 229 smart launcher
system and, therefore, to increase the launcher load out by up to four times.
Switchblade (Figure 28) is a weapon designed for hand, tube, or aerial launch that could
provide the warfighter with a rapid delivery to gather ISR information on BLOS targets.
Designed as an expendable system, Switchblade will also have an option to carry a small
explosive charge to enable rapid prosecution of selected targets with minimal collateral damage.
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The miniature, remotely piloted or automated platform can either glide or propel itself via quiet,
electric propulsion and provide real-time video for information gathering, targeting, or feature or
object recognition.

Figure 28. Switchblade Munition
Adapting proven weapons technology with new concepts to take advantage of unmannedsystems persistence and emerging net-centric capability, manned and unmanned teaming will be
critical to improving the sensor-to-shooter equation and further decreasing in the kill chain
timeline. However, certain technological issues must be addressed to further enhance unmannedsystems as weapons delivery platforms in the near, middle, and long term.
4.7.1 Interoperability
No current weapons system employed from unmanned systems was designed specificallyfor unmanned vehicles. As discussed in other sections of this chapter, the capability need to
rapidly deploy weapons on unmanned systems drove design compromises in interoperability.
The same rigor now being applied to systems interoperability must be used to address current
concerns and design of future weapons systems for unmanned systems:•••

Cross-Service, cross-platform interoperability and capability. Manned platform havesettled on common armament interface units, bomb racks, and logistics. Unmannedsystems should follow this lead, especially with shipboard storage and employment
concerns, logistics, training, and flight certification.
Interchangeability within classes of unmanned systems where practicable as well aswith manned systems where practicable.
CONEMPs and TTPs standardized across the services.

The OSD USIP WG initiated a Weapons USIP (USIP 5.0) based on a recommendationfrom the I-IPT and Services. This effort was a truly joint approach to enable efficient UAS
weapon integration to significantly reduce risk with mature, standardized interfaces. USIP 5.0
helps to define the mandatory implementation of standards and specifications to achieve aninteroperable mode of operation for internal and external exchanges for all weaponized UAS andapplicable manned platforms. The USIP also includes an IOP to address cooperative engagement
and the Joint Digitally Aided CAS (DACAS) project. Once approved by OSD(AT&L), USIP 5.0
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will be maintained on the DISR as a mandated standard and shared with the appropriate NATO
Standardization Agreement (STANAG) bodies for incorporation into international standards.
4.7.2 Unmanned System–Specific Weapons
To take advantage of all classes of unmanned systems, especially UAS, technologicaladvances in specific areas must be addressed in weaponry to arm multiple classes of unmannedsystems:
•

•

•

•

Weapons designed for multiple missions. The ability to select the yield of theweapon in advance of employment is often referred to as a “scalable effects”
warhead. The ability to vary the explosive power of a warhead has clear implications
for reducing risk to friendly forces and civilians and also for reducing unnecessary
damage to infrastructure other than the intended target. Historically, the notion ofvarying the explosive power of a warhead has been primarily linked with nuclear
weapons, where the term “dial-a-yield” is generally used. In this case, the amount ofmaterial that can “boost” the yield (for example, tritium) can be varied, as can theperformance of “initiators,” which allow a chain reaction to propagate. Achieving thisscalability with conventional (i.e., chemical) explosives presents different challenges.
A plausible explanation of how this may be achieved would be varying the manner inwhich the explosive material contained in the warhead is detonated.
Weapons designed with multiple modes. Current multimode requirements arederived from current and future mission environments, such as frequent bad weather.
In current operations for both manned and unmanned aircraft, a mix of weapons iscarried to ensure the proper weapon is available for the weather and threat at thetarget area. Depending on the environment, often only half of the bomb load is
employed. For certain classes of unmanned systems, this approach is simply not an
option. A true multimode weapon will be an essential aspect of arming unmannedsystems. However, multimode weapons are only part of the solution. The ability tointegrate unmanned systems within the manned weapons construct, while taking
advantage of the unmanned systems’ inherent traits of endurance, survivability, etc.,
will be key. They must be able to target and track moving threats reliably andprecisely and identify the target and acceptable collateral damage in bad weather andwith many targets in a cluttered environment. This goal will require a common
network between human observers, the unmanned system, and other delivery
platforms and weapons.
Weapons design for use within the unmanned systems environment. The
potential weapons operating environment for unmanned systems will be significantly
different from comparable manned platform performance envelopes and weapons
engagement envelopes.
Standardized weapons designs including modular designs, interchangeable withinsimilar unmanned systems from different services and designed for shipboard storageand employment.

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4.7.3 Advanced Weapons Technology Areas
4.7.3.1 Nanoenergetics
Energetic materials contain chemical energy that, when released, can burn rapidly, suchas in fireworks or rocket fuel, or explode, such as in a grenade or bomb. Energetic materials at
the nanoscale show promise for military applications. Nanoparticles have more surface area and,
therefore, have increased contact with the other chemicals that make up a propellant or
explosive. After a reaction is initiated (that is, the explosion is set off), this greater surface area
causes a faster reaction rate, which makes for a more powerful explosion. This work could be
useful in weapons systems that would utilize greater amounts of energy, making them morelethal. By working at the nanoscale, weapons designers can also control the rate at which energy
is released by changing the size of the nanoparticles; in other words, the designers could
customize the explosive for each application. For example, a weapon designed to penetrate into
the ground to destroy a bunker may need an explosive with a different reaction rate than aweapon designed to explode and project shrapnel above ground troops. See Figure 29.

Figure 29. Nanoparticles and Explosions
An example of this technology is the use of aluminum nanoparticles in explosives that the
Air Force is developing. When nano-aluminum powder is added to explosives, weapons can bemade smaller and more powerful. These weapons are useful in aircraft with limited space, suchas remote control drones. Researchers are developing techniques that allow weapons
manufacturers to add a greater amount of nano-aluminum powder to an explosive using asolvent.
4.7.3.2 Advanced Weapons Materials
Significant research is ongoing at Service and national laboratories in areas such as
polymers, metals, ceramics, composites, and bio-inspired materials. Unmanned systems arelooking for opportunities to transition to these advancements to reduce SWAP-C and enhancesafety and survivability, where applicable.

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4.7.3.3 Unmanned Systems as a Weapon
The theory of aerial dominating weapons is not new, but to date its implementation has
remained limited by current technology to few, specific contingencies, such as the suppression ofenemy air defense (SEAD), where targets could be clearly identified and pursued with radarhoming weapons.
Israel pioneered this field with the Harpy loitering SEAD weapon, developed by Israel
Aerospace Industries. The system has been acquired by several countries including China,
Turkey, South Korea, and India. Israeli Military Industries is demonstrating a similar
multipurpose warhead for its Delilah air-launched missile, yet this weapon is quite large forconventional UAS. A follow-on to Harpy, known as Cutlass, was developed under U.S.-Israeli
cooperation. While the program has not been officially concluded, Israel is known to haveoffered advanced Harpy systems to several customers, including the United Kingdom, where it
was proposed as “White Hawk,” for the British Loitering Munition Capability Demonstration
under cooperation with Missiles, Bombs, and Deadly Ammunitions (MBDA). Another Israeli
company, RAFAEL, competed for the same program, offering the BLADE (Battlefield Loitering
Artillery Direct Effect), based on a modified Sparrow M UAS
designed and produced by EMIT.
A different concept developed for the Army, pursued
area domination by a combination of several types of loitering
NLOS missiles. The original concept included “smart” loitering
weapons, which would provide area surveillance, target
acquisition, and pursuit of time-critical attack, while othertargets would be engaged by precision attack missiles (PAMs),
fitted with imaging IR seekers. However, this concept proved
too costly and complex. The Army eliminated the loitering
missile-sensor element and deployed the NLOS launch systemwith the PAM, as a weapon repository ready to support combat
units, targeted by assets available to the unit over the network.
Various types of air domination systems are being
considered by the Air Force to enable a military force todominate an area from the air for extended periods and deny enemy movements andmaneuvering. Current systems under consideration are standard weaponized UAS or small
expendable loitering weapons, fitted with imaging sensors, such as the Low-Cost Autonomous
Attack System (LOCAAS). Operating in swarms of “intelligent munitions” weapons, the
LOCAAS can autonomously search for and destroy critical mobile targets while aiming over awide combat area. Recent enhancements of the LOCAAS concept introduced man-in-the-loop
functionality to enable retargeting and the ability to abort attack by a human controller whenrequired. Further enhancements could integrate the LOCAAS into a “Surveilling Miniature
Attack Cruise Missile” (SMACM) “mothership” carrying four LOCAAS units. The mothershipwill be able to support the units with targeting, surveillance, and communication support andextend the range and persistence of the basic version beyond 250 nautical miles. LOCAAS andSMACM are designed to operate in open area and pursue stationary and mobile targets ofopportunities as soon as they are exposed in the open.
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

A tremendous amount of work has yet to be done in the area of autonomous systems as aweapon. Current systems have less than optimal loiter times and are not readily adaptable to the
shipboard environment and the strike fighter mission. As well, advances in interoperability,
materials technology, and fusing have not been incorporated across the unmanned systems
spectrum.
Figure 30 summarizes the goals for weaponry for unmanned systems.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+

Desired Capabilty

Near Term: Integration andinteroperability of current weapons
employed for unmanned system.

Mid-Term: Unmanned specificweapons development.

Long Term: Long Term
Nano energetics.

Figure 30. Weaponry Goals for Unmanned Systems

79

5 Operating Environment
5.1 Introduction
The world’s markets, technologies, and regulatory environments for unmanned systems
are evolving rapidly and creating opportunities in platforms, payloads, leasing, operations, andmaintenance. DoD is looking beyond Iraq and Afghanistan towards a world of rapid
deployments to trouble spots where airfields may not be available. After U.S. forces begin
withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 in accordance with presidential planning, commanders
expect to focus on contingency missions where the United States may have no establishedpresence. UAS must then operate from ships or beaches rather than from fixed bases. Airborne
launch of unmanned platforms is another approach.
Unmanned systems are better suited than manned platforms in some circumstances. In
anticipation of such use, every segment of unmanned systems — the deployed platform, control
station(s), and control link(s) — must all be considered from the earliest stages of program
development. The environment must encompass all influences on this extended system, not justfocus on the platform itself. System technology program requirements must be outlined in a
CONOPS that details how the system is to be used in the intended physical operating
environment and provides a baseline for all system requirements.
In addition to operating unmanned systems in strenuous physical environments, programsmust also account for the ability to operate within existing regulations and within sociallyacceptable means. There will always be regulatory uncertainty when a revolutionary technology
is introduced, as is the case with unmanned systems. A prime example is the consideration of
UAS flights in the NAS, where UAS must operate within the FAA Federal Aviation Regulations(FARs). Even in cases where UAS do meet all applicable FARs, users of the UAS must consider
the safety of the general public and abide by applicable privacy laws. Similarly, UGS intending
to operate on U.S. public roads must at a minimum comply with Department of Transportation(DoT) regulations and federal, state, and local motor vehicle laws, but should additionally showsafety and traffic efficiency enhancements to gain acceptance from the general public.
The unmanned systems safety guide for DoD acquisition references DoDI 5000.1, which
instructs program managers to prevent environment, safety, and occupational health (ESOH)
hazards, where possible, and manage ESOH hazards where they cannot be avoided. The
unmanned systems must also comply to the Army equipment spectrum certification (ESC),
which allows program management offices and others to apply for new equipment frequency
allocations (i.e., spectrum certifications), request changes to existing spectrum certifications,request host nation coordination, and submit questions. The system tracks these “requests” andprovides real-time status updates and mechanisms to collaborate with the Spectrum Management
Office, which processes the request. Currently, the ESC process manager supports only Armyrequests while Navy and Air Force versions of this system are under development. Also,
unmanned systems must meet information assurance requirements for their complex softwaresystems as these systems must interact with other systems and humans through networked C2
systems to share information and control these systems. The Navy and Air Force have differing
versions of this same process.

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5.2 Problem Statement
The operating environment of the unmanned system is a critical factor in determining theappropriate level of autonomy and the capability to maneuver as needed to accomplish themission.
The intended physical operating environment provided in a CONOPS and other program
requirement documents will help determine the level of technology that must be applied to theunmanned system. More stressing physical environments will most notably affect the level ofautonomy required, along with the capability to act on the situation at hand.
Similarly, in the regulatory environment, program plans must account for the regulatory
hurdles that are typical with revolutionary technologies. Individual technologies must be
carefully examined at every level in the system until the appropriate levels of technologicaladvances are defined to be capable of overcoming such hurdles.
These concerns are especially important and apply to A2/AD scenario planning factors.
These factors include technologies supporting survivability, anti-jam, all weather, andpersistence capabilities as described in Chapter 4.

5.3 Physical Environment
The physical operating environment provides the basis for the unmanned systems
capabilities. Ideally, unmanned systems should be able to adapt to any environment but, toconstrain the problem, many state-of-the-art unmanned systems are currently designed from theground up to operate within an assumed environment.
The UAS physical operating environment may vary greatly. Generally, UAS will operate
in similar conditions as manned aircraft, i.e., in all weather, from low to high altitude, and in
airspace that is congested and possibly contested. Some UAS, such as Triton, are intended to fly
in maritime environments at both very high and low altitudes. Flights at lower altitudes must
consider saltwater and humidity in both design and operation, while high-altitude operations
must consider extreme temperatures and the lack of air pressure. Also, the altitude transitions
through weather and additional stresses will require additional capability considerations.
The physical operating environment determines the basis for UGS capabilities.
Operations for future UGS will vary from occurring in structured and semi-structured
environments to occurring outside a defined perimeter on semi-structured to unstructured terrain
in support of force protection or physical security missions in more hostile environments. UGS
maneuvering must account for environmental conditions (e.g., obstacles, threats, roadconditions) in addition to the system performance. Further environmental classifications, such asurban/rural, forest/open, road/non-road, indoor/outdoor, must be addressed with regard to UGS.
DARPA and the auto industry continue to pursue automated technologies that could
allow UGS to operate in a variety of conditions. Current efforts allow vehicles to operate withinpavement lines, operate in sequence, stop when objects are ahead, and take caution when foreign
objects are near (such as deer). Many of these efforts are intended to enhance vehicular safety,
but also assist unmanned systems technology through increasing automation.
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The intended physical operating environments for UMS are in and around harbors,
strategically placed within major shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, or possibly out inthe open ocean. Although maneuvering with no roads and no “water traffic controller,” USVs
must be capable of avoiding ships, docks, floating debris, and navigation aids and must staywithin proper navigable waters (i.e., not run aground). In addition, USVs must operate inaccordance with collision regulations (COLREGS). 68 Because not all maritime traffic (including
military and commercial) always follows the COLREGS, however, autonomous behavior ismore difficult to develop for USVs.
On the other hand, although UUVs have the risk of running into underwater obstructions,they do not typically have to worry about other vehicles. Furthermore, there are also nonavigation rules for underwater operation. For UUVs operating in a stressing environment suchas open ocean, the technology must be capable of providing enough power to last long durationsof time while autonomously performing their missions even when communication links arelimited.

5.4 Policy and Regulatory Environment
Unmanned systems programs must consider all the policies and regulations of theappropriate authorities as program planning begins. UGS may need to operate on public roads
where DoT is the regulatory authority within the United States, while UGS on foreign lands mustremain within the policies of the host nations. Projects conducted by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration will provide valuable data to develop safety standards andperformance requirements, which will help ensure the safe testing and subsequent operation ofautonomous vehicles on public roads. New technologies for UGS must be tested for safety andverified by the appropriate regulatory authority.
The primary regulations controlling the safe navigation of U.S. vessels are the navigation
rules published by the U.S. Coast Guard. 69 These rules are applicable to international and inland
waters. The international waters rules are based on the 1972 International Regulations forPrevention of Collision at Sea (72 COLREGS), as amended, a treaty that the United States
adopted in 1977.
The Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC) was established by the U.S.
Congress to advise the Secretary of Transportation, via the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, on
matters relating to the prevention of collisions, rammings, and groundings. In May 2011,
NAVSAC recommended to the Coast Guard that UMS be required to comply with the navigation
rules, including some amendments deemed necessary for UMS compliance.
In addition to safe navigation rules, UMS must comply with other rules and regulations,such as for RF communication equipment operation and for environmental restrictions covering
the operation of sonars and underwater acoustic instruments.
Safe operation of aircraft within domestic national airspace is governed by the FARs
maintained and published by the FAA. Compliance with the FARs requires a pilot in the cockpitof the aircraft to “see and avoid” other aviation traffic. Therefore, UAS by nature cannot comply
68
69International Regulations for Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREGS), 1972.
COMDTINST M16672.2D, Navigation Rules, International – Inland, 23 November 2011.

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with the FARs. DoD UAS operations outside of restricted or warning areas within the NAS are
currently required to obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) from the FAA inaccordance with FAA Order 7610.4, Chapter 12, Section 9. 70 The order identifies informationthat should be included in the COA request, including a description of the intended flight
operations, UAS characteristics, and lost link procedures.
Outside U.S. sovereign national airspace, foreign nations have designated civil aviation
authorities (similar to the FAA) that regulate and exercise governance over their sovereign
national airspace. Furthermore, when operating in international airspace (i.e., over the high seas)
DoD UAS observe International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight procedures whenpractical and compatible with their mission. However, in accordance with DoD policy (andconsistent with international law) when operational situations do not lend themselves to ICAO
flight procedures, such operations may be conducted under due regard. 71 In designated combat
airspace, DoD UAS operate in accordance with instructions provided by the designated airspacecontrol authority. 72
5.4.1 Testing and Certification
Testing of UMS is required for the Military Departments to be able to certify compliancewith regulations and demonstrate safe operations.
USVs must meet the same requirements of a manned craft or boat that is intended to be
put into service. Testing unmanned systems in general is a significant challenge and can be very
costly. For example, if it is impossible to put a man aboard a USV, the amount of time andexpense increases significantly to verify that the propulsion system is working correctly. The
Navy has developed a guide for testing USVs and drafted an approach to certifying USVs. The
guide and draft certification method are available from the Naval Surface Warfare Center
Carderock, Detachment Norfolk. 73
To be able to fly in any airspace, DoD UAS are required to be certified as airworthy.
Airworthiness certification is a core acquisition and engineering process conducted for systemsafety and takes into account material, service life, and mission requirements within the intended
airspace.
Level of certification depends on the mission requirements of the system. A certification
allowing unlimited NAS access may be cost prohibitive and unnecessary. For systems that do not
require full airspace access or are constrained by cost or other technical hurdles, military
departments may impose operational restrictions when issuing airworthiness statements for UAS.
Examples include flights within a shipboard environment, only in uncongested airspace, or underother certain conditions with specific safety precautions. UAS may be allowed very limitedaccess to the NAS, such as flights limited only within restricted or warning areas or only over
unpopulated areas with other restrictions if little is known about the system or the operationalrisks are deemed too high to permit operations within the NAS.
70

FAA Order 7610.4P, Chapter 12, Section 9.
DoDI 4540.01, Use of International Airspace by U.S. Military Aircraft and for Missile/Projectile Firings,
28 March 2007.
72
JP 3-52, Joint Airspace Control, 20 May 2010.
73
Scott Sampson, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Detachment Norfolk.
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83Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

5.4.2 Sense and Avoid (SAA) Capability
SAA is a technical approach that has been
proposed to bridge the gap between the FAR
requirement for a pilot in the cockpit to “see andavoid” and the “unmanned” nature of UAS. In
general, an SAA system should include the ability toperform the eight functions listed in Figure 31. Itshould be noted that for DoD UAS, expanded accessto the NAS based on SAA technology will requirecontinued use of COAs until current FAA policy,
guidance, or regulations can be changed.
5.4.3 UAS Executive Committee (ExCom)

Figure 31. SAA Self-Separation Functions

The UAS ExCom was developed from a recommendation on conflict and dispute
resolution from the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. It is a focal point for seniorleaders from DoD, FAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and theDepartment of Homeland Security to resolve any policy and procedural disputes and to identify
solutions to enable the integration of DoD and other federal agency UAS into the NAS.
The UAS ExCom approved the UAS NAS Access Plan in October 2010, which addresses
the milestones, policy recommendations, flight standards, and operating procedures necessary toprovide a path for UAS integration into the NAS. The ExCom continues to work on many of theissues and recommendations identified in the plan, including continued improvements to the
COA process as well as policy and procedural updates to enable significant improvement in UAS
NAS access. In addition, the ExCom extended the COA expiration interval from 12 to 24 months
and formalized an agreement on allowing transition from Class D airspace to adjacent Restricted
or Warning areas. The ExCom is actively working to improve several other policy-related UAS
issues, including
•
•
•
•

5.5

Developing processes and procedures to allow multiple unmanned and manned
operations in Class D airspace
Simplifying the process for UAS to operate in Class D airspace from military airfields
Simplifying the process for, and expanding the access of, SUAS to operate in Class G
airspace
Allowing UAS flights in remote operating areas with limited restrictions

Technology Application

An unmanned system may include a SoS. For example, a USV may host a UAS and
UUS, or a UAS can provide inflight refueling to another UAS, or a UAS may be deployed as acommunication relay station for UGS. Unmanned systems may be part of a greater system
including manned elements as well. Technology developments must assess the impact each has
across the rest of the system components or other systems.

84Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Technology will improve the performance of our systems and allow them tolast longer, to use fewer people, to cost less, and to provide more relevant
information, where it’s needed and when it’s needed.
5.5.1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
One of the key capabilities UAS currently provide to the warfighter is persistence, forexample, persistent ISR. Technology improvements can expand persistence much further, but
programs must consider the operating environment while incorporating the technology. As an
example, one technology application is onboard data processing. This automation technology canhelp minimize critical bandwidth necessary to transmit ISR data to the warfighter and may also
be suitable for reducing the intelligence officer workload and decreasing the time in the killchain.
Key technology enablers that UAS will encounter in operational environments include
C2 links, SAA systems, sensors and displays, separation algorithms, and interoperability.
5.5.1.1 C2 Links
As an essential component of UAS by definition, solutions to problems associated withlink spectrum availability, latency, and reliability must be developed in all operating
environments. Spectrum considerations should be fully understood for UAS to operate at any
given location for C2 and also for SAA (where radar is employed). For C2 within LOS, theUnited States and other countries have an approved spectrum allocation to globally use the
Aeronautical Mobile (Route) Service 5030–5091 MHz band. For BLOS, the WorldRadiocommunications Conference (WRC) was unable to reach agreement at the WRC-12, butwill continue studies for decision at WRC-15. The WRC-12 decided that no additional spectrum
allocation was required for SAA purposes.
5.5.1.2 SAA Systems
An SAA system, whether ground, air, other, or integrated, will result from the effective
use of many technologies. The SAA system will be a SoS, including sensors to detect and track,C2 subsystems to transmit information to a display providing situational awareness to a qualified
pilot/operator, and algorithms to recommend or implement maneuvers depending on varying
degrees of autonomy. Complex SAA systems may allow for formation flights or multiple
shipboard operations in both SUAS and large UAS environments, all while preserving or
enhancing flight safety.
5.5.1.2.1 Ground-Based SAA (GBSAA) Systems
A GBSAA system is designed to provide safe separation for UAS operations within aprescribed volume of airspace using a ground-based system of sensors, displays,communications, and software. The sensors perform detect and track functions while algorithms
and/or displays assist the pilot/operator with the requirement to evaluate, prioritize, declare, anddetermine the best course of action to avoid a hazard. The mission-critical information isprovided to the pilot/operator in a GCS or at the operating station to enable the pilot/operator to85

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

make decisions to safely navigate the airspace. Future developments may automate maneuvers
and allow more efficient use of the airspace and the easing of air traffic management tasks.
5.5.1.2.2 Airborne Sense and Avoid (ABSAA) Systems
ABSAA development efforts are focusing on an onboard capability to perform both selfseparation and collision avoidance to ensure an appropriate level of safety. The capability isintended to give pilot/operators the ability to avoid conflict and collision avoidance with otheraircraft in a safe and efficient manner in all classes of airspace. Early versions of this technology
may function similarly to early phases of GBSAA by requiring the pilot/operator to initiate
maneuvers, but work is being done to enable autonomous
action by the aircraft, or pilot-on-the-loop operations, where
the system can identify and react to conflicts. Current
programs have phased validation schedules for flights within
airspace in which DoD is authorized to operate with due
regard, en-route/Class A, and divert/Class E/Class G
operations as technology innovation and integration allow.
5.5.1.3 Sensors and Displays
Although developing common and interoperable
sensors across multiple types of control systems and extensible to multiple platforms is best forthe current fiscal environment, UAS sensors mustbe customized to the mission environment.
Miniaturization of sensors will allow additional
capabilities on smaller UAS and/or will enable
the capability to collect more information aboard
a single platform. Displays built for SAA
functions should be common and compatible
across the Services, regardless of GBSAA or
ABSAA applications, as well as across air traffic
services (see Figure 32). This compatibility will
reduce training costs and allow the development
Figure 32. UAS Pilot Simulator Trainingof common terminology and understanding.
5.5.1.4 Separation Algorithms
For the foreseeable future, a pilot/operator will have direct decision authority for all UAS
actions; this approach is known as “pilot in the loop.” Predicated on the failure of self-separation
and approaching collision avoidance scenarios, the addition of separation algorithms will aid thepilot/operator in completing the mission. Such algorithms will also be needed for autonomous
systems. This capability applies in the NAS, foreign airspace, and combat zones, but may bemost applicable in open ocean and other areas where flights would be conducted under “dueregard” regulations where air traffic services are not available.
5.5.1.5 Interoperability
UAS will be operating in an increasingly crowded airspace with the potential need tointeract with manned assets. The UI2 CBA identified and prioritized IOP gaps in airspace86Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

integration and interoperability capabilities. Decision makers on the ground must be able toaccess sensor systems for both manned and unmanned aircraft to enhance situational awareness.
Video data must be capable of transferring between aircraft to maintain ISR continuity.
Therefore, interoperability standards must be in place so the right information gets to the rightpeople. Initial stages of this type of interoperability were demonstrated during the Army’s
Manned Unmanned Systems Integration Capability (MUSIC) exercise in September 2011. This
technology needs continued maturation across the military departments to meet DoD
interoperability goals.
5.5.1.6 Other Technologies
Technology can be used to improve survivability under hostile environments and also
improve overall reliability of unmanned systems. Improved reliability will make them more
acceptable to a cautious public. Power systems can allow the endurance of a UAS to expand
further beyond today’s limited envelope. Also, as sensor payloads continue to improve andcollect more data (such as FMV), data processing techniques must be able to smartly filter
relevant data to pass to the ground within the limited bandwidth available.
5.5.2 Unmanned Ground Systems
The ability to maneuver effectively in a wide range of environments is a requirement thata UGS must meet. Those environments could include being thrown or launched, climbing hills or
stairs, and hopping and landing upright. The technologies for advancing this capability are
primarily autonomy, sensors, and avoidance algorithms.
5.5.2.1 Autonomy
The ability of the UGS to navigate autonomously is largely dependent on the accuracy
and robustness of its perception system, which seeks to create an accurate model of its
environment. Designing a perception system capable of dealing with all types of environments isvery challenging with the current technology. To constrain the problem, current state-of-the-art
UGS are designed from the ground up to operate within an assumed environment(s). If theseassumptions are valid, the UGS often operate effectively. The UGS will fail to operate as
intended, however, when circumstances are different from assumed. To alleviate this problem, it
is desirable to have a perception system that can adapt to various environments. To be able toadapt, the UGS must understand the context of its environment and recognize when that context
changes. One possible method of
understanding context is through theclassification of video imagery. Once anenvironment is classified, UGS require
perception adjudication that specificallyaddresses the perceptual needs of the UGS at
run-time. A number of factors dictate theperceptual needs of UGS, including mission
awareness, environmental complexity,
mobility requirements, and the sensor
capabilities necessary to build contextual
information from the environment. The
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enabling technology supporting these factors includes hardware and software related toautonomy, communications, power, vision, architecture, warfighter machine interfaces,
manipulators, terrain mobility, and payloads.
5.5.2.2 Sensors and Avoidance Algorithms
Although collision avoidance systems on unmanned systems have been tailored for UAS,
there is also a great need to apply them to ground systems. Examples of this technology include
collision avoidance algorithms, traffic pattern recognition, and navigation. While avoidancesystems for UGS may come about from UAS technologies, a good opportunity to leveragedevelopments comes from the auto industry. The auto industry has a much greater ability toapply research and development technology funding with the initial focus on improving safety,
and many of these technological developments will apply to making UGS safer as well.
5.5.2.3 Other UGS Technologies to Consider
Other technologies may also give UGS greater flexibility within its intended
environment. Interoperability may be a very important consideration to reduce costs and add
efficiency, especially as the sensors become more complex. Issues such as dual-use sensors,
high/low data, data storage, and secure communication links may all be very important toevaluate. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications have the potential to greatly increase safety bysending and receiving data messages across equipped vehicles and translating the data into
warnings to the driver of potential collisions. Several top auto manufacturers are quickly
developing prototypes with varying technologies for civil auto applications. These technologies
will benefit the civil community through fuel and time savings and improved safety and willcertainly have benefits to DoD as well.
5.5.3 Unmanned Maritime Systems
UMS may be used for a variety of purposes.
They can ensure security within harbors, scan forproblems on a ship hull, sweep an area for mines,
secure critical waterways, provide ocean tracking, andmore. Because of the operating environment, thetechnology that allows these capabilities is unique.
Like UAS, persistence is a key capability that UMS
can provide; however, unlike UAS, UMS allow morethan just persistence. For example, the largest issue
with UAS is their inability to operate in bad weather or
low visibility. UUVs, on the other hand, can operate in poor weather conditions. Therefore, DoD
can continuously scan for mine drops or follow an enemy threat such as a submarine. In any
case, persistence requires improved power and propulsion systems, autonomy and dataprocessing, improved communication systems, and advanced sensors.
5.5.3.1 Power Systems
Certainly powering for long-term persistence is a large challenge. Having the ability tosprint at high speeds to intercept a target is not the only power requirement. Towing also requires
power; for example, the mine warfare mission typically requires a significant tow load — much88Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

more than a normal craft’s capability. Certain supporting payloads are also very power intensive.
A USV carrying other UUVs or USVs would have to recharge or refuel the other payloads, andthis requirement would require more power.
5.5.3.2 Autonomy and Data Processing
Like UAS or UGS, UMS can be preprogrammed for certain missions. For example,
UUVs can autonomously scan the hull of a ship for threats or other foreign objects within harboror scan a geospatial area for mines. However, the technology gets more complex as the level ofautonomy increases. The appropriate autonomy level plays a key role in persistence during
clandestine missions, e.g., the ability to sense and avoid hostile forces and to detect and avoid
obstacles such as approaching vessels, fishing nets, or more conventional obstacles like rockformations or coral heads. Autonomy may also play a key role in the capability to diagnose andreact in a proportional manner to UMS internal failures (fault management) during long
missions, especially in clandestine missions. For these types of missions, the UMS needs thecapability to send important, relevant information as needed, such as relaying the track of adetected threat.
Data processing enables the transmission of a reduced amount of data like beam-formed
sonar images instead of raw, stave data, without compromising quality. Not only is there a need
to use preprocessing to reduce the amount of data transmitted, but also automated target
recognition enables target discrimination, i.e., reporting contacts of interest instead of sending
entire images for human interpretation.
5.5.3.3 Communication Systems
Communication systems on UMS drive the need for advanced
data processing techniques. Undersea C2 limitations preclude
teleoperated solutions, and such limitations drive UUV autonomy
needs. Bandwidth is much lower with acoustic signals compared to RF
signals; therefore, wireless data rates are reduced. In clandestine
operations, C2 links must extend over long distances into the undersea
environment to provided operators with situational awareness andsupervisory control over a UUV.
5.5.3.4 Advanced Sensors
New technologies enable real-time adaptation and optimizationof sensor settings and unattended tactical planning for sensor
employment according to the environmental conditions. Because a human is not around torecognize that the sensor is not operating optimally, sensors need the capability to adapt to
optimize their abilities. In addition, they must improve in other areas:•

Marinization. Typically most commercial sensors are built for UAS. Theirenvironment is simpler compared to USVs and UUVs. Not only is salt water aproblem, but the accelerations and shock from bumps are well above anything
experienced by a UA.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038•••

Built-in test. Sensors must have the ability to know and report when they are notworking correctly so the control system can take appropriate action.
Data fusion. To be truly useful in the future, sensor data output must be standardized
for incorporation into a fusion engine providing for a better world view (i.e.,understanding of the environment around the unmanned system).
Additional capability. Sensors must allow for faster operation (i.e., as speed of a
USV increases, cameras and radars must be able to see further and clearer todetermine the proper course of action so the vehicle has time to react).

Sensors must continue to be developed and improved to gain even more capability androbustness in a maritime environment.

5.6 Way Ahead
To operate within the existing regulatory environment, programs must comply withexisting policy framework or get policy waivers because policies tailored to unmanned systems
are still in development. Regulatory and cultural hurdles must be carefully considered early insystem development. In this paradigm, technology development and tests will help shape theappropriate requirements, standards, and regulations. Industry will help frame what is possible as
the “state of the art,” and programs will define what is fiscally responsible. Once the standards
and regulations are complete, PORs can then create requirements for their systems with acomplete set of expectations.

5.7 Case Study: Air: Airworthiness and GBSAA
Services programs and
CCDRs that require UAS must
define the types of airspace theyrequire for their missions. The
CONOPS should define theoperating environment,
considering the NAS for
training before deploying
overseas in a foreign airspace.
Two important factors, although
not the only factors, for UAS
flights in the NAS are theairworthiness of the vehicle andthe SAA solution to comply
with FAR or COA requirements. Below, we quickly examine these factors in a case study of the
Army Gray Eagle at Fort Hood, Texas. The Gray Eagle currently requires a COA to transit from
Joint use Class D airspace to restricted airspace a short distance away.
Like manned systems, the Gray Eagle vehicle must be certified as airworthy and properly
equipped to fly in the intended airspace. The aircraft structure, propulsion system, control
redundancies, software, and control links must all be certified to a certain standard defined by theService’s technical airworthiness authority (TAA). However, the Army has determined thatcertification costs are prohibitively expensive to certify the Gray Eagle to manned aircraft90Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

standards. Therefore, the Army TAA takes into account the potential risk of a failure and the
population density below the intended flight path, which would cross over a road. To minimize
risk to people and property on the ground, the Gray Eagle will fly perpendicular to the road andtake other similar precautions.
The Army has a clear understanding of the airspace the UAS must transit, equipage
requirements for that airspace, normal aircraft traffic patterns, surrounding terrain, and otherpotential hazards to accomplish its training mission. The Army decides that GBSAA is thechosen SAA solution based on mission requirements and costs. The GBSAA radars monitor theairspace for potential conflicting traffic, and algorithms assess the potential for conflicts andsuggest heading changes to the operator to maintain separation.
The combination of these efforts allows the Army to confidently navigate the airspacesafely with regard to other airspace users as well as people and property on the ground. Thissolution provides the capability to accomplish the training mission without incurring high costs
such as transiting the entire unit to another location.

5.8 Summary
Technology is evolving rapidly, and this fast evolution is challenging regulatory
authorities to keep pace with needed rules and regulations as well as challenging military
departments to keep costs down when abiding by DoD acquisition and management processes.
Every aspect of the operating environment, including the physical and regulatory, should be kept
in mind at every stage of the acquisition life cycle. Guidance is currently available from each
Military Department although the requirements and standards must still be developed.
Unmanned systems are ideally suited to increase the envelope for the physicalenvironment. They are often built with the intent of putting them in harm’s way and avoiding
risk to a pilot, operator, or controller. The timeline in Figure 33 shows the technical path toward
successful increases in capability across the domains for the next 25 years.

91Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Goals

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+
Nea r Term

Certi fi ed ABSAA a nd
Sepa ra ti on Al gori thms .
Integra ted equi pment
Expa nded Autonomy
Sys tems a nd Avoi da nce
Al gori thms

Improved Power, Comm, a ndSens or Sys tems

Effecti ve Autonomy Sys tems a nd Avoi da nce
Al gori thms . Securi ty Archi tectures

UAS

Incrementa l a cces s to the NAS.
Effecti ve i nforma ti on fus i on

Increa s ed s a fety
Routi ne Acces s to the NAS. a nd effi ci ency for
fl i ghts i n NAS a nd
Due Rega rd ca pa bi l i ty.
worl dwi de. Effecti ve
Effecti ve expl oi ta ti on
forens i cs

UGS

Robus t phys i ca l ca pa bi l i ti es

Effecti ve ma nnedunma nned tea mi ng

Ada pta bl e Sys tems

UMS

Autonomy for s peci a l i zed
mi s s i ons i n l oca l i zed a rea s .
Increa s i ngl y networked s ys tems

Increa s ed mi s s i ons i n
expa nded geogra phi ca la rea sAutonomous
mi s s i ons worl dwi de

UGS

UMS

DesiredCapabilty

Fa r Term

Secure C2 Li nks . Certi fi ed GBSAA.
Certi fi ed Di s pl a ys . Improved
Sens ors . Interopera bl e pa yl oa dExpa nd phys i ca l a rchi tectures .
Increa s e Autonoma ti on forSpeci fi c Ta s ks . V2V Comms

UAS

Technology
Projects

Mi d Term

Integra ted SAA.
Evol uti on wi th
NextGenAutonomous
Archi tecture

Figure 33. Operating Environment Technology Development Timeline92

6 Logistics and Sustainment
6.1 Current Sustainment Environment
The rapid development and fielding of large numbers and types of unmanned systems
present DoD with a significant sustainment challenge. Reliance on joint operations andmultinational coalitions further complicates that sustainment challenge. Joint mission
requirements need matching logistics capabilities that meet the specific mission requirements of
the CCDR.
Evolving requirements often force premature system redesign efforts to meet emerging
warfighter needs. Rapidly evolving technology and economic conditions affect the requirement
and the ability of unmanned systems to meet stated reliability, maintainability, and affordability
requirements. Original equipment manufacturer(OEM) assertions of proprietary interests
complicate organic support. As budget
pressures increase, programs must develop
more cost-effective sustainment solutions. The
transition from supporting the warfighters’
immediate capability requirements to creating
an affordable, long-term sustainment
environment will require a flexible blend of
OEM and organic support to meet logistics
support objectives.

6.2

Problem Statement

The first generation of fielded unmanned systems was focused on the rapid delivery of
immediate capability to the warfighter. Because of the need to rapidly develop and field these
initial capabilities, long-term sustainability planning has often occurred late in the development
cycle. Many programs have been procured as vertically integrated, vendor-propriety solutions
relying on a single prime contractor who was often held accountable to meet many criteria,
including a compressed delivery schedule. These rapidly fielded programs are often immature interms of reliability and supportability and are heavily reliant on contractor logistics support(CLS). In most cases, unmanned systems are no different from manned platforms and require
investments in reliability and maintainability toprovide availability at an affordable cost.
However, reliability, maintainability, andlifecycle costs have been secondary
considerations, and early application of reliability
and maintainability engineering activities to thedesign has been neglected. As programs plan for
long-term sustainment, they must establish
lifecycle sustainment strategies that can costeffectively meet documented warfighter
requirements and comply with statutory
requirements and DoD policies.
93Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

6.3 Challenges to Logistics and Sustainment
The need to quickly field unmanned capability led to shortcomings in the area of logistics
and sustainment planning and implementation. Challenges include
•
•
•
•
•

Sustaining non-PORs
Limited RAM data
Delayed core logistics capability requirements
Transition from CLS for Life to Organic capabilities
Immature or lack of lifecycle sustainment planning

6.3.1 Sustaining Non-PORs
Programs initially fielded as user operational evaluation systems or as rapid acquisitions
in response to JUONs have since transitioned to PORs that provide enduring warfighting
capabilities. Many involve procurement quantities of hundreds of units that will be sustained forthe foreseeable future. The Services have focused on “getting product out the door,” rather thanmaturing and improving sustainability within systems because of the urgent goal to meet
immediate warfighter needs with unmanned systems capabilities. The programs often have notdeveloped the data strategies to support the system for the long term, including procuring failure
and product support usage data. The Services have met the needs of the warfighter by fielding
developmental versions of the PORs as quick reaction capabilities, fielding non-POR sensor andweapons capabilities on POR platforms, and fielding multiple POR low-rate production units
prior to completion of the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) and formal declarationof IOC.
The Services have also developed
innovative, and sometimes ad hoc, logistics
concepts to support near-term in-theater
warfighter readiness. For instance, in 2006, theArmy Materiel Command chartered the RS-JPO
to provide in-theater support via the Joint
Robotics Repair Facility (JRRF) and the Joint
Robotic Repair Detachments (JRRDs). JRRF
provides a one-stop shop for fielding,sustainment, training assessment, and asset
accountability. It also provides support, e.g.,
operational instruction, preventative maintenancechecks, services, and troubleshooting. The
JRRDs, established in Kuwait and Afghanistan, fill an Army maintenance capability gap createdby the acquisition and deployment of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) robotic systems intheater. These organizations operate outside the standard Army logistics system and force
structure to provide training and to issue and repair robotic equipment. The facilities are staffedwith a mix of Government personnel and contractors.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

6.3.2 Limited RAM Data
Much of the unmanned systems capabilities were delivered with large numbers ofdevelopmental and low-rate production assets that were not fully matured or proven to meet thesystem’s RAM requirements. The lack of proven reliability creates a challenge to long-term
system availability and affordability because reliability is typically the single largest designcontrollable driver of operations and sustainment costs. While providing a tremendous capability
to the warfighter, when IOT&E does occur, systems often do not meet their operationalsustainment thresholds and are deemed not suitable.
6.3.3 Delayed Core Logistics Capability Requirements
The rush to deliver these critical capabilities to the field led to a reliance on the OEM tosatisfy sustainment requirements. Prime contractors have been responsible to provide CLS toensure the operational readiness of their systems in the field. In many cases, little organic
maintenance capability at the military organizational and intermediate (field) level has been
established. Program offices have relied on the capacity of the prime contractors’ productionlines to satisfy depot maintenance requirements. The delay in the establishment of organic depot
capabilities sometimes put programs at odds with statutory requirements. Several programs havebegun the transition from contractor support to an organic capability. However, contractor
assertions of proprietary technical data rights, 74 investment costs for support equipment andfacilities, parts obsolescence, and frequent software upgrades create challenges to establishingdepot capability in the near term. In an effort to create organic maintenance efficiencies andcommonalities between the programs, the Services have begun to work together to identify
potential synergies in establishing common sustainment concepts and capabilities. An FY2011
UAS Organic Depot Study recommended the establishment of repair capabilities at a limited
number of depots based on major subsystems to take advantage of existing depot capabilities andcapacity (see Figure 35 in 6.7.1). The Joint Logistics Board endorsed the workload assignment
consolidations and directed that Air Force avionics, ground electronic, software, and sensor
workloads be further evaluated for potential consolidation.
6.3.4 Transition from CLS for Life to Organic Capabilities
For UAS, the same FoS was often selected to meet the requirements for ISR and weapons
platforms of different Services; therefore, a large degree of commonality exists among thevarious platforms and sensors. However, because of the initial strategy of using the prime
contractor for CLS for life to sustain rapidly deployed and evolving capabilities, the various
program offices are just beginning to recognize and take advantage of commonalities by
establishing common logistics infrastructures to reduce investment costs as they develop plans totransition to organic support late in the development cycles.
Contracts for CLS, in many cases, have not been performance based, i.e., requiring
specified levels of readiness, but rather cost-plus-award-fee arrangements providing flexibility torespond to changes in requirements and OPTEMPO. While these arrangements provide an74

10 USC 2320 provides that in the case of an item developed by a contractor or subcontractor exclusively at private
expense, the contractor or subcontractor may restrict the right of the United States to release or disclose technicaldata to persons outside the Government. The statute further states that these restrictions do not apply to technicaldata that are necessary for operation, maintenance, installation, or training.

95Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

immediate advantage to quickly field warfighter operational capability, more affordable
sustainment solutions are required as fleet sizes have grown.
6.3.5 Immature or Lack of Lifecycle Sustainment Planning
Fielded unmanned systems are frequently not managed or maintained as other platforms
are within the inventory. For instance, with Army UGS, the operational urgency and uniquenessof these platforms required a nonstandard approach in integrating these technologies into theforce. This understandable and needed deviation created, as a byproduct, a parallel management
system that bypassed many established processes and procedures. The RS-JPO sustainment
strategy for the family of robots includes improvements and upgrades to current platforms withthe latest technologies. Due to the drawdown from theater, RS-JPO is developing a responsible
drawdown strategy that includes long-term storage and future disposition of robotic systems.
The Army lacks adequate maintenance doctrine to address the technologies incorporated
into robotic systems. Robotic maintenance doctrine has not been delineated in Army doctrine.
Only a small group of operators and personnel within the Army working in the development,
testing, and acquisition of robotic technologies is well acquainted and/or understand the impactof these technologies. RS-JPO initiated efforts to improve the maintenance strategy by
improving databases and how data are analyzed, decreasing top sustainment parts cost drivers,
and outsourcing repairable parts. By improving the way data are collected and analyzed in theCataloging Ordering Logistics Tracking System, JRRF hopes to identify and increase MTBF and
identify systemic parts problems to reduce the number of parts consumed. Also RS-JPO iscurrently working with the OEMs to analyze the repair-versus-replace cost of their top
sustainment parts cost drivers to determine whether the return maintenance actions are being
accomplished efficiently. Future plans also include the possible outsourcing of parts repairs to a
non-OEM contractor. JRRF continues to develop and refine repair processes and serve as thecenter for technician support for all the detachments and training sites.
Multiple challenges exist for sustainment due to the many different configurations of
nonstandard equipment (NSE). The optimum goal is to have modularity across platforms forplug-and-play adaptability. This approach will reduce the number of required repair parts andallow plug-and-play payload options to fulfill multiple capability requirements. This effort will
also maximize the life of the current fleet and save a substantial amount of money in repairs andspare part purchases.

6.4 The Way Ahead
For unmanned systems to move from an environment of rapid development and fielding
to an environment of long-term sustainment, programs must take a lifecycle management
approach. Affordable lifecycle sustainment solutions that meet the warfighter’s thresholdrequirements must be generated to maintain the capabilities of the first generation of unmannedsystems over the foreseeable future. As new unmanned systems and capabilities are developed,
new programs must apply lessons learned to ensure long-term sustainability is addressed early inthe development process.
In September of 2011, USD(AT&L) directed that sustainment plans be developed for all
unmanned acquisition programs and be reviewed for improved affordability and effectiveness.
96Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Lifecycle logistics planning and analysis execution is important from the acquisition phasethrough operations to the retirement phases of the weapon system life cycle. Cross-functional
planning and integration are essential to ensure that supportability requirements are addressed
comprehensively and consistently with cost, performance, and schedule during the life cycle.
The objective is operational effectiveness through an affordable, effective support strategy thatmeets goals for optimum readiness and facilitates iterative technology enhancements during theweapon system life cycle. See Figure 34.

Current State

Life Cycle
Sustainment
Planning andAnalysis

Future State

Contract Logistics
Support• Supportability
Analyses• Core Analysis• Level of Repair
Analysis• Business Case
Analysis

Title 10 Compliant Core
organic Depot
Capability

Field Service
Reps/Depot level
Support At
Organizational level• Supportability
Analyses• Level of Repair
Analysis

Increased O- and I-Level
SupportOrganic Depot Field
Teams

Contractor O/I-level
Maintenance• Supportability
Analyses• Level of Repair
Analysis• O/I level Technicalorders Development

Fully Fielded O/I level
Maintenance Capability

Contractor Inventory
Control Point (ICP)• Supportability
Analyses• Business Case
Analysis• Provisioning Data
Development

Mix ofOrganic/Contractor
Supply based on longterm best value• Requirements
Analysis to establish
Am Metric andrequired Inventory.
Revised Acquisition
StrategySufficient End Item
Assets to Achieve
Operational andMateriel Availability
Goals• Acquisition/Data
Rights Strategy• Business Case
Analysis• Development of
Depot Level Repair
Procedures

Organic Capability
Increased
Government Rights to
Data• Reliability and
Maintainability• Program Reliability
Growth Plan

Increased Reliability
MTBCF Achieved
Growth Curve Met
ReducedO&S Costs

High Equipment
Utilization with limited
pipeline resulting inincreased downtime

Limited Data Rights
Owned byGovernment/
Proprietary Data

Reliability
Requirements notunderstood/not being
met

Figure 34. Lifecycle Sustainment Planning Analysis Way Ahead

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

6.5 Planning for Organic Depot MaintenanceCentral to sustainment planning and execution is the concept of core depot-level
maintenance capabilities. First codified in 1984, the current statute 75 states, “It is essential for thenational defense that the Department of Defense maintain a core logistics capability that isGovernment-owned and Government-operated (including Government personnel andGovernment-owned and Government-operated equipment and facilities) to ensure a ready andcontrolled source of technical competence and resources necessary to ensure effective and timely
response to a mobilization, national defense contingency situations, and other emergency
requirements.”
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2012, as further amended in the
FY2013 NDAA, introduced several new provisions of law relating to the identification andimplementation of core logistics capabilities that affect the sustainment of UAS. The law now
specifically requires a determination of the applicability of core logistics requirements by
Milestone A and an estimate of core logistics capabilities and sustaining workloads by Milestone
B. The identification of core capability requirements and sustaining workloads is now a threestage process linked to the acquisition cycle. The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) must
now certify pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2366a(a)(4), “that a determination of applicability of core
depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities requirements has been made,” prior to Milestone
A approval. 76 Milestone B approval may not be granted until the MDA certifies, “An estimate
has been made of the requirements for core depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities…andthe associated sustaining workloads to support such requirements.” 77 Additionally, “Prior toentering into a contract for low-rate initial production of a major defense acquisition program,the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the detailed requirements for core logistics
capabilities…and associated workloads required to support such requirements have been
defined.” This three-stage process is designed to identify organic depot-level maintenancerequirements early in the acquisition cycle to reduce the necessity for interim CLS and to allow
for the timely establishment of organic capabilities. The determination that a function is corerequires that government-owned and government-operated depot-level maintenance and repair
capabilities and capacity, including the facilities, equipment, associated logistics capabilities,
technical data, and trained personnel, shall be established not later than four years after a weapon
system or item of military equipment achieved IOC or is fielded in support of operations. 78
The early identification of core requirements and sustaining workloads will drive
programs to identify and acquire data required to establish repair capabilities early in theacquisition process. DoD must also be ready to challenge assertions that unmanned systems weredeveloped exclusively at private expense, or at a minimum be prepared to aggressively assert its“Government purpose rights” (under the provisions of 10 USC 2320) to the technical datarequired to maintain these systems. 79

75

10 USC 2464, Core depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities.
10 USC 2366a, Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone A approval.
77
10 USC 2366b, Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone B or key decision
point B approval, section (a)(3)(F).
78
Ibid.
79
10 USC 2320, Rights in technical data.
76

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

6.6 Sustainment Metrics and Performance-Based Logistics
Recent JCIDS guidance requires the establishment of a Sustainment KPP for all ACAT 1
programs in the capability development document and Capabilities Production Documents(CPDs) for the system. 80 ACAT II and below programs with materiel solutions are required toinclude the Sustainment KPP or sponsor-defined sustainment metrics. The Sustainment KPP isstated as a Materiel Availability threshold and objective and is supported by key system
attributes for reliability and for Operations and Support (O&S) costs. Establishing these metrics
early and tracking them throughout the life cycle of the program will help ensure that the
programs can meet the warfighter’s requirements at an affordable price. The flowdown of these
metrics into performance-based logistics strategies to achieve operational effectiveness andsystem affordability is the preferred approach to systems support. 81
Establishment of rigorous reliability growth programs to ensure that programs aremeeting reliability thresholds has great potential to enhance the long-term affordability andavailability of unmanned systems. Incorporating design features to enhance maintainability andsupportability into future UAS has the potential to greatly increase readiness and lower O&S
costs. Incorporating modularity and common interfaces that can accommodate integration of new
sensor, weapons, and communication capabilities without requiring major platform redesigns andretrofits can potentially improve maintainability by simplifying the fault isolation, removal, andreplacement of subsystems. In-flight diagnostic and prognostic technologies have the potential to
improve repair turnaround and improve readiness. As the unmanned systems portfolios mature,
responsible program executive offices (PEOs) and program offices can create opportunities for
efficiencies by adopting policies and processes that encourage the use of common components
and configuration elements, such as batteries, fasteners, electrical distribution panels, andsupport equipment. Commonality creates opportunities for common supply chains, sources ofrepair, and other product support elements.

6.7 Joint Logistics Integration
6.7.1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
As the sustainment of UAS becomes more institutionalized within the organic support
infrastructures for maintenance, supply, and transportation, the accomplishment of much of the
field- and depot-level maintenance will transition from CLS to the Government and military.
Because of similar platform characteristics, subsystems, and manufacturing and repair processes,
there is great potential for UAS programs to team together to reduce investments and operations
and maintenance costs. The use of tools such as public/private partnerships (PPPs) andperformance-based logistics contracts should be explored as methods to reduce sustainment andinfrastructure costs. Agreements across different programs and Services can also reduce the costsof establishing organic repair capabilities and incentivize increases in systems reliability. As aresult of these efforts, overall O&S costs can be reduced.
To facilitate the identification of opportunities to reduce overall investment and O&S
costs, the UAS Task Force has established a Logistics and Sustainment IPT with the Services. In
80
81

CJCSI 3170.01, Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, 19 January 2012.
DoDI 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, 8 December 2008, pg 29, enclosure 2.

99Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

FY2011, a depot WG was established to recommend depot sources of repair for UAS major
subsystems. The group recommended the establishment of depot repair capabilities at a limited
number of depots based on major subsystems to take advantage of existing depot capabilities andcapacity (see Figure 35). The Joint Logistics Board endorsed the workload assignment
consolidations and directed that Air Force avionics, ground electronic, software, and sensor
workloads be further evaluated for potential consolidation. The recommendations resulted inrational depot source of repair assignments for UAS core workloads and generated large cost
avoidances and savings.

Figure 35. Organic Depot Maintenance Sources of Repair Approved Consolidations
In FY2012, the Logistics and Sustainment IPT met to create a forum to discuss lessons
learned and to foster sustainment synergies. The IPT has identified potentially high payoff
strategies of creating partnerships with industry to support families of components, such as
sensors and communication links common across the Services. The UAS programs areresearching opportunities to use existing manned aircraft capabilities to sustain similar UAS
components. The Air Force’s Reaper program and the Army’s Gray Eagle program will use the
Navy’s Fleet Repair Center Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, repair capability for H60 helicopter
MTS-A sensors to repair their MTS-B sensors.
100Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

6.7.2 Unmanned Maritime Systems
The Navy is currently supporting UMS through a combination of OEM and organic
support. In the next few years, the sustainment strategy and infrastructure for UMS must be
formalized and standardized to gain better control of the supportability resources and become
more responsive and effective. The quantities of USVs and UUVs being developed and fieldedin the next decade demand that attention be given to effective system sustainment. An organic
support infrastructure for configuration control, supply support, maintenance, storage, andtransportation is essential to bring efficiencies and cost effectiveness to these critically importantsystems. A planning yard should be established for UMS.
6.7.3 Unmanned Ground Systems
For UGS, due to the tremendous amount of dollars invested into NSE to meet thewarfighter capability gap for the current conflict, the Army’s Capabilities Development for
Rapid Transition process categorized NSE robots into three categories: 1) recommend POR, 2)
retain to support in theater, and 3) terminate. The majority of the NSE robots fall into category 2.
A significant quantity of NSE robotic systems has been purchased and is being maintained using
other contingency operations dollars. These NSE robots have proven to provide a neededcapability to the warfighter and have saved lives. Also, these NSE robotic systems provide someof the capabilities outlined in the documents of developing PORs that meet current and future
operational commander’s capability requirements, but these PORs are not scheduled to be
fielded until FY2015 and beyond. The strategy is to utilize some of the NSE robots as a bridging
capability to the PORs until the PORs are fielded, store them for future contingencies, or utilize
them as training aids. Nevertheless, these NSE robots still require a sustainment package that canbe provided by JRRF or the OEM.

101

7 Training
7.1 The Need to Train
Training is a critical link in delivering warfighter capability. DoD can acquire and deliver
the most technologically advanced equipment, but if the operators, maintainers, leaders,planners, users, and support personnel are not properly trained on the equipment or do not have athorough understanding of its CONEMP, the advantages offered by this warfighting capability
will be lost through its misapplication. A study by the Defense Science Board found that “U.S.
armed forces have a training superiority that complements their technological superiority.” 82 The
report points out, however, that this superiority can be eroded if the acquisition process does notproperly integrate training into equipment development, testing, and fielding. The criticality ofacquisition and training integration is emphasized by the requirement for acquisition program
managers to “work with the training community to develop options for individual, collective, andJoint training” as part of the acquisition process. 83 The report also emphasizes that failure todeliver adequate training venues, where needed, will negate technical superiorities of hardware.
Operators, maintainers, users, support personnel, and leaders must, therefore, be properly trainedat the appropriate levels and intervals throughout their careers using the optimum mix of live,
virtual, and constructive or blended reality training domains so they can use equipment
effectively and to its full design capability. This chapter describes the current state of training forunmanned systems, some of the challenges involved, and the way ahead.

7.2 Problem Statement
Unmanned systems have been a warfighting success story, but work must still beaccomplished in the institutionalized training environment. As operations in Afghanistan draw
down and decisions are made about which systems transfer to a peacetime footing, the Services
will have to make serious decisions about training. These decisions will not be limited to simply
stating recurring training requirements. Rather, the details of how the training will be
implemented must be planned and weighed so that every training opportunity is maximized tooffset its incurred costs. At play will be cultural and political realities; interacting dynamics oftechnology, policy, and regulation; and fiscal constraints. Failure to meet the training challenges
will result in a loss of combat-gained experience and an inability to effectively employ thesesystems in the future.

7.3 Challenges to Training
Even with the success unmanned systems demonstrated on the battlefield, DoD faces
challenges in training. These challenges, as discussed in 7.4, relate not only to the types ofunmanned systems (e.g., UAS, UGS, UMS), but also to acquisition, regulations, technology,
manpower and other assets, and policy and documentation. This discussion is by no means
exhaustive or in any particular order of precedence. Furthermore, DoD fully expects that as new
generations of unmanned systems develop, the variety of missions they perform expands, and82

Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Training Superiority & Training Surprise, OUSD(AT&L),
Washington, DC, January 2001.
83
DoDI 5000.02 Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, 8 December 2008, p.61.

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

priorities change based on circumstances such as wartime, OPTEMPO, NAS restrictions, newchallenges will arise.

7.4 Current Training Environment
Today’s training environment for unmanned systems is similar to that characterized forlogistics and sustainment, i.e., one of playing catch-up, in this case, to provide training support
for the rapid fielding of unmanned systems. The term “disruptive technology” was coined by
Clayton Christenson in 1995 to describe a situation where a technology introduces new priorities
and value structures requiring significant structural adjustments to processes, organizations, andoperational paradigms. The rapid development and fielding of large numbers and types ofunmanned systems to meet expanding contingency needs is an example of a disruptive
technology, which has resulted in significant challenges for the training community. The
challenges presented by sheer unmanned systems numbers, diversity, and rapid fielding arecomplicated by the imminent drawdown of forces in theater and their return to a peacetime
footing with a more stringent regulatory environment.
Improvements in joint operations integration, both at the individual and unit levels, arenecessary to be able to employ combat capability synergistically:•••

Operators must receive tailored training specific enough to support unique Service
mission sets, yet broad enough to allow operators to integrate and contribute in a
coalition environment.
Training programs must adequately encompass initial qualification andproficiency/refresher training while also providing room to accommodate growth astechnology and TTPs improve and evolve.
Training programs must be integrated into the institutional base.

These challenges include such things as availability of resources, policy, and regulation.
DoD is cognizant of these challenges and is making progress toward meeting them. In the future,
the use of common equipment may also significantly reduce overall program costs and time totrain.
7.4.1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
UAS are fielded by all four Services. UAS training has undoubtedly received more
attention than UGS and UMS training. Service training programs are at different stages ofmaturity; however, as unmanned systems have matured, so too have the Service training
programs. In an effort to establish minimum levels of training across the Services, the Joint Staff
developed CJCSI 3255.01, which serves as the foundational crewmember training enabler with
the FAA toward UAS integration into the NAS. 84 To achieve initial manning levels and arrive ata steady-state throughput, the Services have used varying mixes of organic and nonorganic UAS
training, a variety of approaches for the different groups of UAS, and various personnel
strategies.

84

CJCSI 3255.01, Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Minimum Training Standards.

103Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

7.4.1.1 Army
The Army architecture for its Group 3 and above UAS operations includes an aircraft
operator and a payload operator. The Army operates and maintains its RQ-7 Shadows, MQ-5
Hunters, and MQ-1C Gray Eagles. The 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment (2–13th
Aviation), formerly Army UAS Training Battalion (UASTB), located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona,conducts initial entry and military occupational specialty (MOS) training for all operators,
maintainers, and leaders on Group 3 and above UAS. Operators attend a two-phase training
program (see Figure 36) and receive a 15W MOS plus an additional skill identifier (ASI) for theaircraft they are qualified to operate. Maintainers attend a 17-week common UAS repairer course
graduating with a 15E MOS, which qualifies them to maintain the Shadow. Additional courses
and skill identifiers are required for qualification in Hunter and Gray Eagle maintenance.
Additionally, 2-13th Aviation supports the Joint community by training Marine Corps and NavyUAS personnel. In FY2012, they trained more than 2,100 UAS personnel. 85
The Raven is the Army’s primary SUAS. Ravens are lightweight, man-portable, andoperated and maintained by a single soldier. The Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort
Benning, Georgia, currently conducts all Army Raven UAS training. As of 1 October 2012, theArmy has transitioned to a SUAS Master Trainer program to train experienced operators at Fort
Benning. These Master Trainers then return to their respective units to train SUAS operators athome station; this approach reduces the impact to the unit and enhances training flexibility.
Uniformed instructor mobile training teams that deploy to units to deliver the syllabus are used
to supplement training needs. Training is provided primarily to enlisted soldiers, but officers arealso trained. Upon completion of the course, personnel are qualified to program, launch, fly,
retrieve, and maintain Ravens. Qualification does not result, however, in the award of an MOS orSpecialty Identifier.

Figure 36. Army Group 3 and Above UAS Operator Training Flow85

Eyes of the Army, U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2010-2035.

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7.4.1.2 Marine Corps
The Marine Corps uses a three-person crew for its RQ-7B Shadow training. The crew
consists of an unmanned aircraft commander (UAC), an air vehicle operator (AVO), and a
mission payload operator (MPO). RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (STUAS)
are crewed by a UAC and an AVO, who performs the MPO function as well. UACs are officers,
while both AVOs and MPOs are enlisted positions. Currently, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Squadron (VMU) officers are sourced from the existing pool of qualified aviation officers;
however, with the establishment of the VMU Officer Primary Military Occupational Specialty(PMOS), new second lieutenants will begin to be qualified as UACs. This dual sourcing strategy
will continue until grade shaping of the MOS is achieved. AVOs and MPOs are sourced as entrylevel positions, and each is also assigned a unique UAS MOS identifier.
The Marine Corps utilizes Army, Navy, and Air Force schools to train its VMU
personnel, including maintenance personnel. The flow for Marine Corps Group 3 training is
depicted in Figure 37. The Marine Corps is currently exploring the feasibility of standing up a
UAS schoolhouse to standardize training for its RQ-7B and RQ-21A UACs, operators, andmaintainers. This schoolhouse will build on joint training primary schools and maximize the useof simulation.

Figure 37. Current Marine Corps Group 3 UAS Operator Training Flow
In July 2012, the Marine Corps stood up a Group 1 SUAS training activity at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, to provide standardized non-MOS training for enlisted Marine Corps
operators of SUAS. One of the goals of this schoolhouse is to relieve the line units from theburdens of providing initial SUAS training for their operators. By providing a centralized
schoolhouse co-located with 2nd Marine Division, efficiencies in training and logistics have beenachieved. A similar SUAS training activity is planned for Camp Pendleton, California, in supportof 1st Marine Division.
7.4.1.3 Air Force
The Air Force classifies its Groups 4 and 5 UAS (MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, andRQ-4 Global Hawk) as Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). RPA pilot and sensor operator aircrews
are formally trained to operate the aircraft. Officer RPA pilots are sourced from the current rated
pilot community or through the newly established Undergraduate RPA Training (URT) program,similar to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program for manned aircraft. URT
is another dual accession strategy to reach initial USAF RPA manning requirements. Sensor
operators are enlisted airmen sourced similarly to pilots, some from current intelligence career
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fields and others through the newly created RPA sensor operator career field. The Air Forcecreated new career fields and associated specialty codes for both its new rated RPA pilots andsensor operators. The training flow for these positions is depicted in Figure 38 (NOTE: The
formal training unit for the Global Hawk is at Beale AFB, California.)

Figure 38. Air Force MQ-1/9 Pilot & Sensor Operator Training Flow
The Air Force has also created a Mission Intelligence Coordinator position to manage
real-time/near-real-time intelligence information available to MQ-1/9 RPA pilots and/or sensor
operators. Mission intelligence coordinators are sourced primarily from existing squadron
intelligence positions and intelligence officer positions. Candidates undergo an initialqualification training course at either Creech AFB, Nevada, or March Air Reserve Base,
California, and further mission qualification training at a squadron to attain mission-ready status.
Air Force RPA maintenance training is accomplished at three Air Force skill levels. RPA
maintenance fundamentals are taught at the maintenance school at Sheppard AFB, Texas.
Following RPA training at Sheppard AFB, initial and advanced skills maintenance training
occurs at the operational RPA squadron.
The Air Force classifies its Groups 1 to 3 UAS, such as the Raven, Scan Eagle, andShadow, as SUAS. They are operated by qualified SUAS operators, primarily enlisted airmen.
These SUAS operators attend a formal, 10-day training course approved by Air Force Special
Operations Command and conducted by Det 1, 371 SOCTS at the Eglin Range Complex in
Florida. Curriculum has been developed and approved for the RQ-11B and is in development for
the RQ-20A. SUAS operators are interchangeably qualified as vehicle operators and mission
operators, the two crew positions required to operate the system. Qualification as an SUAS
operator does not result, however, in the award of an Air Force Specialty Code or Special
Experience Identifier.
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7.4.1.4 Navy
While the formal deliberative process for developing training to support emerging largescale Navy PORs is in the infancy stage, the Navy has the advantage of drawing on lessons
learned from the other Services. Current training during system development for PORs and rapid
deployment capability efforts is being supported and provided by the associated program offices
through contractor arrangements.
The Navy recently opened up a MQ-8 Fire Scout operator and maintainer training centerat Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The aircraft and personnel are dual qualified in SH-60
Seahawks and assigned to mixed aviation squadrons containing both Seahawks and Fire Scouts.
A similar organizational and basing construct is being examined for the MQ-4 Triton, the UAS
complement for the Navy’s fleet of P-3/8 aircraft to conduct ISR missions. Triton is currently
operated at a demonstration level with training of initial operational evaluation crews slotted forlate FY2014 followed a year later by initial cadre training. In June 2010, the Navy and Air Forcesigned a Triton and Global Hawk synergy memoranda of agreement (MOA) that specifies Navyand Air Force WGs to “Identify and incorporate every appropriate synergy in basing,maintenance, aircraft C2, training, logistics, and data requirements for processing, exploitation,and dissemination (PED) functions.” 86
Viable long-term training solutions for Navy systems are currently being developed
within the framework of the basic UAS qualification standards outlined in the CJCSI 3255.01
and the Naval Education and Training Command Course Development and Revision Process.
7.4.1.5 Continuation and Joint Training
The focus of Service training efforts and strategy thus far has centered on developing
initial skill sets and qualifying personnel to man a rapidly increasing UAS fleet. How to maintainand advance these skill sets through continuation training and education at the individual, crew,
and collective levels has been largely overshadowed by the contingency environment. While
Services have established currency requirements for their operators, currency is typicallymaintained through real-world operations rather than in a training environment. Furthermore,
additional challenges impact domestic training. These challenges are being mitigated largely by
the use of simulators and surrogates, but the full mix and balance of the live, virtual, andconstructive domains and blended reality must be identified for the future.
Given that individual, crew, and collective continuation training constitutes the majorityof training requirements and activity, the Services will need to continue efforts in these areas.
These training programs are necessary to prepare operators for joint training and pre-deployment
exercises.
While surrogates and virtual substitutes do address some challenges, the lack of homestation UAS training opportunities and codified TTPs can limit the training experience of units
preparing for deployment into theater. For example, combat training centers have observed units
that were not adequately trained in UAS operations at home station prior to capstone training

86

Memorandum of Agreement between Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) and the RQ-4 Global Hawk

system, signed 12 June 2010107

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exercises. Such units routinely receive UAS hands-on immersion training following deployment
into theater during mission execution.
Attempts are being made to incorporate unmanned systems into joint and multinational
exercises at every level. As a high-demand/low-density asset, live unmanned systems are often
unavailable for exercises and pre-deployment training. The use of manned surrogate platforms toreplicate aspects of unmanned platform behavior, such as FMV feeds, is common and useful inensuring the exercise participants are trained and familiar with unmanned systems capabilities
when deployed. Additionally, exercise and pre-deployment training scenarios use computergenerated, simulated video feeds to support joint exercises and to ensure warfighters are able toincorporate unmanned systems into their training even when actual systems are not available.
7.4.2 Unmanned Ground Systems
The Army provides UGS training through the RS JPO. Headquartered in Warren,
Michigan, the RS JPO’s training mission is twofold: 1) to develop, integrate, and manage UGS
training operations, requirements, plans, and products through partnerships with organizations
and entities internal and external to the RS JPO and 2) to execute joint functional operator andtechnical training for COTS and POR systems to support force capability generation and unit
resetting through mobile training teams and resident courses. Since its inception, RS JPO has
been tasked as the equipment support activity manager for supporting the “in theater” and“training center” sustainment operations for UGS for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps. Currently, training is from neither a systems approach nor a MOS organizational
construct identified or designated to perform the training function.
In 2004, the RS JPO established the JRRF in response to urgent operational needs and insupport of the joint forces engaged in the theatre of operations for all Joint Service NSE robotic
systems. The JRRF’s support areas include in-theater sustainment support and individual andunit operations training of robotic systems. RS JPO conducts operator certification courses on all
robotic systems currently fielded and intended for users in the theater of operations. Training iscurrently conducted at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Selfridge Air National Guard Base(SANGB), Michigan; and unit home stations through mobile training teams.
The small robot certification course is a two-day course that provides the operator system
uses, characteristics, capabilities, limitations, component identification, pre-mission mechanicaland functions checks, and hands-on practical application. Personnel are required to successfullycomplete a practical exercise performance evaluation to obtain certification. The M160 operator
course is six days long and currently conducted at Fort Leonard Wood.
All robot technicians are trained on tasks that are required for the repair and maintenanceof robotic systems supported by RS JPO. This training is achieved via a 10-week robot
maintenance and repair course currently taught at SANGB. The course totals 400 hours of
training in which the technicians are certified to work on RS JPO-supported robotic systems.
Technicians receive operator training and hands-on training in troubleshooting; removing andreplacing line replaceable units on currently deployed robotic systems; and using maintainer
tools, special tools, and test equipment to maintain robotic platforms.

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Due to increasing robotic sustainment and training demands, RS JPO opened the Robotic
University at Fort Leonard Wood on 4 April 2012. This detachment consists of technician bays
and classrooms, warehouse space, and office space. Robotic University is truly a one-stop-shopwith the ability to repair, supply, and train robotic systems. The Robotics University and
SANGB training sites, with their equipment, materials, technicians, and instructors, give service
members the required skills and confidence in the robotics.
7.4.3 Unmanned Maritime Systems
The Navy currently has a number of UMS consisting of USVs and UUVs that perform avariety of missions including mine warfare, mine neutralization, reconnaissance, surveillance,hydrographic surveying, environmental analysis, special operations, and oceanographic research.
These systems vary in size and displacement and run from man-portable systems to systems
40 feet in length and several thousand pounds in displacement. These systems are predominately
launched from submarines or surface ships and recovered and maintained aboard those vessels.
The new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) employs the largest inventory of unmanned systems for avariety of missions including surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and minecountermeasures (MCM).
UMS training consists of an assortment of methodologies that provide an optimallearning environment and include classroom as well as hands-on training. Classroom instruction
consists of the fundamentals of operation and maintenance while the hands-on training covers
the practical application of that knowledge. Follow-on and refresher training is provided bycomputer-based training (CBT) that includes online simulations of actual operations. Training is
conducted at the appropriate training center, such as the Mine Warfare Training Center in San
Diego, California, or at the Warfare Center that is the core support center for the specific system.
LCS Detachments consisting of up to 15 officers and technicians are assigned to LCS foreach of the respective Mission Modules (i.e., SUW, ASW, MCM) and undergo classroom andhands-on training before boarding LCS for a deployment. As the personnel rotate on and off one
LCS to other assignments and then back again, refresher training is provided at the Shore Based
Trainer in San Diego. It includes individual CBT consoles and team training consoles to help
sharpen previously learned skills. There are also CBT modules that can be downloaded forcontinuous training while aboard the LCS. Additional training centers will be established in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, and at various overseas locations as warranted to maintain detachment
proficiency.
7.4.4 The Acquisition Process
Much has already been said in this document about the challenges created by the rapid
acquisition of unmanned systems in response to urgent operational needs. As the immediacy ofurgent operational needs begins to slow, the unmanned systems acquisition process will begin tonormalize. As requirements for new generations of unmanned systems are generated, training
must be developed concurrently with the new systems. Associated costs should be appropriately
addressed across the program life cycle. The training KPP is required to eliminate ad hoc training
systems at delivery.

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7.4.5 The Regulatory Environment
The regulatory environment is a unique challenge to unmanned systems operations,particularly in peacetime. While all systems are governed by regulatory requirements of one sortor another, unmanned systems bring with them an additional set of procedural and safetyconcerns because they are unmanned. These concerns are further increased with discussions ofsystem autonomy. Much attention is being given to UAS autonomy, but it is not unique to UAS.
How to train with an unmanned truck, for example, designed to move along roadways in acombat environment presents challenges when trying to traverse the U.S. interstate system andlocal county roads. Regulatory oversight may have the most significant impact on basing
decisions and training operations, especially for UAS.
7.4.6 Technology
Technology challenges for training can be grouped into two categories: 1) the need totrain to new missions and affiliated technologies and 2) technology impacts on training. New
missions, hardware developments, and software integration appear to be endless. Each has to beaccompanied by associated training. For example, access to airspace may be enhanced by SAA
technologies that open up more opportunities for live training. Conversely, high-fidelity
simulators and the availability of surrogate platforms could lessen the dependence on live
training. Some technology impacts may not be so direct, but may be important none the less. For
instance, a common control system not only has a training component, but could also lessen
manpower requirements by leveraging the ability of a single operator to control multiple systems
simultaneously. As a result, training throughput requirements and manpower resources could bedecreased.
7.4.7 Manpower
Training faces several manpower challenges. First is the need for a sufficient instructor
cadre. With ongoing contingency operations, qualified and potential instructors are often
unavailable. Second, the Services have to address personnel qualifications and requirements, toadjust force structure, and to revise personnel processes to accommodate the new technologies.
These actions affect the training audience. The coordination and integration of operators, force
structure, and data analysts impact how training is accomplished and how training affects humanresources. Manpower considerations for training must be fully explored to attain mission
efficiencies and readiness.
7.4.8 Asset Availability
Adequate training resources are another challenge. First, similar to unavailability of
instructors because of real-world operations, actual unmanned system platforms are often notavailable for training. This lack of platforms can be mitigated by leveraging the use of simulationand surrogates. Second, programs need training capability assets, such as realistic target sets inrepresentative terrain, runways, scoring and feedback systems for crewmember after action
reviews, access to airspace and frequency spectrum, simulators and surrogates, communications
infrastructure, and C2 organizations and processes at ranges. Low-cost training munitions that
replicate the service munitions of weaponized platforms will also need to be developed tofacilitate realistic training within budgetary constraints and installation range limitations. These
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assets can be integrated into training requirements and plans. Moreover, the assets can influencebasing decisions, operations, and funding strategies.
7.4.9 Policy and Documentation
Processes for capturing lessons learned and developing Service and joint doctrine and
TTPs must be established and institutionalized through policy and documentation. Policy anddocumentation serve as the basis from which the Services develop training CONOPS,
requirements, and plans. DoD, Service, and Joint plans identify and describe how the populations
will be exposed to unmanned systems through professional military education and training.
Training strategies for weaponized unmanned systems must identify the types and quantities ofmunitions required to maintain operator, crew, or unit proficiency in a training environment.
Additionally, policy, documentation, and plans codify career paths and expectations forunmanned systems leaders, operators, planners, maintainers, and users.

7.5 The Way Ahead
Despite the challenges introduced by the rapid acquisition and fielding of unmannedsystems, these systems are providing valuable capabilities to CCDRs today. Introduction of new
systems and processes are traditionally fraught with growing pains, including in training. It isthrough their perseverance, ingenuity, and professionalism that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, andmarines can adjust to ever-changing circumstances to maintain mission readiness and combat
effectiveness. As DoD moves toward an environment where unmanned systems needs are moremature and the acquisition process normalizes, training processes and systems will also mature.
While the real-world environment flexes with real-world contingencies and the realities ofdomestic unmanned systems training become more imminent, DoD is addressing training
challenges as follows:•

The requirement and acquisition processes will continue to be reviewed for inclusionof training plans throughout a program’s development to help improve the rapid
acquisition process. Current policy requires a draft training plan at each acquisition
milestone. Additionally, new policy is being developed to strengthen thoserequirements and provide guidance for developing training for rapid acquisition
programs. The policy will also offer a training plan template for the Services tosupport an appropriate training strategy.

•

Organizations within DoD are working with regulators, other governmentorganizations, and industry on how to safely incorporate these new technologies into
today’s world on an ongoing basis. For example, the Airspace Integration IPT andUAS ExCom, discussed in Chapter 5, will continue to implement products andactivities to incrementally gain access to the NAS with the goal of attaining the levelof UAS access to the NAS necessary to complete training and readiness requirements.

•

Training plans will be developed and updated to reflect modifications to legacy
systems and introduction of new systems. DoD will continue to develop SAA
technologies to gain access to the NAS, increase commonality across control systems,
increase autonomy of systems, and align fidelity of simulators for appropriate phasesof training. Additionally, long-term success can be economically achieved withincreased commonality of hardware to reduce unnecessary unique systems training.
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038•

As forces redeploy, the availability of instructors to fill training positions at all levels
is expected to increase. As initial manning quotas are met, cross-flow accessions will
be curtailed, and schoolhouses will transition to steady-state throughputs. As newly
established career fields grow, season, and develop, experience levels will increase
and normalize, similar to other career fields across the forces. Personnel systems willcontinue to align to the new technologies and mature.

•

As forces return to home station from the current operational contingencies, decisions
will be made about which systems become enduring PORs and transition back withthe forces. It is envisioned that the redeployment will increase the availability ofassets for training. Service and Joint training plans will need to mature and add thespecificity needed to make prudent basing and resourcing decisions that enableeffective training.

•

Service roadmaps will continue to evolve and mature along with the doctrine, training
plans, and documentation needed to support robust training systems. Emphasis will
be put on fostering jointness and incorporating cross-service participation during
exercises. A comprehensive training strategy will be developed to guide the myriad ofefforts across DoD and help ensure effective and efficient training. The strategy willleverage work already completed or underway within the Services and Joint Staff. Its
scope will be broad to address the totality of UAS training, from the smallest to thelargest systems, at all echelons, for all appropriate personnel, and across the training
continuum.

A notional timeline for UAS training objectives is presented in Figure 39 and will befurther refined upon completion of the UAS training strategy in FY2013. By overcoming thesetraining challenges and developing a DoD-wide training strategy, future unmanned systems will
deliver more effective warfighting capabilities to the battlefields of tomorrow.
Goals
Technology
Projects

Capabilty
Needs

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+
Near-Term: Improveds i mul a tor fi del i ty &i ntegra ti on of pa yl oa ds ontos urroga te pl a tforms

Mid-Term: Integra ti on ofcommona l i ty efforts wi ths i mul a tor devel opment

Near-Term: Devel op a nd i mpl ement DoD UAS
Tra i ni ng Stra tegy; devel op doctri ne tos upport us e of UAS opera ti ons ; i nforma cqui s i ti on of s urroga tes a nd s i mul a tors ;i denti fy a i rs pa ce requi rements

Far Term: Integra ti on ofs i mul a tors a nd s urroga tes
i nto the l i ve, vi rtua l , a ndcons tructi ve a nd a bl ended
rea l i ty tra i ni ng envi ronments

Mid- & Long-Term: Conti nue i mpl ementa ti on
a nd refi ne DoD UAS Tra i ni ng Stra tegy; refi ne
UAS tra i ni ng progra ms to a djus t for cha nges
i n doctri ne; moni tor a cqui s i on fori ncorpora ti on i nto tra i ni ng progra ms

Figure 39. UAS Training Objectives

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8 International Cooperation
8.1 Introduction
DoD international cooperation efforts include the cooperative research, development,
test, and evaluation of defense technologies and systems with foreign partners as well as the
procurement of defense articles, systems, and services from foreign partners. It also includes
participation in NATO capability groups. The objectives of international cooperation are
•
•

•
•
•

Operational. To increase military effectiveness through interoperability andpartnership with allies and coalition partners.
Economic. To reduce weapons acquisition cost and achieve better buying power bysharing costs and economies of scale, avoiding duplication of development efforts,
and cooperatively producing or selling more weapons systems to our allies andfriends.
Technical. To access the best defense technology worldwide and minimize thecapabilities gap with allies and coalition partners.
Political. To strengthen alliances and relationships with other friendly countries.
Industrial. To bolster domestic and allied defense industrial bases.

8.2 Methods of International Cooperation
Three primary methods are used for international cooperation:•••

International agreements such as memoranda of agreement/understanding(MOAs/MOUs) aimed at joint research, development, and/or procurement of, orinvestment in, new defense technologies and systems
Foreign military sales (FMS)
Direct commercial sales (DCS)

8.2.1 MOAs and MOUs
DoD has entered into bilateral and multilateral agreements with a variety of international
partners for the joint development of defense technologies and systems. Under such agreements,
DoD works with its foreign counterparts and shares existing technology, expertise, and resources
to develop new technical information; develop new technology, defense systems, or platforms; or
improve existing products. DoD has entered into several such international cooperative
agreements with foreign partners to advance UAS. For example, The Technical Cooperation
Program (TTCP), a collaborative defense S&T program involving the United States, GreatBritain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, was established to familiarize all partners witheach other’s national defense S&T programs and to cooperate in a broad range of defense S&T
activities and projects. The results of TTCP activities assist each participant in meeting defense
requirements, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort. The participants of TTCP havean active UAS program to share and conduct joint experiments in areas such as autonomous C2,
novel aircraft configurations and systems, UAS self-protection, and counter-UAS. This activity
has spawned an International Operators’ Group, which includes both operators and researchers to
identify and address pervasive issues, as well as a number of bilateral agreements with individual
nations.
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8.2.2 Foreign Military Sales (FMS)The FMS program is the U.S. Government’s program for transferring defense articles,
services, and training to other sovereign nations and international organizations. Under FMS,
DoD procures defense articles and services on behalf of the foreign customer using the sameacquisition process DoD uses for its own military needs. Countries approved to participate in thisprogram may obtain defense articles, services, or training by paying with their own national
funds or with funds provided through U.S. Government-sponsored assistance programs. In
certain cases, defense articles, services, and training may be obtained on a grant basis. The
Defense Security Cooperation Agency administers the FMS program for DoD. FMS cases must
be reviewed/approved through the Department of State (DoS), and, in some cases, the U.S.
Congress must be notified through the Congressional Notification process. In general, thesegovernment-to-government purchase agreements tend to ensure standardization with U.S. forces,
provide contract administration services that may not be available through the private sector, andhelp lower unit costs by consolidating purchases for FMS customers with purchases for DoD.
8.2.3 Direct Commercial Sales (DCS)
Under DCS, U.S. companies obtain commercial export licenses from either DoS (formunition items) or the Department of Commerce (DoC) (for dual-use items). These licenses
allow the companies to negotiate sales directly with foreign customers. All DCS are subject tothe approval of DoS or DoC and, in some cases, the U.S. Congress and must comply withapplicable U.S. exports laws and regulations. DCS allows the foreign customer more direct
involvement during contract negotiation, may allow firm-fixed pricing, and may be better suited
to fulfilling nonstandard requirements.
8.2.4 NATOThe military alliance promotes cooperation and interoperability through informationexchange and the development of standards (see http://nsa.nato.int/nsa). For example,
airworthiness standards have been developed and adopted by member nations and are being
incorporated in MIL-HDBK-516B. 87 Additionally, the alliance is acquiring (under DCS) the
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) System, a derivative of the U.S. Global Hawk
system. Five Europe-based AGS aircraft will serve alliance missions and, in turn, reduce demandfor U.S. ISR systems to meet NATO requirements. See Appendices B and C of this roadmap for
additional information on alliance standards, and see the publication AAP-03 88 for establishedprocedures for the production, maintenance, and management of NATO standardization
documents in accordance with NATO regulations.

8.3 International Cooperation Authority, Jurisdiction, Approval, andDisclosure
The U.S. Government has split export licensing authority for FMS and DCS among
multiple organizations. The two primary Government regulations are the International Traffic in
87

MIL-HDBK-516B, Airworthiness Certification Criteria.
AAP-03, Production, Maintenance and Management of NATO Standardization Documents, Edition J, Version 2,
November 2011 (http://nsa.nato.int/nsa).
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Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls defense articles and services under the jurisdiction of
DoS, and the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), which controls dual-use items under thejurisdiction of DoC.
8.3.1 Authority and Jurisdiction
8.3.1.1 International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR)The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) authorizes the President to control theexport and import of defense articles and services. Pursuant to Executive Order 11958, thisstatutory authority was delegated to the DoS. ITAR implements that authority and is thegoverning regulation controlling the export of defense articles and services. ITAR includes the
U.S. Munitions List, a list of defense articles controlled by ITAR. It further defines the export
licensing requirements and procedures needed to export a defense article or perform a defense
service as well as the process to determine the jurisdiction of a commodity (i.e., whether an item
is controlled under ITAR or EAR).
ITAR provides a number of exemptions to the licensing requirements for defense articles
and services. Many of these exemptions are country specific (e.g., through implementation of
UK and Australian defense trade treaties, the Canadian exemption) while others are transaction
specific (e.g., shipments by or for U.S. Government agencies). Most ITAR exemptions haverigorous procedures, documentation, and record-keeping requirements associated with theirimplementation. Each of the U.S. military services, as well as other select DoD organizations,has been delegated limited export authority by the DoS.
8.3.1.2 Export Administration Regulation (EAR)
EAR implements the Export Administration Act (EAA) of 1979. DoC has statutory
authority for implementing EAA, which governs the export of the dual-use items identified in
EAR’s Commodity Control List (CCL). “Dual use” refers to EAR-controlled items that can beused both in military and other strategic uses and in civil applications and are distinguished fromitems with weapon and military-related use or design that are subject to DoS control or the
Department of Energy’s nuclear-related controls. EAR delineates license requirements for dualuse controls and, similar to the ITAR, provides for licensing exemptions. Note that not all itemson the CCL require a license for release to all countries, and some commodities not specificallylisted on the CCL could require an export license for select end uses and end users.
8.3.1.3 Foreign Disclosure
Decisions to disclose classified military information are often tied to security assistanceand arms cooperation programs or to the transfer of defense articles; therefore, the National
Disclosure Policy (NDP-1) must be in compliance with the provisions of the Arms Export
Control Act and the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy. The release of classified military
information for all U.S. Government disclosure activities must support U.S. foreign policy andmilitary objectives. The basis for the release or denial of classified military information is
twofold: a judgment by designated disclosure authorities that 1) the foreign recipient has thecapacity and intent to provide adequate security protection to the information and 2) the national
interest (foreign policy or military) will benefit.
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The policy provides for operation by exception. Exceptions to the policy may be decided
by the Secretaries of State and Defense, their principal deputies, or the National Disclosure
Policy Committee (NDPC). In most instances, the NDPC grants exceptions to policy. After
deliberation by the NDPC, disclosure authority is delegated to the heads of departments andagencies responsible for the information within certain security classification limits (e.g., top
secret, secret, or confidential) for specified categories of classified military information.
Considered in establishing these limits for each country or international organization are thefollowing factors:••••

Evaluation of the capability to protect the information based on a favorable NDPC
security survey and/or a Central Intelligence Agency assessment of the risk to theinformation
Existence of a formal government-to-government security agreement providing forthe protection of the information
Existence of a mutual defense or similar arrangement
Frequency of disclosure

8.3.2 Approval and Disclosure
8.3.2.1 Technology Security
DoD has created 12 technology security review processes. Each process has
responsibility for select technologies. For example, these processes include low-observable andcounter-low-observable technology, GEOINT, communications security (COMSEC) devices,
intelligence data, GPS, data links and waveforms, and night vision devices. Prior to the export(or implied export) of any item or technology controlled by the various technology security
processes, the responsible process must be engaged and provide its concurrence with theproposed transfer.
8.3.2.2 Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy
The CAT policy is the standing Presidential policy guidance on arms transfers. 89 It is
intended to promote restraint in the transfer of U.S. weapons systems, while supporting U.S.
national security and foreign policy objectives and meeting the legitimate defense requirementsof allied and friendly nations. DoS is responsible for articulating this policy and plays a majorrole in any proposed changes to it. DoS action officers use the CAT policy in case-by-casereviews of proposed transfers to determine whether a particular transfer of military equipment
and/or services meets the 12 criteria established by the policy. This list of criteria can be found at
http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rsat/c14023.htm.
8.3.2.3 Congressional Notifications
Pursuant to Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, the Executive Branch is
required to formally notify the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign
Affairs Committee when a potential FMS meets or exceeds specified dollar thresholds. Bureau of
Political-Military Affairs Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfer (PM/RSAT) officers
89

Presidential Decision Directive 34 (PDD-34), Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, 17 February 1995.

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work with Bureau leadership and DoD to make the required notifications, including briefing
Congressional staff on the potential arms sale and how it will serve U.S. interests.

8.4 Special UAS-Related Considerations
In addition to the above general constraints, certain considerations are unique to UAS,
i.e., they normally do not apply to other unmanned systems.
8.4.1 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
MTCR is an informal and voluntary association of countries that share the goals of
nonproliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering WMDs and that seek tocoordinate national export licensing efforts aimed at preventing WMD proliferation. MTCR restson adherence to common export policy guidelines that are applied to an integral common list ofcontrolled items. The greatest restraint (i.e., “a strong presumption of denial”) is applied to what
are known as “Category I items.” These items include UAS with capabilities exceeding a
300 km/500 kg range/payload threshold, the production facilities for such systems, and any
major subsystems.
8.4.2 Armed UAS
DoD and DoS both place a high level of scrutiny on the export of armed UAS. In
addition, the U.S. Congress has previously expressed reservations over the release of armed UAS
to any but our closest allies.

8.5 Reform Efforts
The U.S. Government and DoD have initiated a wide variety of reform efforts that willaffect the DoD processes and procedures involved in international cooperation. Although not an
exhaustive list, 8.5.1 through 8.5.4 highlight some of the current major reform efforts that will
likely affect international cooperation related to unmanned systems.
8.5.1 Security Cooperation Reform
The FY12–16 Defense Planning and Programming Guidance 90 called for establishing atask force to conduct a comprehensive review of DoD’s security cooperation processes. Specificrequirements included the development of options for adjusting the operational direction,
control, and authority of agencies implementing security assistance; options for aligning andstreamlining security assistance and technology transfer processes, organizations, andregulations; a plan to implement a certification curriculum for security cooperation professionals
similar to that for the defense acquisition workforce; and a plan to consider authorities,alignment of planning and resources, organizational change, and key processes. After analysis
and outreach, the Security Cooperation Reform Task Force (SCRTF) revealed a series offindings and took a two-pronged approach to build an “anticipatory” system with a “fast-track”
capability for urgent partner needs.

90

FY12–16 Defense Planning and Programming Guidance, para. 6.3, Reform Security Cooperation (U), pg. 30,
20 May 2010.

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SCRTF identified a set of 58 recommendations across five focus areas: planning, FMS
process (i.e., contracting, procurement, transportation, and distribution) improvement,
accelerated delivery, workforce development (training and education), and technology security
and foreign disclosure.
In July 2011, SECDEF directed that the SCRTF recommendations be implemented andthat SCRTF — under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the
USD(Policy) — oversee implementation of the recommendations in the report.
8.5.2 Defense Exportability Features (DEF)
The DEF program is intended to ensure that the design and engineering of export variantsof U.S. systems are initiated early in the acquisition process to increase the security of sensitive
U.S. technology, avoid the high cost of developing an export variant from a fully engineered andimplemented U.S. system, and achieve better buying power through the economies of scales
realized through increased international procurement. The DEF pilot program was authorized in
the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act. In FY2012, four programs, including a Navy
UAS, conducted DEF feasibility studies. These assessments identify the potential benefits andcosts of providing protection to critical program information for the export variants in the design.
8.5.3 Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative
In August 2009, the President directed a broad-based interagency review of the U.S.
export control system, with the goal of strengthening national security and the competitiveness of
key U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors by focusing on current threats and adapting to
the changing economic and technological landscape. This review determined that the current
export control system is overly complicated, contains too many redundancies, and, in trying toprotect too much, diminishes our ability to focus our efforts on the most critical national security
priorities. The Administration has determined that fundamental reform of the current system isnecessary to overcome the inefficiencies and redundancies of a set of systems within a system.
As a result, the Administration launched the ECR Initiative, which is a common sense
approach to overhauling the nation’s export control system. The ECR Initiative, which is not
related to the President’s National Export Initiative, is designed to enhance U.S. national security
and strengthen the ability of the United States to counter threats such as the proliferation of
WMDs. The purpose of export controls is to ensure that items do not end up in the hands ofsomeone who intends to harm the United States or its allies. It is a risk-based system, where
items are generally authorized for export to low-risk destinations, while other items may beallowed to other destinations after closer scrutiny and some items may be denied.
The Administration is implementing the reform in three phases. Phases I and II reconcile
various definitions, regulations, and policies for export controls, while building toward Phase III,
which will create a single control list, single licensing agency, unified IT system, andenforcement coordination center. This implementation plan is designed to resolve core problems
first, before focusing on Government reorganization. The consolidation plan in the final phasewould eliminate the need to keep the systems within a system fully synchronized, by eliminatingthese separate systems. This common sense approach is good government, especially in this eraof tightening budgets.
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8.5.4 Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TS&FD)
The Export Control Reform Task Force Report (issued 29 January 2010) recommended
the initiation of an effort “to streamline and harmonize” U.S. Government TS&FD processes. As
a result, the Deputy Secretary of Defense tasked USD(AT&L) and USD(Policy) to conduct a
review of DoD-led TS&FD processes and provide alternative TS&FD system concepts toenhance transparency, predictability, and timeliness while maintaining the overall high quality of
U.S. Government decision making in this key area.
The U.S. Government currently has 13 separate, internal TS&FD processes in which
DoD either leads or is a key participant. These processes are generally reactive in nature and do
not anticipate building partner nation capacity requirements. Since these processes are neither
integrated nor harmonized with each other, the lack of transparency and predictability in the U.S.
Government TS&FD decision-making processes makes it difficult to synchronize U.S.
Government activities to build partner nation capacity, which includes Washington arena,country team, CCDR, partner nation, and U.S. and foreign industry involvement.
DoD’s current TS&FD activities are focused on three areas:•••

Establishing a TS&FD office to serve as the central processing organization of DoD
decisions that affect DoD aspects of TS&FD release requests.
Developing and issuing revised DoD and U.S. Government policy guidance toconsolidate and restructure current U.S. Government TS&FD decision-making
processes to enhance the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of DoD’s overall TS&FD
decision making.
Implementing overarching improvements in DoD for building partner nation capacity,
defense exportability features, industry and partner outreach, and DoD workforce
initiatives oriented toward proactive — rather that purely reactive — TS&FD
decision making.

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9 Summary
While DoD unmanned systems development funding may taper off over the early part ofthis decade, unmanned capabilities hold much promise for domestic commercial applications andpersonal consumer use. This trend could indeed reduce the price point of these systems for the
military, which is good news for the U.S. taxpayer. However, if the technical challenges tounmanned systems development and operations are addressed by accomplishing the technicalprojects and tasks described in this roadmap, advances in capability can be readily achieved by
the Services well beyond what is achievable today. See Figure 40.
Goals

Summary Timeline

Technology
Projects

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2030+
Nea r Term

Mi d Term

Fa r Term

Improved power, engi ne, &gui da nce technol ogi es

Improved Power a nd
Dens i ty

Improved Stora ge &Energy Ha rves t

Integra ti on of wea pons
technol ogi es

Unma nned Speci fi c
Wea pons Des i gn

Na no Energeti cs

GBSAA Sol uti ons

GBSAA Pl us ABSAA
Sol uti ons

GBSAA, ABSAA a nd
Integra ted NextGen

Mul ti -Sens or/Mi l ti -Mi s s i on
Sens or Mi ni a turi za ti on &Interopera bi l i ty

Sens or Modul a ri ty

Sens or Da ta Cros s
Doma i n Sha ri ng

Li nk connecti vi ty & common
communi ca ti on a rchi tectures

Enterpri s e Ga tewa ys

Communi ca ti on Ga tewa y
Poi nts -of-Pres ence

Improved s i mul a tor fi del i ty &i ntegra ti on of pa yl oa ds ontos urroga te pl a tforms

Integra ti on ofcommona l i ty efforts wi ths i mul a tor devel opment

Integra ti on of s i mul a tors
a nd s urroga tes i nto thel i ve, vi rtua l , a nd

Overarching Innovation Goals

Increa s ed Interopera bi l i ty
Effi ci ent a nd a ffora bl e
devel opments
Increa s ed s urvi va bi l i ty a ndcommuni ca ti on res i l i ence

DesiredCapabilty

Improved pers i s tence
Increa s ed l etha l i ty
Incrementa l i ncrea s es i n
a i rs pa ce i ntegra ti on
Increa s ed a utonomy a nd
ma i nta i na bi l i ty
Imporved Tra i ni ng

Figure 40. Overarching Innovation Goals Timeline
As the unmanned industry moves toward more deliberate and traditional program
developments, it is imperative these future capabilities be addressed by the Service requirements
managers as new programs are initiated. Working together with industry, academia, and otheragencies, DoD will continue to map an affordable path using emerging technologies as a basis
for future warfighter capabilities.
120Appendix A

FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES

Air Force Science & Technology Plan, Department of the United States Air Force, 2011.
Carter, Ashton B., Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics,“Implementation Directive for Better Buying Power — Obtaining Greater Efficiency andProductivity in Defense Spending.”
Carter, Ashton B., Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics,“Should-cost and Affordability Memorandum.”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Master Positioning, Navigation and Timing Plan, 13 April
2007.
Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) Policy (CNSSP) 15.
Defense Budget Priorities and Choices, Department of Defense, January 2012.
DoD GPS Security Policy, 4 April 2006.
Eyes of the Army, U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2010-2035.
“Fiscal Year 2012 President’s Budget Request (PBR) for the DoD S&T Program,” briefing, Mr.
Bob Baker, Deputy Director, Plans & Programs, Assistant Secretary of Defense & Engineering,
21 June 2011.
“FY12–16 Defense Planning and Programming Guidance,” 20 May 2010.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Radio Regulations, Geneva, Switzerland. 2007
Edition.
Joint CONOPS for UAS, Third Edition, November 2011.
Joint Operational Access Concept (JOAC), Department of Defense, 17 January 2012.
Lundberg, Kent H., High-Speed Analog-to-Digital Converter Survey, MIT Press, 2002.
Naval Science and Technology Strategic Plan, Office of Naval Research, September 2011.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Manual of Regulations
and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Washington, DC, January 2008
edition, September 2009 revision.
Presidential Decision Directive 34 (PDD-34), Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, 17 February
1995.
“Quadrennial Defense Review Report,” Department of Defense, February 2010.
Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Training Superiority & Training Surprise,
OUSD(AT&L), Washington, DC, January 2001.
Robotic Collaborative Technology Alliance (RCTA) FY2012 Annual Program Plan.
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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

Shaud and Lowther, “An Air Force Strategic Vision for 2020–2030,” Strategic Studies
Quarterly, Spring, 2011.
“Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense,” Defense Strategic
Guidance, January 2012.
“Teal Group Predicts Worldwide UAV Market Will Total $89 Billion in Its 2012 UAV Market
Profile and Forecast,” Press Release Newswire, United Business Media, 11 April 2012.
“Terms of Reference-Defense Science Board Study on Technology and Innovation Enablers forSuperiority in 2030,” USD(AT&L) Memorandum, 15 March 2012.
Unmanned ground systems roadmap, Robotic Systems Joint Program Office, July 2011.
Unmanned Interoperability Initiative (UI2) Capability Based Assessment, 1 March 2012 and
14 May 2012.
Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036.

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Appendix B

PRIORITY INTEROPERABILITY STANDARDSThe list of standards below is not all-inclusive; rather the list focuses on priority
standards for joint interoperability and UI2 CBA gaps. To be effective, policy and standards
require DAE and SAE commitment, oversight, and enforcement prior to approving applicable
JCIDS milestones (and DoD architecture framework products), Interoperability Certification andInformation Support Plans (ISP). These priorities will be updated during biannual reviews of thisRoadmap (or sooner by exception).
•

USIP 1.1 Line of Sight Transmission of Motion Imagery for Battlespace Awareness
Using Standard Common Data Link. Mandated standard available on DISR,
30 November 2010. Interoperability Profiles (IOPs):
IP 1.1: Motion Imagery for Situational Awareness Governing Standards. These standards
are the basis for the implementation and take precedence.
 MISP 5.1, Motion Imagery Standards Profile, December 2008
 Motion Imagery Standards Board (MISB) Standard 0601.2 UAS Datalink Local
Metadata Set, October 2008
 MISB EG 0902, MISB Minimum Metadata Set, May 2009 IETF RFC 0768, User Datagram Protocol, August 1980
 IETF RFC 0791, Internet Protocol (IPv4), September 1981
Other Applicable Standards. These references are cited by the governing standards andprovide further specification detail to completely define the implementation.
 MISB Standard 0807, DoD/I/NSG Motion Imagery Metadata Registry MISB Standard 0604, Time Stamping Compressed Motion Imagery
 MISB Standard 0102.5, Security Metadata Universal and Local Data Sets for
Digital Motion Imagery
 MISB RP 0603, Common Time Reference for Digital Motion Imagery Using
Coordinated Universal Time MISP RP 0903, Video Moving Target Indicator Local Data Set
 ISO/IEC 13818-1:2007, Information Technology — Generic Coding of Moving
Pictures and Associated Audio Information: Systems
 SMPTE 335M-2001, Metadata Dictionary Structure SMPTE 336M-2007, Data Encoding Protocol Using Key-Length Value SMPTE RP210.10-2007, Metadata Dictionary Registry of Metadata Element
Descriptions
 NGA.STND.0024-2_1.0, Sensor Independent Complex Data (SICD) for complex
SAR imagery
 NATO STANAG 4676, NATO Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
Tracking Standard (NITS)—Key enabler for UAS information fusion, currently
used to “make sense” of GMTI “dots”
 NATO STANAG 4607, Ground Moving Target Indication Format (GMTIF) NATO STANAG 4559, NATO Standard Image Library Interface (NSILI)—
currently edition 3, the next edition will be XML capable—used to share andexpose data between systems
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 NATO STANAG 3277, Joint ISR Task and Request Data Format—cross-cue andsensor task request implementation
 Theater Net-centric Geo-location (TNG) Joint Interface Control Document(JICD)—SIGINT interoperability
 JPEG 2000, Interactive Protocol (JPIP)—useful in large format sensor
applications like wide area surveillance sensors
 SMPTE 296M-2001, 1280 x 720 Progressive Image Sample Structure —Analogue and Digital Representation and Analogue Interface
 SMPTE 274M-2008, 1920 x 1080 Image Sample Structure, Digital
Representation and Digital Timing Reference Sequences for Multiple Picture
Rates
 SMPTE 295M-1997, 1920 x 1080 50-Hz — Scanning and Interface
 NATO STANAG 4609, AIR (Edition 2) — NATO Digital Motion Imagery
Standard
 AEDP-8 (Edition 2), NATO Motion Imagery (MI) STANAG 4609 (Edition 2)
Implementation Guide MIL-STD-2500C, National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) Version 2.1 for
the National Imagery Transmission Format Standard
IP 2.1: Managed Configuration of STD-CDL Terminals Governing Standards:
 Specification Number 7681990, Rev H, Performance Specification for theStandard Common Data Link Waveform Specification Number 60038365, Capstone Specification for the Network -CentricCommon Data Links
 NATO STANAG 7085, Interoperable Data Links for Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems, Edition 3, pending promulgation
https://gtg.csd.disa.mil/uam/marketing.jsp•

UAS Control Segment (UCS) Architecture Release 3.1
https://ucsarchitecture.org•

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) GEOINT Metadata Standards(OUSD-I Memo 31 AUG 2011) for MIL STD 2500C, MISP and STANAG 4607.
 DoD IT Standards and Profile Registry (DISR) Online
https://gtg.csd.disa.mil/uam/marketing.jsp•

DoD Common Data Link (CDL) Policy 7 August 2009.

•

Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee (JFS ESC) Digitally Aided Close
Air Support (DACAS) Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). ECP # 8 Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) Integration as a Strike Platform.
https://community.apan.org/joint_close_air_support_jcas/dacas_ci_usc/default.aspx•

CJCSI 6212.01F NET READY KEY PERFORMANCE PARAMETER (NR KPP),
21 March 2012.

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NATO STANAG 4586, Standard Interface of the Unmanned Control System (UCS)
for NATO UAS Interoperability•

DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), Version 2.0
http://dodcio.defense.gov/dodaf20.aspx

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Appendix C

DOD INITIATIVES TO INCREASE INTEROPERABILITY
AND MODULARITYUI2 CBA
This CBA is the culmination of a joint WG effort to conduct an operational assessment of
unmanned systems interoperability task needs, identify and prioritize gaps in the ability to satisfy
these needs, and identify potential DOTMLPF-P priorities to mitigate the identified capability
gaps. Each military department and agency will find aspects of the CBA relevant to its mission
responsibilities. The I-IPT under the UAS Task Force will continue to work with the military
departments and agencies to close gaps identified within the CBA to ultimately improvecapability to the warfighter.
The CBA effort derived the 29 prioritized joint UAS interoperability gaps, which arelisted below. The complete approved CBA is available on the USD(AT&L) restricted Unmanned
Warfare Information Repository website.
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

•
•
•

Detect or sense and avoid other airspace users in accordance with NAS standards andtactical requirements for deconfliction and collision avoidance.
Provide selectable ISR data in joint approved network formats and waveforms.
Provide ISR, tracking data, and location information in common, discoverable,
retrievable, selectable formats to authorized subscribers across domains, including C2
interfaces such as Blue Force Tracker.
Provide accurate position reporting sufficient for joint common operational picture
and joint common air picture applications.
Provide location information from all sensors for ISR contacts of interest from UAS
to authorized subscribers, including the transfer of targets in different domains, e.g.,
for the transfer of a subsurface maritime contact by a UA. (Authorized subscribers
include direct machine-to-machine data exchange.)
Provide accurate UA position reporting sufficient for safe and effective operation in
NAS airspace and theater airspace.
Enable vehicle/payload control by all authorized joint users with approved control
mechanisms.
Provide UAS sensor point and area of interest location information to authorized
subscribers in the specified format.
Enable multiple authorized controllers (subscribers/requests) to control and transfer
control of the vehicle (and/or payloads) and to accept transfer of control between
approved control nodes (including when payloads are able to support multiple users
simultaneously) (will require the capability to assess and prioritize requests).
Provide communication gateway and aerial network or network node services
compatible with appropriate joint networks.
For appropriately equipped UAS, provide target designation in accordance withrequirements of precision joint munitions (such as JAGM, Hellfire, and small
diameter bomb).
Provide and/or exchange payload and mission information to authorized subscribers
in the specified format.
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•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Transmit, relay, or retransmit required voice transmissions or sensor data inaccordance with joint standards to authorized DoD and non-DoD subscribers.
Provide fire support functions that are compatible with joint targeting control systems
and procedures.
For both manned and unmanned platforms, provide airborne handoff of missions orservices between platforms.
Enable authorized users to access data archive and retrieval systems.
Integrate with the unmanned systems environment to C2 sensor fields using otherunmanned sensors and platforms.
Provide and enable joint information operations and information warfare effects
including electronic attack, electronic protection, and EW support that is compatible
with joint EW attack systems and appropriate requirements for “hardening” against
EW threats.
Deliver lethal or nonlethal effects in accordance with joint TTPs.
Provide battle damage assessment input data in joint approved formats to authorized
subscribers and assessment teams.
Provide meteorological and oceanographic data in common, discoverable, retrievableformat to authorized subscribers.
Provide chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive data inprescribed format to authorized subscribers.
Simultaneously control multiple air vehicles of either similar or dissimilar types froma single control station.
Provide multiple authorized users (GCS or manned aircraft) with the capability tocontrol target designation and weapon launch in accordance with joint TTP.
Provide nonmilitary data compatible with federal and state agencies in support of arange of disaster, wildfire, and rescue operations.
Provide platform-operating status by UAS class sufficient to facilitate transfer ofcontrol (handover) of the air vehicle or systems within the joint force to facilitate safe
operation.
Provide platform health indicator information to authorized controllers in thespecified format.
Perform launch and recovery under the control of multiple authorized and capable
joint users and facilities (terminal phase of operations).
In situations involving a loss of control link or loss of communications, comply with
DoD contingency procedures.

Standards and Governance Efforts
DoD can accomplish unmanned systems interoperability by standardizing criticalinterfaces within the overall UAS architecture and implementing standard IOPs. DoD mustclearly and consistently define the communication protocols, message formats, andimplementation methods across these interfaces. The I-IPT will work with DoD partners, theServices, and the Joint Staff to define and enforce the standard IOPs through the USIP WG andthe UCS WG for incorporation into the JCIDS processes. This effort will facilitate the mandated
acquisition, technology, and logistics lifecycle management efficiencies across current and future
UAS programs.
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The OSD defines OA as follows: 91
A multifaceted strategy providing a framework for developing joint interoperable
systems that adapt and exploit open-system design principles and architectures. This
framework includes a set of principles, processes, and best practices that:







Provide more opportunities for competition and innovation
Rapidly field affordable, interoperable systems
Minimize total ownership cost
Optimize total system performance
Yield systems that are easily developed and upgradeable
Achieve component software reuse

UCS OA is the business model foundation on which all USIPs and Service IOPs should
be based. In some instances, USIPs and/or Service IOPs may be incorporated into the UCS
framework; however, the overarching intent is to ensure synchronization and compatibility
among UCS, USIP, and Service IOP directives.
UCS Architecture
The UCS Architecture is a framework representing the software-intensive capabilities ofcurrent and emerging UAS programs in the Army, Navy, and Air Force inventories. The goal is
to develop an architecture based on SOA principles, which will be adopted by each Service as acommon business model for acquiring, integrating, and extending the capabilities of the control
systems for UAS. Under direction from the USD(AT&L) Acquisition Decision Memorandum(11 February 2009), the UAS Task Force chartered the UCS WG to develop and demonstrate acommon, open, and scalable architecture supporting UAS Groups 2–5. The UCS WG comprises
Government and industry representatives and operates collaboratively using a technical society
model where all participants are encouraged to contribute in any area of interest. In this context,
the UCS Architecture supports the following OSD-stated high-level business objectives:
•
•
•
•
•

Acquisition flexibility for control segment subsystems and components
Cost control
Innovation at all levels of industry
Reduced integration time for new capabilities
Reuse across Service and joint UAS programs where appropriate

Upon completion of UCS Architecture version 2.1, the UCS WG is planning to transition
to the Army’s Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC)
Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) at Redstone Arsenal for enduring
governance, oversight, management, and custodianship of the UCS business model, interfaces,
web repository, and future revisions to the UCS Architecture and/or interfaces. JSIL will
establish the UCS Steering Committee (SC) and continue to support OSD and the service
acquisition portfolio managers. JSIL will stay synced with USIPs, ICWGs, and IOPs and will be
the Government lead for both the UCS SC and USIP SC. In this capacity, JSIL will act as an

91

Terms and Definitions, Defense Acquisition University: https://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=22108.

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unbiased third party to routinely advise OSD, the Joint Staff, and Service acquisition executives
on all UCS issues.
The restricted website is https://fusion.dynetics.com/project/UCSWG. To request access,visit the I-IPT public website (http://ucsarchitecture.org), and follow the instructions forrequesting access to the restricted website.
Unmanned Systems Interoperability Profiles (USIPs)
USIPs are the implementation of the mandate by the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s“Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Memorandum 14667-07” (13 September 2007) to develop
standard IOPs linked to JCIDS documents. They help drive the implementation of approved DoD
and/or joint interoperability priorities at the Service level and may even require a new Service
IOP or revision to an existing IOP.
USIPs also support the CJCSI interoperability requirement by creating specific points of“capability-based interoperability.” The purpose of a USIP is to define profiles of standards
sufficient to guarantee interoperability in support of a specific mission capability. A USIP may
reference DoD standards, Intelligence Community standards, Service-specific IOPs, andcommercial standards to achieve capability-based interoperability. All approved USIP standards
can be found on DISR.
The USIP WG is currently run by the JSIL and comprises Government and industry
representatives in the same enduring governance, oversight, and management role as the UCS
SC. This new USIP SC will form an advisory group that is responsible to the UAS Task Forceand serves in an unbiased, coordinating role for all UAS Task Force IPTs involved in USIP
development, implementation, and initiation. The USIP SC shall coordinate staffing andapproval of proposed USIPs with the UAS Task Force, JROC, and JCA functional capabilities
boards as required. The USIP SC will remain engaged with the Service ICWG/IOP processes toensure synchronization and foster the vertical and horizontal cooperation essential to joint
interoperability.
The intent of the USIP development and management process is to leverage existingprocesses within both the DoD acquisition management system and the JCIDS process todevelop more capable and interoperable unmanned systems.
•
•
•
•
•

USIP 1 (LOS FMV), approved, in DISR release 11-1.
USIP 2 (BLOS FMV), to be submitted for DISR release 12-1.
USIP 3 (Bandwidth Efficient LOS), on hold pending BE-CDL Rev B outcome.
USIP 4 (Video Control Interface for Region of Interest Delivery), in progress. Thiseffort relates to wide area sensors.
USIP 5 (Weaponization), in progress.

The restricted website is https://software.forge.mil/sf/go/proj1887. To request access,visit the I-IPT public website(https://software.forge.mil/sf/projects/usip_universal_systems_interoper), and follow the
instructions for requesting access to the restricted website.

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Service Interface Control Working Groups (ICWGs)
The intent of a Service-level ICWG is to ensure that UAS program and productmanagers, developers, Services, and end users actively participate in the development andimplementation of Service-specific interoperability solutions. This collaborative organization(Government-industry partnerships) serves as the standards recommendation body chartered
within each Service to promote interoperability across various product lines.
The ICWG is a technical “engineering-level” body focused on identifying interoperability
solutions for the respective Service’s UAS FoS. These select requirements and implementation
strategies are published within a set of IOPs and are for use by developers and implementers ofnew (and potential) UAS and related capabilities. IOP implementation across UAS products
facilitates diverse levels of interoperability and is intended to provide the end user with anincreased payload utility, a reduced tactical footprint, and an expanded unmanned aircraft
platform availability.
The Services as a whole have made significant progress in establishing these ICWGs forunmanned systems for the end-to-end management of interface control. Each Service’s ICWG
has an independent process for IOP development and configuration control. To ensure horizontal
and vertical integration, each Service’s ICWG staff is represented within the other’s ICWG
consortia unmanned systems, including the I-IPT, UCS WG, and USIP WG. Members from boththe UCS SC and USIP SC are also represented. The Army established the ICWG process within
PEO Aviation’s UAS project office. The Navy recently followed suit and is actively working toestablish its program under PEO Unmanned Warfare. The Air Force is in the process of vetting
approval for the same for unmanned systems and organizations.
In coordination with the USIP SC and UCS SC, ICWGs are ideal bodies to nominate
and/or implement USIPs either as a bottom-up nomination or a top-down implementation
directive from OSD/Joint Staff. It is envisioned that applicable Service IOPs may be candidates
for DoD/joint implementation through the USIP nomination process. Conversely, USIPs and/or
UCS Architecture requirements may drive the development of new Service IOPs or modificationof existing IOPs. In either case, the overarching intent is to avoid duplicative or conflicting
Service IOPs.
Service IOPs
Historically, unmanned systems have used very deterministic point-to-point interfaces;
however, provisions of network-centric warfare require UAS programs to implement common
standards in support of an FoS type of architecture. Widely accepted or approved standards areoften too broadly defined and inadvertently allow compliance but not necessarily interoperability(e.g., CDL standards and MISB standards). Interface “standards” vary and allow for diverse
implementation strategies and interpretations. To be truly interoperable, an FoS requires theService-level development of IOPs.
IOPs provide implementation guidance, best common practices, and profiles of standards
to help ensure interoperable systems within a Service. IOPs are tightly coupled to program
offices and industry partners because each sponsoring entity (e.g., program, industry partner)
typically signs off on the IOP. Service system integration laboratories test against their IOPs to130

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ensure program compliance. IOPs perform a similar function to USIPs but typically have abroader scope. A single IOP may touch on several interrelated capabilities and their associatedstandards, profiles, practices, etc. IOPs that have support across multiple Services are goodcandidates for nomination as new bottom-up USIPs.
IOPs are managed by their respective Services and are developed through a collaborative
process of various product offices and private industry partnerships. Within IOPs and related
publications, each Service attempts to set and enforce only the standards critical to respective
UAS interoperability. This approach provides the level of commonality required forinteroperation while minimizing the impact on the native capabilities and design for eachplatform. IOPs contain interface requirements specific to interoperation capability within thevarious UAS. Additionally, IOP-related products (such as associated performance specifications,
implementation guides, and interface control documents) support IOP implementation strategies,
provide clarity of intent, and promote the use of emerging technologies expected for future
standardization. In Service-specific cases, IOPs may be posted on DISR depending on the nature
and approved enforcement or testing mechanisms.
Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)JITC is an organizational element of the DISA Test & Evaluation Directorate and has
DoDI 4630 responsibility for certifying joint and combined interoperability of all DoD IT and
NSS. JITC follows the processes outlined in DoDI 4630, the DoD CIO Interim Guidance
Memorandum, and the JITC Interoperability Process Guide (10 September 2012) to perform
joint interoperability testing and certification. It works closely with the Services, Joint Staff,
OSD, and DoD CIO to provide recommendations to the Interoperability Steering Group for
waivers, extensions, and ultimately full interoperability certification and compliance status
reporting to DAEs and SAEs. OSD and JITC are committed to testing reciprocity agreementswith the various joint and Service testing facilities to encourage compliance testing earlier in theacquisition and product development process and to support the USIP SC, UCS SC, and ICWGs.
The restricted website (DKO) is available on the public website:(http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/index.html).
Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Laboratory (JSIL)
JSIL supports the assessment of system integration readiness during the productdevelopment process, prior to actual flight testing. JSIL provides for distributed hardware-in-theloop testing of payloads, air vehicles, ground system components, and joint interfaces using
MUSE in globally distributed command exercises and experiments. The purpose of JSIL is toprovide simulation, integration, and a full range of test support to the joint UAS family.
More recently, JSIL was resourced in a program decision memorandum to support OSD,
the UAS Task Force, and I-IPT plan of action and milestones. As the UCS WG and USIP WG
transition to an enduring role, JSIL will continue to lead the UCS SC and USIP SC in direct
support to OSD’s acquisition oversight roles for establishing, maintaining, and reporting
USIP/UCS implementation and compliance.

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The restricted website is provides more information. To request access, visit the I-IPT
public website (https://software.forge.mil/sf/projects/usip_universal_systems_interoper), andfollow the instructions for requesting access to the restricted website.
DoD IT Standards and Profile Registry (DISR)DISR is an online repository of DoD IT and NSS standards and related information,
formerly captured in JTA, version 6.0. DISR replaces JTA. All approved USIPs are submitted to
DISR.
In addition to the definition of common capability descriptions, standards, data models,and architectures, DoD, through OSD, continues to promote the development of OA tools andimplementations to aid system acquisition and development in embracing the OA concepts.
These efforts extend across the technology and unmanned vehicle spectrum, from softwaredevelopment kits, to complete architectures, addressing UGS, UMS, and UAS, across theServices. Examples of such tools include the following ongoing efforts on the ground, inmaritime spaces, and in airspaces:
1. The JAUS Tool Set (JTS) is a tool to help developers build JAUS-compliant software
components without having to be intimately familiar with the details of JAUS. JTS
allows an unmanned systems designer to focus on behavior, rather than on messaging,protocol, and other considerations, by providing a graphical user interface service editor,
validator, internal repository, C++ code generation, and Hypertext Markup Language(HTML) document generation.
The Navy and OSD have supported and promoted the use of JTS and have had
success incorporating it into development and acquisition efforts. Use of JTS on
programs accrues benefits to a number of stakeholders in the acquisition chain andresearch and development and T&E communities. These benefits include enabling a fairbasis for competition among vendors so that true capabilities are evaluated, reducing
vendor lock-in on unmanned systems, and enabling the development of a “service
repository” for JAUS capabilities that have been developed and are available for reuse.
JTS reduces the threshold for entry into developing JAUS-compliant systems, opens themarket to small businesses, and drives competition and innovation focused on coretechnology. In addition, JTS provides an accepted, common validation capability, whichis critical to ensure systems maintain compliance with JAUS.
2. The NATO STANAG 4586 92 Compliance Toolkit (4586CT) is an integrated set ofsoftware tools that provides passive, interactive, and automated test capability. Its corefunction is to verify the structure and content of data link interface (DLI) messages
against both NATO STANAG 4586 and “private” messages as defined to support
service-, mission-, or platform-specific requirements. This nonintrusive capability isprovided either in real time or during post-run analysis. Additionally, 4586CT can beinteroperable with other DLI-compatible systems in either manual mode (where anengineer monitors and injects DLI messages into the network) or automated mode (in92NATO STANAG 4586, Standard Interface of the Unmanned Control System (UCS) for NATO UASInteroperability.

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which 4586CT interacts directly with other DLI systems according to user-defined scripts
and procedures).
These capabilities enable 4586CT to perform compliance testing of unmannedsystems relative to NATO STANAG 4586 and other, more specific IOPs, at both themessage level and the higher level protocol session levels. Complex DLI message dialogs
can be monitored and system interaction sequencing verified as 4586CT follows userdefined test programs. As 4586CT can function as a proxy for other unmanned systemcomponents, it is also used during system development and task-specific integration
testing and can provide insight into unmanned systems interaction and performance.
Multiple instances of 4586CT can also be employed to perform rapid prototyping ofinteroperation protocols during profile design; as a result, 4586CT can be a useful tool
during the development of interoperability standards themselves.
Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE)
Near Term. The Army COE is an approved set of computing technologies and standards
that enable secure and interoperable applications to be rapidly developed and executed across avariety of computing environments. Within the COE initiative, FACE is Army Aviation’s
implementation. The objective of FACE is to establish a standard COE to support portable,
capability-based applications across DoD avionics systems.
FACE will reduce lifecycle costs and time to field, obtain industry and DoD program
management endorsement, and facilitate conformance with standards to maximize
interoperability between applications within the avionics system. The environment builds on
OAs, integrated modular avionics, and a modular open systems approach (MOSA) and isdesigned to be portable, modular, partitioned, scalable, extended, and secure. By expanding on
the MOSA and OA principles, FACE uses abstraction layers at key interfaces to diminish theneed for new standards. The FACE technical strategy is to create a software environment on the
installed computing hardware of DoD aircraft that enables FACE applications to be deployed on
different platforms with minimal to no impact to the FACE application.
SPIES Initiative
Near Term. The goal of the SPIES initiative is to develop EO/IR sensor-platform
interface standards that enable reduced acquisition, integration, and lifecycle costs; improveagility; promote OA and interoperability objectives via Navy/DoD standardization; and maintainsystem performance, reliability, maintenance, and availability.
SPIES will also work to enable a methodology and process for maintaining and revising
the standards and adding new standards, as required. By following the computer peripheral
model, the intent is for all devices and components to operate over standard buses and use
standard connectors and basic database protocols. With SPIES, the expected total ownership costsavings is expected to be around 25%, with additional benefits, including reduced integration
risk.
IOPs Defined for UGS
As payloads, sensors, software, and computing devices are anticipated to evolve much
faster than base platforms, creating interoperable interfaces for enhanced modularity represents
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an opportunity to minimize future lifecycle costs and adapt rapidly to changing threats or new
available technologies. The RS-JPO I-IPT, formed in 2009, is working to establish, adopt, andapply interoperability standards for UGS by working with the combat developers, the S&T
community, and private industry. The effort is focused around utilization of the SAE AS-4
standard for JAUS with the implementation guidance being defined by the UGS IOP.
Near Term: IOP V0. In December 2011, the IOP v0 development process and content
were presented to a joint executive board, consisting of Government leaders from the material
developer, combat developer, and S&T communities. The joint executive board voted
unanimously to approve and publish IOP V0. The IOP enables tailoring based on the use ofinteroperability attributes. Not every interoperability requirement will apply to every futuresystem; therefore, the IOP provides a mechanism to independently specify these requirements in
a composable manner. Interoperability attributes applicable to the specification and design of asystem can be identified and used to filter applicable requirements from the IOP to support
system design, development, conformance, and validation testing, IOT&E, and fielding. Thisapproach shrinks the “design space” of future UGS interfaces from infinite to a small number of
options. RS-JPO will require the use of IOPs in future requests for proposals for PORs. For
industry, this interoperability approach means that companies with business models that favorclosed-architecture products will ultimately either lose market share or need to adapt theirbusiness strategies. In the near term, the core interoperability team within RS-JPO and the Tank
and Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center will be defining program- andsystem-specific instantiations of IOPs. Program-specific IOP instantiations will become part of
future IOPs, and system-specific instantiations of IOPs will be used to determine whether there is
any supporting business case to upgrade existing fielded systems to be fully or partially IOP
compliant.
Middle Term: IOP V1. In addition to the capabilities already resident in widely fieldedsystems, IOP V1 will include interfaces for unmanned applique kits, explosive detection andmarking payloads, modular controller interfaces, and a basic interface with SUAS assets. In IOP
V1, the focus will be on increasing the interoperability with other domains, such as overarching
networks, UAS, and manned systems.
Long Term. Future UGS are anticipated to interface with tactical and enterprisenetworks, such as GIG. The Army has defined a strategy for realizing a COE network into which
UGS are anticipated to eventually interface. While achieving this interface would entail
significant acquisition challenges in terms of information assurance planning, this interface
would provide great opportunities for increasing the capabilities of UGS for warfighters. For
example, a warfighter equipped with a COE-connected mobile device could search for software
applications that are needed to conduct the mission, including UGS video feed and sensorcontrol applications. In addition, geospatial models and other data structures available in the
COE could significantly enable UGVs to navigate autonomously. Autonomous operations could
reduce the amount of computing power necessary on platforms and controllers and may reduce
the wireless communication bandwidth required in UGS radios.
DoD will also increase coordination between ground and air domains. Although UAS andUGS are based on different standards (NATO STANAG 4586 for large UAS and SAE AS-4
(JAUS) for UGS), it is feasible for future systems to use an inward (ground) facing SAE AS-4
protocol and an outward (air) facing NATO STANAG protocol to interoperate. In addition, as
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UGS become more accepted and embedded in the force structure, interoperability with manned
ground systems will be necessary. It is anticipated that the vehicular integration for C4, ISR, and
EW interoperability (VICTORY) standard will provide the interoperable interfaces forcommunicating with manned ground systems. As a result, RS-JPO’s interoperability profiles
must eventually define the protocols for interfacing with VICTORY-based systems.
AEODRS Common Architecture
Currently, fielded EOD robotic systems are modified commercial products with different
OCUs, limited autonomy, different architectures and designs, and company proprietary software.
AEODRS is being executed by the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division via
the Navy Program Office for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PMS 408) to provide joint forces
with an improved and modular EOD capability to respond to unexploded ordnance, counterimprovised explosive devices, and WMD missions. AEODRS comprises three system variants,
utilizing Government-owned common system architecture and interfaces, which will be fieldedin an incremental approach. The common architecture is present at the physical, electrical, andlogical interface levels for the UGS FoS to enable modular plug-and-play components andinteroperability.
Near Term: Intraplatform Modularity. AEODRS Increment 1 is partitioned into nine
separate capability modules (CMs) designed to function as standalone components across thevariant platforms in the family of vehicles. Each CM is task and function specific and is designed
to perform specific functions within the overarching system. Because major interfaces aredefined and available to CM and subsystem competitors, the OA model aims to promote futuretechnology infusion in a truly competitive environment. Increment 1 is broken down into threemajor subsystems including the OCU, the UGV, and the communication link. CMs within the
UGV include CM-MOB (mobility), CM-PWR (power), CM-MAS (master), CM-MAN(manipulator), CM-VIS (vision), CM-EEF (end effector), and CM-AB (autonomous behaviors).
Middle Term: Interplatform Modularity/Interoperability. The AEODRS program
consists of an FoS including three system variants that will be fielded in an incremental
approach. Increment 1 (dismounted operations) will be fielded first, followed by Increment 2(tactical operations) and Increment 3 (base/infrastructure operations). Use of common
architectures and task- and function-specific capability modules will enable use of modules,
software, and OCUs across platforms for all three system variants. The OA throughout the FoS
allows interoperability between platforms through Government-defined and -controlled
electrical, physical, and logical interfaces, in addition to the commonality of the OCU. In
addition, the FoS is characterized by interchangeable modules that can be integrated in plug-andplay fashion without proprietary issues for each subsystem.
Interface Standards and IOPs
DoD has long recognized the value in fostering collaboration among Government,
industry, and academia in open unmanned systems to address interoperability and common
standards. To that end, a number of IPTs, WGs, and other communities have formed to address
the interoperability challenge. These forums for unmanned systems have enabled theGovernment to engage with industry at all levels to aid in the systems and architecture design
process, rather than just be customers. These collaborating communities exist within a variety of135

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national and international standards bodies, span the domains of unmanned systems(air/ground/maritime), and address key cross-domain areas as well as domain-uniquecapabilities. DoD intends to continue to support this type of collaboration as it fosters thedevelopment of interoperability and standards WGs. Examples include the following:•••

NATO Joint Capability Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (JCGUAV) is engaged ininteroperability efforts in unmanned aviation. JCGUAV subsumed NATO’s threemilitary department UAS-related groups (i.e., PG-35, Air Group 7, and Task Group2) in 2006. Its major accomplishments to date include NATO STANAG 4586 for
UAS message formats and data protocols, NATO STANAG 4660 for interoperable
C2 links, NATO STANAG 4670 for designated UAS operators training, and NATOSTANAG 4671 for UAS airworthiness, and NATO STANAG 7085 for the CDL
communication system, which has been mandated by OSD since 1991. 93
Current USIPs produced by the I-IPT define the standard interface for payload
products and the data link between a control station and air vehicle for LOS andBLOS scenarios. Future USIPs will address other aspects of interoperability,
including data encryption, different data link technologies such as BE-CDL, andenhanced capabilities provided by future sensors.
JAUS began in 1995 as an effort by the Army’s program office for UGS in the
Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) at
Redstone Arsenal to establish a common set of message formats and data protocols
for UGS made by various manufacturers. Deciding to convert JAUS to aninternational industry standard, the program office approached the SAE, a standards
development organization (SDO) with robotics experience, which established theAS-4 Unmanned Systems Committee in August 2004. The AS-4 committee has threesubcommittees focused on requirements, capabilities, and interfaces and an
experimental task group to test its recommended formats and protocols before
formally implementing them. The migration to the SAE has been completed, and thefirst set of SAE JAUS standards, focusing on the JAUS Service Interface Definition
Language, core services, mobility services, manipulation services, and environmental
sensing services, has been balloted and released. Although AS-4 committee members
may create standards on other aspects of unmanned systems beyond message formats
and data protocols for UGS, much of this broader work is now being undertaken byother UAS-related SDOs. NATO STANAG 4586 is unmanned aviation’s counterpart
to JAUS.

93

NATO STANAG 4660, Standard for UAV Interoperable Command and Control Data Link (IC2DL); NATOSTANAG 4670, Recommended Guidance for the Training of Designated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operators;
NATO STANAG 4671, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Airworthiness Requirements; and NATOSTANAG 7085, Interoperable Data Links for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems,
Edition 3, pending promulgation.

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Appendix D

UNMANNED SYSTEMS T&E CAPABILITIES CURRENTSTATUS

Unmanned Aircraft Systems
UAS T&E activities are heavily leveraging existing manned air systems T&E capabilities
to test unmanned systems. Capabilities are being added to address differences for T&E ofunmanned systems for primarily Level 1 autonomy systems (e.g., JUAS–Mission Environment).
The C2 of today’s UAS is located both on the surface (land and water) and in manned aircraft.
For example, the Army recently demonstrated control of a UAS from an Apache helicopter.
Today, the air vehicle decision solutions are made with deterministic algorithms. As autonomy
levels increase, for example, Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) Innovative
Naval Prototype (Ref 3), the systems will incorporate an ever-increasing number ofnondeterministic algorithms in the UAS. T&E of how and why decisions are reached by thesealgorithms is a challenge that requires new improved processes and resources. As UAS embody
more Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy capabilities in the future, improved tools will be needed for
efficiently and effectively testing these higher levels of autonomy. 94
Unmanned Ground Systems
UGS T&E capabilities across the Services are primarily derived from manned vehicle test
capabilities. These capabilities are environment and terrain specific and were successfully usedin the past to verify the safety, performance, and effectiveness of early UGS, which were
controlled remotely, teleoperated, or possessed very low levels of supervised autonomy. The
sensing and perception capabilities of autonomous systems are increasing rapidly, and obstacles
on the terrain are equal, if not more important, to safety, performance, and effectiveness as actual
terrain types and geometries.
The challenges facing the operational test community will involve the safe use of UGS
integrated with warfighters and manned systems during events as well as the ability to assess
mission effectiveness based on a finite number of possible physical scenarios that can be
efficiently construed. Warfighters are on the ground or mounted in formation with these vehicles.
Before placing these systems in the presence of the warfighter, safety and performance must be
proven under controlled conditions.
To date, traditional evaluations have yet to be performed with UGS. Evaluations ofcurrently fielded systems have been based on documenting, verifying, and assessing systemsafety and performance capabilities, unlike traditional evaluations, which correlate a capability toa system or mission requirement. Existing evaluation techniques based on manned systems fail toadequately assess sensing, perception, and intelligent control.
It is imperative to test UGS to verify they are safe to operate among dismounted
personnel and other moving vehicles. Each Service, as well as several public and private entities,
offers some degree of T&E capability required to prove the safety, suitability, and effectiveness94

For a description of autonomy levels, see table 3 on page 46 of the Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap
FY2011-2036: http://www.acq.osd.mil/sts/docs/Unmanned%20Systems%20Integrated%20Roadmap%20FY20112036.pdf.

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of future UGS. Existing ranges and test facilities have been adequate to test systems with very
limited autonomous capabilities and systems operated through teleoperation.
Unmanned Marine Systems
Existing ranges are limited to support the testing of UMS in a fully autonomous mode.
Long-endurance mission profiles and limited tracking coverage restrict the test envelope forcomprehensive autonomous testing behavior.
UUV test capabilities remain largely centered on underwater T&E ranges familiar withweapon systems that have attributes in common with a number of UUVs. Many UUV T&E
requirements can be accomplished on these traditional underwater tracking ranges, which
provide accurate track, simulation/stimulation, and acoustic acquisition and some of the required
bathymetry. Many of the ranges offer additional operational areas with challenging bathymetry
and environmental conditions, which help meet the T&E needs for UUV missions.
Advances in power systems and autonomy and the need for extended missions of up to amonth at a time are stretching the ability of current underwater tracking ranges. Extended power
capabilities and a high degree of autonomy allow newer UUVs to operate over extended areasand increase the risk of loss of these very high value, one-of-a-kind, assets. The ability tomaintain track or provide areas with low risk of surface and underwater target (SUT) loss isimportant in these future T&E events.
The ability to safely launch and recover UUVs as SUTs presents challenges for T&E.
The Navy does not have submarine platforms dedicated to T&E, and the introduction ofdevelopmental systems into the operational platform is a daunting process. This situation,
coupled with limited at-sea time, challenges the comprehensive testing evolutions to demonstrate
the suitability of the integrated host/UUV platform to the mission.
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Appendix E

MANNED UNMANNED TEAMING (MUM-T) AND MUSIC

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
The concept of MUM-T is to combine the inherent strengths of manned platforms with thestrengths of UAS, with product synergy not seen in single platforms. MUM-T combines robotics,
sensors, manned/unmanned vehicles, and dismounted soldiers to achieve enhanced situationalawareness, greater lethality, improved survivability, and sustainment. Properly designed,
MUM-T extends sensor coverage in time and space and provides additional capability to acquireand engage targets.
The pilot can use the sensor on the UAS, just as a sensor would be used aboard an aircraft,
except that the position of the UAS sensor can be up to 80 km ahead from the aircraft. The
MUM-T capability provides an unprecedented standoff range from threat weapons andacquisition systems. MUM systems largely depend on mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time, andcivil considerations. The transfer of sensor data between the UAS and the manned system
reduces risk to both platforms and increases the mission effectiveness and survivability rates offriendly forces. Environmental conditions affect the efficiency of MUM-T employment.
Manned Unmanned Systems Integration Capability (MUSIC) Exercise
Interoperability has been a top objective of the Army and the UAS project office foryears. Interoperability greatly increases efficiency in Army systems through common interfaces
and shared assets. Development, integration, and testing of interoperability standards into UAS
universal products, such as the universal GCS and the universal ground data terminal, are top
objectives of the UAS project office in the near term. In an effort to streamline and coordinate
interoperability initiatives across products, the UAS project office, under oversight of PEO
Aviation, hosted its first MUSIC exercise in September 2011 with plans to continue conducting
exercises every two years or as needed.
The MUSIC exercises showcase to the soldier and Army community the progress being
made in unmanned interoperability and emerging technologies through common interfaces.
Exercises also act as a strategic planning tool by driving integration and test of the various
platforms to a common hardware and software baseline.
MUSIC I Exercise
Overview. The objective for the MUSIC I Exercise was to showcase interoperability
progress and emerging technologies in accordance with the 2.x series of the Army UAS IOPs.
The exercise took place in Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah, at the UAS Rapid Integration &Acceptance Center on 16 September 2011. Weeks of pre-ground and -flight checks culminatedinto a live two-hour demonstration to a group of media, contractors, and Army officials. The
audience witnessed real-time video feeds from the unmanned and manned payloads, screen
captures from the GCSs, video feeds from within the shelter, and visual aids through an
operational scenario to help demonstrate the capabilities and achieve a better understanding of
how they benefit the soldier. Successful execution of the MUSIC exercise provided the productoffice with a wide range of lessons learned across multiple areas, including system usability,
reliability, integration, and configuration control.
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Capabilities. MUSIC I showcased four main capabilities as outlined in Figure 41 andTable 2.

Figure 41. MUSIC I Operational View (OV-1)

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Table 2. MUSIC I Capabilities and Use Cases

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Appendix F CASE STUDY MQ-9 REAPER
Need to Transition from CLS to Long-Term Organic Capability
The MQ-9 Reaper program began as a quick reaction capability program in October
2001. Due to the urgency to deliver the system to the field, much of the sustainment planningwas skipped. The program manager determined a CLS sustainment strategy for the life of the
program. After a review, based on the statutory requirements of 10 USC 2464, the Commander,
Air Force Materiel Command, determined that core capability requirements were applicable to
the MQ-9 and issued a core depot decision memorandum (6 August 2008). The MQ-9 program
was directed to transition into the organic depot-maintenance support.
The Reaper program also relied on CLS for field-level support because of the speed withwhich it was fielded. As the projected number of deployed capabilities increased, thissustainment strategy proved unaffordable. The Air Force needed to transition to military
maintainers. Since the program was erroneously designated CLS for life, the program manager
had not developed a data strategy or established the Government’s requirements and rights fortechnical data. The MQ-9 was dependent on OEMs for sustaining engineering support andsupply support. Initial funding estimates for data and equipment to accomplish thetransformation to organic depot were also not affordable in the Air Force budget.
Initial Reliability Requirements Not Met
Typical of many programs that have been rapidly developed and deployed, the reliability
requirements of the Reaper system were initially not well understood or developed. The primaryreliability metric being measured and tracked was mean time between critical failure (MTBCF)
as documented in the CPD of August 2006. This metric received a deferment from the Air Force
Requirements Oversight Council after the 2008 IOT&E report noted the original MTBCF values
were not achievable based on system performance. Additionally, because of the lack of
redundant systems, all failures were interpreted as “critical failures.” In 2011 it was recognizedthat deferring the achievement of the reliability goal until a future block upgrade would not be
sufficient. The Air Force needed to reevaluate the requirement against test and operational data
to determine a realistic reliability goal and then establish a reliability growth program to ensurethat the system could continue to meet the goal.
Sustainment Transformation
Since 2009, the program office has been executing a strategy to transform thesustainment of the Reaper program to focus on long-term affordability. The transformation
planning by the program office culminated in the development of a lifecycle sustainment planthat details the results of the program’s planning efforts and documents the overall frameworkfor optimal sustainment of the MQ-9 system throughout its life cycle at minimum lifecycle cost.
The plan emphasizes the following major elements: requirements stability and reliability growth,
depot transition, data strategy, and business case analysis (BCA).
Requirements Stability/Reliability Growth
The program established a Joint Reliability Maintainability Evaluation Team in 2012.
The team reviewed field failure data and made recommendations to the warfighter community142

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for new Threshold and Objective MTBCF values. The MQ-9 reliability and maintainability
growth program has been established to manage the growth of reliability with an emphasis on
identifying reliability readiness and cost drivers that have a substantial return on investment to
the warfighter.
Depot Transition
10 USC 2464 (a)(3)(B) states the requirement, “Core depot-level maintenance and repair
capabilities and capacity, including the facilities, equipment, associated logistics capabilities,
technical data, and trained personnel, shall be established not later than four years after a weapon
system or item of military equipment achieves initial operational capability or is fielded insupport of operations.” 95 In December 2009, the program established the Depot MaintenanceActions Working Group (DMAWG) to stand up organic repair. A three-phased approach wasestablished to target the major repair and cost drivers:•••

The first phase, Early Induction, identified items with low activation risk and includes
the MQ-9 EO/IR sensors and a selection of items from the aircraft, engine, andcommunication equipment. The initial induction program will stand up in FY2013.
The second phase will expand the initial partnership to cover items that generate 80%of the repair costs and will be put in place between 2014 and 2015, seven years after
core was first determined to be applicable.
The final phase will include more than 500 components with low repair rates.

Throughout the DMAWG process, the program is working with the Army Gray Eagle
program to identify opportunities for leveraging similar efforts. The programs are working
together to establish sensor capability with the Navy’s Fleet Repair Center South East inJacksonville, Florida.
Data Strategy
PPPs between OEMs and depots is one method to assure that the Government will haveaccess to repair data without requiring a procurement or re-procurement data package. In
addition to pursuing these partnerships, the Reaper program office continues to pursue
Government ownership of data and is leveraging the Army Gray Eagle program’s research of theGovernment’s rights.
The program continues to provide contractor field service representatives (FSRs) whiledeveloping interactive electronic technical manuals, which will greatly enhance the militaryorganization-level maintainer’s ability to troubleshoot and repair the system while reducing theneed for contractor FSRs and depot-level field assistance.
Business Case Analysis (BCA)In December 2009, the program began a BCA to recommend a long-term sustainment
strategy for the MQ-9 weapon system. The scope of the analysis included a full evaluation of the
MQ-9 sustainment alternatives, including the implementation of performance-based logistics,
95

As amended by P.L. 112-81 in 2011. Previously there was a requirement to identify core capability within four
years of IOC.

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initiation of PPPs, and the evaluation of organic sustainment support. A baseline report waspresented in July 2010. After a strategic pause to incorporate critical repair data and lessons
learned from other BCA efforts, the MQ-9 BCA effort resumed in May 2011 and was completed
in June 2012. The final BCA recommended separate performance-based agreements for thesensors, aircraft, and engine between the OEMs and depots and recommended that supply chain
management be transitioned to the Government. See Figure 42.
CY

Task

3

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DSOR/
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Complete

Program Milestones
DMAWG

2010
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Kickoff
Alt

Final
Recommendation

Baseline GR&A

BCA

Approval
Dev
Data Insertion
RFP

MTS-B Stand-Up

Competition
Assessment &Implementation
Agreement
Development

CA

CA

Early Induction Phase 1 (9 items)*
CA

Early Induction Phase 2 (9 items)*
Depot Activation (570 items) **CA (Est)Phase A
Phase B
Program Office Procurement
SE, Spares, Training, Technical Manuals/Data
ASC/WIIACCAFCSOSD Congress / Budget Enacted

FY14 POM
ASC/WIIACCAFCSOSD Congress / Budget Enacted

FY15 POM
ASC/WIIACCAFCSOSD Congress / Budget Enacted

FY16 POM
ASC/WIIACCAFCSOSD Congress / Budget Enacted

FY17 POM
CA

Software Activation (DRAFT)* Includes MQ-1/9 items** 570 items (MQ-1/9) being reviewed and may decreaseBCA

BCA Comp

Activation

Time Now

As of Jul 12

Figure 42. MQ-9 Reaper Sustainment Plan
Conclusion
The MQ-9 Reaper case study illustrates the strategy and actions required, when proper
initial lifecycle sustainment planning was not done, to transform the sustainment of unmannedsystems from a short-term, rapid-fielding environment to a long-term sustainment environment.
The transformation of unmanned systems will require dedicated effort over the next decade to
develop and execute lifecycle sustainment strategies that ensure the long-term affordability of thesystems. In the case of the Reaper program, the lifecycle sustainment strategy end state oforganic support is expected to be fully achieved by 2018 — almost 10 years after the Air Forceestablished the requirement and many years after statutory mandates. As new programs aredeveloped, it is critical for programs, in conjunction with their Services and warfighters, to begin
to formulate a lifecycle sustainment strategy at program inception so that requirements foravailability, reliability, and affordability are considered in the design, sustainment resources are
identified early, product support packages are tested with the system, and long periods of interim
contractor support are avoided once the programs are fielded.
144

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Appendix G

POINTS OF CONTACT LIST

AF/A3/5
Air Force Staff for Operations, Plans, and Requirements
1480 Air Force Pentagon, Room 4E1024
Washington, DC 20330-1480
ASC/PEO ISR & SOF
AFLCMC/WI
Aeronautical Systems Center, Project Executive Office for Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
2530 Loop Road West, Room 144
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7101
DARPA
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
675 North Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22203-2114(703) 526-6630
HAF/A2
Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance1700 Air Force Pentagon, Suite 4E1070
Washington, DC 20330-1700
Joint Staff J-8 DDRA
8000 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-8000
NAVAIR
Commander, Naval Air Systems Command
47123 Buse Road
Building 2272, Suite 540
Patuxent River, MD 20670(301) 757-1487
Navy N2/N6
2000 Navy Pentagon, Room 5C289
Washington, DC 20350-2000
NGA
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
7500 GEOINT Drive
Springfield, VA 22150
145

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

NORAD & USNORTHCOM/J5
Strategy, Policy and Plans Directorate
250 Vandenberg Street, Suite B016
Peterson AFB, CO 80914-3820
OASD/R&E
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
4800 Mark Center
Alexandria, VA 22350-3600(571) 372-6512
ODASD(MR)
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Materiel Readiness3500 Defense Pentagon, Room 3C168
Washington, DC 20301-3500(703) 614-6922
OUSA/ASA/ALT
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
103 Army Pentagon, Suite 5C151
Washington, DC 20310-0103(703) 697-2012
OUSD(AT&L)/S&TS-UW&ISR
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Strategic
and Tactical Systems – Unmanned Warfare & Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance3090 Defense Pentagon, Suite 3B938
Washington, DC 20301-3090(703) 695-6188
OUSD(P&R)
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness4000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-4000
RS JPDOThe Joint Planning and Development Office1500 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005(202) 220-3487
SAF/AQIJ
Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition
1060 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1060
146

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

USA HQ/G3
U.S. Army Deputy Chiefs of Staff G-3/5/7 (DAMO-SSF)
400 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0400
USA/PEO AVN
U.S. Army Project Executive Office for Aviation
Attn: SFAE-AV
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898(256) 313-4004
USA/TRADOC
Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
950 Jefferson Avenue
Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5700(757) 501-5876
USAF/ARL
U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
5215 Thurlow Street, Bldg 70
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-5543
DSN 672-3252 or (937) 522-3252
USN/N2/6
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance2000 Navy Pentagon
Room 5C289
Washington, DC 20350-2000
USN/ONR
Office of Naval Research
One Liberty Center
875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 1425
Arlington, VA 22203-1995(703) 696-5031
USN/PEO U&W
U.S. Navy Project Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation & Strike Weapons
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Public Affairs Officer
47123 Buse Rd, Bldg. 2272, Suite 246
Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547(301) 757-9703

147

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Appendix H

ABBREVIATIONS

……….A
A2/AD
ABSAA
ACAT
AEODRS
AFB

Anti-Access and Area Denial
Airborne Based Sense and Avoide
Acquisition Category
Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems
Air Force Base

……….B
BAMS
BCA
BLOS

Broad Area Maritime Surveillance
Business Case Analysis
Beyond Line-of-Sight

……….C
C2
C4
CAT
CBA
CCDR
CCL
CDL
CIO
CJCSI
CLS
COA
COE
COLREGSCOMSATCOMCONEMPCONOPS
CONUS
COTS
CPD
CPI
CRADA

Command and Control
Command, Control, Communications, and Computers
Conventional Arms Tracker
Capability-Based Assessment
Combatant Commander
Commodity Control List
Common Data Link
Chief Information Officer
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction
Contractor Logistics Support
Certificate or Waiver of Authorization
Common Operating Environment
Collision Regulations
Commercial Satellite Communications
Concept of Employment
Concept of Operations
Continental United States
Commercial Off The Shelf
Capabilities Production Document
Critical Program Information
Cooperative Research and Development Agreements

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Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

……….D
DAE
DARPA
DAR
DCGS
DCS
DEF
DISA
DISN
DISR
DMAWG
DoC
DoD
DoDD
DoDI
DoS
DoT
DOTMLPF-P
DSA
DSB

Defense Acquisition Executive
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Data at Rest
Distributed Common Ground Station
Direct Commercial Sales
Defense Exportability Features
Defense Information Systems Agency
Defense Information Systems Network
DoD IT Standards and Profile Registry
Depot Maintenance Actions Working Group
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Defense Directive
Department of Defense Instruction
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and education, Personnel,
Facilities, and Policy
Dynamic Spectrum Access
Defense Science Board

……….E
E3
EAR
ECR
EMI
EMS
EO/IR
EOD
EPOCHAEW
ExComElectromagnetic Environmental Effects
Export Administration Regulations
Export Control Reform
Electromagnetic Interface
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electro-Optic/Infrared
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Estimation and Prediction of Orbits and Clocks to High Accuracy
Electronic Warfare
Executive Committee

……….F
FAA
FACE
FAR
FCB
FMS
FMV
FoS
FY

Federal Aviation Administration
Future Airborne Capability Environment
Federal Aviation Regulation
Functional Capability Board
Foreign Military Sales
Full-Motion Vehicle
Families of Systems
Fiscal Year
149

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

FYDP

Future Years Defense Plan

……….G
GBS
GBSAA
GCS
GEOINT
GFMSA
GIG
GMTIF

Global Broadcast Service
Ground-Based Sense and Avoid
Ground Control Station
Geospatial Intelligence
GEOINT Functional Manager Seal of Approval
Global Information Grid
Ground Moving Target Indication Format

……….H
HALE
HiDRA
HURL

High-Altitude Long-Endurance
High Dynamic Range Atom
Hydra Universal Rail Launcher

……….I
ICAO
ICWG
IER
IF
I-IPT
IMU
IOC
IOP
IOT&E
IP
IPL
IPT
ISR
IT
ITAR

International Civil Aviation Organization
Interface Control Working Group
Information Exchange Requirements
Intermediate Frequency
Interoperability Integrated Product Team
Inertial Measurement Unit
Initial Operational Capability
Interoperability Profile
Initial Operational Test and Evaluation
Internet Protocol
Integrated Priority List
Integrated Product TeamIntelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Information Technology
International Traffic in Arms Regulations

……….J
J-8
JALN
JAUS
JCA
JCIDS
JIIM
JITC
JROC
JRRF

Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate of the Joint Staff
Joint Aerial Layer Network
Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems
Joint Capability Area
Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System
Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational
Joint Interoperability Test Command
Joint Requirements Oversight Council
Joint Robotics Repair Facility
150

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

JS
JSIL
JTA
JUON

Joint Staff
Joint Technology Center/Systems Integration Lab
Joint Technical Architecture
Joint Urgent Operational Need

……….K
KPP

Key Performance Parameter

……….L
LOS
LPI/LPD

Line-of-Sight
Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection

……….M
MDA
MIMO
MISB
MOA
MOS
MPSF
MTBCF
MTBF
MUM-T
MUSE
MUSIC

Milestone Decision Authority
Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output
Motion Imagery Standards Board
Memorandum of Agreement
Military Occupational Specialty
Mission Package Support Facility
Mean Time Between Critical Failure
Meantime Between Failure
Manned and Unmanned Teaming
Multiple Unified Simulation Environment
Manned and Unmanned Systems Integration Capability

……….N
NAS
NGA
NIAT
NLOS
NR KPP
NRL
NSA
NSE
NSG
NSS

National Airspace System
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
NSG Interoperability Action Team
Non-Line-of Sight
Net Ready Key Performance Parameter
Naval Research Laboratory
National Security Agency
Nonstandard Equipment
National System for Geospatial-Intelligence
National Security Systems

……….O
O&S
OA
OCO
OCONUS
OCU
OEM

Operations and Support
Open Architecture
Overseas Contingency Operations
Outside the Continental United States
Operator Control Unit
Original Equipment Manufacturer
151

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

OODA
OPTEMPO
OSD

Observe, Orient, Decide, Act
Operating Tempo
Office of the Secretary of Defense

……….P
PED
PEO
PINS
PNT
POM
POR
PPBE
PPP

Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination
Project Executive Office
Precision Inertial Navigation Systems
Position, Navigation, and Timing
Program Objective Memorandum
Program of Record
Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution
Public-Private Partnership

……….R
RAM
RCTA
RDT&E
RPA
RF
RITP
RS-JPO

Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
Robotic Collaborative Technology Alliance
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Remotely Piloted AircraftRadio Frequency
Research and Intelligence/Technology Protection
Robotic Systems Joint Project Office

……….S
S&T
SAA
SAASM
SAE
SANGB
SATCOMSCSCRTF
SDSSECDEF
SOA
SoS
SPIES
SSRA
STANAG
STUAS
SUAS
SWaP-C

Science and Technology
Sense and Avoid
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module
Service Acquisition Executive
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Satellite Communications
Steering Committee
Security Cooperation Reform Task Force
Spectrum-Dependent Systems
Secretary of Defense
Service-Oriented Architecture
System of Systems
Sensor/Platform Interface and Engineering Standardization
Spectrum Supportability and Risk Assessment
Standardization Agreement
Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Size, Weight, Power and Cooling152

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038

……….T
T&E
TAA
TS&FD
TS/SCI
TTP

Test and Evaluation
Technical Airworthiness Authority
Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure
Top Secret/Secret Compartmented Info
Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures

……….U
UA
UAS
UAV
UCLASS
UCS
UGS
UGV
UI2
UMS
UMV
U.N.
USC
USD
USD(AT&L)
USD(I)
USIP
USV
UUV
UVDS

Unmanned Aircraft
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System
UAS Control Segment
Unmanned Ground Systems
Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Unmanned Interoperability Initiative
Unmanned Maritime Systems
Unmanned Maritime Vehicle
United Nations
United States Code
Under Secretary of Defense
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
Unmanned Systems Interoperability Profile
Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Unmanned Undersea Vehicle
Unified Video Dissemination Service

……….W
WG
WGS
WMD

Working Group
Wideband Global Satellite
Weapons of Mass Destruction

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154