The Department is developing two UAV ground control station (GCS) types: the Tactical Control System (TCS) for tactical UAVs, and the Common Ground Segment (CGS) for the HAE UAVs (see page26). The key reason for two GCS types is to support system requirements for two complementary UAV classes:

• UAV support to the tactical commander requires a GCS with a relatively small logistics footprint and open systems design to meet joint tactical needs.
  
• By comparison, the long-dwell and relatively autonomous HAE UAV requires a GCS with high data rates, multi-payload functionality, and the capability to handle significantly more complex missions.

The concept for two GCSs came from the DARO-initiated Common Ground Station Interoperability Working Group (CGSI WG) that addressed the possibility of developing a single GCS for all UAVs. The WG determined there were numerous risks in the single-GCS approach and that it was not an optimal solution.

At the same time, lessons learned from Bosnia clearly illustrate the value of interoperable GCSs and the ability to receive timely information. Field commanders request this capability be enhanced by the addition of video downlinks and the ability of commanders to influence UAV operations in real-time. DARO is pursuing advanced development in tactical data links, open systems architectures, and common modular GCS components.

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1 JROCM 131-95, 26 October 1995

Tactical Control System

On 21 December 1995, the Department initiated development of the TCS to provide warfighters with a scalable command, control, communications and data dissemination system for tactical UAVs. This program supports the JROC's recommendation for "...development of a common ground reception, processing and control system to ensure full interoperability with other UAVs and collection systems."1

The TCS program will be developed in two phases:

• PhaseI (24 months) is an incremental build that demonstrates increasing TCS functionality from passive receipt of data to payload control to multi-UAV control. This phase focuses on demonstrations to generate early user input and evaluation.
  
• PhaseII (duration TBD) will continue demonstrations and system integration, and also include low-rate initial production.
  

The TCS will provide a migration path to interoperable UAV employment by operators and a common interface to joint and Service C4I systems. It will also establish an interoperability standard for operations and data dissemination for both current and future UAV systems.

The key characteristics of the TCS will involve scalable functionality and flexible capabilities that may be adapted to the characteristics of the user systems. Specific functionality implemented will be in accordance with user doctrine. These concepts are illustrated below.

ADOCS Advanced Deep Operations Center System ASAS All-Source Analysis System CCTV Closed Circuit Television CIS Combat Intelligence System GSM Ground Station Module JAWS JDISS Army Work Station JMCIS Joint Maritime Command Information System JSIPS-N Joint Service Imagery Processing System-Navy PTW Precision Targeting Workstation

AFATDS Advanced Field Artillery Target Data System CARS Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System CGS Common Ground Station ETRAC Enhanced Tactical Radar Correlator IAS Intelligence and Analysis System JDISS Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System JSIPS Joint Service Imagery Processing System MIES Modernized Imagery Exploitation System TAMPS Tactical Aircraft Mission Planning System

HAE Common Ground Segment
The third component of the three-part HAE UAV system is its Common Ground Segment (CGS). The CGS includes a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE), a Mission Control Element (MCE), associated communications, and a support segment of spares, maintenance and support elements. The LRE prepares, launches and recovers the AV. The MCE plans and executes the mission, dynamically re-tasks the AV (including its sensors), and processes and stores/disseminates imaging and ground MTI data. The MCE and LRE will work with both HAE UAV types; these interfaces will be verified during the ACTD's PhaseII. All elements will be available for PhaseIII exercises, demonstrations (which will also show interoperability with current and planned C4I architectures), and possible contingency deployments.

The HAE CGS will be able to control up to three HAE UAVs at a time by LOS data link and SATCOM
relay, thus enabling a single system to maintain a continuous presence for extended days and ranges. The AVs will transmit digital imagery to the MCE via wideband LOS or satellite links for initial processing and relay to theater/CONUS imagery exploitation systems (IESs) using standard (CIGSS-compliant) formats. Selected reports and imagery frames will be broadcast directly to warfighters. When linked with systems such as the Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (JDISS) and the Global Command and Control System (GCCS), unexploited digital imagery can be transferred in near-real-time to the operational commander for immediate use. Thus, the HAE CGS will provide digital, high-quality, near-real-time imagery to warfighters and users at various command levels.

Although the HAE CGS has no fixed design price, a $20M price goal has been established and substantial use of off-the-shelf software and hardware is planned.

Funding ($M): RDT&E (Defense-wide)

FY96 50.2

FY97 71.6

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HAE Common Ground Segment (CGS) Concept

Common Imagery Ground/Surface System

The Common Imagery Ground/Surface System (CIGSS) is a joint DARO-National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) program to define and ensure interoperability among imagery systems. It involves an open system approach (based on commercial standards and military adaptations thereof) to provide functional and performance envelopes to guide imagery system design and component selection. Just as it will for manned reconnaissance exploitation systems, CIGSS will enable UAV ground (or airborne) imagery processing and exploitation components to conform or migrate to a common image file format, via common physical and data link standards, common media inputs and outputs, and an interoperable imagery architecture by FY 1998, and thereby meet joint requirements.

Our UAVs will be CIGSS-compliant through their ground control systems and data links. The TCS will be the interface for tactical UAVs, and the HAE CGS for the HAE UAVs; the data link for CIGSS compliance and wider imagery dissemination will be the Common Data Link (CDL), which is also needed to transmit SAR and other payload products, such as nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) sensor data.

Specific UAV-CIGSS compliance plans are currently as follows:

• TUAV: Addition of a tactical (i.e., small/limited) CDL terminal is an Outrider P3I program. The first TUAV objective is the dissemination of imagery to tactical commanders, after which wider distribution will be pursued. Meanwhile, a Joint Operational Requirements Document (JORD) is in draft to include CDL in the TCS.
  
• HAE UAVs: DarkStar's EO and SAR are planned to be CIGSS-compliant during FY 1997, and Global Hawk's EO and SAR during FY 1998, with the HAE CGS as their interface. The CGS is expected to incorporate the Common Imagery Processor (CIP) when available, which will process DarkStar's EO and SAR imagery, Common Imagery Ground/Surface System with growth to process Global Hawk's EO, IR and SAR imagery.
  
• Predator: Addition of a tactical CDL terminal is currently a P3I program; meanwhile, TCS and HAE CGS upgrades will enable its EO/IR and SAR dissemination after CDL is aboard.
  
• Interim UAVs: Pioneer and Hunter will comply with CIGSS standards via their ground control stations, as feasible.

Thus, both the tactical and endurance UAV systems planned as major components of the Objective Architecture of 2010 should be CIGSS-compliant within the next few years.

Joint Airborne SIGINT Architecture

Similar activities are underway to achieve an open, interoperable joint airborne SIGINT architecture (JASA), with compliant payload and processing equipment. During the past year, the systems approach to implementing SIGINT on airborne reconnaissance platforms has yielded to a more flexible approach emphasizing modularity. Thus, the former Joint Airborne SIGINT System (JASS) has been renamed Joint SIGINT Avionics Family (JSAF). As SIGINT payloads are actively developed for UAVs, they will be made JASA-compliant.

Controlled Airspace Coordination

For the past five years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been developing advisory circulars to address airworthiness, maintenance, operator and operating criteria for civil remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) flying in the National Airspace System (NAS). These circulars are consistent with the way the DoD has been operating its military UAVs (e.g., at the Joint UAV Training Center at Ft Huachuca, AZ, and at the National Training Center at Ft Irwin, CA), and we expect final publication during the next two years. In addition, FAA initiatives with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) seek to establish regular procedures for RPA/UAV operations in controlled airspace potentially worldwide.