Our principal challenge is to efficiently acquire UAV systems that support valid warfighter requirements and are consistent with Joint Vision 2010 in providing dominant battlespace awareness. We focus our efforts in four areas: acquisition, technology initiatives, architecture, and operations.

Acquisition

UAV systems must be compatible with JROC-validated requirements. Fiscal plans must support a balanced approach to the current JROC priorities for UAVs: Tactical UAV (Outrider and Pioneer), MAE UAV (Predator), and HAE UAVs (Global Hawk and DarkStar). In a resource-constrained environment, DARO is challenged to provide adequate funding to sustain existing UAV systems (e.g., Pioneer until Outrider is evaluated, acquired, and fielded). In addition, for all our ACTDs we must plan for transition to production, logistics support and training, and test and evaluation. We will implement acquisition streamlining principles using cost as an independent variable (CAIV) and capitalizing on commercial off-the-shelf technology and opportunities.

Our major acquisition issues are summarized in the table below.

Technology Initiatives
This year, we focused on critical technology and high-payoff industry R&D initiatives, coupled with off-the-shelf software and hardware to leverage UAV capabilities. We identified near-term fixes that are compatible with the CINCs' annual Integrated Priority Lists and validated by the Chairman's Program Assessment for the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) functional area to meet UAV requirements. Initiatives include the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) and enhanced sensor capabilities.

The TCDL) provides a family of CDL-compatible, lower-cost, lightweight digital data links with variable data rates. This effort will support both manned and unmanned programs (including Pioneer, Predator, and Outrider), and will emphasize an open architecture with CDL interoperability at the 10.71Mbps (downlink) and 200kbps (uplink) rates.

Enhanced sensor capabilities proceed with critical payload technologies (subject to the ongoing JROC payload prioritization process), and provide for adverse weather sensing capabilities (such as a lightweight tactical SAR) and other promising technologies (like longwave infrared sensing, FOPEN radar, and HSI).

Architecture

Dr. Kaminski's "ten enabling technologies and architectural concepts" are listed on page37. DARO will continue to exploit distributed, open architectures that use CIGSS for imagery-based platforms and JASA for SIGINT applications. This approach will provide cost savings, emphasize the application of best commercial practices, and support adaptability through an open, flexible, digital family of processors, software, and operating systems. In addition, DARO is developing the TCS architecture to ensure interoperability between different UAVs and ground stations to share sensor data, control the sensors themselves, and (when appropriate) control the UAV platforms.

Operations

UAV ACTDs, such as Predator's, have already markedly improved the way operational forces can receive intelligence support and view the battlefield. Ground commanders want responsive collection systems that provide critical information to enhance battlefield situational awareness, and developmental UAV systems must support user-validated CONOPS. Here, four UAV subareas are noteworthy: multiple-UAV operations, airspace management, marinization, and imagery archival/retrieval. They are summarized below.

Management Approach
DARO builds solutions to the above issues through policy, management and programmatic oversight of DARP acquisition programs. In addition, we provide the warfighter with ready access to technology breakthroughs, set standards for interoperability and commonality, and are establishing a migration path to achieve the airborne reconnaissance Objective Architecture by 2010. In these functions, we are guided by the DARSC (see page11) and the JROC's ISR JWCA (see page6).

Resolution of issuespresents a significant challenge to our vision, our processes, and our resources. To meet the challenge, DARO has undertaken two major initiatives:

• Formation of the new DARO Architecture Development (DAD) Team, which will definitize a candidate Objective Architecture and plan investment strategies; and
  
• Participation in the JROC's recent Reconnaissance Study Group (RSG) to perform cost/benefit analyses to identify optimal force packages for varying funding levels.

Both activities consider information needs, integrate military worth into force mix decisions, and identify optimal investment strategies given future resource constraints.

UAVs and Joint Vision 2010

UAV systems will contribute to the capabilities envisioned in JV 2010, and may be used to support all four of its operational concepts. By the time JV 2010 is implemented in FY 1998, Predatorwill be in production and the other UAVs will be demonstrating their capabilities in representative operational environments for joint warfighters.

• Extension of Pioneer's phasedown;
  
• Predator production and support programming;
  
• Global Hawk and DarkStar force mix, production and configuration/P3I, with HAE CGS production determined by the UAV production decision;
  
• Outrider conversion from an ACTD to an acquisition program; and
  
• Priority development of TCS, to assure interoperability of tactical UAVs and connectivity with the HAE UAVs.

In parallel with these platform/facility decisions, (1) series of payload and technology application decisions will be made to expand and improve the mission capabilities of their host systems, and (2) architecture and infrastructure technical interface standards will be inherent in (or incorporated into) their interfacing links and information processing and exploitation functions.

Specific UAV payload developments planned by the year 2000 include: MTI, SAR, HSI, and NBC detection and meteorological sensors; a communications data relay; an electronic warfare decoy; a laser designator/rangefinder; and SIGINT.

Other P3I will include the integration of U-CARS and MIAG equipments. Additional payload applications to the HAE UAVs will be studied as their ACTD matures. Maturing technologies will also emerge as new demonstration programs.

Specific C4I interface and infrastructure decisions planned by the year 2000 will involve the integration of:

• CIGSS standards for imagery; and
  
• JSAF standards and/or modules for SIGINT applications.

In this manner, UAV systems will complement manned systems in the airborne reconnaissance Objective Architecture and, at the same time, conform to the emerging Joint Technical Architecture and the concepts of JV 2010. The actual pacing functions for these interrelated program events will depend on:

• The relative success demonstrated by the UAVs and their related infrastructure and subsystems;
  
• The support they receive from the JROC (representing warfighters and other users) via the JWCA and JV2010 implementation processes; and
  
• Stable funding levels over the next decade.

Conclusion

This past year we have made great strides toward developing a family of tactical and endurance UAVs that will meet new warfighting requirements. Contigency deployments as well as CONUS demonstrations continue to reveal new ways UAVs can be used to meet the needs of joint warfighters. Our acquisition reform and integrated architecture efforts are receiving widespread support both within the DoD and from the Congress as we seek to attain a balanced unmanned/manned/space-based surveillance and reconnaissance capability. As UAVs prove their military utility and affordability, they will increasingly become an integral part of our nation's reconnaissance force.