UAV Program Resource Summary

Tactical UAVs

  • Pioneer: Nine systems operational with Navy and Marine Corps. Continual contingency deployments, test support.
  • Hunter: Seven systems acquired. Army is operating one system for CONOPS development and training; other assets support tests and demonstrations.
  • Outrider: Six systems planned for the Tactical UAV (TUAV) ACTD for Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. First flight occurred in Mar 97, followed by subsystem validation.

Endurance UAVs

  • Predator: DoD’s first ACTD; 12 systems now in acquisition. Existing assets in operation by the Air Force in Bosnia.
  • Global Hawk: Five UAVs planned for HAE ACTD as a high-altitude, wide-area, long-dwell surveillance platform. Roll-out in Feb 97, taxied in Oct 97.
  • DarkStar: Four UAVs planned for HAE ACTD as a high-altitude stealth UAV for wide-area surveillance of highly defended areas. Redesigned after AV #1 crash in Apr 96; AV #2 plans to taxi in Dec 97.

DARP Resource Allocations
The Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Program (DARP) budgets about $2 billion per year for all DARP resources.

 FY98 ($2.11 B)DARP Resource Allocations-FY98

Tactical UAVs=Yellow

Endurance UAVs=Blue

Advanced Development=Red

Manned Reconnaissance=Green

Ground Systems=Orange

DARP Intg. & Support=Black

FY99-03 ($9.58 B)

 DARP Resource Allocations-FY99-03

UAV investment comprises 25% of the FY 1998 DARP budget, and 17% of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) in the out-years. (Production resources for Outrider and HAE UAVs are projected pending post-ACTD DoD procurement decisions).

Integrated UAV Schedule
Potential UAV and ground station program schedules are projected for the FYDP period.

Integrated UAV Schedule