Outrider
General
The Outrider Tactical UAV (TUAV) is an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program to demonstrate a dedicated UAV reconnaissance system for Army brigade, Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and Navy commanders. To meet joint requirements, the TUAV needs to deliver timely and accurate reconnaissance, surveillance and target information at ranges up to 200 km and with on-station endurance up to 4 hours. Outrider is designed for both land-based and shipborne operations, with an automatic takeoff and landing capability for short, unimproved ground surfaces or large-deck amphibious ships. The ACTD involves a two-year cost-plus contract with a low-rate initial production (LRIP) option. Prime contractor is Alliant Techsystems, Hopkins, MN.
 |
4 Air Vehicles | ||||
Sensors: EO and IR (SAR growth) | |||||
| Flight Dataa Flight/Hours a As of 30 Sep 97 b Pending FY 1998 rescission |
9/2.3 |
9/2.3 |
Funding (TUAV) ($M): • RDT&E, Def-wide – Outrider • RDT&E, Army – Outrider |
46.0b |
45.0 |
FY 1997 Activities
The past year was characterized by challenges for this demonstration program. Integration of nondevelopmental and commercial off-the-shelf (NDI and COTS) items to accommodate desired military performance parameters7 required additional system engineering, integration, and trade-offs. These changes extended the ACTD’s internal schedule by several months and incurred both Defense Department and Congressional concern. As a result of cost increases, four ACTD systems will be delivered in FY1998, vice the six originally planned.
A series of USD(A&T)-chaired program reviews, held in February, April,
June and
November 1997, provided oversight and direction to resolve the program’s
issues. Directed
activities included pursuit of UCARS for the TUAV, Service study of alternative
acquisition strategies to meet land and maritime TUAV requirements, and
a survey of industry to assure their feasibility. Major system changes include:
- Rebaselining the air vehicle with a 13-ft wing and 11-ft fuselage;
- Redesigning the landing gear and air data terminal;
- Incorporating a new alternator and servo; and
- Incorporating a new gasoline engine to complete the ACTD, instead of
the
optional heavy fuel engine (HFE).
The direction to replace Outrider’s initial, contractor-proposed
HFE by a rotary gasoline
engine both helped to reclaim flight profile performance losses and recognized
that HFE technology was not yet available for application to small UAVs.8
Concurrently, a series of flights validated key subsystems while program
and performance trades were examined. Joint Staff, Army, Navy and Marine
spokesmen all agreed that the TUAV is likely to meet their near-term requirements,
although an alternative approach may be necessary to meet the Navy’s
longer-range sea-based on-station requirement. As a result, DoD strongly
supported continuation of the ACTD and the Congress, while rescinding some
FY 1997 funds and denying FY 1998 funds for the ACTD’s LRIP
option, has funded its completion.
During the past year, the C-band data link and EO/IR payload subsystems were validated aboard a helicopter, to include confirmation of data link capability beyond 200 km. The GCS, which enables mission planning, in-flight control of the air vehicle and sensor, and information product dissemination to users in the field, is undergoing acceptance tests. The GCS has participated in the Army’s Force Exercise XXI and AWE at Ft. Hood, TX, during which tactical intelligence was provided through MUSE, the synthetic video simulation system. Outrider’s GCS served a critical role by providing the commander with near-real-time information. It has demonstrated full compatibility with the Army’s All-Source Analysis System (ASAS) and, with no downtime thus far, has demonstrated its reliability.
Recent Activity and Near-Term Plans
Flight test of the air vehicle’s ground and flight handling subsystems continues. The contractor is refining the propulsion, electrical power and landing gear subsystems, validating basic operating procedures, and integrating other design changes.
On 4 November, Outrider flew its 13th flight, the first with the new 801R rotary gasoline engine, built by UAV Engines Ltd (UEL), UK. Throughout this flight, it also used the Stability Augmentation System (SAS) from launch through recovery. By 16 November, Outrider had flown another four times, for a total of 17 flights and 5.7 hours. Full autopilot functionality evaluation begins in 1Q/FY 1998. Delivery of the first TUAV system for Military Utility Assessment will be made to Ft. Hood, TX, in 2Q/FY 1998.
Program decisions resulting from separate JROC and Acting USD(A&T) reviews on 3 November 1997 included:
- Reiteration by the JROC that TUAV is their number one UAV priority; and
- USD(A&T) continuation of the ACTD, and direction for another program update by 1 December with focus on system performance with the UEL gasoline engine, AV delivery status, and continuing analysis of acquisition alternatives.
The Services are currently developing acquisition approaches that will conform with the Congress’s guidance and terms of the FY 1998 Budget, in preparation for the December 1997 USD(A&T) review.
Schedule
