DTIC ADA527996: Aircraft Survivability: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Survivability. Fall 2008

2.5 MB·English

by  Defense Technical Information Center

Published by the Joint Aircraft Survivability Program Office
FALL 2008
UNMANNED
Aircraft Systems
Survivability
20
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
SURVIVABILITY & SAFETY
25
JASP 2008 SURVIVABILITY
SHORT COURSE
27
WARFIGHTERS NEED A JOINT
SURVIVABILITY LIBRARY
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Aircraft Survivability: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Survivability
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Table of Contents
Aircraft Survivability is published
three times a year by the Joint
Aircraft Survivability Program Office
(JASPO) chartered by the US Army
Aviation & Missile Command, US Air
Force Aeronautical Systems Center
and US Navy Naval Air Systems
Command.
4 News Notes
by Dennis Lindell
6 JCAT Corner
by CAPT Kenneth Branham, USN
8 Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Survivability
by Tommy Thomas
Army unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become critical to the concept of operations
(CONOPS) for the Army—and increasingly, the Marines—in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). All UAS systems are used extensively for surveillance
and reconnaissance, and many of the systems are being upgraded to allow targeting or even to
carry weapons. In terms of numbers and statistics, Army UAS systems (i.e., Raven, Shadow,
JAS Program Office Hunter, and SkyWarrior) have flown almost 500,000 hours to date in theater.
Views and comments are welcome
and may be addressed to the: 10 “Rapid Proto-duction” of the Apache Video from UAS for
Interoperability Teaming—Level 2 (VUIT-2)
Editor
Dennis Lindell by LTC Charles S. Walls IV, USA
Assistant Editor As we see continuous changes in how our enemies operate in various environments of the
Dale B. Atkinson global war on terror (GWOT), we are at work constantly to embrace and seek out growing
technologies. We are excited about breaking down walls of traditional acquisition processes
To order back issues of the and procurement strategies in teaming closely with our industry partners. Air and ground
ASnewsletter, please visit survivability of our forces are our priority in a peace enforcement environment of an
http://www.bahdayton.com/surviac/ asymmetric battlefield. The enemy’s techniques to plan and operate covertly require new
inquiry.aspx methods and technological improvements to increase air and ground survivability; an
emerging technology to enhance manned-unmanned (MUM) teaming is evolving with video
from UAS [unmanned aerial systems] for Interoperability Teaming–Level 2 (VUIT-2).
16 Vulnerability of Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Ballistic Threats
by Patrick O’Connell and Scott Frederick
The speed at which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)—or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as
the Department of Defense now refers to them—have become an integral part of modern
warfare is astounding. With the advent of the Predator A (originally known as the RQ-1), the
utility and usefulness of the modern UAS became apparent very quickly.
08 18 Excellence in Survivability—Greg Fuchs
0
2
all by CW5 Leonard J. Eichhorn, USA
F
y •
bilit In March 2003, it began to rain helicopters in Iraq. LTG Richard Cody, Army G-3, decided it
a was time to determine exactly how and why this was happening. He directed that a team of
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Air team members.
2
Mailing list additions, deletions,
changes, and calendar items may be
directed to:
20 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Survivability and Safety SURVIAC Satellite Office
by Dave Hall, Mike Ray, Ray Terry, and Ron Dexter
Promotional Director
Christina P. McNemar
Up until now, survivability has not been a significant design driver of unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS). Partly because current inventory UAS were originally advanced technology
Creative Director
demonstrators and/or not acquisition programs of record, other considerations such as
K. Ahnie Jenkins
performance have dominated the system’s design issues. Currently, issues such as airspace
coordination, command and control, and reliability are driving UAS use and design.
Art Director
Donald Rowe
25 JASP 2008 Survivability Short Course
Technical Editor
by Dr. Mark Couch Louise Price
The 2008 Joint Aircraft Survivability Program Survivability Short Course was held Newsletter Design
14–17 April at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Seventy-two students attended Tammy Black
the course, including military, civilian, and contract employees working for Department of
Defense (DoD, industry, and academia. The lead instructors were CDR Chris Adams, Director Illustrations, Cover Design, Layout
of the Center for Survivability and Lethality at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and Kacy Cummings
Dr. Mark Couch, Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses. Michelle DePrenger
Ricardo Real
27 Warfighters Need a Joint Survivability Library Distribution Statement A:
Approved for public release;
by Maj Trenton Alexander, USAF
distribution unlimited, as submitted
under NAVAIR Public Release
Recent air campaigns focused on complete and permanent air dominance. Air planners sought
Authorization 08-805.
to destroy all targets capable of hindering our control of the air battlespace. To gain this effect,
much work was put into creating aircraft and munitions that could defeat anti-air threats.
28 Preliminary Evaluation of Damage to Composite Wing and
Fuselage Structures by Ballistic Impacts
by Terry Manuszak
Ever since the earliest aircraft were fabricated from wood and cloth, designers and engineers
have struggled to reduce aircraft weight while increasing structural strength. For years, the
aviation industry relied on various aluminum alloys for the best strength-to-weight ratios, but
during the latter half of the 20th century, composite materials were introduced as an aircraft
structural material. Design and fabrication techniques have evolved to the point at which
composites exceed the structural strength of steel at only a fraction of its weight.
30 ‘There’s No Such Thing as an Autonomous System’
T&E Professionals Discuss the Unique Challenges of
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0
U nmanned Vehicles 20
by Eric Edwards Fall
y •
How appropriate that on the 10th anniversary of the very first flight of the Global Hawk bilit
a
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), more than 300 defense test and evaluation (T&E) leaders viv
were meeting to discuss the unique challenges that autonomous vehicles pose to the T&E ur
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community. The group gathered in Palm Springs, CA, 25–28 February for the 24th National aft
Test and Evaluation Conference of the National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) cr
T&E Division. Air
3
News Notes
by Dennis Lindell
Vulnerability Toolkit bug fixes also are included in this release. from HE and KE threats. The Joint
A 1 February 2008, release of the The FASTGEN users manual has been Combat Assessment Team (JCAT) used
Survivability/Vulnerability Information updated to reflect new features this tool previously for helping to identify
Analysis Center (SURVIAC) implemented in this release, includes threat and visualization of encounter
Vulnerability Toolkit includes updates additional descriptions and information conditions. Other potential uses include
to the Fast Shotline Generator related to several records and features, aiding in ballistic test planning and
(FASTGEN), Computation of and corrects several errors present in documentation and visualization in
Vulnerable Area Tool (COVART), previous versions of the documentation. support of vulnerability analysis.
Combat Assessment Tool (CAT), and
several geometry viewers and utilities. COVART 5.1 The user selects a target model and
The COVART computer program is a threat file of interest and then
FASTGEN 5.5 method for determining vulnerable interactively places the threat relative to
FASTGEN 5.5 traces the path of a areas of targets damaged by impacting the target in the viewer. Threat
threat’s shotline through a target single KE penetrators, or HE rounds. selection and placement is based on
composed of a three-dimensional Primary emphasis is given to fixed and combat debriefing information such as
database of objects, called components. rotary wing aerial targets; however, threat type, estimates of threat
The set of components encountered vulnerable areas of ground targets also orientation relative to the target, and
along a shotline is arranged in the can be determined, provided that their threat velocity relative to ground at
sequence of encounter, called a line of damage definitions and material time of detonation; or upon test
sight (LOS). LOS data can be used as properties are consistent with those conditions and parameters. After
input to vulnerability assessment acceptable to COVART 5.1. target/threat orientation data has been
models such as COVART. input, FASTGEN and COVART can be
COVART 5.1, which is a modularized run from the viewer to compute and
FASTGEN can process kinetic energy version of COVART, contains separate display threat damage patterns on the
(KE) threats such as single fragments modules for penetration equations target surface. This process can be
and projectiles, as well as high- (e.g., HE projectiles, Joint Technical repeated by varying threat parameters
explosive (HE) threats, including Coordinating Group (JTCG) fragments, (e.g., threat type, velocity, and
Man-Portable Air Defense System and FATEPEN 2.5), damage (Pcd|h), orientation) until a suitable match is
(MANPADS) and high-explosive and fault trees (MV). COVART is obtained between modeled damage
incendiary (HEI). KE threats can be written in FORTRAN77 and supported patterns and damage patterns observed
processed as single shotlines, groups of on PCs running Windows or Linux, in the field, or until results match
shotlines (multi-hit), or a grid of and UNIX platforms running Sun desired test conditions and results. CAT
shotlines across the target. HE threats Solaris and SGI Irix operating systems. 3.0 is supported on only PCs running
can be processed as single impacts, Microsoft Windows.
proximity bursts, or a grid of shotlines In addition to the features in COVART
across the target. FASTGEN is written 5.0, COVART 5.1 contains the LFT&E and Aircraft Vulnerability
in FORTRAN90 and supported on PCs following new features: multi-hit Design Engineering Course
running Windows or Linux, and UNIX capability and support for the CAT. Engineers Andrew Kurpik and
platforms running Sun Solaris and SGI This release also includes many Philip Radlowski from the Aeronautical
Irix operating systems. significant changes resulting from the Systems Center, Engineering
COVART Critical Repairs project, Directorate, Combat Effectiveness and
Major improvements incorporated in which addressed several major software Vulnerability Analysis Branch (ASC/
this release include support for multi-hit change requests (SCR). The COVART ENDA), conducted a course on live fire
assessments and enhanced support for users manual also was updated to test and evaluation (LFT&E) and
the CAT. The multi-hit capability reflect the new features implemented in vulnerability design engineering.
8
00 enables users to assess bullet and this release. The manual includes
2
all fragment threats as a group of impacts, additional description and information The course, offered as part of the
F
y • as could be seen from a burst of gun fire. related to several records and features, April 2008 ASC Focus Week, presented
bilit This data is passed to COVART for including RATIO, FIRE, and ASC employees an opportunity to
a analysis, taking into account multiply incendiary functioning. broaden their knowledge base. The goal
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Air for computation of penetration interactive tool for visualizing potential describing how LFT&E plays in the
information for use with CAT. Minor impact locations and damage (holes) overall acquisition process, with a focus
4
on vulnerability and Air Force Hugh Griffis is New
programs. The target audience JASP PMSG Chairman
consisted of ASC program (or other The Joint Aircraft Survivability
acquisition center program) Program (JASP) Spring Principal
representatives who were or will be Member Steering Group (PMSG)
“covered programs” under live fire laws. meeting was held 1–3 April, 2008. In
accordance with the Joint Aircraft
Mr. Kurpik and Mr. Radlowski Survivability Program (JASP) standard
presented a brief introduction and operating procedures, the PMSG
history of aircraft survivability and chairman position rotates every 2 years.
vulnerability. As part of the course, they
Dave Hall Received the American Institute of
described the development and scope of The chairman position was transferred
Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
the live fire test laws, including the Joint from Mr. John Kamadulski (USA) to
Survivability Award.
Live Fire (JLF) program and Title X Mr. Hugh Griffis (USAF). Mr. Griffis is
laws governing LFT&E. They discussed the Air Force Aeronautical System
the interdependent relationship between Mr. Hall has been Chief Analyst of Center (ASC) Engineering (EN) Design
LFT&E and survivability specification SURVICE Engineering Company and (D), Analysis, and Simulation Division
requirements to demonstrate how Deputy Manager of the Ridgecrest Area (ASC/END) Chief/Technical Director.
acquisition programs can leverage Office since 2002. Earlier, he served 34
similar work and eliminate redundant years at the Naval Air Warfare Center,
efforts. They also used case studies from Weapons Division, in China Lake,
various Air Force acquisition programs California, where he held leadership
as examples of current acquisition positions. These positions included civil
programs conducting LFT&E. service as Chief Analyst of the
Survivability Division and Chairman of
The 3-hour course is offered twice or the Survivability Methodology
three times annually during ASC Focus Subgroup for the Joint Aircraft
Weeks at Wright Patterson AFB; Survivability Program Office.
however, a program office or other
entity may request that the course be A respected member of the survivability
presented. The course is open to community for more than 30 years, Mr.
government personnel and government Hall has had a profound influence on
contractors. For further information, the Department of Defense (DoD)
please contact Philip Radlowski. survivability community and its
industry counterparts’ ability to provide
Hall Receives AIAA effective and survivable combat aircraft Hugh Griffis was Selected as the New JASP
Survivability Award to our fighting forces. He can be PMSG Chairman in April of 2008.
Mr. David H. Hall received the credited individually as central to
American Institute of Aeronautics and developing, testing, and implementing The ASC/END’s mission includes
Astronautics (AIAA) 2008 Survivability the first fully documented and proven advocating for the usage of enhanced
Award at the 49th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/ capability to verify, validate, and modeling, simulation, and analysis
AHS/ASC Structures, Structural credibly accredit complex models and (MS&A) across all phases of system
Dynamics, and Materials Conference. simulations used for making acquisition acquisition and the conduct of analyses in
The conference was held 7–10 April, decisions, planning and executing survivability, reliability, maintainability,
2008, at the Renaissance Schaumburg successful combat operations, assessing weapon system integrity, supportability,
Hotel and Convention Center in combat effectiveness, and enhancing and the entire spectrum of combat
Schaumburg, Illinois. He received an the combat survivability of DoD’s effectiveness (engineering, one-on-one,
engraved medal, certificate of citation, aviation resources. engagement, air combat, mission, and
and rosette pin at the awards luncheon campaign). Mr. Griffis has 27 years of
held on 9 April. AIAA advances the state of aerospace system acquisition and MS&A
science, engineering, and technological experience. During many of these years,
The AIAA Survivability Award is leadership. Headquartered in suburban he was the lead vulnerability engineer for
presented to an individual or a team to Washington, DC, the Institute serves the B-2, F-22, and F-35 programs.
recognize outstanding achievement or more than 35,000 members in 65
contribution in design, analysis, regional sections and 79 countries. SURVICE Engineering Dedicates the
8
implementation, and/or education of AIAA’s membership draws from all levels Walter S. Thompson Memorial Library 00
2
survivability in an aerospace system. of industry, academia, private research On 25 June 2008, the SURVICE all
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Mr. Hall was recognized for organizations, and government. For more Engineering Company dedicated the y •
exceptional contributions as a visionary information, visit http://www.aiaa.org. technical library at its Aberdeen Area bilit
and leader in developing integrated Operation to the memory of former a
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and plaque unveiling was attended by Air
SURVICE employees, personnel from
5
“In my opinion,” Mr. Foulk said, “Walt Mr. Rick Grote, the Chief of the Systems
was the most knowledgeable expert in the Engineering and Experimentation
world on turbine engine vulnerability. He Branch of ARL’s Survivability/Lethality
contributed significantly to the Analysis Directorate, also spoke at the
improvement of the survivability of most ceremony and reported on ARL’s current
US aircraft engines developed over the efforts to implement Mr. Thompson’s
past 35 years.” idea for a helicopter tilt table at
Aberdeen Proving Ground. The table
Of particular note is Mr. Thompson’s will allow testers and analysts to better
influence on the development of the T700 estimate the vulnerability of the
engine, which is now used in the undersides of combat aircraft.
the US Army Research Laboratory multi-service H-60 helicopter series and
(ARL)—where Mr. Thompson other aircraft. He was also a member of SURVICE will operate the Thompson
previously worked for more than 30 many propulsion committees and the library in coordination with the
years—and Mr. Thompson’s widow, Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Aberdeen Satellite Office of the
Mrs. Jeanne Thompson. Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME), the Survivability/Vulnerability Information
Joint Technical Coordinating Group on Analysis Center (SURVIAC).
In his dedicatory remarks, SURVICE Aircraft Survivability (JTCG/AS), and the For more information, visit
CEO, Mr. Jim Foulk, spoke fondly of his Joint Live Fire Test Program (Aircraft http://www.survice.com.
four-decade relationship with Mr. Systems). In addition, Mr. Thompson was
Thompson and of his former colleague’s an accomplished technical writer and a
important contributions to the field of air man who was committed to ensuring the
system survivability. country’s vital survivability information
was preserved for future analysts.
JCAT Corner
by CAPT Kenneth Branham, USN
2008 Threat Weapons and Effects experience is provided through the use of (CMWS) Briefs. Naval Air Warfare
Training Seminar threat munitions/missiles, test articles, Center, Weapons Division, China Lake
The Navy Joint Combat Assessment damaged aircraft hardware, and videos presented a brief on its very successful
Team (JCAT) hosted the very successful from various test activities and actual Missile Engagement Threat Simulator
2008 Threat Weapons and Effects (TWE) combat. The Missile and Space (METS) Gun with a final brief presented
Training Seminar at Hurlburt Field/Eglin Intelligence Center (MSIC) brought down by NAVAIR 4.1.8 on the JASP/JCAT
AFB, FL 22–24 April 2008. The their MANPADS education trailer for Data Influence on Design.
seminar’s title was “Beyond Today: the more hands on exposure. This year’s live
Next Conflict” and focused on not only fire demonstrations included 3 MANPAD The seminar is classified secret/NOFORN
current threats found in Operation Iraqi launches from the Vehicle-Mounted and is open to operations, intelligence,
Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Stinger currently fielded on the US tactics, logistics, as well as engineering
(OIF/OEF) but other potential future hot Avenger and 30 mm AP shots. The Air and analysis personnel. Be watching for
spots. It was a collaborative effort Force Special Operations Command next year’s announcement for an
between the JCAT (sponsored by the Joint Dynamics of International Terrorism outstanding opportunity for some in
Aircraft Survivability Program Office (DIT) team provided a small arms and depth threat weapons training and
(JASPO), Aeronautical Systems Center anti-terrorist demonstration. professional development.
(ASC), Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR), and the Army Research Experienced instructors provided current, JCAT News…From the Front
Laboratory), DIA (with support from the relevant information briefs on threat The Joint Combat Assessment Team
Missile and Space Intelligence Center), system upgrades, proliferation and (JCAT) Forward has successfully entered
and other agencies. With 249 registered lethality. Threat briefs included a General the OEF fight in Afghanistan! After
conference attendees for an auditorium Threat Update, and Threat Systems Briefs months of work with various OEF
seating 200 personnel, it was standing (SAMS, MANPADS, AAA) for China, commands, LCDR Nordel received a
room only for students from some of the Iran and North Korea-one for each formal invitation from CJTF-101 to train
local commands. individual country, each category. the units in Afghanistan. The JCAT Army
8
00 Needless to say it was a very informative component immediately took this request
2
all The goal of the seminar is to provide not and detailed analysis supported by the for action since CW5 Calvert and team
F
y • only intellectual stimulus but also Missile and Space Intelligence Center were already in Bagram conducting an
bilit practical, hands-on training on the (MISC) and National Ground Intelligence assessment. It is good to see JCAT
a lethality of threat air defense systems and Center (NGIC) of the Defense Intelligence continue to extend their influence and
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urvi the damage they can inflict on friendly Agency. Other briefs included: JASP & support the warfighter in new areas.
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Air experience to provide a complete picture Afghanistan and Iraq Intel Briefs, RPG Monthly Aviation Conference in
on threat lethality. A hands–on and Common Missile Warning System Baghdad focused on the JCAT mission,
6
JCAT products and support to OIF of distinguished military service. manned by Selected Marine Corps
combat operations. CDR Robert Mark LtCol Matthews has been involved in Reserves due to his efforts. He has
presented the JCAT mission; JCAT since its resurgence in December worked closely with his JCAT
LCDR Steve “Nordo” Nordel presented 2003 after the JASP brief to the counterparts in the Army, Navy, and Air
the JCAT assessment process, recent Commanding General (CG) of 3D Force and assisted in numerous training
threat systems analysis, and provided Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) events for JCAT Assessor and Aircraft
some demonstrative hardware; and highlighted JCAT capabilities. JCAT Survivability Programs to train Military
CW5 Len “Ike” Eichhorn presented the was assigned to 3D MAW Aviation and DoD civilian personnel. Only a small
ASDAT assessment of current US Army Logistics Department (ALD) and handful of USMC Officers and Senior
aviation tactics. The presentations were LtCol Matthews became the action Staff Non-Commissioned Officers have
a big hit—several Army Combat officer. LtCol Matthews deployed to been trained to date and the objective
Aviation Brigade Commanders Iraq from February through July 2004 now is to get more trained and deployed
commented that “this was the best as the Senior Watch Officer for Aviation to support aviation assets currently
MAC conference in the past two years.” Logistics and JCAT Liaison Officer deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
within the 3d MAW Tactical Air
1stLt James Stephenson, USAF, headed Command Center. His efforts included LtCol Matthews started his Marine
home in May 2008. During his tour, the planning, coordination and career being commissioned a Second
James did a great job conducting execution of the redeployment of Lieutenant via the Platoon Leaders Class
thirty-three aircraft battle damage Marine Aviation assets into Al Asad, Program in May of 1980 and served as an
assessments. His contributions in Mosul Iraq; aviation logistics support for Aviation Supply Officer at Marine Corps
were particularly noteworthy wherein aircraft readiness for combat Air Station Beaufort SC from May 1981
the 4-6 Air Calvary Squadron operations; and the employment and to February 1984. He left active duty and
Commanding Officer said that “James sustainment support of Joint Combat joined VMFA-321 at NAS Andrews as
was a combat multiplier” and that due Assessment Team that initially served the Logistics Officer in various capacities.
to his analysis, the squadron was able to two main operating bases (Al Asad and He also served in Marine Aviation
more quickly adapt to the enemy. Al Taqqadum) and numerous forward Logistics Squadron 42 (MALS-42), out of
1stLt Emilo “Tank” Talipan, USAF, is operating bases (FOBs). NAS Atlanta, in various different billets
James’ replacement in Balad. and was selected as Commanding Officer
Upon his return from Iraq to MCAS in August 1998 until September 2001. He
LT Steve Bussell departed Iraq for Miramar LtCol Matthews assumed his led over 1,000 Marines and Sailors both
CONUS early June 2008 after a very previous billet as the ALD Plans/ active and reserve located NAS Atlanta,
successful tour as JCAT Forward Operations Officer and principal JCAT NAS Norfolk, NAS Belle Chase and
Training lead. He did a great job of Coordinator for deploying JCAT MCAS Miramar in all aspects of aircraft
leveraging his past experience as an personnel. He took it upon himself to maintenance, supply, ordnance, avionics,
enlisted marine to rejuvenate the JCAT continue to coordinate all JCAT Request etc at the intermediate level. His military
Training for Maintainers. Steve For Forces (RFFs) personnel deployments decorations include the Bronze Star,
provided this training to over one for 3D MAW and 2D MAW while he Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award),
hundred deployed maintainers. His remained on active duty until June 2005. and the Navy and Marine Corps
replacement, CWO3 Dave Mesa, USN, Upon deactivation, LtCol Matthews Achievement Medal and various other
arrived in-theater 7 June. became the “Marine JCAT of One” and unit and personal awards.
was assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft
LCDR Nordel wrapped up a solid tour as Wing as a drilling reservist. LtCol In his civilian career, LtCol Matthews is
the OIF JCAT Officer-In-Charge. Matthews’ primary objective was to President of Filtration Technology, Inc. a
He focused on mentoring and establish permanent line numbers for a supplier of air filtration products and a
administratively taking care of the team, USMC JCAT within the Marine Corps’ turnkey clean-room contractor based out
enhancing war fighter leadership Table of Organization (T/O) which he of Greensboro, NC. The company
communications (through new bi-weekly accomplished. Prior to his retirement, supports commercial, industrial,
Commanding General briefs), and LtCol Matthews was the only Marine, government and research facilities.
enhanced communications with the active or reserve, that handled JCAT He resides in Greensboro, NC with his
Combat Aircraft Survivability and Threat matters for the US Marine Corps. wife Kimberly. They have two children;
Lethality (CASTL) community via the A permanent USMC JCAT contingent has Tiffany and Ryan. LtCol Matthews’
new JCAT Forward website. “Nordo” now been established within 4th MAW replacement will be Col Phil Harmon as
also engaged in the fight from above as he the Director, USMC JCAT. Semper Fi…
flew ten EA-6B Prowler combat missions
totaling 65 flight hours covering all of
8
Iraq. Nordo’s relief, CDR Craig Black, 00
2
also arrived in-theater 7 June. all
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LtCol Scott Matthews, bilit
USMC JCAT Lead Retires a
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retired on 01 June 2008 after 26 years LtCol Matthews the USMC JCAT Lead Retired on Air
01 June 2008 After 26 Years of Military Service
7
Army Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Survivability
by Tommy Thomas
Army unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become critical to the concept of operations
(CONOPS) for the Army—and increasingly, the Marines—in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). All UAS systems are used extensively for surveillance and
reconnaissance, and many of the systems are being upgraded to allow targeting or even to carry
weapons. In terms of numbers and statistics, Army UAS systems (i.e., Raven, Shadow, Hunter,
and SkyWarrior) have flown almost 500,000 hours to date in theater.
All systems have in common an ability (i.e., electro-optical [EO]) or a side- Hunter
to provide not only a moderately high looking night camera (i.e., infrared First fielded in 1996, the Hunter weighs
level of control and automation for [IR]). The aircraft has a wingspan of 1,950 pounds and has a wingspan of
flight controls, including autonomous 4.5 feet and weighs about 4 pounds. 34.5 feet, a range of more than 200 km,
waypoint flight, but also a line-of-sight endurance up to 20 hours, a ceiling of
data link back to the ground control Shadow 18,000 feet, and a loiter speed of 60
station. Remote sites are able, within The Shadow’s (i.e., Tactical Unmanned knots and cruise speed of 80 knots.
line-of-sight range, to receive the Aircraft System [TUAS]) mission is to Hunter is equipped with the Army’s
payload product on a remote video provide maneuver commanders a near first heavy fuel engine for UAS.
terminal (RVT). The One System real-time, highly accurate, sustainable Standard payload is a day/night
Ground Control Station (GCS) and the capability for over-the-horizon (EO/IR) camera pod, but many
One System RVT are keystones to the reconnaissance, surveillance, and target payloads have been demonstrated,
Army’s enhanced interoperability, acquisition (RSTA). The Shadow including communications relay,
enabling one configuration of GCS and aircraft, which is powered by a gasoline electronics and signals intelligence, and
RVT to be deployed on the battlefield engine, has the following features: a chemical and biological detection.
and operate with any of the Army UAS. 14-foot wingspan, a weight of 380 Hunter can carry the BAT anti-tank
pounds, a range of 125 km, a loiter and VIPER laser-guided weapons.
Current Army Systems speed of 60 knots and dash speed of
Raven 105 knots, a ceiling of 14,000 feet, and
The Raven (i.e., Small Unmanned a maximum endurance of more than 6
Aircraft System [SUAS]) provides a hours. The aircraft, which is launched
man-portable small UAS capability for by a trailer-mounted hydraulic catapult,
day and night reconnaissance and is recovered on a 100-meter long-
surveillance to the maneuver battalion, landing strip using arresting gear.
and it is very well suited to force Recovery flight is controlled by a
protection. Battery-powered, flying at a ground-based automatic radar guidance
normal altitude of about 500 feet above system. The standard payload is a
ground for up to 90 minutes on a day/night (EO/IR) pod and a
Hunter
lithium battery, the Raven has a communications relay is being fielded
roughly 10-kilometer (km) range from and a laser designator is in development.
the controller. It carries either a
SkyWarrior
front- and side-looking daytime camera
The Army is currently in development
to begin fielding the SkyWarrior
Extended Range Multi-Purpose
8
00 (ERMP) UAS in FY 2009. As an
2
all interim capability, the Army deployed
F
y • the smaller 2,350-pound SkyWarrior A
bilit in 2004, which has a 49-foot wingspan,
a a ceiling of 25,000 feet, an endurance
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craft S osyf s4te5m0 ptoo uflnyd ws.i tIht ilsi nthe-eo fif-rssitg Ahtr manyd
Air Raven Shadow satellite data link capability.
8
The SkyWarrior program of record Much of the literature concerning analysis will help identify all
(fielded) system provides a capability for aircraft combat survivability and much vulnerabilities and susceptibilities,
conducting long-dwell reconnaissance, of the focus on research and evaluate the probability and severity of
surveillance, target acquisition, development is on an ability to avoid each, and identify and evaluate
communications relay, and attack the threat (susceptibility) and to mitigation approaches for implementing
missions (with Hellfire missiles). The withstand the threat (vulnerability). cost, effectiveness, and risk. The most
aircraft weighs 3,200 pounds and has a The threat considered is usually a rewarding mitigations identified will be
56-foot wingspan, carries 575 pounds hostile weapon system, and further evaluated and implemented as
payload internally and 500 pounds vulnerability is focused on the aircraft’s funding permits. n
externally, has a ceiling of 25,000 feet, ability to not be killed.
has an endurance of more than 30 About the Author
hours, and is powered by a heavy fuel UASs are rapidly becoming critical Mr. Tommy Thomas, a systems
engine. The aircraft is capable of elements in the commander’s ability to engineer at the Aviation and Missile
simultaneously carrying a day/night accomplish the mission in some situa- Research Development and
(EO/IR) camera, a synthetic aperture tions. Under these circumstances, the Engineering Center at Redstone
radar (SAR) imager, and a survivability of the UAS is not simply Arsenal, AL, has been matrixed to the
communications relay. It is equipped avoiding being killed (usually a consider- Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project
with a tactical common data link ation of dollars of replacement value); Office since 1998. Mr. Thomas holds a
(TCDL) for line-of-sight Ku-band data rather, it is a factor in overall mission Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
link with the GCS, as well as a satellite success or possibly even survival of Engineering from Texas A&M
communications link. forces. Completion of the mission, often University and a Master of Science in
hours in duration in spite of the hostile Operations Research from the
environment, becomes a hurdle for UAS. University of Alabama in Huntsville.
However, the very nature of UAS
presents challenges of survivability References
design as a result of the distributed 1. COL Don Hazelwood, Army AL&T, “Managing the
nature of the aircraft operator from the Best Acquisition Program in the Army—This Is
aircraft and the need to distribute Where It All Happens,” July–September 2007
payload product to the battlefield users. 2. Ball, Robert E. AIAA The Fundamentals of
These electronic, real-time functions Aircraft Combat Survivability Analysis and
are inherently susceptible to hostile Design, Second Edition.
interruption or surreptition. 3. Glossary of Defense Acquisition Acronyms and
SkyWarrior Terms, Defense Acquisition University Press,
Identifying and Improving July 2005.
Enhancements
FCS Most tools that have been developed to All photographs for this article are
The Army UAS Project Office also support aircraft combat survivability courtesy of Tarah Hollingsworth.
manages the Class I and Class IV UASs are based on analyzing the aircraft’s
for the Future Combat System (FCS). ability to avoid or withstand weapons
Class I is a platoon-level vehicle within engagements. To support UAS
the unit of action. It weighs 35 to 45 survivability analysis, these tools are
pounds, has a 8-kilometer range, has an still valid and valuable for supporting
endurance of 60 minutes, has a ceiling the UAS survivability analysis; however,
of 11,000 feet, and will be equipped additional tools involving electronic
with a day/night (EO/IR) camera with a warfare and specialty tools for
laser designator. The Class IV addressing specific payload
(Firescout) UAS is an unmanned 3,000 susceptibilities also are needed. These
pound helicopter with range and tools would enable the analysis needed
endurance for supporting the Brigade to support data link countermeasures
Combat Team. The Class IV UAS will and other electronic countermeasures.
provide the commander with Although many of these tools exist
reconnaissance, surveillance, target within the specialist areas of expertise,
acquisition, and laser designation a systematic cataloguing, configuration,
capability, and it will be able to operate documentation, and validation of the
from unimproved areas. tools, similar to the other Survivability/
8
Vulnerability Information Analysis 00
2
UAS Survivability Is Different Center (SURVIAC) supported tools, all
F
According to the Defense Acquisition would be very beneficial. y •
University, the definition of bilit
survivability is “the capability of a The Army UAS Project Office, working a
v
system and its crew to avoid or with the Aviation and Missile Research urvi
wenivthirsotannmde na tm wainthmoaudt es uhfofsetriilneg an (DAeMveRloDpmECen),t haansd b Eengguinn eeevrailnuga tCinegn ter craft S
abortive impairment of its ability to susceptibilities of the program of record Air
accomplish its designated mission.” UAS. This comprehensive bottom-up
9