ARMY UAS


MISSILE INSPECTION


SGT Michael Arons (left) and SSG Eric Wheeler, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion, inspect a HELLFIRE simulation training missile on a Gray Eagle. (U.S. Army photo by Amy Sunseri.)


before deploying the system in theater in FY12. A formal open competition is planned after the product office finalizes information received from industry.


SHADOW UPGRADES The Shadow system, a primary recon- naissance, surveillance, targeting, and acquisition asset for the brigade com- mander and the workhorse of Army UAS, is “alive and well and kicking,” said Product Manager LTC Andy Hamilton.


“We’ve flown over 630,000 hours, 91 per- cent of that in combat. We just fielded the 95th system to the Army and fielded 13 systems to the Marine Corps.”


UAS operators can expect longer endur- ance with the Shadow system, thanks to a new wing design that the Army recently began fielding. Compared with the legacy Shadow system, which can fly for almost six hours, the Shadow re-wing will provide operators up to nine hours of endurance.


42 Army AL&T Magazine


“We’ve also fielded a new payload that gives us a new mission capability, so we’re getting away from that simple EO/IR [electro-optical infrared],” Hamilton said.


“We’re also working to test and field a new common system data link,” satisfying architectural mandates, adding encryp- tion capabilities, and integrating the Joint Tactical Radio System, he said. Fielding of that capability, scheduled for later this year, will include the first Full Spectrum Combat Aviation Brigade.


GRAY EAGLE ADVANCES The Army’s largest UAS, the Gray Eagle, has successfully completed the first QRC of four aircraft to Iraq. The Army recently deployed the second QRC of another four aircraft that are operating in Afghanistan.


“We’ve had our first HELLFIRE engage- ment with direct fire on the enemy, as well


as support to the Air Force,” said Product Manager LTC Kevin Messer. “In addition, we recently got through a milestone decision to purchase our fifth unit equipped, and it’s on contract.” Messer said he expects another deployment early in FY12.


The Gray Eagle successfully demonstrated Level of Interoperability 4 (full control of the aircraft and payload) with the Apache Block III at Dugway on Aug. 4. This was a historic event demonstrat- ing the coordination and technology between the Apache and Gray Eagle crews. This unprecedented capability gives the Apache crew a detached remote sensor, laser designator, and the ability to position the Gray Eagle UAS, thereby increasing mission success rates and help- ing to limit friendly casualties.


A formal initial operational test and eval- uation of the Gray Eagle is planned for July 2012.


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