MUSIC Exercise Operational Overview
• Mini UGCS (M-UGCS), which allows UAS operators control of the Army’s small UAS, including the RQ-11B Raven, Puma, and Wasp. The first iteration of the M-UGCS was showcased at the exercise, demonstrating a move toward a common controller for the UAS fleet of small aircraft. Plans called for dem- onstrating the M-UGCS control of the electro-optical/infrared sensors on the Gray Eagle through Digital Data Link. This capability, known as TRICLOPS, allows for three sensors in the air on a single air vehicle that can be controlled through separate data links, increasing range and situational awareness.
• One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT), which allows for bidirec- tional control with the larger platforms, such as the Gray Eagle, Shadow, and Hunter. This capability allows Soldiers using the OSRVT to slew a payload toward whatever they want to see, as opposed to communicating a request via radio to an operator. The OSRVT also demonstrated its ability to receive video from the small aircraft, Raven and Puma, along with the video from the manned platforms, Apache and Kiowa. These capabilities allow for improved battle management by increasing the operators’ situational awareness.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), made possible by the introduction of a standardized interoperability protocol supporting video and data transmissions among ground, manned, and unmanned platforms. This manned-unmanned net- work allows for the handoff of payload control and receiving and transmitting of real-time streaming video, as well as manned pilots to control unmanned aircraft (see FAQ on Page 48).
“MUSIC is really intended to be a show- case for innovation, integration, and ultimately interoperability,” said Tim Owings, Deputy Project Manager UAS.
(SOURCE: PEO Aviation.)
In the past, the Soldier, whether flying from the cockpit of an aircraft, operating a ground control station, or operating an OSRVT, was able to access the informa- tion from each platform individually but not collectively. One of the key takeaways from the MUSIC exercise is the dem- onstration of the interrelationship of all those platforms by moving data and imag- ery between them, as well as by sharing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnais- sance more broadly.
BUILDING ON SUCCESSES COL Shane Openshaw, Project Manager Apache, said that MUSIC enabled the project office to build on its successes and what it has learned, demonstrat- ing the capabilities that will go into the Apache Block III, which will have up to Level 4 interoperability.
LTC Kirk McCauley, Product Direc- tor Armed Scout Fielded Systems, said that MUSIC demonstrated the current capability, Level 2 MUM-T, that is being
fielded and will be in theater within the next year. The system adapts and modi- fies the system used on Apache. Thus, the Kiowa Warrior would be able to communicate not only with manned and unmanned assets but also with joint assets, such as F-15 aircraft using the Bright Star system.
“Not only do we know TTPs [tactics, techniques and procedures] that have been used in the past, but because the system is flexible and provides the abil- ity to communicate between so many different platforms, we’re going to see dif- ferent and new TTPs emerge out of that,” McCauley said.
MICHELLE VIGO is a Systems Engineer in the Common Systems Integration (CSI) Product Office, PM UAS. She also serves as the Pre-Planned Product Improvement and the 2011 MUSIC Exercise Lead for CSI. She holds a B.S. in engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
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