AFRL UAS Initiatives. Air Force Research Laboratory. 15 Aug Dr. Reid Melville. Air Force Research Laboratory. Integrity Service Excellence

Transcription

1 Air Force Research Laboratory AFRL UAS Initiatives 15 Aug 2018 Dr. Reid Melville Air Force Research Laboratory Integrity Service Excellence Distribution A : Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. (88ABW )

2 Overview A vision and strategy for Air Force UAS UAS technology highlights that align to strategy New AF approaches for engaging technology

3 Unmanned Air Systems The Game Changing Promise Changing how we Fly and Fight New class of air platforms Combined into air weapon systems Expands options for every mission Changing how we Build and Buy Low cost, risk accepting platforms Perfect for agile manufacturing Allows frequent technology refresh Operational Agility and Acquisition Agility for the Air Domain Distribution Statement D. 20

4 Changing How We Fly and Fight The Technology It Takes Command, Control, Comm Technology Distributed, Dynamic C2 Platform Technology Multifunctional Composites Operator HMI Flexible Electronics RPA Unique HSI Hybrid Electric Power Cyber Assurance Onboard Computing Secure Resilient Comm Extend to New Missions Payload Technology Compact Flexible Lethality Collaborative Sensing Spectrum Warfare Directed Energy Payloads Team to Create New Capabilities UAS Operations Technology Aerial Refueling Overwhelm with Quantity Airspace Integration Aerial Launch and Recovery UAS tailored T&E and V&V 4

5 Survivable Attritable Expendable Reusability Changing How We Fly and Fight Emerging Solution Space Emerging Low-Cost Platforms Air launched Attritables Tube Launched Expendables Smart, Loitering Munitions Smart munitions = expendable UAS Munitions MALE ISR 5th Gen Companion Reusable UCAV Rail launched Recoverables New class of air platforms Small Size Large Manned Systems Keys for acquisition agility: speed and affordability

6 Changing How We Build and Buy The Technology It Takes UAS Certification Process faster, cheaper & risk accepting UAS Class Certification Architectures and Interfaces upgradable modularity Open System Architectures Design life Tailored Standards Rapid T&E and V&V Open Mission Systems Aggressive Technology Exploitation Nontraditional Partners Rapid Design to Rapid Fabrication timely to requirements Low rate, purpose built procurement On demand, incremental technology refresh Integrated Design & Manufacturing Additive Manufacturing Automation & Robotics Airframe and Subsystem Affordability lower overall costs Low Cost Structural Components Low cost, Small Engines Low cost, Multi Function Sensors Acquisition competition within system lifecycle 7 Pioneer with Unmanned Systems, Propagate to Manned Systems 6

7 Effectiveness of a Mixed Fleet Combining High and Low Value Platforms When every adversary has access to UAS, what will be the US Strategic Advantage? Low end assets Combine for greater than single effect Complicate the enemy response Permit judicious use of high end assets May be sacrificed to gain advantage Masterful and dynamic composition and coordination of simple, cheap things 7

8 T H E MATERIALS A N D MANUFACTURING DIRECTORATE Agile, Modular, Composable ISR Payloads Manufacturing for Sensors & Electronics 20/ MRL 7 Agile Manufacturing Benefits: Operational Flexibility Affordability Quicker Tech Refresh Robust Industrial Base Approach Prototype complete w/ Technical Data Package (TDP) Dec 2016 Harvest Reaper: MQ 9 AgilePod Integration DC-3 Risk Reduction Flight Jun 2017 MQ-9 Demo 2Q FY18 AgilePod : Ideation to Prototype < 24 mos, Prototype to 1 st flight 6 mos

9 Low Cost Attritable Strike Demo Aircraft Manufacturing Benchmark Proof of Principle JCTD Key Program Outcomes Demonstrate low cost design & manuf concepts Identify technology gaps and primary cost drivers Capture guidelines for a limited life attritable aircraft Deliverables Tailored design and manufacturing criteria for limited life Gov t owned cost data to feed an attritable aircraft cost model Experimental flight test asset Planform Comparison Establishes a benchmark for future low cost aircraft demonstrations

10 A P 8 Poseidon TOBS Ecosystem Extensible Tube-Launched Operations AC 130J & Harvest Hawk Motherships Civil Mission App Optional Air Launch Current Technology Limit Any Host Platform Any UAS Video Altius HellDiver Group 4 & 5 RPAs Fast, Short Endurance UAV CLT Compatible SUAVs Coyote Stiletto / P 38 TOBS C2 Server C2 Video TOBS UAV Interface Mothership Specific Interfaces Waveform TOBS ICD (Gov Owned) UAV and Payload Specific Interfaces Any Payload RF/DF Multiple Targets Laser Designation Chain of Custody Payloads & Applications Any mothership, any UAV, any payload Gov owned core is the airworthy component 10

11 Predator/Reaper Offboard Sensing and Improved Targeting Key PROSIT System Components AgilePod AFRL-Owned and Developed Control station for air-launch, UAS command and control, and mission operation Suitable for the operation of single or multiple UAs AFRL-Owned and Developed Flexible Open System Architecture Integrate 2-4 UAS No modifications to MQ-9

12 Software Defined Everything (SDx) Bridging real time Software Defined Radio through radio slicing and flexible resource allocation and Software Defined Networking through vertical network slicing Exploiting maximum flexibility (spectral agility) At radio, medium access, and network level Meeting diverse requirements across heterogeneous IT => End-to-end, on-demand wireless networking! 12

13 UxAS: Unmanned Systems Autonomy Services Net-centric, interconnected software modules Automate mission-level decision making Task assignment Route planning Cooperative control Sensor steering Supports live and simulated demonstrations Builds on 20 years of research in UAV cooperative control Designed for flexibility, rapid extensibility Open-source with free distribution

14 Tap into the Power of Creativity Empower Intentional Innovation AFWERX Innovation Products Innovation Hubs (Vegas, DC, Austin) bringing the tools and resources together under one roof Spark Tank access to mentors and a competitive driver Tech Accelerator scouting ventures with military interest to create more options today and in the future Spark facilitating AF intrapreneurship at the base level Community Development convening force to grow and engage the virtual and physical community Creative Design/Prototype Challenge spurring entrepreneur/intrapreneur problem solving

15 Unleashes Emergent Approaches Through a Diverse Community AFWERX Leverages a Larger Network pulling these networks together creates a resilient ecosystem Startups High Tech R&D Air Force and Defense Industrial Base Venture Capital Community

16 Role of Commercial Markets Key Issues for DoD Gain access to non traditional technology sources There is greater UAS investment outside of DoD channels New procurement path to connect DoD to commercial activity Support ad hoc and opportunistic technology transition Drive toward UAS Architectures and Interface Standards Present a path for technology insertion at the component level Allow DoD to Exploit Global UAS Technology Proliferation Distribution Statement D. 20

17 DoD/Commercial UAS Market Need Finding Classes of UAS 10,000 Area of Interest (sq miles) Sensor for Coverage Aerial SA Favors Multi Rotor Airborne Services Site Survey Domestic Support Field Survey Regional Resupply Vehicle for Coverage Tactical ISR Earth Survey Strategic ISR Favors Fixed Wing Unmanned Cargo Strategic Resupply Operational Radius (miles)

18 Benchmarks that drive Innovation System Performance Measures System Architecture Maximum Space for Innovation Technology Selections System Specifications Temptation to Jump Directly Here

19 Interface to Commercial UAS Activity Tailored Pathway for Rapid Transition Phase One: Complete UAS Systems Public/Private Partnership Managed DoD Managed Commercial UAS Activity Facilitated Dialogue and Exploration Between DoD customers with UAS requirements and emerging commercial capability Invitational Flight Demos Open opportunity to fly against a performance benchmark that is an analog of the DoD requirement capability DoD Prototype Assessment Limited opportunity to validate in a DoD relevant environment DoD Customers for UAS based services DoD Procurement Opportunity to move directly to acquisition of validated solutions Architecture Defined DoD Weapon Systems Gov t/industry Developed Comprehensive Architecture and Standards Phase Two: UAS Sub systems and Components

20 Summary Seeking operational and acquisitional agility New class of low cost platforms and systems Agility in hardware, software, and integration Partnering with AFwerX, USAF innovation driver Exploiting commercial/military overlap Developing interface practices for emerging tech