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When employed in constellations of coordinated and interconnected
multiple vehicles, UAVs offer much improved efficiency compared
to current systems concept of operation. Multiple tasks can
be dynamically allocated between the constellation's platforms,
assigning the most suitable sensor for every user and target;
furthermore, several sensors can be harnessed to focus on a
single, high priority target, ensuring continuous coverage under
all visibility conditions, viewing the target from different
angles and altitudes. The constellation also offers inherent
redundancy, automatically arranging to back-up any sensor which
fails, due to logistical (return to base), technical or operational
circumstances (shot down). Such constellations are even more
critical for weapons employment, since the position of each
weapon carrying platform can be dynamically computed to ensure
that any 'time critical target' within the area under surveillance
could be engaged within the required response time by one or
more weapons.
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| Other area domination concepts,
currently under development consider the deployment of persistent
constellations of network-centric intelligent munitions. Each
micro-platform will be fitted with a weapon datalink, feeding
real-time video and Laser Detection
and Ranging (LADAR) imagery, area surveillance and targeting
and real-time Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) from the battlefield,
over the Global Information Grid (GIG) to forward command and
control centers. Unlike LOCAAS,
these vehicles will be designed for multi-kill capability, and
operate over open area as well as urban environment. Further
evolved systems expected to be fielded toward 2030 will be optimized
as layered systems, offering Total Urban Dominance Layered Systems
(TUDLS) integrating various systems operating at different altitudes
to dominate the vertical dimension denying enemy operations
in all environments. These systems will be equipped with compact,
directional and focused lethality warheads, featuring variable
yield and advanced energetics, with sensors capable of locating
camouflaged targets in cluttered terrain (urban) reducing collateral
damage and minimizing risk to friendly forces.
Persistent UAV constellation currently evaluated by the US
Air Force is developed by Boeing, using low-cost expendable
system called Dominator. It is designed for deployment from
stealth bombers and fighters (such as the B2
or F-22), at the starting
phase of a conflict, to dominate key battlefield areas with
persistent unmanned, highly autonomous yet fully controllable
constellation of aerial sensors, weapons and support elements.
The system will provide the air force with persistent battlefield
presence, maintaining offensive capability against time sensitive
targets and mobile targets in more immediate form. It enables
target tracking and requires 'permission to attack' in an accelerated
fashion. The program is evaluating various options for carriage,
and fast aerial release of Dominators. The first flight of the
Persistent Munition Technology Demonstrator (PMTD), a testbed
for future unmanned air-domination vehicles was made in April
2006. The 60 pound vehicle has a wingspan of 12 feet was used
to demonstrate the autonomous flight capabilities. Future tests
will include sensor integration and enhanced weapon terminal
guidance demonstrations as well as possible in-flight refueling
and munitions dispensing.
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