Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems has released a request for information for the development of an electronic-warfare self-protection system to be fitted to the US Army’s planned Future Combat System Class III and IV unmanned air vehicle fleets.
The proposed system – designated the survivability sensor suite (SSS) – would comprise a radar warning receiver and a missile plume detector as its basic components. A laser warning receiver capability is also sought if this can be met within platform weight and space restrictions.
Series production of 1,140 suites is proposed between fiscal year 2012 and FY2023, based on an estimated 750 suites for the Class III UAV and 390 suites for the Class IV UAV. However, bid documents released by Northrop indicate potential requirements to field SSS on the selected FCS Class III and IV UAVs as early as 2010
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is the designated FCS aerial sensor integration contractor. The RFI closes 15 September.
The FCS Class III UAV requirement is for a replacement for existing US Army RQ-7 Shadow 200 tactical systems, while the FCS Class IV requirement for an extended capability tactical surveillance system has seen the selection of the Northrop RQ-8B Firescout.
FCS prime contracts Boeing and SAIC plan to make a downselect for their preferred Class III system at the end of September with this a selection between the Piasecki Air Guard and the AAI Shadow 300 systems.
“The SSS system under consideration is intended to provide warning to the host platform that is has been acquired or targeted by a surface-to-air threat system,” the RFI documents say.
“As an objective the system should also provide warning of air-to-air threats that have similarly acquired or targeted the host platform.
“Whenever possible, such warning should be provided before the host vehicle has approached within the lethal radius surrounding the threat so that threat avoidance manoeuvring may be accomplished. When this is not possible the nature and approximate location of the detected threat should still be reported to the host platform in a timely manner so that this information may be relayed to the UAV’s ground controllers before the vehicle is lost to hostile action.”
The proposed suite is expected to have a weight of 13.5kg (30lb), excluding cabling, and have a maximum power consumption of 600w.
However, the RFI says that if a laser warning system is offered which is also capable of supporting multiple integrated laser engagement and tactical engagement simulation system training capability, the overall weight and power limits could rise by up to 25% each.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
