Session
Technical Session IV: On the Horizon
Abstract
Our Nation has adopted integrated unmanned ground, air and maritime systems into nearly every facet of conventional and irregular warfare. Today‟s warfighters are dependent on the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Communications provided by unmanned systems from the strategic level down to the tactical edge. Demand for these systems is quickly outpacing our capacity and despite the game changing capabilities provided by these systems, there are still gaps in our ability to utilize them in denied access areas, to rapidly deploy / task them to new and changing areas of interest, and provide cost effective, ubiquitous ISR and communications coverage. Agile, reliable and cost effective nanosatellite/microsatellite constellations, integrated into the military services‟ unmanned systems roadmaps, could fill their ISR and communications capability gaps, augment their existing architectures and enable Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) exploitation of information for the tactical edge (i.e., conventional, clandestine and special operations forces). Northrop Grumman is pursuing and conducting technology demonstrations to validate the concept of nanosatellite/microsatellite constellations providing actionable intelligence to the lowest tactical level and exploring innovative architectures enabling dynamically retaskable unmanned ground, air and space assets to ground units at or below the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) level. Soldiers could soon have unprecedented access to relevant, real-time ISR and communications regardless of geography, borders, weather or enemy tactics.
Presentation Slides
Nanosat/Microsat Constellations and the Next Generation Unmanned Systems Strategy
Our Nation has adopted integrated unmanned ground, air and maritime systems into nearly every facet of conventional and irregular warfare. Today‟s warfighters are dependent on the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Communications provided by unmanned systems from the strategic level down to the tactical edge. Demand for these systems is quickly outpacing our capacity and despite the game changing capabilities provided by these systems, there are still gaps in our ability to utilize them in denied access areas, to rapidly deploy / task them to new and changing areas of interest, and provide cost effective, ubiquitous ISR and communications coverage. Agile, reliable and cost effective nanosatellite/microsatellite constellations, integrated into the military services‟ unmanned systems roadmaps, could fill their ISR and communications capability gaps, augment their existing architectures and enable Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) exploitation of information for the tactical edge (i.e., conventional, clandestine and special operations forces). Northrop Grumman is pursuing and conducting technology demonstrations to validate the concept of nanosatellite/microsatellite constellations providing actionable intelligence to the lowest tactical level and exploring innovative architectures enabling dynamically retaskable unmanned ground, air and space assets to ground units at or below the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) level. Soldiers could soon have unprecedented access to relevant, real-time ISR and communications regardless of geography, borders, weather or enemy tactics.
