Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The FCS construct of network-centric systems reduces the importance of individual systems and raises the emphasis on common communications, computers, sensors, modeling/simulation, weapons, training and logistics.
Abstract
• Advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). • Communications relay. • Air-ground or air-to-air cooperative engagement. The FCS construct of network-centric systems reduces the importance of individual systems and raises the emphasis on common communications, computers, sensors, modeling/simulation, weapons, training and logistics. An individual UAV does not become an FCS Class of UAV until these common characteristics are integrated and tested in a system-of-systems environment. In the ISR role, UAVs use a variety of sensors such as electro-optic, infrared or meteorological sampling while sending this data back to the networked system of communications and information sharing throughout the UA. The UAV sensors provide situational awareness through “eyes-on” operations, persistent observation of a target of interest or battle damage Unmanned Aerial Vehicles —