(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 17, 2009: The U.S. Defense Department is expected to issue a request for proposals (RFP) late this year or early next for a prototype system that would be able to control three different unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously. +simultaneously.jpg)
A new "cockpit" designed specifically for UAV pilots unveiled yesterday by Raytheon promises to improve operational efficiency and flight safety of unmanned aerial systems. The new cockpit, called Universal Control System (UCS) is designed to simplify control of multiple unmanned aerial systems, by improving situational awareness and ability to control multiple unmanned platforms. The system uses open architecture to control multiple platforms and sensors utilizing STANAG 4586 compliant systems, configured as a ground based "glass cockpit". Raytheon is confident that the new cockpit can improve the flight safety of unmanned systems, particularly of piloted UAVs such as the USAF Predator.
Speaking June 16 at the Paris Air Show, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems business development director Mark Bigham said the RFP, for which Raytheon intends to bid, had arisen out of a recent Pentagon directive that separates the air and ground components of unmanned systems. As a result, companies like General Atomics, which makes the Predator, Reaper and Sky Warrior UAVs, no longer can automatically provide their ground control systems.
Bigham said the Pentagon is also seeking ground control systems based on open architectures rather than proprietary software systems.
According to Bigham, a prototype system would be provided about 12 months from when the RFP is issued. He said he believed this would be the first phase; a second phase would extend the concept to other UAVs such as the Firescout, Global Hawk and Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) system.
A new "cockpit" designed specifically for UAV pilots unveiled yesterday by Raytheon promises to improve operational efficiency and flight safety of unmanned aerial systems. The new cockpit, called Universal Control System (UCS) is designed to simplify control of multiple unmanned aerial systems, by improving situational awareness and ability to control multiple unmanned platforms. The system uses open architecture to control multiple platforms and sensors utilizing STANAG 4586 compliant systems, configured as a ground based "glass cockpit". Raytheon is confident that the new cockpit can improve the flight safety of unmanned systems, particularly of piloted UAVs such as the USAF Predator.
Speaking June 16 at the Paris Air Show, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems business development director Mark Bigham said the RFP, for which Raytheon intends to bid, had arisen out of a recent Pentagon directive that separates the air and ground components of unmanned systems. As a result, companies like General Atomics, which makes the Predator, Reaper and Sky Warrior UAVs, no longer can automatically provide their ground control systems.
Bigham said the Pentagon is also seeking ground control systems based on open architectures rather than proprietary software systems.
According to Bigham, a prototype system would be provided about 12 months from when the RFP is issued. He said he believed this would be the first phase; a second phase would extend the concept to other UAVs such as the Firescout, Global Hawk and Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) system.
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