The United States Navy (USN) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) currently maintain Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) service contracts through their respective acquisition commands in an attempt to fill capability gaps in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).  The Navy and Marine Corps have funded a new start program initiative to replace the UAS ISR service contract.  The Services will own this system and Sailors and Marines will operate it.  The Navy calls this capability Small Tactical UAS (STUAS) while the Marine Corps calls it Tier II UAS.  The Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)) manages this new program through the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Program office (PMA-263).  Both services are anticipating an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in fiscal year 2011 (FY11).

            Since the STUAS/Tier II UAS industry day in August 2007 there have been significant changes in program requirements and acquisition strategy.  The acquisition strategy will now be a single acquisition instead of an incremental approach with separate competitions for each increment.  The government does not foresee another formal industry day nor a Request For Information (RFI) to be released prior to the draft Request For Proposal (RFP).  The draft RFP is tentatively scheduled to be released third quarter FY08.  More specific information with regards to schedule and requirements will be posted on the PMA263 website in the very near future.

           
During combat operations in the GWOT, the Marine Corps has identified a significant gap in its ISR capability and has confirmed the need for organic, tactical UAS coverage in order to enhance Situational Awareness (SA) and enable timely decision making by its battlefield commanders.  Tier II UAS will complement the Marine Corps’ UAS Family of Systems (FoS) by supporting division and below commanders with an organic, robust ISR capability the delivers Near Real Time (NRT) Battlespace Awareness (BA).  Tier II UAS will provide tactical commanders an uncomplicated, cost-effective, and readily available, off-the-shelf, militarized sensor.

            The Navy’s concept of Small Tactical UAS will provide tactical ISR support to ship, Strike Group, and other Naval Unit Commanders.  This provides capability within the tactical mission of the Navy’s FoS, and is envisioned as complementary to other, more capable, tactically oriented, heavily tasked UAS.  The Navy will organize, deploy, and employ STUAS to support independent ship commanders, Strike Group Commanders, Naval Special Warfare, and Naval Expeditionary Combat Command units supporting Joint maritime/littoral operations that require small tactical level UAS capabilities.

            The STUAS/Tier II UAS will be a persistent, multi-sensor, easily maintained and operated expeditionary system with ties to the Global Information Grid (GIG).  The system will be operated from austere forward bases and from ships using a minimum of personnel, equipment and unique support equipment.

For additional information please contact Chuck Wagner, Public Affairs Officer, (301) 757-7417