April 23, 2001 Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, PEO (W) The Tactical Control System (TCS) conducted its first takeoff and landing of a Navy owned Predator unmanned aerial vehicle at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz., recently, achieving what is known as level five flight control. This achievement is a historic event as it is the first time a control system other than one developed by the vehicle manufacturer has operated a UAV throughout the entire flight. TCS is being developed as the ground control station architecture for the Department of Defense’s family of tactical UAVs, under the direction of the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)). The prime contractor is Raytheon Systems Corporation, Falls Church, Virginia. The TCS program was formally established in September 1997 with its designation as an acquisition category II program. TCS will provide command and control of all tactical and medium endurance UAVs and their payloads from a single ground station, as well as data dissemination to designated command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. The recent Predator flight was the first formal developmental test since TCS entered engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) a year ago. The focus of EMD is to develop a single software product that will be used by the Navy, Army, and Air Force. The level five control indicates that TCS conducted launch and recovery, flight control, payload control, and direct data receipt from the Predator. This is the highest level of UAV control and is the most challenging to achieve. The developmental version of TCS software used in the Predator flight is designated Block 0 version 1. This product will be provided to the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) located at Norfolk, Va., as a tool to support warfighting exercises and to ultimately mature joint UAV operational concepts. Upon transfer to JFCOM, the system will be known as the UAV Joint Operational Test Bed System (JOTBS). In the vision of former Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr. JOTBS would enable JFCOM to "turn interoperability theory into reality" by experimenting with UAV interoperability concepts and tactics unconstrained by Service doctrine or policies. The next evolution of TCS will be called Block 1, which will control the Army’s Shadow 200 UAV, and Block 2 will control the Navy’s Fire Scout UAV. Blocks 1 and 2 will be developed and tested concurrently. Once developmental and operational testing is complete, these products will be fielded through the appropriate service. Finally, the initial two blocks will be merged into a single software system referred to as Block 3. This consolidated product will then be fielded to all services to control Navy, Army, and Air Force vehicles with a single control system. When asked to comment on this landmark event, Rear Adm. Jack Chenevey, PEO (W) said, "in the future, success in battle, to a greater degree than ever, will be achieved through information superiority. We must place a premium on the ability to share and collate information across services and among our allies. UAVs and TCS will help to make this happen." Photos are available on the Web site at: http://www.strikenet.js.mil then click on PAO, then news releases. Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, PEO (W) The Tactical Control System (TCS) conducted its first takeoff and landing of a Navy owned Predator unmanned aerial vehicle at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz., recently, achieving what is known as level five flight control. This achievement is a historic event as it is the first time a control system other than one developed by the vehicle manufacturer has operated a UAV throughout the entire flight. TCS is being developed as the ground control station architecture for the Department of Defense’s family of tactical UAVs, under the direction of the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)). The prime contractor is Raytheon Systems Corporation, Falls Church, Virginia. The TCS program was formally established in September 1997 with its designation as an acquisition category II program. TCS will provide command and control of all tactical and medium endurance UAVs and their payloads from a single ground station, as well as data dissemination to designated command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. The recent Predator flight was the first formal developmental test since TCS entered engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) a year ago. The focus of EMD is to develop a single software product that will be used by the Navy, Army, and Air Force. The level five control indicates that TCS conducted launch and recovery, flight control, payload control, and direct data receipt from the Predator. This is the highest level of UAV control and is the most challenging to achieve. The developmental version of TCS software used in the Predator flight is designated Block 0 version 1. This product will be provided to the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) located at Norfolk, Va., as a tool to support warfighting exercises and to ultimately mature joint UAV operational concepts. Upon transfer to JFCOM, the system will be known as the UAV Joint Operational Test Bed System (JOTBS). In the vision of former Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr. JOTBS would enable JFCOM to "turn interoperability theory into reality" by experimenting with UAV interoperability concepts and tactics unconstrained by Service doctrine or policies. The next evolution of TCS will be called Block 1, which will control the Army’s Shadow 200 UAV, and Block 2 will control the Navy’s Fire Scout UAV. Blocks 1 and 2 will be developed and tested concurrently. Once developmental and operational testing is complete, these products will be fielded through the appropriate service. Finally, the initial two blocks will be merged into a single software system referred to as Block 3. This consolidated product will then be fielded to all services to control Navy, Army, and Air Force vehicles with a single control system. When asked to comment on this landmark event, Rear Adm. Jack Chenevey, PEO (W) said, "in the future, success in battle, to a greater degree than ever, will be achieved through information superiority. We must place a premium on the ability to share and collate information across services and among our allies. UAVs and TCS will help to make this happen." Photos are available on the Web site at: http://www.strikenet.js.mil then click on PAO, then news releases.

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- At a ceremony on Friday, April 21, 2000, Captain James B. Godwin, III, received his permanent appointment, to the grade of Rear Admiral (Lower Half). The ceremony was led by Vice Adm. John Lockard, commander of the Naval Air Systems Command.

Godwin was joined by his wife Karen, and his children Clancy, Brit and Hunter. Also joining the ceremony was Corkey Godwin, Rear. Adm. Godwin’s mother.

Prior to reading the frocking authorization letter issued from the Chief of Naval Operations, Lockard spoke to the assembled audience on Godwin’s special skill set, special experience and demonstrative performance.

Godwin’s words to the audience were filled with thanks and gratitude to all of the people who have affected his career along the way. He noted his sincere appreciation to those who have helped him achieve success.

In addition, he remarked that it was a special day to have both his wife and mother present to witness his promotion, as they both did in 1973 when he graduated from Tulane University and subsequently commissioned into the United States Navy.

Flight training for Godwin began in February 1974 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and completed at NAS Kingsville, Texas, where he received his wings in July 1975. He was ordered to NAS Lemoore, Calif. for replacement pilot training in A-7 Corsair II and served subsequent tours with VA-147, VA-122 as an instructor pilot/landing signals officer (LSO), and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) as an Air Wing LSO. At the completion of his tour in 1983, he was selected as an instructor pilot of VFA-125, the first F/A-18 Hornet squadron in the Navy.

Godwin went on to serve with VFA-125 as a department head and commander, Light Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as the F/A-18 night attack program developer prior to reporting to VFA-192 as executive officer in September 1989.

Godwin commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 192 from March 1991 until June 1992, while embarked aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Independence (CV-62) forward deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan.

After detaching from VFA-192, he reported to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), then in Arlington, Va., and served as the F/A-18 Assistant program manager for Systems and Engineering (Class Desk) from July 1992 until December 1994. His principal responsibility was leading the engineering and manufacturing development team of the F/A-18E/F program through the critical design phase.

He served as co-deputy program manager for Production and Systems Development in the F/A-18 Program Office serving F/A-18A/B/C/D and new systems developments worldwide from January 1995 until January 1996. He was subsequently selected to be the executive assistant to the commander of the Naval Air Systems Command in January 1996 and served in that capacity until August 1996. He assumed his prior command as the F/A-18 program manager on April 18, 1997.

Godwin has over 2,000 hours in the A-7, 2,000 hours in the F/A-18, and more than 915 carrier arrested landings.

As a combat veteran with 34 Desert Storm missions, his awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike/Fight Air medal (three awards), Individual Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards including one Combat "V"), Navy Achievement Medal, Expert Pistol medal, and several unit awards and citations.

Godwin will now report to assume the duties of program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs, in Patuxent River, Md.