The Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled the low observable Tier III Minus
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) today in a ceremony hosted by Lockheed Martin
Skunk Works in Palmdale, Calif. Never before seen in public, the Tier III
Minus UAV, known by the nickname DarkStar, is one of two high altitude
endurance UAVs being developed for the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office
(DARO) by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) joint UAV program
office.
ARPA is the executing agent for Tier III Minus development, with both DARO and
ARPA providing funds.
A Lockheed/Boeing team is leading the development of the Tier III Minus
(DarkStar) system. Each company is responsible for approximately 50 percent of
the development program. Boeing is responsible for the wing and wing subsystem
development and testing, and Lockheed is responsible for the design and
development of the body and its subsystems, final assembly, integration and
system test. A single turbo-fan engine, supplied by Williams International,
will provide power for the vehicle.
DarkStar is a low observable tactical reconnaissance UAV that will operate
within the current military force structure and with existing command, control,
communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) equipment. At a planned $10
million a copy (FY94 dollars), the DarkStar UAV will provide affordable, near
real time, continuous, all weather, wide area surveillance in support of
tactical commanders. The result will be timely information that the tactical
commander can immediately exploit for accurate situational awareness and to
perform precision strikes and other high priority intelligence and
reconnaissance tasks.
As one of the DoD's Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations, the Tier III
Minus program is bringing together military users and the technologists early
in the development process. Through demonstrations being conducted by the
Services, military utility and the concept of operations for the vehicle will
be refined before a production decision is made. Service demonstrations will
begin in 1996.
The Tier III Minus program is the first project to be executed under the
"Section 845 Authority" granted to ARPA for prototype weapons development
projects. This authority has paved the way for unprecedented
government-industry collaboration by removing the burden of specialized Defense
procurement regulations and statutes. The program represents a new way of
doing business -- one that is based on teamwork and mutual trust, fostered by
open dialogue on all issues. Integrated product and process teams have been
empowered to successfully accomplish the Tier III Minus development. Extensive
use of commercial items and methods are contributing to meeting program cost
goals.
Optimized for low observables, DarkStar's operational goal is to be highly
survivable while penetrating high threat environments. Complementing the Tier
III Minus is the Tier II Plus, which will be optimized for long range and
endurance in a low-to-moderate threat environment. Both vehicles will be
capable of fully autonomous take-off, flight and recovery; be capable of
dynamic retasking while in flight; and will operate in the same force
structure.
First flight of the DarkStar system is expected before the end of the year
with initial flight testing completed in mid-1996. These initial flights will
be followed by integrated exercises with the military services.
Additional information on the program can be found through the Internet on the
World Wide Web at: http://www.arpa.mil/asto/tier3.html.
