The Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), acting
as agent for the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office, today selected the
Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical team, San Diego, Calif., for Phase Two of the Tier
II Plus High Altitude Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. Subject to
negotiation, the team will receive $164 million for this phase.
Team members include E-Systems Melpar Division, Falls Church, Virginia;
Rockwell, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Unisys Communication Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah;
Allison Engine Company, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Hughes Aircraft Company, Los
Angeles, California.
The Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical team will execute a 31-month advanced
development and flight test effort. They will design, develop, fabricate and
test two advanced development air vehicles and a ground station, followed by 12
months of flight and system performance testing. After successful flight
tests, the program will proceed to Phase Three to build up to eight additional
demonstration air vehicles and two ground stations, and operationally
demonstrate the system for two years.
The Tier II Plus High Altitude Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program will
demonstrate an affordable reconnaissance capability for the Joint Force
Commander that will provide high-quality imagery products in exploitable form
direct to the field user. The system is designed to have a recurring unit
flyaway price for the airborne element of $10 million in 1994 budget year
dollars. The system will be capable of sustained, 24-hour, high-altitude
surveillance and reconnaissance under all weather conditions, at ranges of up
to 3,000 nautical miles from its operating base. The system will be equipped
with radar and electro-optical and infrared sensors, and will transmit imagery
from the aircraft via satellite communications to operational exploitation
facilities over long distances. This new, near real-time intelligence and
targeting information is expected to significantly enhance battlefield
situation awareness and the warfighting capability of the Joint Force
Commander.
The Program Director, Mr. John Entzminger states "I was highly encouraged to
see the innovative designs and strong proposals from each of the 5 Phase One
contractors. It was a difficult decision to select the one team whose proposed
system and program best supported a low risk, minimal change transition through
all phases of the program. The winning team's proposal reflected the most
advantageous combination of system capability and program technical, management
and financial approach. I look forward to working with them as we continue
this program. The Tier II Plus is crucial to permit the warfighter to have
continuous battlefield awareness in the future."
The program is being managed by an ARPA-led, joint ARPA/Army/Navy/Air Force
project office.
