Developing a UAV concept of operations
Matt Martin, ACC A3YU Predator and Reaper Operations Branch chief.
One focus of the CONOPS will be methods to best share information and command and control. “If we can’t share data, then we can’t share information,” Corley said. “If we can’t share information, we can’t command and control.” Finding joint solutions begins with new CONOPS that look at every piece of the UAS spectrum, rather than individual pieces of the puzzle, the ACC commander said. “We have to treat this as a system,” he said. “You have to think about all the pieces.” The general said such interoperability will increase effectiveness from a combat standpoint. “You have to think about all the pieces from training to platform to processing, exploitation and dissemination,” said Corley. “That includes how the info is shared and how it fits in the bigger puzzle. You want to know, not just what is in the lower left hand of the canvas, but what the entire painting looks like.” Wallace agreed that efforts should be made to raise CONOPS up a level by focusing on capabilities rather than focusing on service-centric solutions. “We want to identify areas or opportunities for increasing interoperability in order to optimize support to the joint warfighter,” said Wallace. “It’s all about working together to get a capability to our troops quickly and effectively.”
Martin said the new CONOPS will have far-reaching implications for UAS operations. The goal, he said, is to ensure that a joint forces commander can expect the same level of support from an Air Force UAS unit supporting an Army movement as they would receive from an Army unit and vice-versa. “The CONOPS will influence how the services organize, train and equip their forces,” he said. “The joint forces commander needs to expect the same level of effectiveness from each branch no matter what the mission.” Making changes to the current service-specific procedures has been a continuing process, and commanders in the field are already seeing the effects of those changes on the battlefield, Corley explained. “Enhancements to the current CONOPS are already underway and have already yielded benefits to the warfighter,” he said. “We are looking to shape and inform our future discussions on doctrine, materiel, interoperability and training with this concept of operations. We’re not starting from the beginning. This is an effort that’s been underway for some time.”
Two systems to follow:
- 24th MQ-1 Predator: The Air Force acceleration of Predator capability to combat was made possible by increased production and delivery of Predator aircraft and several personnel actions, including freezing Predator assignments and reassigning pilots from other aircraft and duties to meet the growing demand for full motion video.
- Silent Eye in the Sky, MQ-1 Predator: The highly developed Multi-spectral Targeting System sensor aboard the aircraft provides a live video feed, which the pilot and sensor operator on the ground are able to watch for suspicious activities.
