Boeing ScanEagle Demonstrates Net-Centric Technologies at Joint Military Demonstration
ST. LOUIS, April 20, 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and a team of industry and academic researchers demonstrated a series of advanced network-centric technologies at a joint military exercise held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The technologies were developed under sponsorship from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), with support from Air Force Research Laboratories.
The team used ScanEagle, a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed and built by Boeing and The Insitu Group, for the demonstration.
During the live-fire exercise, two airborne ScanEagle UAVs, carrying embedded autonomous control software, performed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles to find, identify and track ground targets; provided timely and accurate aim points for delivery of U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force weapons; and supported post-strike battle damage assessment.
"We demonstrated, in a tactically relevant scenario, how strategic employment of network-centric concepts and technologies can dramatically improve the war fighter's ability to prosecute time-critical targets," said Patrick Stokes, Boeing program manager for Network Centric Operations Contracted Research and Development programs. "These advanced technologies and machine-to-machine interfaces not only enhance overall UAV mission effectiveness, but significantly reduce operator workload."
The autonomous control software technology utilized for the demonstration was developed as part of DARPA's Program Composition of Embedded Systems (PCES) program. The embedded PCES technology enables a UAV in the field to autonomously map its own path without operator input. At present, an operator on the ground has to plot the UAV's course via waypoints to ensure the vehicle reaches and remains in the proper position to accomplish its assigned task.
For the exercise, real-time streaming imagery was passed from ScanEagle to operations personnel and a mission commander on the ground more than 100 miles away. After assessing potential targets, the commander, with a simple mouse click, told ScanEagle where ISR coverage was needed. ScanEagle then flew autonomously to the target area, gathered and sent additional imagery, provided accurate aim points and then monitored the weapons strike.
Another advanced concept highlighted during the successful demonstration was the PCES Quality of Service (QoS) network optimization technology, developed by Boeing partner BBN Technologies. The QoS technology allowed delivery of multiple ISR imagery feeds to the mission commander over a resource constrained data network. Based on the commander's assigned priorities for each ISR platform, it managed data-stream properties such as frame-rate, compression and latency to provide high quality, persistent and low-latency imagery while operating within available bandwidth.
In addition, Boeing Phantom Works-developed Precision Image Registration (PIR) technology, utilized ScanEagle imagery to quickly and accurately derive aim points for precision weapon deployment. As demonstrated, integration of the PIR technology further enhanced ScanEagle's mission effectiveness by extending its ISR role to include an advanced targeting capability.
Since being deployed in theater with the First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) last summer, ScanEagle has surpassed 2,000 flight hours during operational missions in Iraq . The Marines have relied heavily on the system due to its long-endurance capability, unique ISR value, clear detailed imagery and ability to operate in a harsh weather environment. Boeing received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2004 to provide two ScanEagle "mobile deployment units" for use with the I MEF.
ScanEagle is the first small tactical UAV with an inertially stabilized turret. As standard payload, ScanEagle carries either an electro-optical or an infrared camera. The gimbaled camera allows the operator to easily track both stationary and moving targets, providing real-time intelligence to users.
Phantom Works, the advanced research and development unit and catalyst of innovation for the Boeing enterprise, is assisting in ScanEagle's development. It provides leading edge systems and technology solutions to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis , Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
The Insitu Group, located in Bingen , Wash., develops miniature robotic aircraft for commercial and military applications. Insitu, which introduced the first UAV to cross the Atlantic Ocean , developed its SeaScan UAV to serve the commercial fishing industry for fish spotting, and has developed vehicles for other commercial applications. For more information about the company, see http://www.insitugroup.com.
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Contact Info:
Chick Ramey
206-851-4147
charles.b.ramey@boeing.com
Steve Nordlund
The Insitu Group
509-493-8600
steve.nordlund@insitugroup.com
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