Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (Code 2.0), 1421 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, Va 22243-5120

U -- TACTICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS POC Contact, Debra L. Glass, Phone (703)604-0903 In response to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council guidance, the Tactical Control System (TCS) program was initiated to provide a cost-effective, scaleable and reconfigurable control station for command, control, communications and data dissemination in support of all tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The TCS acquisition will consist of two distinct phases: Phase I, a program definition and risk reduction phase to develop fieldable TCS prototypes; and Phase II, full scale engineering, manufacturing and development of the scaleable, reconfigurable TCS to support command and control of all services' tactical UAVs. The TCS Phase I process is structured to maximize joint user involvement, leverage concurrent Joint Project Office initiatives, promote industry involvement, and provide significant technical data and products for the follow-on Phase II TCS developer. During Phase I, a scaleable, fieldable prototype TCS architecture will be provided by the Program Executive Office for Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, PM-TCS for integration and field demonstrations with multiple UAVs. Phase I will focus on TCS product scaleability, real-time control of multiple UAV types and their payloads, data dissemination/tactical communications, and evolving concepts of operation. Real time control of multiple UAV types will be demonstrated using already acquired UAV systems. The Naval Air Systems Command intends to negotiate a contract with General Atomics (GA), and, if necessary their associate contractors, to support Predator air vehicle, sensor, and data link integration and demonstration as the first of several other potential Phase I implementations of the TCS program. This effort will span a 24 month period to include integration and demonstration as part of an overall program definition, risk reduction, and concept demonstration phase for the TCS development and acquisistion. GA and their associate contractors will provide the necessary hardware, software, technical support, and operations and maintenance support required to integrate, operate and maintain Predator hardware and software to command and control the air vehicle and sensors with the TCS, support systems integration laboratory technical interface and user simulation efforts, and support field demonstrations with scaleable landbased and shipbased TCS fieldable prototypes. The demonstrations will include hand-off operations from a Predator Ground Control Station to the TCS. GA is the original developer of the Predator system and is the only company with access to Predator specifications, data and technology due to limited data rights. Therefore, GA is the only source capable of meeting the Governments needs. As a result of Phase I activities, the government will determine the acquisition strategy for the TCS architecture and requirements applicable for the Phase II TCS effort. See note No. 12 and 22 - NAVAIR Synopsis No. 40049-96. (0150)

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