I

DEPARTMENT OF THENAYV

PROGRAMEXECUTtVEOFFICER FOR

UNMANNED AVIATION AND STRIKE WEAPONS

AADM WILLIAM AMOFFE1T BUILDING

47123 BUse ROAD BLDG 2272

PATUXENT RIVER. Me 2067().1547

4120
Ser PMA-2681009
1 Mar 16

From: Program Manager, Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268), 47123B1,ISe
. ROad. Bldg 2272. Room 254, Patuxent River. Muyland 20670-1547
To: Headquarters. U.S. Air Force Materiel Command. Asset Identification Branch (LOSI)..
4375 Cbidlaw Road. Bldg 262, Room BIOI, Wright Pattersen APB, OH 45433-5006
Via: (1 ) Program Executive Officer, Unmanned Aviation and Weapons (pEO(U&W, 47123
Buse Road. Bldg 2272. Room 246, Pat1lXent River, MD 20670
(2) Office of tile ChiefofNaval Operations. Unm8nned Warfare Systems
(N99,Attn: LCDR Joseph Brogren), 2000 Navy Pentagon Room 5C289,
WashingtOn, DC 203502000
(3) Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, (Code 419OOOB1 20-3,
Attn: Mr. Richard O'Hara), Highway 547,Labhurst, Nf08733-S100
Subj: MISSION DESIGN SERIES REQUEST FOR MULTI-ROU UNMANNED

CARRIER BASED AIR VEHICLE

Ref;

(a> Air Force Instruction 16..4(10), Army Regulation 70-SO,'NAVAIRINST 13100.16,

Designating .00 Naming Defense Military Aerospace Vehicles dated 14 April 2005
(b) DoD 4120-15L, ModeJ Designation of Milit&ry Aerospace Vehicle

Enel: (1) ZMQ-XXA System Description and Visual Depiction of Architecture

1. In accordance with reference (a), request approval to assign "ZMQ-XXA (next in series)" to
the unmanned aerospace vehicle specified herein.

2. Asa result ofa recent strategic portfolio review tbeNavy has directed a reprioritizedmission
set fortb.e previous ''Unmanned Carrier LalDlched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS)"
system which was designated ZRAQ-25A. The UCLASSprogt8ID lias been restructured as a
multi-role Aerial Refueling (tanker) and lntelIigence.Swveillance. and Recotmaissance (lSR)
~ble unmanned air systemand no longer aligns with the ZRAQ--2SAdesignator.

3.. TbeAir Vehicle provides an unmanned carrier based capability as part of a system of~stems
that intepates the fm operational carrier-based, catapult-launched Unmanned Air System
(UAS) with existing aircraft canier (CVN) ~stems and command, control, communications, .

computers. and intelligence (C4I) systems. It will provide robust organic refueling capability
. and along-eodurance Intelligence, Surveil~e, andR.econnaissance(ISR> for the Canier Air
Wing (CVW). This UAS.wiU signiticantlyex.tendthe effective mission ranges ofCVW assets.
alJeviate the current C8rrier Strike Group organic ISR shortfall, and preserve FIA-ISPJF.service .
life. A full~stem description is addressed inencloSlft (1).

--~--

.~--------~-

. Subj: MISSION DESIGN SERIES (MDS) REQUEST FOR MULTI-ROLE UNMANNED

.
CARRIER BASED AIR VEmCLE
'
. 4. The following information is offered for inclusion in ref (b):
Proposed MDS:
"ZMQ-XXA (next inseries)n
Manufacturer:
TBD (source selection expected 2ndQuarterFY 20) 8)
Popular Name:
THD
Using Service:
U.S. Navy
Engine:
Number of Engines:
Description:
. Note:

TBD
I
"ZMQ-XXA" is a tactical carrier-based (launch and recovery)
unmanned aircraft designed for day or night Aerial refueling
(tanking) and ISR operations.
'Jbe"Z" designation for planning will be removed after a single
eontractot is selected to build them 'Vehicle.

S..The Naval Unmanned Curier Aviation Program Office, PMA-268 is thecooJdinating

command of the "ZMQ-XXA" system. Any questions conceming this effort can be directed
Product
Manager.

Pase1 0 U

ZMA:JX& System Qesqfd2n Iltd Visual Depiction of ArcbftectUlll

1.5ystemDescrlptlon: The unmanned carrier based capability Is a system of systems that
Integrates the first operational carrier-based, catapult-launched Unmanned Air System (UAS)
with existing aircraft. carrier (CYN) systems and command, control, communications,
computers, and intelligence (C41) systems. It will provide robust organic refueling capability and
a Iong-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) for the Carrier Air Wing
(cvw). this UAS will slanlflca ntly extend the effective mission ranaes of CVW assets, alleviate
the current carrier Strike Group organic lSR shortfall, and preserve F/A-18E/F service life.
The air system will be procured by PMA-268, the Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program
Office, and Is comprised of three major architectural segments: an Air Segment (AS), a Control
System & Connectivity (CS&C) Segment, and a Carrier (CVN) Segment.
1.1. Mr Se&ment -Indudes the UAS, which Is composed of the Alr Vehicle (AV) and
associated support and handling equipment Indudlng the deck handling system,spares and
repair materials.
1.2. Control Station and tannectlvlty 5epIent -Indudes the Unmanned carrier
Aviation (UCA) Mission Control System (UMCS) and Its assodated communication eqUipment,
the Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy (DCGS-N) mission support functionality, all
network based Interfaces and routing equipment required to control the air vehicle, and all
required modiflcationsto existing networks and (41 system infrastructure to enable Tasking,
Collection, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (TCPED) of UAS lSR Information.
1.3. Carrier (CVN) Segment - Composed of CVN68 dass ships' spaces allocated to
Unmanned carrier Aviation as well as Installed ship systems and modlflcatlons necessary for
interface With the AS and CS&C segments. CVN systems Important to the UASlnclude aircraft
launch and recovery systems, data dissemination. systems (Including radio terminals and
antennas), and deck operations systems.

2. Expected Operational .....ion

Recovery and MIssion Tankinl MIssion DescrIption. The UAS is envisioned to provide recovery
tanking, to remain airborne, at a minimum, for three continuous, unrefueled carrier Air Wing

Case 1/11 recovery cycles from a single Air Vehicle. One Air Vehicle will also be able to provide
CVN-organlc mission tanking capability of ~10,000 lJOunds of give after reaching an optimum
tankingproftle. This capability added to the CSG proVIdes a substantial increase In mission
capacity and can also extend the reach of existing CSG capabilities.
ISR MlsslonDescrlptlon. The UAS Is envisioned to be an integral part ofthe future CVW. During
periods of flight when It Is not executing the tanking mlsston, the UAS will be available for ISR
task1ng. As an ISR asset, It will prOVIde the CSG commander an organic, long-endurance ISR
capability. It will be capable of providing Maritime Domain Awareness via SIGINT, AIS, and

End (1)

Pqe20U
EO/IR. The UAS will also be Qpable of performing dedlQtedlSR missions in support ofthe
joint, component, or taskfon:e commander. Sensors 'Ntll be Ct)ntrolled from the CVN-based
UMCS and by various work stations aftoat or ashore depending upon the type sensor. Signals
Intell"ence (SIGINT) control will be accomplished based on the DSO NTTP. Based on the data
collected from Its sensors, the UAS will be capable oftransmitting and receiving tactical data
link tracks, with associated processing and exploitation capabilities aftoat (airborne, surface,
and sub-surface) or ashore.

2.1. Operating Environment

2.1.1 The U.S. NavYs C8rrlerStrlke Group (CSG) Is often the first responder In any
emerging threat envtronment or conflict. The CSG possesses a versatile, Independent striking
force Qpable of engaging targets in the maritime environment and located hundreds of miles
Inland. The mobility and operational Independence of the CSG provides a unique level of access
that does not require host nation support and Is ready on arrival to conduct operations.
2.1.2 The UAS will conduct launch and recovery with minimal impact on CVN c.ydlc ftlght
operations. Flight deck handling and maintenance will be performed based on Navy standards
by sailors aboard the CVN. It will operate within the Carrier Control Area (CCA) In a manner
compatible with existing operations In accordance with governlng.ilnstructlons such as Naval Air
Training and Operating Procedures (NATOPS) and Naval Air Warfare Development Center Naval
TactiCs, Techniques and Procedures (NTTPs).
2.1.3 The Air Vehicle will be controlled primarily from a CVN-based UMCS uSing Una-Of.
Sisht(LOS) and Beyond-Une-Of-Sight (BLOS) eommunlQtions.1t may be handed off to land
.based control ofthe air vehicie or sensorS depending on the mission plan, network ava.labHIty
or contingencies.
2.1AThe UAS will change how the CVN provides this capabtllty with long unrefueled
endurance, the ability to operate a signlflcantlylower cost than manned TACAIR, and with
optimized payload capabilities and communications for I5R. TheUAS Is envisioned to remain
airborne during multiple CVN deck cycles providing sustained tanking and tSR operations from
the Qrrler.Thls Qpability In the CSG provides a substantial Increase In mission capacity.
2.1.5 The UAS unit Is an element of the CVW and receives tasking from the Composite
WatfareCommander (CWe) Command and. Control (C2)structure and from the appropriate
level of command (I.e., Joln~, Component, or Task Force). The Air Vehlde (AV) must be capable
ofconduttinglaunch, recovery, flight deck and maintenance operations onboard the CVN. It
must operate within the Carrier Control Area (CCA) In a manner compatible with existing
operations and recover in patterns similar to mannedaircraft with tnlnimallmpact on cyclic
f1lsht operations. The UAS must be $Upportable within existing Navy standards and concepts
and be maintainable by sailors onboardthe CVN.

FOIl OPfo'lClAL IJSI: ONLY

End (1)

Pas_lofl

3.0 System ArchItecture

Draft OV-l.s of 1 March Z016

EncI(l)