4 October 1997
Source: http://www.bl.gordon.army.mil/bcblg/projects/c2p2.htm

Aerial Command and Control (C2) Payload Package (P2) for High Altitude Endurance (HAE) Manned Aerial Vehicles (MAV) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), (AC2P2 for HAE MAV/UAV)

Description:

The AC2P2 for HAE MAV/UAV CEP consists of SINCGARS Aerial Relay, Surrogate UHF Communications Satellite, Secure Packet Radio Technology, EPLRS and ACUS (MSE) Repeater Technology. It is envisioned that the AC2P2 will likely use one or a combination of the following MAV/UAV platforms:

• The MAV HALE (EGRETT II or U-2) are aerial vehicles capable of flying at service ceiling at and above 50,000+ feet depending on vehicle, carrying payload weight up to 2,000 pounds, endurance 10 hours @ 47,000 feet, and providing 28 volts direct current for AC2P2.
  
• The UAV (Joint Tactical UAV "HUNTER") characteristics are AC2P2 capacity 165 pounds, 28 volts direct current for AC2P2, endurance 8 hours, and altitude 15,000 feet.
  
• The MAE UAV (Medium Altitude Endurance "PREDATOR") characteristics are AC2P2 capacity 450 pounds, with .15-3KW 28 volts direct current for AC2P2, endurance 24+ hours on station, radius of action 500+ miles, altitude 25,000 feet, and deployment a single C-141 or multiple C-130.
  
• The HAE UAV (High Altitude Endurance "PATHFINDER" or "TIER II PLUS") characteristics are AC2P2 capacity up to 450 pounds, eudurance up to 168 hours, altitude 65,000, and range up to 2,000 miles.
  
• MAV (Low Altitude UH-1 Helicopter) characteristics AC2P2 weight capacity no limitation, endurance 4 hours, and altitude up to 5,000 feet.
  

Hypothesis:

If AC2P2 can be integrated with the HAE UAV the dependance on terrestal line-of-sight telecommunications will be broken... Hence, significant enhancement in battle command, lethality, survivability, and tempo can be acheived thru extended range and mobile operations.

Agencies:

BCBL(G)
GTE Government Systems
EPG
Georgia Army National Guard
Hughes Corporation
USACECOM
Hazeltine Corporation
Cincinnati Electronics Corporation
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Joint Project Office
E-Systems

Issues:

Does the AC2P2 provide continuous voice and data grade communications at ranges up to 500 KM?
Which MAV/UAV offers the most utility and suitability for the AC2P2?
Does the changes in equipment configurations as a result of AC2P2 require changes in doctrine?

POC:

MR. Monroe Timmons
DSN 780 8330
COMM 706 791 8330
timmonsm@bcblg.gordon.army.mil