SEAPOWER Reports Erk Remarks at AUVSI Unmanned Systems Program Review

SEAPOWER - UCLASS Competition Awaits ISR Survey

Mike Erk, the Navy’s deputy program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation, peaking to an audience Nov. 5 at the Unmanned Systems Program Review sponsored by the  Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, said the Navy is in the midst of an “ISR portfolio review” that will inform the requirements for the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Air Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system that will operate alongside  manned aircraft from the decks of Navy aircraft carriers.

Speaking at the same event, Dyke Wetherington, chief technology engineer in the office of the undersecretary of defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, said the requirements for UCLASS are “being discussed at the highest levels. [Undersecretary] Frank Kendall has said that when the requirements are determined, the Navy must present a program that absolutely meets them.”

Erk said he expected the UCLASS requirements would be finalized by the end of the year.

 SEAPOWER - Navy: More Onboard Processing Needed on UAVs

Mike Erk, the Navy’s deputy program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation, speaking Nov. 5 at the Unmanned Systems Program Review sponsored by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, said the Navy seeks to increase the autonomy of UAVs by increasing the processing of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data on the air vehicle before the data is transmitted to ground operators.

Erk said the need has emerged to reduce the time-consuming analysis required by the operators, which would reduce the number of analysts needed. It also would enhance the cybersecurity of the UAV by reducing the opportunities for cyber intrusion.