RQ-11 UAV

The RQ-11 UAV program, part of the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation efforts, is focused on advancing the Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FoSUAS). This initiative supports the Commandant of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030, aiming to equip battalion, company, and detachment-level units with scalable airborne capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. The program includes Short Range/Short Endurance (SR/SE), Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME), and Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) systems to enhance situational awareness and operational flexibility.

A primary goal of the RQ-11 UAV program is to develop the SUAS Reusable Architecture (SRA). This project focuses on reducing the size and weight of these systems while improving digital interoperability. By establishing reference implementations for key interfaces, SRA seeks to enhance interoperability across platforms. This effort will facilitate integrating both open and closed-source artificial intelligence/machine learning tools to boost autonomy and target recognition capabilities. Additionally, SRA aims to streamline engineering processes by minimizing duplicative efforts associated with proprietary systems.

The program places significant emphasis on cybersecurity, with ongoing efforts to design engineering solutions for mandatory assessments across all SUAS components. Research into swarming technology and dropped payload solutions is also being conducted to further enhance system capabilities. Plans include continuing market research and technological demonstrations to inform future procurements and ensure compliance with relevant standards such as airworthiness and battery certification.

Test and evaluation activities are crucial to achieving the RQ-11 UAV program's objectives. These activities encompass operational assessments of SRA platforms, validation efforts for flight clearances, and cyber testing of system modifications. The program also evaluates commercially available UAS options to better understand potential adversary capabilities. Through these comprehensive efforts, the RQ-11 UAV program aims to meet the evolving needs of Marine Corps operations while ensuring technological advancements align with strategic objectives.