Transformational Close Air Support

DPI proposes to flight demonstrate a transformational Close Air Support (CAS) system by leveraging highly agile and highly stable platforms to place the eyes and ears of the Small Unit Commander (SUC) into complex terrain or during jamming. To do so, DPI suggests"disaggregating"the TAC function in certain applications of CAS. That is, by having engaged ground units perform some of the current Tactical Air Controller (TAC) functions (e.g., target identification and geo-location), thus freeing TACs to concentrate on functions that require a fully certified controller (e.g., assigning targets to aircraft and clearing pilots to release munitions). For the time critical portion and after the TAC has pre-approved the application of CAS, the TAC and Small Unit Commander (SUC) should be de-coupled. The system should remove reliance on any line of sight, audio, and visual cues, i.e., from TAC to target, target to pilot, from target to bomb . These cues are unreliable in poor weather and often not available in complex terrain. DPI proposes to flight demonstrate a transformational CAS system which includes a DP-12 Rhino Vertical Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aircraft System (VTOL UAS), a small arms acoustic sensor, geo-location, laser designation, and cost-to-go mission planner.