UAV based Network-Centric Communications for Sensors

Reliable System Services Corporation (RSS Corp.) proposes an 18-month program, with a 6-month option, to analyze, design, develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a low cost, low power, high capacity, robust RF communications network using UAV relays in an ocean environment. The developed architecture and design will be suitable for the Navy tactical environment and consistent with FORCEnet. A specific application would be for the planned Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) missions, although the developed architecture will have broader applications for any surface combatant requiring an Over-the-Horizon (OTH) data link to distributed sensors. A successful Phase II program will demonstrate the capability, in an ocean environment, using a UAV relay, surface ship and ocean sensors. The results will be significant, and the developed system could be a cornerstone of the future littoral combat communications architecture. The developed technology will also have use in any application requiring net centric, wide bandwidth data collection from distributed remote sensors. The Phase III effort will develop engineering/production specifications/drawings and produce low-cost modules/ subsystems for; Shipboard, UAV Relay and remote sensor network communications in a tactical ocean environment. The end result will be leveraging of COTS technology to produce low-cost tactical communications networks for Navy combatants.