AME Unmanned Air Systems announced the receipt of a follow-on contract for the Joint Interoperable Target Control System (JITCS). This contract enables the continued development of standard Target Control System interfaces for the Common Interface Target Control System (CITCS). The contract was received on June 20, 2011, and has a three-year period of performance.
The JITCS effort will directly support the Target Control Steering Group (TCSG) initiative to promote interoperability of Target Control Systems across all services and target platforms with an open architecture approach. AME UAS will integrate new and emerging technologies into target platform and control systems, as directed by NAWC, to achieve optimum capability and interoperability in integrated unmanned system control.
In December 2009, AME UAS demonstrated the CITCS in a test flight at the NAWC Pt. Mugu Sea Test Range. The CITCS allows a single ground system with a Joint Interoperable Target Control System Standard Interface (JITCSSI) to control single or multiple Navy targets. Since the last BQM-74E flight test, the Navy has implemented the Data Link Interface of JITCSSI on seaborne targets, and the Pioneer UAV target.
The CITCS design also provides a common interface for targets to allow single or multiple target control in a military UHF band, using either a STANAG 4586 data link format or the Joint Interoperable Target Control System Standard Interface (JITCSSI) Data Link Interface (DLI) data link format.
John Chernekoff, AME UAS Programme Manager, said, “The Target Control System was demonstrated by successfully operating and controlling a BQM-74E target drone configured with a STANAG 4586 data link. Success was due to close collaboration between NAWC and AME personnel. The JITCS Contract will enable us to continue to expand the capability of this system, apply it to other aircraft, and provide a vehicle for the DOD to save money and time in unmanned aircraft integration.”
Interchangeability, common hardware and software, and lower operating costs are all possible with the Joint Interoperable Target Control System. The system includes both the ground-based and airborne elements, and can be used at different test ranges with various targets through the use of standard interfaces, modular software, and quick site-specific software installation.
Source: Press Release