A common architecture prototype for army tactical and FCS UAVS

The U.S. Army is fielding several unmanned air vehicles (UAV) within the Tactical, Light Attack, and Future Combat Systems (FCS) Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) classes over the next several years. Each UAV program will develop its own mission processing architecture unless the Army implements a common approach that is responsive to a broad set of mission and functional requirements. To address this need, the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) conducted the Manned/Unmanned Common Architecture Program (MCAP) Phase III project for the development of a common UAV embedded mission processor architecture that will enhance interoperability through design commonality, reduced ownership costs and improved processing capabilities. The MCAP Phase HI architecture is based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics and software and open systems interface standards. The architecture provides commonality between platforms, interoperability between systems, variability isolation and supportability for the integration of modular elements into a scaleable, networked architecture. A key part of the MCAP III program is a lab demonstration that will consist of autonomous applications that permit single operator control of the Shadow 200 tactical UAV acting in support of the Army's concept of operations employing manned and unmanned platforms. This paper will present highlights of the development of the MCAP III common embedded computing architecture system.