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=== US Air Force tiers ===
=== US Air Force tiers ===
* Tier N/A: Small/Micro UAV. Role filled by BATMAV ([[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp Block III]]).<ref>[http://www.fbo.gov/servlet/Documents/R/1610757]{{dead link|date=March 2012}}</ref>
* Tier N/A: Small/Micro UAV. Role filled by BATMAV ([[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp Block III]]).<ref>[http://www.fbo.gov/servlet/Documents/R/1610757]{{dead link|date=March 2012}}</ref>
* Tier I: Low altitude, long endurance. Role filled by the [[GNAT-750|Gnat 750]].<ref name="vector">[http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav.html] {{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref>
* Tier I: Low altitude, long endurance. Role filled by the [[GNAT-750|Gnat 750]].<ref name="vector">{{cite web|url=http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav.html |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120111195444/http://www.vectorsite.net:80/twuav.html |archivedate=January 11, 2012 }}</ref>
* Tier II: [[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|Medium altitude, long endurance (MALE)]]. Role currently filled by the Predator and [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]].
* Tier II: [[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|Medium altitude, long endurance (MALE)]]. Role currently filled by the Predator and [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]].
* Tier II+: High altitude, long endurance conventional UAV (or HALE UAV). Altitude: 60,000 to {{convert|65000|ft|m|-2}}, less than {{convert|300|kn|km/h|-1}} airspeed, {{convert|3000|nmi|km|-3|sing=on}} radius, 24‑hour time-on-station capability. Complementary to the Tier III- aircraft. Role currently filled by the [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4 Global Hawk]].
* Tier II+: High altitude, long endurance conventional UAV (or HALE UAV). Altitude: 60,000 to {{convert|65000|ft|m|-2}}, less than {{convert|300|kn|km/h|-1}} airspeed, {{convert|3000|nmi|km|-3|sing=on}} radius, 24‑hour time-on-station capability. Complementary to the Tier III- aircraft. Role currently filled by the [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4 Global Hawk]].
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=== US Marine Corps tiers ===
=== US Marine Corps tiers ===
* Tier N/A: Micro UAV. [[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp III]] fills this role, driven largely by the desire for commonality with the USAF BATMAV.<ref>[https://www.mcwl.usmc.mil/mcp/Initiatives/Technology%20Investigation/41-MCP-%20WASP%2010%20Jul%2006.pdf]</ref><ref>[http://www.avinc.com/pr_detail.asp?ID=68]{{dead link|date=March 2012}}</ref>
* Tier N/A: Micro UAV. [[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp III]] fills this role, driven largely by the desire for commonality with the USAF BATMAV.<ref>[https://www.mcwl.usmc.mil/mcp/Initiatives/Technology%20Investigation/41-MCP-%20WASP%2010%20Jul%2006.pdf]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avinc.com/pr_detail.asp?ID=68 |accessdate=March 19, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20081208071024/http://www.avinc.com:80/pr_detail.asp?ID=68 |archivedate=December 8, 2008 }}</ref>
* Tier I: Role currently filled by the [[Dragon Eye]] but all ongoing and future procurement for the Dragon Eye program is going now to the [[RQ-11 Raven|RQ-11B Raven B]].
* Tier I: Role currently filled by the [[Dragon Eye]] but all ongoing and future procurement for the Dragon Eye program is going now to the [[RQ-11 Raven|RQ-11B Raven B]].
* Tier II: Role currently filled by the [[Scan Eagle]] and the [[AAI RQ-7 Shadow]].
* Tier II: Role currently filled by the [[Scan Eagle]] and the [[AAI RQ-7 Shadow]].
* Tier III: For two decades, the role of medium range tactical UAV was filled by the Pioneer UAV. In July 2007, the Marine Corps announced its intention to retire the aging Pioneer fleet and transition to the [[RQ-7 Shadow]] tactical unmanned aircraft system by [[AAI Corporation]]. The first Marine Shadow systems have already been delivered, and training for their respective Marine Corps units is underway.<ref>[https://www.mccdc.usmc.mil/OpsDiv/CEAB/Jun%2005%20CEAB/JUN%2005%20Briefs/20%20-%20Coordinated%20UAV%20Endorsement%20Brief.ppt#5] {{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jul06-18.php] {{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref>
* Tier III: For two decades, the role of medium range tactical UAV was filled by the Pioneer UAV. In July 2007, the Marine Corps announced its intention to retire the aging Pioneer fleet and transition to the [[RQ-7 Shadow]] tactical unmanned aircraft system by [[AAI Corporation]]. The first Marine Shadow systems have already been delivered, and training for their respective Marine Corps units is underway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mccdc.usmc.mil/OpsDiv/CEAB/Jun%2005%20CEAB/JUN%2005%20Briefs/20%20-%20Coordinated%20UAV%20Endorsement%20Brief.ppt#5 |accessdate=August 8, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20080625111732/https://www.mccdc.usmc.mil/OpsDiv/CEAB/Jun%2005%20CEAB/JUN%2005%20Briefs/20%20-%20Coordinated%20UAV%20Endorsement%20Brief.ppt |archivedate=June 25, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jul06-18.php |accessdate=August 8, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20080515225038/http://www.navyleague.org:80/sea_power/jul06-18.php |archivedate=May 15, 2008 }}</ref>
Role currently filled by the AAI RQ-7 Shadow, although USMC planners do not view this aircraft as meeting future Tier III requirements.<ref>[http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/aircraft/rq-7-shadow USMC RQ-7 Shadow Homepage]</ref>
Role currently filled by the AAI RQ-7 Shadow, although USMC planners do not view this aircraft as meeting future Tier III requirements.<ref>[http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/aircraft/rq-7-shadow USMC RQ-7 Shadow Homepage]</ref>


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Future Combat Systems (FCS) was the United States Army's principal modernization program from 2003 to early 2009.
Future Combat Systems (FCS) was the United States Army's principal modernization program from 2003 to early 2009.
* Class I: For small units. Role to be filled by all new UAV with some similarity to [[Micro Air Vehicle]].
* Class I: For small units. Role to be filled by all new UAV with some similarity to [[Micro Air Vehicle]].
* Class II: For companies (cancelled).<ref name="watch">[http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_fcs_watch.html]{{dead link|date=March 2012}}</ref>
* Class II: For companies (cancelled).<ref name="watch">{{cite web|url=http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_fcs_watch.html |accessdate=August 24, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20070811223149/http://www.defensetech.org:80/archives/cat_fcs_watch.html |archivedate=August 11, 2007 }}</ref>
* Class III: For battalions (cancelled).<ref name="watch" />
* Class III: For battalions (cancelled).<ref name="watch" />
* Class IV: For brigades. Role to be filled by the [[MQ-8 Fire Scout|RQ-8A/B / MQ-8B Fire Scout]].
* Class IV: For brigades. Role to be filled by the [[MQ-8 Fire Scout|RQ-8A/B / MQ-8B Fire Scout]].

Revision as of 06:29, 23 February 2016

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) employs Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) across all echelons to support tactical, operational, and strategic operations. The types of UAS that are used in these operations are categorized into "Groups" according to their size and capability. Previous to 2010, UAS were categorized into "Tiers" or "Classes" separately by each branch of the military. In order to promote a homogeneous categorization, the "group system" was developed. [1] [2] [3]

DoD UAS Groups

The "Group" system has 5 categories, from 1 to 5, with each category increasing in capability. [1]

UAS Group Maximum Weight
(lbs) (MGTOW)		 Nominal Operating
Altitude (ft)		 Speed (kts) Representative UAS
Group 1 0 - 20 < 1200 AGL 100 RQ-11 Raven, WASP
Group 2 21 - 55 < 3500 AGL < 250 ScanEagle
Group 3 < 1320 < FL 180 RQ-7B Shadow, RQ-21 Blackjack
Group 4 > 1320 Any airspeed MQ-8B Fire Scout, MQ-1A/B Predator, MQ-1C Gray Eagle
Group 5 > FL 180 MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-4C Triton

Tier System (Deprecated)

The previous classification system, termed the "Tier System", was used by military planners to designate the various individual aircraft elements in an overall usage plan for integrated operations.[4] The Tiers do not refer to specific models of aircraft, but rather roles the aircraft would fill. The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Army each have their own tier system, and the systems are themselves not integrated.

US Air Force tiers

  • Tier N/A: Small/Micro UAV. Role filled by BATMAV (Wasp Block III).[5]
  • Tier I: Low altitude, long endurance. Role filled by the Gnat 750.[6]
  • Tier II: Medium altitude, long endurance (MALE). Role currently filled by the Predator and MQ-9 Reaper.
  • Tier II+: High altitude, long endurance conventional UAV (or HALE UAV). Altitude: 60,000 to 65,000 feet (19,800 m), less than 300 knots (560 km/h) airspeed, 3,000-nautical-mile (6,000 km) radius, 24‑hour time-on-station capability. Complementary to the Tier III- aircraft. Role currently filled by the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
  • Tier III-: High altitude, long endurance low-observable UAV. Same parameters as, and complementary to, the Tier II+ aircraft. The RQ-3 DarkStar was originally intended to fulfill this role before it was "terminated".[7][8] Role now filled by RQ-170 Sentinel.

US Marine Corps tiers

  • Tier N/A: Micro UAV. Wasp III fills this role, driven largely by the desire for commonality with the USAF BATMAV.[9][10]
  • Tier I: Role currently filled by the Dragon Eye but all ongoing and future procurement for the Dragon Eye program is going now to the RQ-11B Raven B.
  • Tier II: Role currently filled by the Scan Eagle and the AAI RQ-7 Shadow.
  • Tier III: For two decades, the role of medium range tactical UAV was filled by the Pioneer UAV. In July 2007, the Marine Corps announced its intention to retire the aging Pioneer fleet and transition to the RQ-7 Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft system by AAI Corporation. The first Marine Shadow systems have already been delivered, and training for their respective Marine Corps units is underway.[11][12]

Role currently filled by the AAI RQ-7 Shadow, although USMC planners do not view this aircraft as meeting future Tier III requirements.[13]

US Army tiers

Future Combat Systems (Cancelled)

Main article: FCS/BCT unmanned aerial vehicles

Future Combat Systems (FCS) was the United States Army's principal modernization program from 2003 to early 2009.

  • Class I: For small units. Role to be filled by all new UAV with some similarity to Micro Air Vehicle.
  • Class II: For companies (cancelled).[14]
  • Class III: For battalions (cancelled).[14]
  • Class IV: For brigades. Role to be filled by the RQ-8A/B / MQ-8B Fire Scout.

References

  1. ^ a b Department of Defense. "Unmanned Aircraft System Airspace Integration Plan" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-08-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ U.S. Army. ""U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035"" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-08-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Minimum Training Standards" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-08-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Office of the United States Secretary of Defense. "UAV Roadmap 2005-2030" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-08-24. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ https://web.archive.org/20120111195444/http://www.vectorsite.net:80/twuav.html. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Comparison of USAF Tier II, II+ and III- systems Template:Wayback
  8. ^ USAF Tier system Template:Wayback
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ https://web.archive.org/20081208071024/http://www.avinc.com:80/pr_detail.asp?ID=68. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ https://web.archive.org/20080625111732/https://www.mccdc.usmc.mil/OpsDiv/CEAB/Jun%2005%20CEAB/JUN%2005%20Briefs/20%20-%20Coordinated%20UAV%20Endorsement%20Brief.ppt. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ https://web.archive.org/20080515225038/http://www.navyleague.org:80/sea_power/jul06-18.php. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ USMC RQ-7 Shadow Homepage
  14. ^ a b https://web.archive.org/20070811223149/http://www.defensetech.org:80/archives/cat_fcs_watch.html. Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2007. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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