Special operation forces utilize C-130 aircraft that often operate in night/adverse weather, low-level, deep-penetration missions in contested or hostile environments. These low altitude missions result in higher risks to the crew and aircraft. AeroVironment proposes to leverage their current packaged and air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developments to design a self-contained, packaged UAV, organic to the C-130 (and potentially other platforms) to increase its safety and operational effectiveness. Such an UAV will be capable of being deployed from the host aircraft, fly low and close to the contested area to provide intelligence, surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and battle damage assessment (BDA) data while keeping the C-130 at a safe standoff distance and crew out of harms way. The UAV would have interchangeable modular payloads with sensor packages tailored for the specific mission. Real-time data link will enable the onboard sensor operator to quickly investigate, identify, and mark hostile forces for interception, engagement, or avoidance. Additionally, the use of UAVs would provide the capability to conduct operations simultaneously in multiple locations, greatly enhancing the operational effectiveness of the C-130 aircraft.
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Packaged Uav, Wing Pylon, C-130
