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The Tactical Control System (TCS) is a command and control system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. It can also aggregate image data from a variety of military intelligence sources. This makes it a single stop for gathering military intelligence.

<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAV Tactical Control System (TCS) |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/uav_tcs.htm |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> The '''Tactical Control System''' ('''TCS''') is a group of protocols that govern the command and control system for [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs).

==History==

The NATO version of TCS is a standard called STANAG 4586. This standard came out around 2005, where the TCS started about 1997. Both transfer data via secure TCP links, and both have publically publish the protocol for sending and receiving commands.

Developed by [[EG&G Technical Services]] and [[Raytheon]], starting in 1999, the Tactical Control System is designed to run UAVs in all branches of the [[Military of the United States|United States military]] as well as [[NATO]] [[STANAG 4586]] compliant UAVs. Raytheon developed the systems to run on [[computer]]s using a type of [[Unix]] [[operating system]] called [[Solaris (operating system)|Solaris 8]] from [[Sun Microsystems]]. Raytheon also developed a system for the [[Linux]] operating system.

According to the winning Raytheon bid for the development of the TCS system, it will feature:

*Simultaneous control of multiple UAVs

*Compliance with NATO's Standardization Agreement 4586

*Integration of plug and play payloads

*Weaponization of the Fire Scout and Fire Scout operational evaluations

==Testing==

Raytheon was to undergo formal Operational Evaluation with Fire Scout in [[Fiscal Year 2008]]. Until then, tests to determine the progress of the system's development were ongoing. Positive results included:

*December 2004 - A scaled down laptop version of TCS, the Multiple Vehicle Control System (MVCS), was able to control two UAVs flying over [[Arizona]] simultaneously. The MVCS was also able to simultaneously control an unmanned surface vessel operating on [[Chesapeake Bay]] near [[Norfolk, Virginia]].

*January 2005 - The TCS system was able to complete a vertical shipboard landing on a moving target, the US Navy ship [[USS Nashville (LPD-13)|USS ''Nashville'']], independent of any pilot. This was the first time such a feat had ever been achieved.

*April 10, 2006 - Raytheon Company successfully simulated simultaneous command and control of two unmanned air vehicles ([[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]) and an unmanned surface vehicle from one common control system.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jul06-22.php Navy article July 2006]

*[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=683935&TICK=RTN6&STORY=/www/story/04-26-2004/0002159541&EDATE=Apr+26,+2004 Raytheon wins contract]

[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles]]

[[Category:United States military aircraft]]