Tactical Control System: Difference between revisions

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The '''Tactical Control System''' (TCS) is a group of protocols that govern the command and control system for [[Unmanned Aerial Vehicles]] (UAV).

{{Wikify-date|March 2006}} {{uncat}} {{unref}} {{linkless}}

==History==

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.

Developed by [[Raytheon]], around 1997, the '''Tactical Control System''' is designed to run '''UAV'''s in all branches of the [[US military]]. Also, under the [[NATO]] [[standardization policy 4586]] the '''Tactical Control System''' are set to run '''UAV''' in all NATO countries too.

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 publicly publish the protocol for sending and receiving commands.

'''Raytheon''' has developed its systems to run on [[Unix]]-based computers with the [[Solaris 8]] operating system from [[Sun Microsystems]]. Raytheon has also has developed a [[Linux]] operating system too.

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

*simultaneous control of multiple UAVs;

*compliance with NATO's Standardization Agreement 4586

*ntegration of plug and play payloads;

*the weaponization of the Fire Scout and Fire Scout operational evaluations.

==Testing==

Raytheon will undergo formal Operational Evaluation with Fire Scout in [[fiscal year]] of 2008. Until that time tests to determine the progress of the system's development are ungoing. So far there have been some positive results including:

*December, 2004 - Using a scaled down laptop version of TCS, the [[Multiple Vehicle Control System]] (MVCS), was as its name implies control two [[UAVs]] flying over [[Arizona]] st the same time. In addition to the two [[Arizona]] '''UAVs''' the MVCS was also able to simultaneously control an unmanned surface vessel operating on [[Chesapeake Bay]] near [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk, Va]].

*January, 2005 - The '''TCS''' system was able to complete a vertical shipboard landing on a moving target (the US Navy ship [[USS Nashville]]), independant of any pilot. The first time this has ever been acheived.

==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]