In 1998, the Department of the Navy (DoN) established the Naval Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Executive Steering Group (ESG). The ESG is chaired by the Director Expeditionary Warfare (OPNAV N85) who is the designated focal point in the DoN for UAVs and UAV related issues. The ESG is a Flag-level body comprised of representatives from 28 offices and organizations within the Navy and Marine Corps who have a strong interest in UAV requirements, resources, development, and fielding. The purpose of the ESG is to provide a forum for coordination of Naval UAV issues and to provide direction to the Naval UAV program through the establishment of a Roadmap and Long Range Plan. The Naval Warfighting concepts of "Forward… from the Sea" and "Operational Maneuver from the Sea (OMFTS)" serve as the overarching policy guidance. The Naval UAV Roadmap and Long Range Plan, shown below, encompasses currently fielded or Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) programs, requirements definition, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development, and science and technology (S&T) efforts that will lead us to the next generation of Naval UAVs. The brightly colored areas reflect items that are currently funded, while the gray areas represent plans that are not yet funded and dependent upon continued support as requirements are defined. The roadmap is website-based and will be available on the N85 web site at www.exwar.org as part of the N854, Aviation Systems Branch page, beginning in summer 2000. While a brief overview of the current roadmap is provided here, please refer to the web page for the latest update.
展开▼
