Persistent Close Air Support
Encyclopedia
Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) is a DARPA program that seeks to demonstrate dramatic capability improvements in close air support
(CAS) capabilities by developing a system to allow continuous CAS availability and lethality to Joint Terminal Attack Controllers
(JTACs).
The program will give JTACs the ability to visualize, select, and employ munitions
at the time of their choosing from optionally manned/unmanned
aerial attack platforms.
PCAS will be demonstrated using an A-10 modified for optionally manned operation, however this program does not seek to remove pilots from the cockpit of A-10s or other manned military aircraft. Technologies developed under this program will transition to both current manned aircraft and the MQ-X next-generation unmanned aircraft.
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
(CAS) capabilities by developing a system to allow continuous CAS availability and lethality to Joint Terminal Attack Controllers
Joint terminal attack controller
A Joint terminal attack controller is the term used in the United States Armed Forces for a qualified military service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations. The term used historically and in...
(JTACs).
The program will give JTACs the ability to visualize, select, and employ munitions
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
at the time of their choosing from optionally manned/unmanned
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
aerial attack platforms.
PCAS will be demonstrated using an A-10 modified for optionally manned operation, however this program does not seek to remove pilots from the cockpit of A-10s or other manned military aircraft. Technologies developed under this program will transition to both current manned aircraft and the MQ-X next-generation unmanned aircraft.
External links
- Darpa Plots Death From Above, On-Demand - Wired, July 12, 2010.