To help overcome these challenges, the Tern program
envisions using smaller ships as mobile launch and recovery sites
for medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The goal is to provide long-range ISR and other capabilities from
the decks of forward-deployed small ships. The program aims to advance
technology to enable a full-scale, at-sea demonstration of an R&D
prototype UAS from a vessel with the same deck size as an Arleigh
Burke-class destroyer.
“Having a signed agreement with a military Service
at the outset of a program is an ideal approach to align objectives,”
said Daniel Patt, DARPA program manager for the Tern program. “Ideally,
this collaboration with ONR could serve as a model for similar agreements
with all the Services for other DARPA programs, and help create breakthrough
capabilities for military users.”
The Navy is providing a deputy program manager for
Tern.
“This represents a new approach to providing
long-range, long-endurance aircraft based off Navy ships,” said
Gil Graff, deputy Tern program manager from the Office of Naval Research.
The first two phases of the program focus on preliminary
design and risk reduction for the Tern system. Five performers are
currently under contract for Phase 1. One or more of these performers
may be selected to continue in Phase 2. In Phase 3, one performer
would be selected to build a full-scale demonstrator Tern system for
ground-based testing, culminating in an at-sea demonstration of launch
and recovery.
