JCTD Program

Decades of rigorous research and development by AeroVironment in conjunction with several U.S. government agencies and the collaborative efforts of our partners made Global Observer®  possible.

JCTD

The Global Observer Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program’s goal was to help solve the capability gap in persistent ISR and communications relay for the US military and homeland security.  The Global Observer JCTD demonstrated a new high-altitude, long endurance UAV system that could be transitioned for post-JCTD development, extended user evaluation, and fielding.  A joint program with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and AeroVironment, the JCTD began in September 2007 and culminated in a Joint Operational Utility Assessment (JOUA) in 2011.

The program provided for the system development, production of two aircraft, development flight testing, and JOUA with ISR and communications relay payloads.  The flight testing and JOUA were conducted at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The primary objectives of the Global Observer JCTD Program were:

• Develop enabling technologies for a liquid hydrogen powered Global Observer UAS system.
• Design, build, and demonstrate the Global Observer UAS system for a 5-7 day endurance for
   55,000-65,000 ft altitude missions with 380-pound, 2.8 kW payload capacity.  The system must
    be capable of being transported by a C-130 aircraft.
• Integrate and assess military utility of modular Global Observer payloads to address user identified gaps
   in ISR and communications relay.
• Evaluate system life cycle costs.

Employees

We at AeroVironment have spent the past few decades envisioning and bringing to life innovative new solutions. This adds up to a lot of practical knowledge. We are experts in developing advanced power, transportation and energy storage solutions. But customer success is our real focus. We work closely with customers to develop complete solutions that integrate seamlessly into their operations.

We have honed our ability to create innovative solutions and assembled a true world-class team to design, develop, build and test this revolutionary aircraft system. The Global Observer team includes experts in aerospace design, composites, systems engineering, propulsion systems, controls, manufacturing, logistics and large-scale aircraft assembly and testing, among others. The sum of this experience contributes to the practical uniqueness of Global Observer.

Suppliers

A rigorous evaluation and selection process ensures only top-quality suppliers contribute to Global Observer. Leaders in their respective fields, Global Observer suppliers have proven their ability to consistently exhibit agility, responsiveness and a willingness to work with us to ask new questions, seek new ways to solve problems and to create a valuable new solution for our customers.

Flight Test Partners

Air Force Flight Test Center
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center