US Army EMARSS programme transfers to PEO Aviation
The US Army’s Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) programme has been transferred to the US Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation, where it will be managed by the Fixed Wing Project Office.
EMARSS provides the army with the ability to detect, locate, identify and track surface targets, day or night, in almost any weather condition and provides soldiers with ISR capabilities with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy.
The programme was previously managed by the PEO for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) and the Project Manager for Airborne Reconnaissance Exploitation Systems (PM ARES).
The transfer was conducted as a result of an October 2011 directive that mandated that all manned fixed wing aircraft, current and future, be transferred to the PEO Aviation for standardisation in safety, airworthiness certification, and maintenance.
The relationship between the project offices will continue as the responsibility for the aircraft sustainment and integration transfers to the Fixed Wing Project Office, while PM ARES will retain responsibility for the sensor mission equipment package (MEP) and the processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED) architecture.
Maj. Gen. William ‘Tim’ Crosby, program executive officer for aviation, said: ‘We are pleased to have this valuable asset under our command. The EMARSS programme will provide protection to our ground troops by detecting and identifying those who wish us harm. Just as that ISR programme helps to keep our ground troops safe, the Fixed Wing Project Office will provide a safe platform through airworthiness assessments and certifications.’
Col. Brian R Tachias, fixed wing project manager, added: ‘PM Fixed Wing and PM ARES have been working together on this programme and will continue to deliver the most effective ISR capabilities to the soldier. With EMARSS under our management, we will continue to provide operational end users with persistent ISR capabilities while ensuring that all assigned aircraft remain safe to operate through continuous airworthiness oversight and certification.’
EMARSS is the last ISR programme to formally transfer to PEO Aviation and the Fixed Wing Project Office.
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