Skip to content
Process and service diagram: BOSH Global Services

Ground Control Station

During flight, the pilot controls the aircraft, while a payload operator directs the craft’s sensor or weapons payload. This team is located in the Ground Control Station (GCS). They maintain positive control of the aircraft through completion of the beyond line-of-sight mission. At the end of the mission, aircraft control is transferred back to the LRE for recovery, or landing.

Back to top
A Launch and Recovery Element, or LRE, is where a pilot and payload operator launch and land the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Click to learn more. The satellite communications (SATCOM) terminal serves as the downlink point for all beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications between the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the unmanned aircraft. Click to learn more. A Ground Control Station (GCS) is where the pilot and payload operator control the unmanned aircraft once it’s been launched from the LRE and has left the line-of-sight. Click to learn more. The Squadron Operations Center (SOC) provides environmental situational awareness to the pilot and payload operator in the GCS. Click to learn more. The Video Hub receives video from the SOC then prepares full motion video and associated metadata for transmission over a global network to end users. Click to learn more. Imagery experts who receive the highest quality, secure video. Decision makers who receive situational awareness quality video. First responders and warriors who need video fast, transmitted through challenging environments. 571dffss