Launch & Recovery Element
The Launch & Recovery Element (LRE) handles all takeoff and landing functions of each UAV flight. The LRE is also capable of conducting local line of site (LOS) missions. For those Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) equipped with satellite communications, missions can extend beyond line of site (BLOS) or over the horizon (OTH). These missions are flown from a geographically separated, or remote, Ground Control Station (GCS). This is generally known as remote split operations. In this example the forward deployed LRE launches the aircraft then, at a mutually agreed upon point in flight, transfers control of the aircraft to the remote GCS to conduct the BLOS mission. At the completion of the BLOS mission the GCS flies the aircraft back to a mutually agreed upon point in flight within line of site of the LRE, and then turns control back over to the LRE for recovery (landing).
Because of the nature of its functions, the LRE are always co-located with the aircraft in a forward-deployed environment. This places the air vehicle close to the area of interest when it is launched, reducing transit time and increasing time on station.