An Efficiency Study on the U.S. Air Force's Consideration of Allowing Enlisted Personnel to Fly Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Abstract
The U.S. Air Force is presently debating the idea of authorizing enlisted airmen to pilot remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). The U.S. Army already authorizes enlisted soldiers to pilot their medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The demand for more RPA pilots, and the Air Force's inability to retain current RPA pilots, has precipitated a manning crisis. The Army has not faced a manning or retention crisis because the lead time is shorter to recruit and train enlisted soldiers since college is not required. The Army spends approximately $111,000 to train one UAS operator; however, the Air Force could spend up to $786,000 to commission and train one RPA pilot. In comparison, the cost of training Army UAS operators is only 14 percent of the cost of training Air Force RPA pilots. This research investigates how enlisted airmen could improve retention rates, reduce military personnel costs, reduced costs associated with training, and create a shorter lead time for RPA pilots.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1020054
Entities
People
- Lendrick Y. James
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College