Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Warfare: Kill Authorizations for the Carrier Strike Group
Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are everywhere including the battlefields of Ukraine and Syria. Small UAVs are widely available, affordable, and expendable. Many countries and non-state actors use UAVs in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance role, but armed UAVs are becoming much more common. The United States leads the world in UAV employment including armed UAVs in an offensive role, but counter-UAV warfare is a new warfare area within the larger realm of air defense. Small Group 1 and 2 UAVs that weigh less than fifty-five pounds present a unique challenge for air defense because they are hard to detect, identify, and are being improvised for offensive roles. As small, armed UAVs become more prevalent, the U.S. Navy will encounter them with more frequency. Iran has already overflown the carrier strike group in the Arabian Gulf on several occasions. This thesis deals with the counter-UAV policy of when and where it is appropriate to shoot down or disable an adversary UAV in preemptive self-defense. The primary research question is: should rules of engagement allow for authorization of hard-kill and soft-kill options against UAVs for commanders in international waters, territorial waters, and international straights in peacetime? A UAV threat analysis and review of international law and UAV policy are included.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1020310
Entities
People
- Joshua C. Mattingly
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College