The Joint Tactical Aerial Resupply Vehicle Impact on Sustainment Operations

Abstract

This study examines the implications associated with fielding an autonomous unmanned aerial system to provide sustainment functions at the tactical level. The lack of an organic sustainment platform that can keep pace with dismounted infantry soldiers creates a capability gap for the Infantry Brigade Combat Team. An additional gap currently exists between the various strategy documents outlining the roadmap for fielding autonomous technologies and the policies of the Department of Defense. Using a tactical scenario to employ an autonomous platform, this study evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of autonomous aerial resupply. The author argues that autonomous unmanned aerial systems provide enhanced mobility and adaptability to dismounted infantry rifle companies and allow for increased freedom of action. This study's implications serve to highlight the need for greater dialogue on the policies that govern the development and use of autonomous systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 09, 2017
Accession Number
AD1038627

Entities

People

  • Lawrence M. Csaszar

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Autonomous Systems
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Deployment
  • Governments
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Logistics
  • Military Applications
  • Military Science
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Ground Systems
  • Unmanned Ground Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Military Science
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs