Policy Options for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Abstract
Over the next 10 years, the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to purchase about 730 new medium-sized and large unmanned aircraft systems based on designs currently in operation, while also improving the unmanned aircraft already in service. By the Congressional Budget Offices (CBOs) estimates, completing the investments in systems for which there are detailed plans will require about $36.9 billion through 2020.CBO has analyzed eight alternatives to DoDs fiscal year2012 plan for expanding its fleet of medium-sized and large unmanned aircraft that are designed for reconnaissance and light attack missions. This study presents each alternatives likely effect on force wide capability and acquisition costs. The alternativesthree for the Air Force and five for the Armywould change the mix of unmanned aircraft systems that are in or nearing production, the way that unmanned systems are assigned to units and operated in geographic areas where units are deployed, or both. The costs of those options would range from $3.7 billion less than DoDs plan through2020 to $2.9 billion more. They would provide capability in several important dimensions ranging below and above that of the planned fleet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- AD1134631
Entities
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office