Operationalizing UAS Aboard Navy and USCG Ships

Abstract

Uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technologies can serve as a force multiplier for United States Navy and United States Coast Guard (USCG) ships without organic aviation capabilities and may present cost savings by supplementing or replacing crewed aviation assets for limited mission sets. However, several challenges exist in understanding when and how to employ UAS on Navy and USCG vessels, especially for vessels without preexisting aviation capabilities. To meet the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO's) 2045 hybrid fleet goal, the Navy and USCG must adapt a more flexible and scalable system for the integration and employment of UAS into fleet elements. This research investigates possible Concepts of Operation (CONOPS), returns on investment, employment strategies, and roles which UAS can perform. This research will attempt to answer the following questions: What CONOPS are possible when incorporating UAS on small and large Navy and USCG surface platforms? What is the return on investment using UAS versus crewed aircraft to execute Navy and USCG missions? What UAS employment strategies are appropriate for various vessel types based on launch and recovery capabilities? What roles can UAS realistically assume from crewed aircraft? The research plan is as follows: 1) Survey related literature on current UAS operations technologies and strategies aboard Navy and USCG ships, 2) Survey existing CONOPS and similar information for current UAS missions aboard Navy and USCG ships, 3) Identify potential future CONOPS for UAS missions aboard Navy and USCG ships, 4) Examine different missions UAS may perform from different Navy and USCG ships, 5) Conduct cross-analysis of existing capabilities and future requirements to determine gaps, and 6) Match potential UAS missions and platforms with different vessel types based on launch and recovery capabilities (both current and envisioned future capabilities).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 21, 2023
Accession Number
AD1224317

Entities

People

  • Allen J. Greene
  • Britta Hale
  • Charles R. Eilersten
  • Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
  • Jacob A. Vanwhy
  • Jonathan Lussier
  • Luke J. Loukas

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.