Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Operational Implications for the Joint Force Commander
Abstract
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an extremely effective tool for the Operational Commander, with a broad range of possibilities which are just beginning to be explored. Although the UAV is considered primarily a tactical asset, history has taught us that tactical assets may be effectively utilized on the strategic and operational levels, as well as the tactical level. With the down-sizing of the military and the increasing need to do more with less, operational commanders will have to depend more and more on assets such as the UAV to collect intelligence, conduct Battle Damage Assessments (BDA), and possibly to carry other payloads which have traditionally been left to manned aircraft. Historically, the UAV has been utilized primarily for intelligence gathering, gunfire targeting, and, as demonstrated in the Gulf War, timely and safe battle damage assessment. Each service has operated their organic UAV assets independently and for their individual requirements. This paper will demonstrate that the UAV can and must be utilized more effectively and that the Joint Force Commander must be aware of its potential uses at the operational level in order to take full advantage of its possibilities,. Unmanned aerial vehicle, Development trends, Current capability, Performance, Lessons learned, Implications
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 12, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279420
Entities
People
- F. K. Coyle
Organizations
- Naval War College