UAVs: Holy Grail for Intel, Panacea for RSTA, or Much Ado about Nothing? UAVs for the Operational Commander
Abstract
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a force multiplier for the operational commander. Characterized as either lethal or non-lethal and employed singularly or as a system of systems, they significantly enhance a combatant or joint force commander's ability to satisfy strategic, operational, and tactical objectives. UAVs have supported military operations including the Vietnam War, the 1983 Israeli War, the Gulf War and most recently the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in Bosnia, to name a few. Although U.S. UAV acquisition programs have followed a very rocky road to date, slowing their evolution, their future is promising. Non-lethal UAVs are intended to operate as a system of systems to provide blanket coverage for the commander in conjunction with other manned and satellite systems. Non-lethal UAV missions include RSTA, intelligence, and BDA. Lethal UAVs are essentially smart bombs that can locate, identity and attack a target. If a suitable target is not identified, they can return to fight another day. Advantages to using UAVs over manned platforms are that they provide a low risk, highly efficient and effective, and low cost solution to fighting wars and MOOTW. This is especially important in today's world of decreasing resources and increasing responsibilities. Today, UAVs uniquely support the operational functions of Operational Art and are equally suited to supporting the operational concepts of Joint Vision 2010. Whether providing eyes on target, steel on target, or acting as a virtual communications satellite, UAVs provide the force commander with a low-risk high-payoff approach to warfighting. UAVs are a force multiplier for the operational commander.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA349222
Entities
People
- Roy W. Fox
Organizations
- Naval War College