The Future of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in US Military Operations
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remotely or automatically piloted aircraft, have been pursued by militaries for several decades as an alternative to risking the lives of military pilots. The U.S. military is currently in the latter stages of UAV development for intelligence gathering missions, and has begun to explore UAVs for other missions as well. As the Defense Department modernizes its airpower capability in the next two decades, spending an estimated $60 billion per year, UAVs must be considered as a possible alternative to other systems. Potential baskets of missions for UAVs include intelligence gathering, communications, and force application. Manned aircraft, spacecraft and standoff weapons offer alternatives to UAVs in these mission baskets. In analyzing alternatives, system cost, capability at performing the mission and reliability to complete it satisfactorily must be considered. UAVs appear ideally suited to take a leading role in the intelligence gathering mission basket. They may be able to serve in a backup role in communications, and support force application through jamming enemy communications and providing target acquisition and designation to other U.S. aircraft. Manned aircraft will continue to perform operations that combine multiple missions on one aircraft. Spacecraft will continue to play a leading role in communications missions. Standoff weapons show great potential to keep U.S. military personnel safe as they attack enemy targets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA385260
Entities
People
- William B. Woodward
Organizations
- University of Maryland