Needless Incentives For Unmanned Aerial System Controllers
Abstract
Would you consider an online gamer playing a combat video game the same as a Marine engaged in actual combat? That is essentially what the Department of Defense is doing in an attempt to increase the number of unmanned aerial system controllers. The use of unmanned aerial systems on the battlefield has increased exponentially during the last decade. As the number of unmanned aerial systems continues to grow, the need for personnel to control these systems will also rise. The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems has accelerated more rapidly than the number of controllers trained to operate them. In an attempt to close this gap, incentives, normally reserved for pilots and aircrew, have been made available to UAS controllers. Controllers of unmanned aerial systems do not assume any of the risks inherent to flying, are not in current flight status and require much less time to train; therefore, they should not receive aviation incentive pay or be eligible for aviation awards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA517767
Entities
People
- J. D. Callicoatt
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command