Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Is the Commander Getting What is Needed?
Abstract
One of the tools the Joint Force Commander has in his kit today that deals with the challenge of gaining accurate knowledge of enemy, friendly and neutral forces, as well as the terrain they operate in, is the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). This paper discusses the disjointed rise of UASs in American warfare, and their status today after a century of sporadic development punctuated by a tsunami-like rise to prominence over the relatively short span of the last ten years. Fueled by the needs of commanders in combat, the rise of the machines reflects a need generated by a capability gap recognized across the Joint Force. The speed and focus each service dedicated to filling this gap has left many disjointed systems across the Department of Defense, most of which are not truly interoperable. The number one capability the Combatant Commanders are asking for is reconnaissance and surveillance and there is fervent agreement on this. The question remains: are the commanders getting what they need? A close examination of their capabilities and limitations, and more critically what is being addressed under the rubric of interoperability, would indicate that they are not.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 23, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA553342
Entities
People
- Mark A. Moser
Organizations
- United States Army War College