Logistics Aloft
Abstract
Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, Department of Defense (DoD) investment in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has exploded almost 700% to just under $4 billion per year in 2009. This expansion was caused by the successful application of UASs primarily in their role as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, but also as ISR/strike platforms, because these particular mission sets fit the capabilities of UASs. Going forward with these successes, DoD should assess potential future UAS missions by first determining what particular characteristics of the ISR and ISR/strike missions made them successful as UAS missions, and then determining what other missions fit these same characteristics. The author contends that emergency intra-theater logistical resupply and mission-critical, time-sensitive (MCTS) intra-theater logistical resupply are missions that fit ISR and ISR/strike mission characteristics. These missions require persistent, efficient, modular systems that are integrated into a pervasive battle space. UASs designed specifically as logistical delivery platforms with modular ISR/strike capabilities and long endurance should be developed to fulfill these missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA555564
Entities
People
- Joel D. Jackson
Organizations
- Air University