The Future Of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Support of the Marine Expeditionary Unit

Abstract

The USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is commonly referred to as "the nation's 911 force." It must be capable of executing a full spectrum of missions from low-intensity humanitarian assistance and noncombat evacuations to high-intensity major combat operations. The structure and equipment are designed around this multimission requirement. However, the USMC owns the fixed-winged Shadow unmanned aircraft system (UAS), and is in the process of acquiring a small fixed-wing UAS, the small tactical UAS (STUAS) to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The USMC is also researching a cargo resupply UAS based on helicopter technology. The USMC focus on single mission UAS does not fit with the MEU's mission requirements. This thesis will examine MEU mission requirements and recommend a UAS capability set that best supports MEU operations. From this recommended set of requirements, the thesis will use a cost analysis to determine a future UAS program of record.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA556641

Entities

People

  • Leslie T. Payton

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Birds
  • Control Systems
  • Cost Analysis
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Military Science
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Short Takeoff Aircraft
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs