Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Aerial Platforms and Suitable Communication Payloads

Abstract

The goal of this research is to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of selected aerial platforms and suitable communication payloads for use as communication relays in support of distributed military operations. Aerial platforms, for the purpose of this study, include UAVs, towers and aerostats. A multi-objective analysis is utilized to compare dissimilar attributes together among the alternatives. Cost data for each system considered is presented. To analyze the cost-effectiveness of alternatives for different mission sets, three hypothetical scenarios are used including disaster relief, long-range relay, and the tactical user. This research identifies the most cost-effective aerial platforms and communication payloads for each scenario based on the authors preferences. Future decision makers can utilize this study as a decision tool to match their own preferences.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA607829

Entities

People

  • David C. Limmer
  • Randall E. Everly

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Birds
  • Cellular Networks
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Communication Systems
  • Data Links
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Information Systems
  • Mesh Networks
  • Mobile Phones
  • Network Protocols
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Vehicles

Readers

  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.