Special Operations Forces and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles PDF Download

Author: Stephen P. Howard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Drone aircraft
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
This study analyzes whether Special Operations Forces should use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and re-supply capability deficiencies. The author's objective is to review the missions and requirements of the United States Special Operations Command, examine current and future unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, and analyze whether unmanned aircraft technologies are mature enough to meet the demanding Special Operations missions. The result of the analysis is that unmanned aerial vehicles have tremendous potential. But, due to technological limitations and a lack of systems maturity, unmanned aerial vehicles lack the range, reliability, datalink capability, and size to meet Special Operations Forces needs at this time. However, in the future, UAVs should be able to fulfill several SOF capability deficiencies.

Author: Gregory K. James
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781423532712
Category : Drone aircraft
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Advances in computing, miniaturization, imaging, and data transmission technologies are precursors to a more important role for UAVs in warfare. UAVs are likely, first, to revolutionize the way reconnaissance and surveillance are conducted, second, to increase the capabilities of small units, third, to join manned platforms in the conduct of assault and attack missions, and finally help provide the numerous nodes necessary to facilitate both the digital connectivity and swarming forces envisioned in future network- centric formations. This thesis focuses on answering six questions: -What missions can UAVs perform? -What missions should UAVs perform? -What type of UAV is appropriate for each mission? -How can SOF use UAVs? -Who should own the UAV (from a SOF perspective)? -What level of control is required and where? Results include what UAV missions and types could support special operations, which of these should be performed by UAVs organic to special operations, and which should be performed by the Services' UAVs, as well as recommendations for future command and control of UAVs supporting special operations. Results are presented in matrix form for easy correlation of related factors. The thesis concludes with a twenty year pronostication of UAV development and recommends areas for future study.

Author: Naval Postgraduate School
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781519686879
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description
Advances in computing, miniaturization, imaging, and data transmission technologies are precursors to a more important role for UAVs in warfare. UAVs are likely, first, to revolutionize the way reconnaissance and surveillance are conducted, second, to increase the capabilities of small units, third, to join manned platforms in the conduct of assault and attack missions, and finally help provide the numerous nodes necessary to facilitate both the digital connectivity and swarming forces envisioned in future networkcentric formations. This book focuses on answering six questions: -What missions can UAVs perform? -What missions should UAVs perform? -What type ofUAV is appropriate for each mission? -How can SOF use UAVs? -Who should own the UAV (from a SOF perspective)? -What level of control is required and where? Results include what UAV missions and types could support special operations, which of these should be performed by UAVs organic to special operations, and which should be performed by the Services' UAVs, as well as recommendations for future command and control of UAVs supporting special operations. Results are presented in matrix form for easy correlation of related factors. The thesis concludes with a twenty-year prognostication of UAV development and recommends areas for future study.

Author: Naval Postgraduate Naval Postgraduate School
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781511946575
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description
Advances in computing, miniaturization, imaging, and data transmission technologies are precursors to a more important role for UAVs in warfare. UAVs are likely, first, to revolutionize the way reconnaissance and surveillance are conducted, second, to increase the capabilities of small units, third, to join manned platforms in the conduct of assault and attack missions, and finally help provide the numerous nodes necessary to facilitate both the digital connectivity and swarming forces envisioned in future networkcentric formations. This thesis focuses on answering six questions: -What missions can UAVs perform? -What missions should UAVs perform? -What type ofUAV is appropriate for each mission? -How can SOF use UAVs? -Who should own the UAV (from a SOF perspective)? -What level of control is required and where? Results include what UAV missions and types could support special operations, which of these should be performed by UAVs organic to special operations, and which should be performed by the Services' UAVs, as well as recommendations for future command and control of UAVs supporting special operations. Results are presented in matrix form for easy correlation of related factors. The thesis concludes with a twenty-year prognostication of UAV development and recommends areas for future study.

Author: John Philip Craiger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Drone aircraft
Languages : en
Pages : 19

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Book Description
"In this new occasional paper, Dr. J. Philip Craiger and Dr. Diane Maye Zorri explore current trends in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) technology and its applications to Special Operations Forces (SOF). The paper begins with analysis of the definition and classification of sUAS, their major applications, and characteristics. The authors then present sUAS military applications, threats, current/future threat scenarios, and counter-sUAS capabilities and technology. The authors conclude with a look at the five-year trends in sUAS to include cyber-enabled counter-sUAS. Setting the stage in their introduction the authors state, "As armed forces around the world continue to invest in research and development of sUAS technologies, there will be tremendous potential to revolutionize warfare, particularly in context of special operations"" -- Publisher's description.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 22

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Book Description
We construct an optimization model that assists commanders, operators, and planners to effectively deploy and employ unmanned aerial vehicles "UAVs" in special operations missions. Specifically, we consider situations where targets "e.g., insurgents" operate in a region of interest and a small special operations team is assigned to search and detect these targets. The special operations team is equipped with short-range surveillance UAVs. We combine intelligence regarding the targets with availability and capability of UAVs in an integer linear programming model. The goal is to detect the largest possible number of targets with the given resources. The model prescribes optimal deployment locations for the ground units and optimal time-phased search areas for the UAVs. The model has been implemented successfully in four field experiments. Preliminary empirical evidence indicates that the model provides 50% increase in detection opportunities compared with a plan manually generated by experienced commanders.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309181232
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been used in military operations for more than 60 years, with torpedoes, cruise missiles, satellites, and target drones being early examples.1 They have also been widely used in the civilian sector-for example, in the disposal of explosives, for work and measurement in radioactive environments, by various offshore industries for both creating and maintaining undersea facilities, for atmospheric and undersea research, and by industry in automated and robotic manufacturing. Recent military experiences with AVs have consistently demonstrated their value in a wide range of missions, and anticipated developments of AVs hold promise for increasingly significant roles in future naval operations. Advances in AV capabilities are enabled (and limited) by progress in the technologies of computing and robotics, navigation, communications and networking, power sources and propulsion, and materials. Autonomous Vehicles in Support of Naval Operations is a forward-looking discussion of the naval operational environment and vision for the Navy and Marine Corps and of naval mission needs and potential applications and limitations of AVs. This report considers the potential of AVs for naval operations, operational needs and technology issues, and opportunities for improved operations.

Author: Joseph C. Butner
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781423506393
Category : Drone aircraft
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
An experimental investigation was conducted to examine the use of small, expendable, endurance UAVs to enhance the combat effectiveness of Naval Special Warfare Forces (NSW) . The experiment involved UAVs, NSW forces, and a red team in a downed-pilot rescue mission. Models were developed to determine Optimum flight patterns for all UAVs. Models were also developed and utilized to determine experimental variables and measures of effectiveness. Simulation of the exercise was conducted to determine adequacy of the experiment plan. It was found that UAVs significantly enhanced force protection, provided direct improvement in C2, significantly enhanced situational awareness, and provided the ability to track blue forces. It was found that video feed to blue force foot patrols may not be as valuable as having the C2 element dedicated to viewing the feed provide real-time COMS relay to the patrol. The exercises demonstrated that NSW forces do not need to launch and fly UAVs in order to utilize their capabilities; rather UAVs can be located and launched at the Forward Operating Base. The data obtained imply that small, expendable, endurance UAVs may do more than enhance capabilities for current missions, they may enable NSW Forces to conduct missions previously considered too high-risk.

Author: Elizabeth Bone
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been referred to in many ways: RPV (remotely piloted vehicle), drone, robot plane, and pilotless aircraft are a few such names. Most often called UAVs, they are defined by the Department of Defense (DOD) as powered, aerial vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a lethal or non-lethal payload. The war an terrorism has put a high premium on the primary mission of UAVs, intelligence gathering. Furthermore, the military effectiveness of UAVs in recent conflicts such as Iraq (2003), Afghanistan (2001), and Kosovo (1999) has opened the eyes of many to both the advantages and disadvantages provided by unmanned aircraft. Long relegated to the sidelines in military operations, UAVs are now making national headlines as they are used in ways normally reserved for manned aircraft. Conventional wisdom states that UAVs offer two main advantages over manned aircraft: they are considered most cost-effective, and they minimise the risk to a pilot's life. However, the current UAV accident rate (the rate at which the aircraft are lost or damaged) is 100 times that of manned aircraft.

Author: David Glade
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Drone aircraft
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
The development of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) could potentially revolutionize how military force is used in the future. While the early operational experiences with UAVs show great promise, their full range of capabilities is largely unknown. However, it is clear that these technologies will enable military forces to use aerospace power more efficiently, which means at lower cost and with less risk to the humans who pilot aircraft. The broader question is the wisdom of using unmanned aerial vehicles for employing lethal force, and in particular which air power missions are best accomplished by uninhabited, piloted, and autonomous vehicles. The corollary is to examine the essential roles of human pilots or operators in aerospace operations in the twenty-first century. Since it is common to draw distinctions between vehicles with an on-board pilot, vehicles with off-board operators, and autonomous vehicles, this study explores the essential role of pilots and contrasts it with the roles of remotely piloted and autonomous vehicles. The assumption is that piloted, remotely piloted, and autonomous vehicles have advantages and disadvantages in military operations, and that these vary in strategic significance for different levels of conflict. Since it is essential for the U.S. defense establishment to consider the strategic and technological implications of these types of aerial vehicles, this study is devoted to addressing the issues raised by the new generation of aerial vehicles.