This study analyzes whether special operations forces (SOF) should use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, and resupply 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 mission. The result of the analysis is that unmanned aerial vehicles have tremendous potential. But, due to the technological limitations and a lack of systems maturity, unmanned aerial vehicles lack the range, reliability, datalink capability, and size to meet SOF needs at this time. However, in the future, UAVs should be able to fulfill several SOF capability deficiencies....

INTRODUCTION . . . . 1 Notes . . . . . 3 SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASKS AND CAPABILITY DEFICIENCIES . . . . . 5 Notes . . . . . 12 CURRENT AND EMERGING UAV TECHNOLOGIES . . . . 13 Notes . . . . . 24 ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION . . . . 27 Notes . . . . . 35 BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . 37...

This study analyzes the concept of using expendable remotely piloted vehicles (RPV) for strategic offensive airpower. The author first outlines the historical base of the larger category of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The assessment of this background is that limited UAV development is primarily due to circumstantial historical events, including lack of user support, as opposed to techno-logical restraints. Second, the author addresses strategic offensive airpower. Airpower provides unique advantages to a strategic offensive force. Finally, the author presents a notional scenario involving conceptual expendable RPVs. This scenario provides one theoretical example as to how future forces could employ and control RPVs in a strategic attack. The overall purpose of this paper is to not only highlight the author’s concept of future unmanned aircraft but to also encourage pursuit into all areas that may possess the potential to advance airpower....

1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . 1 Notes . . . . . 6 2 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND . . . . 9 Notes . . . . .21 3 STRATEGIC OFFENSIVE AIRPOWER . . . .25 Notes . . . . .35 4 MERITS OF EXPENDABILITY . . . . .39 Notes . . . . .59 5 FUTURE NOTIONAL SCENARIO . . . . .63 Notes . . . . .67 6 CONCLUSION . . . .69 Notes . . . . .71...

In this paper, Lt Col Mary E. Griswold discusses the basics of the electromagnetic spectrum and UAS operations, pointing out how frequency management and bandwidth availability are key to UAS operations. She illustrates this through examples of difficulties encountered during military operations with spectrum and bandwidth issues. Finally, she notes that solutions to the current challenges are found in the employment of both short- and long-term actions in these areas to improve and optimize the use and availability of spectrum support for UAS operations in the future....