Title: A Moderate Course for USAF UAV Development
Subject: An examination of post Vietnam USAF UAV acceptance as well as a recommended UAV course for future USAF UAV development.
Author(s): Michael W. Kennedy; Lance A. Forbes (Faculty Advisor)
DTIC Keywords: MANNED, REMOTELY PILOTED VEHICLES, UNMANNED
Abstract:
USAF unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) advocacy from 1980 to date
has swung from an apparent disinterest in UAV systems to an aggressive
acceptance of UAVs to solve mission needs. However, continued UAV
programmatic setbacks indicate an appropriate UAV course for the Air
Force remains to be charted.
Tactical UAV programs between 1980 and the early 1990s
conspicuously lacked USAF involvement and demonstrated a sub-par
evolution of UAV capabilities, technology, and development. However,
spurred by concern over mission loss to sister services, USAF
demonstrated a mid-1990s new found interest in UAVs despite the
less-than-proven performance of previous UAV systems.
USAF UAV acceptance was embodied in four UAV end states and
two High Altitude Endurance (HAE) UAVs. However, continued
setbacks with HAE UAV programs soon impacted USAF's ability to meet
UAV end state timelines as well as USAF commitment to UAV funding.
HAE UAV miscues indicate the USAF UAV course charted after its
mid-1990s UAV acceptance was founded on unproven technology.
Consequently, this paper recommends a moderate USAF UAV course
founded on proven technology and conservative investment. This
moderate UAV course is enabled by a "wait and see" approach with the
ongoing HAE UAV Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration
(ACTD). The "wait and see" approach commits minimal USAF funds to
HAE UAVs pending successful HAE UAV technology demonstration.