Accession Number:

ADA556641

Title:

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

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Payton, Leslie T.

Report Date:

2011-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

72.0

Abstract:

The USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU is commonly referred to as the nations 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 MEUs 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.

Descriptors:

• *DRONES
• EVACUATION
• HELICOPTERS
• INTELLIGENCE
• LOW INTENSITY
• MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT
• RECONNAISSANCE
• REPLENISHMENT
• SURVEILLANCE
• THESES

Subject Categories:

• Pilotless Aircraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE