Unmanned Aircraft Systems' Role In Network Centric Warfare

Recent proliferation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems UAS has significantly affected combat operations. Current operational theaters serve as proving grounds for both programmed and experimental UAS many are successfully supporting the commanders situational awareness requirements. Wartime commanders are increasing their requests for UAS. The Department of Defenses DOD subsequent actions to fulfill these requirements attest to their growing relevance. Like many of the technical capabilities fielded as part of DOD transformation, UAS requires communications networking resources to operate in order to realize their maximum potential. However, fully integrating UAS within these operational theaters continues to challenge military leaders. DOD cannot progress on the path to implement its vision of Network Centric Warfare NCW without fully integrating UAS into the theater communications network. This paper examines UAS role in NCW. It starts by providing brief background on NCW and UAS to establish their distinct relevance. Then it addresses three key considerations necessary to fully integrate these two elements UAS role in facilitating information dissemination, UAS role as an aerial communications relay, and UAS ability to operate within a constrained frequency spectrum environment. It then concludes with recommendations for establishing UAS as a valuable theater asset within the network-centric warfare environment.