Overview

The U.S. Army, after years of false starts and unfilled promises, is about to make good on its commitment to field an unmanned aerial vehicle system at the maneuver brigade level. Called the Shadow 200 tactical UAV (TUAV), it promises to dramatically enhance the reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition (RSTA) capabilities of those at the tip of the proverbial spear by providing them the ability to gather information on enemy formations with a limited risk to men and materiel. For approximately $3million, this program will put three aircraft, and associated support systems, in the hands of each brigade to fulfill those dull, dirty, and dangerous reconnaissance tasks currently challenging the brigade's reconnaissance and surveillance architecture. As compelling as this capability promises to be, the question remains as to whether the Shadow TUAV is the right tool for the wrong job. This monograph asks should the U.S. Army alter its current UAV acquisition strategy for maneuver brigades from one in which limited numbers of high capability systems are acquired, in favor of another that fields a large quantity of less capable mini-UAVs? A UAV system built around mini-UAVs, essentially smaller, less capable, but much cheaper versions of the more conventional aircraft, has inherent strengths that support its adoption at the brigade level. As a system, the sheer quantity of deployed collection assets, inherent design austerity, and flexible organization give them a significant advantage in fulfilling the requirements of a brigade level UAV system than their more conventional UAV cousins. They will allow a future prospective brigade commander to see more, with more, at less overall cost. To support this conclusion, this monograph will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the current UAV acquisition plan and a proposed mini-UAV strategy, compare the two systems in relation to the design parameters established for a brigade level UAV, then marry the results of This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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