The EP-3E vs. the BAMS UAS An Operating and Support Cost Comparison
Download
Author
Larkins, Colin G.
Date
2012-09Advisor
Buettner, Raymond
Second Reader
Robinette, William
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The battlefield is constantly changing and the need for swift, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), has increased the focus on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help meet collection requirements. Certain UAVs can have longer dwell and on-station times than manned vehicles, with some UAVs capable of dwell times in excess of 20 hours. UAVs have an additional benefit of eliminating some of the risks associated with manned aircraft conducting ISR missions. Consequently, UAVs have been closely reviewed as a replacement craft for several manned ISR aircraft and have taken increasing roles in the world of ISR. Given an uneven record of success in the implementation of UAS, and Congressional concerns regarding the relative cost of UAV programs, the purpose of this thesis is to reexamine, compare and analyze the Operating and Support (O and S) costs for both the EP-3E ISR aircraft with the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) has declared to be the primary system to replace the EP-3E capability. This comparison includes all costs from initial system deployment through the end of the platforms service life. This thesis uses the revised O and S cost methodology in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 5000.2, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System. In addition, a typical O and S comparison, this thesis modifies the existing BAMS O and S costs to account for the additional costs of bandwidth, ground station support, collection sites, and risks as they apply to the BAMS UAS. These factors were not adequately considered in the original O and S analysis. Once the analysis and comparison is completed, a recommendation is made as to whether or not the decision to replace the EP-3E ISR system with the BAMS UAS should be revisited.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
An examination of the United States Air Force proposed lease of refueling tankers
Furber, Daniel Lewis; Jaeger, Harry (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2004-06);This project analyzes the proposed United States Air Force "acquisition" of 100 KC-767A tankers to replace KC- 135E Statotankers. The Air Force intended to use an operating lease to obtain the services of these KC-767As ... -
Pacific Fleet Regional Inventory Stocking Model (PRISM)
Pekari, Gregory; Chivers, Kurt Miles; Erickson, Brian G.; Blecher, Robert C.; Kartashov, Vitalii (Monterey, California, Naval Postgraduate School, 2003-06);This following project describes and assesses the current inventory-stocking model used by Commander Submarine Pacific (CSP) to manage its SSN repair parts stocking levels during a deployment work-up period. We also ... -
An analysis comparing Commander Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet (CSP) current inventory management tool versus PACFLT Regional Inventory Stocking Model (PRISM): a proposed demand-based management tool
Pekari, Gregory; Chivers, Kurt Miles; Erickson, Brian G.; Belcher, Robert C.; Kartashov, Vitalii (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2003-06);This following project describes and assesses the current inventory-stocking model used by Commander Submarine Pacific (CSP) to manage its SSN repair parts stocking levels during a deployment work-up period. We also introduce ...