The future of unmanned aircraft systems in support of the Marine Expeditionary Unit
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Authors
Payton, Leslie T.
Subjects
Unmanned Aircraft System
UAS
Marine Expeditionary Unit
MEU
mission
USMC
Marine Corps
UAS
Marine Expeditionary Unit
MEU
mission
USMC
Marine Corps
Advisors
Nussbaum, Daniel
Date of Issue
2011-12
Date
December 2011
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is commonly referred to as "the nation's 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 MEU's 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.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Graduate School of Business & Public Policy (GSBPP)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xviii, 52 p. ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.