A COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF C-12 VARIANT AIRBORNE ISR CAPABILITIES IN THE MARINE CORPS
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Authors
Moreau, Paul P.
Subjects
intelligence
surveillance
reconnaissance
ISR
manned ISR
cost estimation
unmanned aircraft system
UAS
unmanned aerial vehicle
UAV
remotely piloted vehicle
RPA
cost-effectiveness analysis
CEA
cost-benefit analysis
CBA
surveillance
reconnaissance
ISR
manned ISR
cost estimation
unmanned aircraft system
UAS
unmanned aerial vehicle
UAV
remotely piloted vehicle
RPA
cost-effectiveness analysis
CEA
cost-benefit analysis
CBA
Advisors
Seagren, Chad W.
Sullivan, Ryan S.
Date of Issue
2022-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Military strategists and technologists have welcomed the rise of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles because of their persistence and expendability which provide operational flexibility to commanders and decision makers. Furthermore, RPAs generally cost less to operate than manned systems. However, some small manned ISR aircraft have low operating costs, have been proven in operations around the world, and do not require any new spending to develop. While pursuing RPAs to gain the benefits identified, the Marine Corps may incur costs that reduce overall value to the service. In this study, I conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of two ISR systems to determine the alternative with the best value. The representative platforms analyzed are the unmanned RQ-21A and the manned MC-12W, to determine if the Marine Corps can realize greater value from a small manned aircraft than small RPAs for ISR missions. I find that the RQ-21A is a more effective platform based on the objective hierarchy established, with a measure of overall effectiveness (MOE) score of .721. However, it is more costly than the MC-12W on a cost per flight hour (CPFH) basis with a CPFH of $18,223. The MC-12W is a less effective platform based on the objective hierarchy established, with an MOE score of .497. However, it is less costly than the RQ-21A on a per flight hour basis with a CPFH of $6,079.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
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.