Army aviation addressing battlefield anomalies in real time with the teaming and collaboration of manned and unmanned aircraft

Abstract

This thesis focuses on determining the effectiveness of a new and innovative concept or Tactic, Technique and Procedure (TTP) for army aviation by teaming Manned and Unmanned (M/UM) aircraft in the conduct of Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) operations in the Contemporary Operating Environment (COE). M/UM aircraft teaming is described, as well as the evolution of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the technology applications they bring to bear. M/UM aircraft teaming as a TTP is examined in two case studies: (1) The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade's (CAB) use of the TTP during a 15-month deployment to MND-N during OIF 06-08, and (2) The Battle of Sadr City, March-April 2008, in which a highly successful large, joint and combined arms operation was conducted. A series of experiments conducted at Camp Roberts, CA by the NPS-lead CENETIX team is reviewed that investigated using M/UM aircraft teaming and collaboration in the ad-hoc mesh networking environment. This thesis also describes a game theory model for M/UM aircraft teaming in the conduct of Counter-IED operations.