SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS' KILL CHAIN IN AN OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The proliferation of unmanned aerial system (UAS) capabilities in the commercial sector is posing potentially significant threats to the traditional perimeter defense of civilian and military facilities. In particular, commercial-off-the-shelf UASs, which are small, cheap, and come with many functions, have sparked growing interest among hobbyists and raised risks to facilities. Consequently, facility commanders now need a methodology to conduct quick evaluation and analysis of immediate threats to their facility to determine effectiveness of their facility's counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS). Following a systems engineering approach, this research proposes a methodology that provides a step-by-step process to conduct evaluation and analysis of a facility, and employs model based systems engineering (MBSE) tools to assess a CUAS's effectiveness and limitations. The methodology analyzes the CUAS's operating environment and the ways CUASs may impact other stakeholders (e.g., adjacent allied forces, civilians, etc.) within the area of operation. We then identify configuration candidates for optimizing the CUAS's performance to meet the requirements of the stakeholders. A case study of a hypothetical airport with an existing CUAS is presented to demonstrate the usability of the methodology, explore the candidates, and justify the implementation of a candidate that fits the facility's and the stakeholders' requirements.