BAMS UAS Manning and Fleet Integration Strategy

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262) has an expected initial operational capability (IOC) in FY2014 for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aerial System (BAMS UAS). Prior to IOC and in anticipation of operational testing with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron-One (VX-1), Orion Team Consulting (OTC) has been tasked to provide CAPT Kenney, Commanding Officer VX-1, a best-value course of action (COA) for manning and Fleet integration of the BAMS UAS. OTC used the following question to drive research and data analysis to provide a cogent plan for the future manning of the UAS: Considering both manning cost and capability, which of the three COAs listed below is the best manning strategy for Fleet-wide employment of the BAMS UAS? 1. BAMS UAS Standalone Squadron 2. Joint BAMS / Global Hawk UAS Squadron 3. Combined BAMS UAS / P-8A Squadron OTC employed current and available manpower data, baseline BAMS UAS operational data, and existing Global Hawk (GH) UAS manpower and operational data to analyze the three courses of action (COAs). Additionally, OTC utilized the current BAMS UAS Manpower Business Case Analysisi We recommend that BAMS UAS Fleet integration be accomplished via a combined BAMS UAS / P-8A squadron. This recommendation has been determined by accounting for manning cost and capabilities. The preponderance of reasons for this recommendation is centered on the manning cost saving over the other two COAs coupled with an increase in organic capabilities and ability to leverage intelligence sharing/support. This would effectively augment the maritime ISR capabilities of the P-8A Poseidon, provide best-value accounting for capabilities, and allow for career (MBCA) as the benchmark for determining the best-value COA for manning and Fleet integration. This report will provide insight into the essential data utilized, key assumptions made, and the final recommendations derived through extensive research and coordination with the USAF 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group (AESG) – the Global Hawk UAS program office, and PMA-262. We recommend that BAMS UAS Fleet integration be accomplished via a combined BAMS UAS / P-8A squadron. This recommendation has been determined by accounting for manning cost and capabilities. The preponderance of reasons for this recommendation is centered on the manning cost saving over the other two COAs coupled with an increase in organic capabilities and ability to leverage intelligence sharing/support. This would effectively augment the maritime ISR capabilities of the P-8A Poseidon, provide best-value accounting for capabilities, and allow for career progression for the BAMS UAS air vehicle operators (AVOs), mission coordinators (MSN COORD), sensor operators, and maintainers.