TACTICAL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT TO SMALL SCALE CONTINGENCIES (SSC) UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE BATTLE LAB (UAVB) KENNEY CLASS INITIATIVE

摘要

This paper provides a detailed description and report from the USAF Unmanned Aerial Vehiclern(UAV) Battlelab initiative know as the “Tactical UAV Reconnaissance Support to Small ScalernContingencies”. World interest has focused on Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs) inrnAlbania, Liberia and the Congo, to Humanitarian Relief Operations (HUMRO) in the former Zaire,rnSierra Leone, Rwanda and recently East Timor. Because these operations call for rapidrnresponses, it is often impossible to re-allocate theater or national reconnaissance assets in arntimely manner. The UAV Battlelab became concerned with these deficiencies in January 1998rnand undertook an initiative to apply tactical UAVs to operations in these mission areas. InrnNovember 1999, the UAVB in conjunction with HQ Air Force Special Operations Commandrn(AFSOC), demonstrated that UAVs can offer a flexible, rapid reconnaissance solution withrnforward deployment possibilities. In addition, the UAVB demonstrated transfer of imagery withoutrnthe requirement for large ground stations or satellites. Lessons learned from this demonstrationrnallow several commands to further explore the testing and development of off the shelf solutionsrnto enhance their support of contingency operations. Both AFSOC and HQ European Commandrnmission area plans address the need for a tactical UAV system, which provides for both forwardrndeployment and flexible tactical reconnaissance support. This latest initiative validates the militaryrnworth of using tactical UAVs to enhance the Air Force’s ability to rapidly project combat power onrna global scale.