Piloting the USAF's UAV Fleet

<p>The primary objective of this research project was to examine the four most frequently proposed alternatives for staffing current and future Air Force UAVs designed to operate within the manned airspace environment: rated officers non-rated officers enlisted and contractors. This study examined three major issues airspace integration operational employment and Air Force cultural considerations for each of the alternatives. A review of Air Force UAV operator experience was initially identified followed by an evaluation of projected potential future UAV capabilities and their impact on staffing considerations. The objective findings derived from an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) survey concluded that it was feasible to train any of these alternative populations to operate at least the only current UAV system in this category the Predator. Unfortunately there was insufficient data to extrapolate these findings to future systems. In addition the AFRL was unable to determine specific training programs for these various options. However perhaps more important than the physical abilities simply to operate the vehicle is the comprehensive requirements to successfully employ them as weapon systems. In addition there are the internal and external organizational considerations. These UAVs represent an entirely new category of vehicles in the national and international airspace structure. They also represent a potential shift in who projects conventional combat power within the Air Force. Because of these major issues this paper concludes that for the foreseeable future pilots should operate this category of UAVs for the United States Air Force. Although this study placed considerable emphasis on the Predator system the analysis also was intended to apply to future UAV systems operating within the manned controlled airspace.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>