Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles

<p>Military operations since Desert Storm have taken an almost ultramodern style of warfare a step away from the notion of sequential operations of the past throughout the successful concept of parallel warfare during the Gulf War toward a transformational strategy of network-centric warfare (NCW) now being adopted by the Department of Defense. The key technologies associated with NCW are information superiority stealth precision engagement combination of manned and unmanned aerial platforms. Recent events around the world demonstrate the unique capabilities of the Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle have triggered a revolution in unmanned aerospace vehicle research. Proponents including the President of the United States are touting the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) as the next generation bomber and fighter platform. This paper investigates the feasibility of an unmanned aerial vehicle as an alternative in close air support (CAS) operations. Can an unmanned airplane engage targets in close proximity to friendly troops with the same or better results than a manned aircraft? To better understand the military applications of UCAVs conducting CAS several areas must be considered doctrine cost survivability distinct capabilities and demonstrated accuracy.</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>