This study explores the effects of airpower technologies and logistics on American airpower. It finds that future swarms of small, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) might provide significant force-projection capabilities using global military and commercial logistics infrastructures. This conclusion results from an examination of air operations during the Vietnam War, Operations DESERT STORM and ENDURING FREEDOM, existing RPA research and development, and projected Department of Defense developmental milestones involving swarms of small RPAs. The thesis also proposes a concept of operations, designated Locust Swarm, and a new logistics construct, called Instant Basing, that exploit the future capabilities of small, unmanned aerial vehicles. Such concepts may provide national policymakers relatively low-cost, low-risk options for international crises requiring the rapid deployment of airpower


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    Title :

    Instantly Basing Locust Swarms: New Options for Future Air Operations


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2012


    Size :

    149 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English