ARMY AL&T
appropriate joint training readiness and the integration of the COE into joint exercises and experimentation are future areas of concentration for the COE. Another initiative is the Airspace Integration Improvements Initiative being worked by PM Aviation Systems. This entails incremental improve- ments for collaboration and decision making among all airspace stakehold- ers, automated capabilities to digitally pass relevant changes to aviators in fl ight and UAS operators, and network- ing existing sensors to provide a robust COP during mission execution.
Army aviation leaders and organi- zations, to include the Army UAS COE in conjunction with USAACE; Maneuver COE; Military Intelligence COE; and U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center, have been work- ing on the Army’s UAS road map for the next 25 years. Nested with the Joint Communications and the Army Campaign Plan, the road map has three terms: near-term (2010–2015), mid-term (2016–2025), and far-term (2026–2035). COL Eric S. Mathewson, Director UAS Task Force, HQ U.S. Air Force (USAF), Arlington, advised that the USAF also has a road map and is working on implementing it.
SGT Donald Melvin (left), an unmanned aerial vehicle mechanic with 1st Cavalry Div. in Baghdad, Iraq, and SPC Stephen Cantrell prepare a UAS for a launch. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Travis Zielinski.)
Future The future of UAS looks promising, according to MG James O. Barclay III, Commanding General, USAACE, Fort Rucker, and Chief, U.S. Army Aviation Branch. “What we’re reaping today is probably a miniscule amount of what I know technology can give us in the future,” he said. Yet, he and other Army senior leaders cautioned against mak- ing mistakes now that will affect the UAS of tomorrow. “We need to be very careful to make sure we do it right, we get what is needed, and we get it in a manner that it can be used on the bat- tlefield,” said Barclay. The procurement of the right technology and capabilities is crucial. “We have to remain focused that we’re not in the UAS business, [but rather,] focus on the procure- ment of capabilities,” said BG William T. Crosby, Program Executive Officer Aviation. “Those capa- bilities are focused on the business of getting the right information to Soldiers and combatant commanders.”
The Army Aviation Center’s UAS Training Battalion, Fort Hua- chuca, trained more than 2,100 UAS operators and maintainers in 2009. Here, SGT Richard Knuth, an unmanned aerial vehicle maintainer in Co A., Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy BCT, 3rd Infantry Div. (3ID), does a pre-fl ight check on one of his vehicles at FOB Kalsu, Iraq, Jan. 25, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Ben Hutto, 3rd Heavy BCT, 3ID.)
Mathewson advised that the military has brought unmanned systems to
the forefront: “We’re in a revolution in military affairs—not [of] unmanned systems, but the conscious application of automated technology and [being] able to project power without pro- jecting vulnerability.” BG Glenn M. Walters, USMC, Deputy Director for Resources and Acquisitions, Joint Staff, J8, advised that it’s “mind-boggling the progress we’ve made in the past 2 years,” and he doesn’t see that trend changing. Every capability desired is being considered in unmanned form, to include airlift, resupply, ISR, strike, maintenance, etc., across all portfolios.
When asked what will happen to UAS after Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Golson admitted, “We don’t know details. But we do know that we will have unmanned systems. The big question is: what is the right mix between manned and unmanned?” The Army and joint services are working that question today to prepare for a future where UAS continues to be a successful combat multiplier for our Soldiers.
KELLYN D. RITTER provides contract support to the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center through BRTRC Strategy and Communications Group. She holds a B.A. in English from Dickinson College.
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