Fiscal Year	2023
Division	Research & Sponsored Programs
Department	Naval Research Program
Investigator(s)	Hale, Britta J. Van Bossuyt, Douglas
Sponsor	NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary	Implementing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technologies that can untether UAS operations from current radar/air domain controller requirements presents an evolutionary leap in our surface fleet's maritime domain awareness capability. However, several challenges exist in understanding when and how to employ UAS on Navy and USCG vessels, especially from an airspace control standpoint. To meet the CNO's 2045 hybrid fleet goal the Navy and Coast Guard (USCG) must adapt a more flexible and scalable system for the integration and control of unmanned aerial systems into fleet elements. This research will investigate possible CONOPS, return on investment, employment strategies, possible policy changes, and roles which UAS can perform. This research will attempt to answer the following questions: What CONOPS are possible when incorporating UAS on small and large Navy & USCG surface platforms and how can they be integrated into current air control practices? What is the return on investment using UAS versus crewed aircraft to execute Navy & USCG missions? What UAS employment strategies are appropriate for various vessel types based on launch and recovery capabilities? What roles can UAS realistically assume from crewed aircraft? The research plan is: 1) Survey related literature on current UAS operations technologies and strategies aboard Navy and USCG ships, 2) Survey existing CONOPS and similar information for current UAS missions aboard Navy and USCG ships, 3) Identify potential future CONOPS for UAS missions aboard Navy and USCG ships, 4) Examine different missions UAS may perform from different Navy and USCG ships, 5) Cross-analysis of existing capabilities and future requirements to determine gaps, and 6) Match potential UAS missions and platforms with different vessel types based on launch and recovery capabilities (both current and envisioned future capabilities). The following research deliverables are planned: 1. Final report and presentation. 2. Quarterly in progress reviews " a set of briefings for Topic Sponsor (power point slide sets). 3. Research poster for annual NRWG meeting at NPS.
Keywords	UAS, Coast Guard, small boat
Publications	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal