UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF WARFIGHTING FUNCTIONS ON CONTEMPORARY BATTLEFIELDS
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF WARFIGHTING FUNCTIONS ON CONTEMPORARY BATTLEFIELDS

Summary/Abstract: The latest conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, and Libya demonstrated the versatility of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which were heavily used by all sides involved. UAS provided accurate intelligence, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, communications, precise target acquisition (TA), close air support (CAS), air interdiction, and accurate post-strike battle damage assessment (BDA). The proliferation of UAS is constantly increasing. Nowadays, this technology is not exclusive to wealthier countries anymore since “many developing countries, unable to man aviation because of the high financial burden, rely on the UAS as an off-the-shelf air force” (Jovanov 2022, 5). UAS has low procurement and operational costs, longer endurance, and lower training costs for operators compared to modern, technologically advanced aircraft. This paper aims to give an overview of how the employment of a versatile UAS, could facilitate the commander’s execution of operations and accomplish the assigned mission, thus improving the unit’s capabilities through all warfighting functions.

• Details
• Contents