UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV) AND THE FUTURE NAVY

(Lt. Cdr. Peter Ashworth - May 2001)

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are one of the pinnacle points for military
technological revolution. These are electronic controlled aerial vehicles that take flight
autonomously without the involvement of any human pilot. The operators of these aerial
drones remain on the ground, stay hidden and are kept at a safe distance from enemy
exposure and threats. UAVs make use of different aerodynamic forces to act as their lift and
thrust medium which is no different from a common naval plane and jet. They have a
location mapping system and target-locking sensors that is extremely beneficial and
advantageous for naval scout strategies and operations (Ashworth, 2001). UAVs play a vital
role in the evolution of the future navy; the three following key advantages are exactly
what set the UAV apart from any other aerial vehicle and technology of the current navy.

Reconnaissance and Surveillance Missions (RSM) are one of the UAVs most utilized
and important technological capabilities. The term reconnaissance and surveillance
missions are used as the operations done by applying visual observation, information
gathering, communication relay, target acquisition, and threat detection (Ashworth, 2001).
The UAV is incredibly efficient when it to comes to intelligence analysis and data recovery
from any portion of the local or enemy boundary lines. Their capability of extracting
information and exploiting GPS systems for location mapping, troop deployment and
civilian relocations are off the charts. The process of identifying the targets precisely and
accurately can reduce collateral damages and other unnecessary casualties for neighboring
areas and enemy civilians (Bender, 1999). Since information gathering is now less risky
than it originally was, the process for relaying important and confidential data through the
use of UAVs have significantly reduced the unprecedented losses of skilled troops and
veteran soldiers. Communication has been more clear and stable due to the integration of
electronics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Chemical and biological weapons can
also be automatically detected, wherein the navy’s very own friendly forces would have
more time and chances to counter or prevent such catastrophic encounters with these
deadly offensive strategies. The availability of UAVs made military RSM operations less
dangerous and more efficient which grants not only the military generally, but the navy
specifically, a tactical advantage when it comes to intelligence resourcing and technical
applications.

Offensive Combat Operations (OCOs) are also one of the most deployed
technological assets a UAV has. Combat UAVs are viewed as aerial contraptions that emit
lethal force and severe damage ranges. Land strike operations are UAV deployments that
target enemy land-based infrastructures and naval troop bases. UAVs are launched from
naval ship decks and acquire the “lock-on-target” and “point of contact” which is commonly
situated on geo-terrestrial areas such as naval harbors and coastal bases. Maritime strike
operations are similar to that of land strikes in terms of UAV operations and systems. The
main difference would be the area of contact, which is commonly located at sea and ocean
areas. Maritime strike UAVs are used to attack naval threats such as enemy fleets and other
opposing maritime deployments (Heinemann, 1980). These strike UAVs have the ability to
significantly reduce an enemy reaction time against abrupt threats and surprise attacks
performed by military and naval forces.

Defensive Strike Capabilities (DSCs) are also a part of the UAVs technical core and
systems. These UAV strike attack qualities are not only meant for offensive purposes but
for tactical defensive reasons as well. One of the pioneering applications for UAVs is
designed to loiter around enemy grounds and suppress enemy air defenses either during
passive and active modes. Defensive strike UAVs focus more on the elimination of enemy
base attack equipment and infrastructures (Moore, 1999). There are also times when
opposing air strike missiles are released in the air which electronically triggers UAV
sensors for defensive countermeasures. Once UAV sensors are alarmed of such threats they
are automatically released in the same course and direction which counters the air-missile
attack midway. Although there are still a lot of necessary improvement needed for this type
of command system, UAV specialists have already set their pace on the right track. Further
research and development of UAV mechanisms and applications can further revolutionize
the pace of naval technological advancement when it comes to strategic defensive
capabilities, operations and systems.
 In conclusion, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been constantly engaged in a
wide scope of operational strategies since the start of naval technological warfare. UAVs
have been utilized for both lethal and non-lethal operations in many different arrays of
advantageous results. Despite the rising concerns for its technical assurance in data
gathering procedures and combat efficiency, the military and naval organization will
always find alternative and more improved measures to ensure its effectiveness and
utilization on the land or sea battlefield. The future of navy supremacy is indeed
intertwined with the industrialized enhancement of such equipment and facilities.