Expendable Remotely Piloted Vehicles for Strategic Offensive ...

Cruise missiles do not provide man-in-the-loop capability nor muchflexibility to control their actions once launched. However, in essence theyare the payload which is an advantage in itself. This is because all the factorsassociated with weapons loading (equipment, personnel, maintenance,training, etc.) are not required.The expendable RPV has an advantage in that like the cruise missile, itis the payload. Unlike the cruise missile, it has a man in the loop to decideand control when and where it attacks. If for any reason targets arenot suitable for attack, the controller can direct it to crash in a safe zoneor self-destruct in the air.Relative Ranks for Control of Payload AreaManned AircraftCruise MissilesReusable Remotely Piloted VehiclesExpendable Remotely Piloted Vehicles●●●Less Complex Communications and Control SystemLess complex communications and control system is an area of advantagefor the cruise missile. Although it is a complex system, a cruise missile is primarilyautonomous; and its mission profile is set prior to launch. Manneda i rcraft, such as the F-117 and the B-2, have the most complex communicationsand control equipment. Redundant systems are necessary to ensurethe pilot has reliable communications and control capabilities. Complex control systems are becoming more widely used, such as fly-by-wire (a systemof computers which provide control inputs to permit operation of an airc r a f tbeyond what is mentally and physically possible by a human).For RPVs it is not that their currently complex control systems pose adisadvantage, it is the fact that they will have to become increasingly morecomplex over time in order to protect the data link. The data link is themajor factor in determining whether an RPV can truly be remotely piloted.In order to obtain a secure data link, developers may have to work in concertwith Global Positioning System defense efforts currently under way. 59Militaries could establish concepts of operation whereby communicationsare kept to a minimum, and intermittent bursts provide updates. Shouldthe data link be vulnerable, developers can design several optional systemsto take control. Preprogrammed controls could direct the vehicle tospecified areas (away from data-link interference or jamming) to reacquirea control signal. For expendable RPVs operating in a conflict, the programcould direct the vehicle to autonomously attack (like a cruise missile).While this study’s classification level restricts an in-depth discussion ofthis subject, the author fully acknowledges the data link is—and will alwaysbe—a major concern. The US military must take steps to secure itsuse for friendly forces and research ways to deny its use by adversaries.53