The Unmanned Initiative: A Strategic Appraisal of Coast Guard Unmanned Aerial Systems

94 Pages·2011·2.89 MB·English

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1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYYJ 12. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED (From- To)
18-06-2011 Master's Thesis 26-07-2010 to 17-06-2011
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Sa. CONTRACT NUMBER
The Unmanned Initiative: A Strategic Appraisal of Coast Guard Unmanned
Aerial Systems
5b. GRANT NUMBER
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6. AUTHORISI 5d. PROJECT NUMBER
LCDR John Egan, USCG
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Joint Forces Staff College
Joint Advanced Warfighting School
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Norfolk, VA23511-1702
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14.ABSTRACT
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms have the potential to serve as effective force multipliers in the maritime environment by
augmenting Coast Guard aviation in maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and enhancing maritime domain
awareness (MDA). However, the UAS program has been plagued with numerous technological and funding uncertainties. As a result,
the Coast Guard has been unable to develop an operational UAS program. This study uses analysis techniques such as literature
search, interviews, and the author's personal knowledge- all becoming input to a strategic formulation methodology and risk
assessment. This methodology will provide a structured analysis of the Coast Guard's strategic objective, strategic environment,
strategic development, and decision points relating to the UAS program. Recommendations include combining the Customs and
Border Patrol and Coast Guard Land-Based UAS programs, developing a Department of Homeland Security UAS strategic roadmap,
and pursuing small tactical cutter-based UAS platforms as part of the Coast Guard UAS strategy.
15. SUBJECT TERMS
Coast Guard Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS strategy, UAS, maritime domain awareness, MDA
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Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18

NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY
JOINT FORCES STAFF COLLEGE

JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING SCHOOL

THE UNMANNED INITIATIVE:
A STRATEGIC APPRAISAL OF COAST GUARD UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS

by

John Egan
LCDR, U.S. Coast Guard

THE UNMANNED INITIATIVE:
A STRATEGIC APPRAISAL OF COAST GUARD UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
by
John Egan
LCDR, U.S. Coast Guard
A paper submitted to the Faculty of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School in partial satisfaction of
the requirements of a Master of Science Degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy. The
contents of this paper reftect my own personal views and are not necessarily endorsed by the Joint
Forces Staff College or the Department of Defense.
This paper is entirely my own work except as documented in footnotes. (or appropriate statement
per the Academic Integrity Policy)
Signal~
10June20ll , _.,{ ~
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~-------­
Thesis Adviser: Signature:
'
Dr. Keith Dickson
&r~
Approved by: Signature:
'
en, Committee Member
Gerald Mitchell, Committee Member
Joanne ish, CAYf, USN, Director,
Joint .Advanced Warfighting School
Ifd istribution ofp aper is limited, show Distribution Statement here.
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ABSTRACT

The Coast Guard recognizes that Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms have the
potential to serve as effective force multipliers in the maritime environment by
augmenting existing Coast Guard aviation in the generation of maritime intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and enhancing maritime domain awareness
(MDA). However, the UAS program has been plagued with numerous technological and
funding uncertainties. As a result, the Coast Guard has been unable to develop an
operational UAS program to leverage enhanced capabilities for the execution of Coast
Guard and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) missions.

This study analyzes the Coast Guard’s persistent UAS acquisition attempts from 2002 to
2010. The analysis techniques used are a literature search, interviews, and the author’s
personal knowledge – all becoming input to a strategic formulation methodology and risk
assessment. This methodology will provide a structured analysis of the Coast Guard’s
strategic objective, strategic environment, strategic development, and decision points
relating to the UAS program.

The resulting recommendations include combining the Customs and Border Patrol and
Coast Guard Land-Based UAS programs, developing a Department of Homeland
Security UAS strategic roadmap, and pursuing small tactical cutter-based UAS platforms
as part of the Coast Guard UAS strategy.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 
Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 3 
Thesis ........................................................................................................................................... 5 
Plan of Development .................................................................................................................... 7 
CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 8 
Coast Guard History .................................................................................................................... 8 
Deepwater: The Acquisition Strategy ........................................................................................ 10 
CHAPTER 3: THE DEEPWATER STRATEGY FOR UAS ........................................................ 14 
Setbacks ..................................................................................................................................... 16 
Deepwater Cancellation ............................................................................................................. 18 
Moving Forward ........................................................................................................................ 19 
CHAPTER 4: THE COAST GUARD UAS STRATEGY ............................................................ 22 
Short Term Strategy ................................................................................................................... 24 
Fleet Mix Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 26 
Partnerships Advance UAS Efforts............................................................................................ 27 
CHAPTER 5: A NEW UAS STRATEGY .................................................................................... 33 
Identify the Strategic Interest ..................................................................................................... 35 
Determine the Level of Interest ................................................................................................. 35 
The Strategic Environment ........................................................................................................ 39 
Appraising Strategy and Risk .................................................................................................... 53 
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................ 59 
A Modified UAS Strategy ......................................................................................................... 59 
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................... 63 
ILLUSTRATION A ....................................................................................................................... 66 
ILLUSTRATION B ....................................................................................................................... 67 
ILLUSTRATION C ....................................................................................................................... 68 
ILLUSTRATION D ....................................................................................................................... 68 
APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................ 70 
APPENDIX B ................................................................................................................................ 70 
APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................................ 75 
BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................................... 77 
VITA .............................................................................................................................................. 84
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