UNMANNED VEHICLE CARRIER SUPPORTING DISTRIBUTED MARITIME OPERATIONS

This project informs the concept of operations and system design decisions related to the usage of unmanned systems in support of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). The research supports capability-level analysis of an Unmanned Vehicle Carrier (UVC) through systematic variation of system design characteristics and operational activities in a simulation model. The analysis shows that the UVC improves operational availability (Ao) and time-on-station (TOS) for a variety of unmanned systems by providing ready access to maintenance, refueling, and rearming facilities without the need for long transit times to shore-based facilities or distributed support vessels. Improvement in Ao for individual unmanned systems ranged from 6% to 31% when comparing configurations utilizing a UVC vs. configurations that distribute unmanned systems support across the adaptive force package (AFP). The simulation model analysis identified a UVC architecture consisting of at least eight unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch recovery stations, at least three ship side-bays, and at least five well deck bays to maximize Ao.Civilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited