Executive Summary
This report investigates mesh-enabled targeting using unmanned aerial system (UAS) swarms in GPS-denied environments. It integrates analytical modeling, system architecture development, and hardware-in-the-loop flight experimentation. The study concludes that mesh-networked UAS swarms offer substantial resilience but their functional lifetime is highly sensitive to geometric constraints, energy, and clustering strategy.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts as it addresses the critical challenge of maintaining targeting capabilities in contested, GPS-denied environments, directly impacting future military operations and resilience strategies. It provides insights into developing robust, distributed sensing and targeting architectures essential for modern warfare.
Key Takeaways
- Mesh-networked UAS swarms significantly enhance resilience in GPS/SATCOM-denied environments, crucial for maintaining kill chains.
- Functional lifetime of these swarms is highly dependent on geometric constraints, energy management, and clustering algorithms.
- Future research must focus on communications resilience, swarm autonomy, multi-sensor fusion, and operational experimentation for Distributed Maritime Operations.
- The study integrates analytical modeling, system architecture, energy-aware clustering, decentralized swarm control, and hardware-in-the-loop flight tests.
Strategic Relevance
This research is strategically vital for developing resilient targeting and command-and-control capabilities in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) environments. It directly supports the doctrinal shift towards distributed kill webs, enabling sustained operations despite adversary jamming and space denial, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness and survivability for naval forces.