Unmanned systems key for military reinvention
Kate Queiroz, Chief Commercial Offer at Technodyn
Putting an integrated digital backbone in place will be one of the critical areas for growth for defence logistics support. One of the biggest drivers for growth in this regard will be support for unmanned systems.
Just like every other sector, the defence industry has been transforming in recent years with IT modernisation accelerating significantly during the onset of the pandemic. Technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, 3D printing, and more are starting to see battlefield action for the first time.
But the fundamental technology that underpins all of this is data. Of course, this must be accurate, clean, trustworthy, timely, and secure. And just like every other sector, more work must be done to collect and use this data to inform military equipment logistics and support.
Unmanned growth
Military unmanned systems will grow by 30%, bringing effective maintenance support under the spotlight. As part of this, a high degree of research and development investment is planned in the unmanned segment of defence systems. According to the Drone Databook, over 100 military organisations around the world have some form of drone capability. Furthermore, it anticipates that the proliferation of military drones will grow with an expected rise in spending of $11.1 billion in 2020 to $14.3 billion by 2029.
In addition to removing human soldiers from harm, unmanned systems bring certain operational advantages. For instance, being freed by life support systems (breathing apparatus, ejection seats) means ‘uncrewed’ aircraft can carry larger payloads with sensors for improved intelligence and reconnaissance or carry more fuel which allows for longer trips.
Digital-first
Further research suggests that these remotely controlled and expendable aerial assets have significantly increased due to their benefits in removing fighters from harm and addressing an ever-widening threat environment. As such, the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market has become one of the most appealing and lucrative in the global defence sector.
Of course, AAM use in defence is not new. For many years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become commonplace. The US Department of Defence is using more than 11 000 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for training, delivering humanitarian aid, and overseas contingency missions. Being unmanned, there is more space for larger payload capacity, increased intelligence ability due to additional sensors, or the ability to carry more fuel. So, these systems not only remove soldiers from danger but also bring other operational benefits.
Thinking outside the plane
UAS enable the aircraft to return to base after their mission and can land in a more rural discrete setting compared to manned aircraft. This means that no matter the size of the UAS, they can make delivery quickly and easily and then return. Much like automation and AI have contributed to other parts of the global market, these technologies will result in the redeployment of current manpower to different tasks that deliver more strategic value for defence forces the world over.
For ‘uncrewed’ systems to become a staple within modern fighting forces, key considerations must be sustainment, support, and maintenance to ensure optimised asset availability. Looking through recent uncrewed systems’ RFPs and SOWs of military troops, they bring complexity to logistics and sustainment activities.
This complexity demonstrates a range of issues and actions that will require up-to-date software. The software must be able to deliver ongoing support, repair and maintenance, training, and obsolescence management.
Furthermore, the security software in these UAS is key throughout their lifecycles due to their susceptibility to cyberattacks. This vulnerability makes being able to identify, report, and resolve security violations an operational imperative. Systems must guarantee that information systems are functional and secure, ensuring information assurance is defined and validated. Threats and risks should be taken care of as soon as they arise at any point in their development.
We are in for exciting digitally transformative times in the global defence sector. With UAVs and UAS leading the charge, the future of the military has become underpinned by innovative technology use.