Staffing for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

September, 2016
IDA document: D-8129
FFRDC: Systems and Analyses Center
Type: Research Summary/Research Insights , Documents , Human Capital
Division: Strategy, Forces and Resources Division
Authors:

Authors

Travis L. Norton, Joe Adams See more authors

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are an integral part of joint military operations. Each military Service has rapidly adopted the technology, leading to Service-unique staffing methodologies. Department of Defense (DOD) civilians are not currently part of any UAS staffing plan, and the Services vary significantly in the numbers of enlisted personnel used. Since civilians and enlisted personnel are more cost effective than officers, there is the potential to substantially reduce costs by their wellreasoned utilization.