Research, Development, and Acquisition of Counter-UAS ...
AI Analysis
The article discusses the research, development, and acquisition (RD&A) of counter-UAS technologies, emphasizing the complexity and long-term nature of these efforts. It highlights the importance of understanding the maturity stages of technologies and the challenges in scaling innovations like Graphene for practical applications.
Key Takeaways
- RD&A is crucial for developing advanced counter-UAS capabilities.
- Technological maturity and integration are key challenges in C-UAS development.
- Graphene is highlighted as a potential game-changing material with scalability challenges.
- The acquisition process is distinct from operational activities, focusing on long-term benefits.
- Emerging technologies like 3D Geofencing are significant in the C-UAS landscape.
Why It Matters
Understanding the RD&A process for counter-UAS technologies is essential for maintaining a strategic advantage in drone warfare. The ability to innovate and integrate new technologies effectively can significantly enhance defense capabilities against evolving UAS threats.
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Research, Development, and Acquisition of Counter-UAS Technologies
ByMr
ByMr
Christoph
Müller
,GE
MBDA Missile Systems, Germany
ByDr
ByDr
Martin
Hellmann
,GE
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- [Additional Authors ] Published: January 2021 in [A Comprehensive Approach to Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems] Subject Areas: [Uncrewed Aircraft Systems] [![FT_C-UAS_Book_FC_400x566]] [Download Book]
Introduction
In general terms, Research, Development and Acquisition (RD&A) can be loosely defined as the efforts undertaken by companies and governments to innovate and introduce new products to achieve or enhance specific capabilities. Therein Research and Development (R&D) can be understood as the process towards the maturing of technologies, while acquisition is widely recognized as the bureaucratic management of the procurement process that deals with the investment in technologies, programs and products.1 Commonly, RD&A is separate from most operational activities not expecting immediate benefit but aiming for long-term advantages of the sponsoring entity. That accounts even more for defence-related RD&A, which are typically not constrained by classical market rules mainly due to the much greater complexity of the user and a general absence of a profit motive by governmental agencies.2 While the definition of necessary capability requirements is an inherent part of acquisition processes, R&D cycles are less the subject of outside demands than of focused investments and time. The following chapter shall show basic observations and trends of RD&A in the past, highlighting findings specific to C-UAS RD&A. Moreover, it will outline acquisition and cost-related aspects important for C-UAS technologies and finally drawing conclusions specific to the future development of such systems.
Technology Development
To grasp the complexity of RD&A, it is necessary to understand the individual maturity stages, their integration and transfer towards products as well as the targeted market. Neither Research nor the Development of individual Technologies or Systems is a linear process of which the timelines or end states can be accurately predicted. One prominent example can be found in Graphenei and related applications. After its first discovery in the early 2000s, it was quickly attributed with a game-changing nature. Despite Graphene’s superior properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, barrier properties and high strength, the research struggled to utilize it in a larger scale. This is mainly due to the fact that it is not trivial to upscale Graphene technologies in an affordable way. Hence, the initial ‘hype’ was foll