This monograph answers the question, "Can unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) supplant manned United States Army attack and reconnaissance helicopters in the conduct of future urban operations " and the answer is, "not completely. " The future of US involvement in urban operations is likely to increase. Given that urban operations are of high probability in the future, the public 's probable aversion to casualties and the military 's conservative doctrinal approach to urban operations, the Army must find a way to counter the asymmetric advantages our potential enemies may possess in urban combat. Although Army aviation can provide mobility, intelligence gathering, and massive precision fires, its current aviation systems are highly vulnerable within the urban environment and a solution may lie in the employment of UAVs. UAVs were designed with a twofold purpose in mind. First, UAVs were intended to reduce the risk to pilot, crew, and equipment. The potential economic burden of losing high 13altitude reconnaissance aircraft or manned systems that may result in prisoners of war or personnel killed in action was significant enough to induce research and development to counter their loss. Secondly, freeing machines from the limitations of man expands the envelope for operations. Thus, the principal advantage of UAVs is a cost-effective system with greater capability and less risk to humans. Five criteria are used throughout this monograph to determine whether UAVs can supplant Army attack and reconnaissance helicopters. The criteria are capability, feasibility, acceptability, sustainability, and suitability. These criteria establish the test and focal lens by which research into fact, opinion, doctrine, theory, and historical evidence lead to conclusions and a recommendation for the future role and employment of UAVs in urban operations. An examination of the effects of urban sprawl and four case studies of urban operations since 1968 help determine the challenges for Army aviation to counter the growing threat of urban combat and the solutions that technology may afford in the future. In order to mitigate the risk to its aviators, equipment, and the supported ground forces, the Army needs to revise current doctrine to address the employment of Army aviation 's attack and reconnaissance aircraft teamed with UAVs in urban operations. The analysis of this monograph demonstrates that Army aircrews are not able to independently complete the missions that may be required of it within the growing urban environment. Nor can UAVs be fielded to the units of action and be expected to independently conduct the current missions of attack and reconnaissance aircraft. The most effective solution lays in teaming manned and unmanned aviation assets and applying new doctrinal employment.

ADA429417 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)