RAND Arroyo Center estimated the technical and operational feasibility and likely benefits of employing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for 10 various tasks in support of logistics operations. These tasks fell into three broad categories: (1) surveillance and reconnaissance, (2) finding supplies, and (3) transporting things. The project discovered that the pace of evolution and development in the realm of UAS and their payloads is quite rapid, suggesting significant potential for these systems in the near- and long-term future. A key consideration for the Army when contemplating its future options will be bandwidth. Theaters rich in bandwidth will feature robust intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance networks that can satisfy many of the logistics community's needs. In these circumstances, the Army should invest in connectivity to that network. In cases where bandwidth is insufficient, then small UAS with direct, point-to-point connectivity may be an attractive option for providing critical situational awareness.

"Prepared for the United States Army"--T.p.

Unmanned aircraft systems for logistics applications -- The near-term and long-term future -- Examining the UAS concepts -- Acquiring and employing UAS for reconnaissance and surveillance applications -- Observations and conclusions -- Appendix A: detailed analysis of selected UAS logistics concepts -- Appendix B: sensors and imaging -- Appendix C: analysis of cost and benefit -- Appendix D: unmanned aircraft systems overview -- Appendix E: alternatives for tasks where UAS concepts appear infeasible.