Thesis (M.S. in Systems Technology (Command, Control and Communications))--Naval Postgraduate School, March 1992. / Thesis Advisors: Sovereign, Michael ; Caldwell, William J. "March 1992." Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-64). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 279 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 180-183).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 76 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-61).

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / The Navy is considering the use of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to reduce risk to personnel in maritime interdiction operations, and to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and force protection (FP) missions. In this thesis, alternative configurations of the prototype and operational uses of the USV are explored using agent-based simulation for three scenarios. An efficient experiment design alters settings of ten factors for the two ISR scenarios and 11 factors for the FP scenario. Some factors varied in the experiment are uncontrollable during operations, such as the total number of contacts, threat density, their maneuvering characteristics, and the sea state. The USV sensor range and endurance are also considered as well as factors set by the decision-maker for a particular mission: namely, USV speed and numbers to deploy. The results provide several operational and tactical insights with implications for patrolling and combat radius, and form the basis for a recommendation to use the USV in an active role in maritime missions. The results also support the guidance on the benefits of improving USV sensing and endurance capabilities, and find that simply increasing USV numbers is not necessary for attaining high mission performance. / Ensign, United States Navy

The Air Force is currently developing Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV). The UCAV is projected for initial testing by 2010. However, after reviewing the Office of Secretary of Defense's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap for 2005 2030 / obtaining squadrons of UCAVs will cost billions of dollars and require decades to produce. The United States cannot afford to wait decades for unmanned weapons. Technology is spreading fast. Third world countries without stable economies and non-state actors are able to obtain/develop sophisticated weapons that are capable of destroying tactical aircraft. With sophisticated weapons easily obtainable, the risk of losing people in air combat is increasing significantly and that in turn is creating a level playing field for potential U.S. adversaries. Unmanned weapons technology can help America retain its military edge. However, since unmanned warfare capability is still decades away and is a multi-billion dollar project, America needs a quick fix. This study will argue that the most effective way to decrease risk-of-life and budget costs is to introduce F-16 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) aircraft for combat. This thesis will answer the question: How can the government seize the unmanned aircraft advantages and decrease defense spending until the UCAV is operational? The answer to this question will illustrate how an effective F-16 UAS force can synchronize resources to properly complete UCAV development while instantly reducing risk of life.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-99). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Looney, Robert E. ; McNab, Robert M. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: F-22, MQ-1, MQ-9, UCAV, homeland defense, aircraft effectiveness, defense spending, manned flight, unmanned flight. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-76). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., 2001. / "September 2001." Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-90). Available also online as a PDF file via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / "MBA professional report"--Cover. Thesis advisor(s):Donald R. Eaton, Michael W. Boudreau, Brad R. Naegle. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-42). Also available online.

This research set out to determine whether computer-aided engineering tools could be used to validate land-vehicle material during the Defence acquisition cycle. / Thesis (MEngineering)--University of South Australia, 2008.