Instantly Basing Locust Swarms

This study finds that future swarms of small, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) might provide significant force-projection capabilities using global military and commercial logistics infrastructures. This conclusion results from an examination of air operations during the Vietnam War, Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom, existing RPA research and development, and projected Department of Defense developmental milestones involving swarms of small RPAs. The study also proposes a concept of operations, designated Locust Swarm, and a new logistics construct, called Instant Basing, that exploit the future capabilities of small, unmanned aerial vehicles. Such concepts may provide national policy makers relatively low-cost, low-risk options for international crises requiring the rapid deployment of airpower.