Previously, I had written about one of the challenges in the modern battlespace concerning logistical challenges in UAV operations. You see, we have more and more UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) or UASs (unmanned aerial systems) doing surveillance, and strategic strikes on international terrorists and international pirates. Many of these faraway bases are out in the middle of nowhere, and it takes a lot to have a base with lots of personnel. The increased logistics to have the on-the-ground personnel at these forward bases costs large amounts of money for the military. Okay so let's talk about this for second shall we?
It is imperative that we run our military like Six Sigma - not only so that we continue to be the greatest fighting force in the solar system, and maintain our status as leader of the free world, and the ultimate superpower - but we also must be the most efficient, and we need to do everything we do at a reduced cost. Due to the decreased economic component currently there is less tax revenues coming into the government. This means that all the entitlements that have mushroomed over the years are cutting into our government's number one job, which is to protect the American people from enemies both foreign and domestic.
If we have unmanned aerial vehicles in faraway bases, we also need robots servicing those aircraft. We need to reduce the number of personnel. For instance the ground crew need not be run by humans. Refueling should be done by robots, tying down and securing the aircraft should be done by robots, and also preflighting the aircraft before takeoff and doing the preflight inspection should also be done by robots. We have the technology, we have the capability, and we have the money to do this. The question is do we have the political will, and will the Pentagon look here as a potential cost-saving reality?
You see, it makes sense to have UAVs or UASs that have longer hang-time and can hover over the battlespace for not just hours, but days, weeks, or even months - but it also makes sense where ever those aircraft are based to have robotic preflight systems. Another item that has been talked about is bringing back nuclear powered aircraft. That's actually possible, and with the new technology we have today, and the new materials is totally feasible. In doing so however, it makes even more sense to have robotic inspection aircraft looking over the vehicle rather than actual humans, if nothing more for safety in case of radiation leakage.
The tie-down area would have Geiger counters, and the inspection robots would make sure that the air-craft structure is sound, and the aircraft after flying for months on end, or perhaps years are now ready to fly again. Perhaps the nuclear powered craft would be a lighter-than-air craft or almost lighter-than-air using its forward momentum to do the rest of the heavy lifting. This makes sense. Who knows, maybe they are already doing this - wouldn't surprise me much, as that's what I'd do.
Indeed, I'd like you to consider the need for unmanned ground vehicles which work as inspection robots. In fact, we could use these aboard aircraft carrier for regular aircraft reducing the number of seamen needed for the support crew, and all sorts of other things as well. Once these robots are configured, the applications are endless. They could be used for security, pipeline inspections, securing our infrastructure, and also on the flight line - not only for military aircraft, but also to save money for airlines, which also need to save money without hurting their excellent safety records - yes, and other industries. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this.
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