Congress, Navy butt heads over carrier-based drone

There is disagreement between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Congress about the future of an aircraft carrier-based drone, which could have enormous implications for the projection of U.S. military power abroad.

The Guardian reports that the U.S. Navy is set to release a document that specifies exactly what it wants of an aircraft carrier-based drone to U.S. defense manufacturers. This document is a source of contention between the navy and some members of congress.

The drone system is called the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike vehicle, or UCLASS. It first proved the ability to take off and land from a moving aircraft carrier around a year ago.

Taking off and landing on a moving carrier is one of the most difficult feats in aviation. All the more remarkable is that while drone models currently in use have pilots remotely controlling them, the UCLASS is expected to be automated, operating on pre-set instructions made by programmers.

The controversy over the UCLASS is about what role it is expected to play in combat. Congress would like to see a drone that is much stronger and stealthier than the current models, which are useless against even rudimentary air defenses.

Congress wants the UCLASS to be able to operate at higher altitudes than current models, in order to evade air defense systems and carry out surveillance in well-defended enemy territory. Because they want it to operate deep in enemy territory, they want the UCLASS to be able to survive in the event it is hit by enemy fire. 

Congress also wants it to be able to handle large and deadly payloads for offensive missions, while being able refuel in the air so that the operating and offensive range of aircraft carrier fleets is vastly expanded.

The efficacy of carriers is now coming into question because they are threatened by advanced anti-ship missiles that are continuously growing in range and payload. This is why Congress has so many operational demands for the UCLASS.

At a time of tight budgets however, the Navy views such requirements as excessive, and sees the UCLASS as a means to provide intelligence, rather than project power. A major problem the Navy has with a UCLASS that can project power in the way Congress desires is the cost of running logistical operations such as in-air refueling.