According to a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the U.S. Air Force “Remotely Piloted Aircraft” (RPA) or “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS), represent a low cost, high mission capable asset when compared to manned airplanes. The UASs reduced operation and maintenance costs remain a key catalyst for their expanded deployments. Yet UASs suffer some of the same vulnerabilities and limitation as manned aircraft, including reliability issues. According to the USAF, dozens of RPA/UAS have crashed due to pilot error, mechanical failure, and/or electrical failure.
 |
