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due to additional sensors, or the ability to carry
more fuel.

The U.S. Congressional Research Office and
Department of Defence see a number of new
operational roles for UAS. UAS enable the air-
craft to return to base after their mission and
have the ability to be able to land in a more rural
discrete setting compared to manned aircraft.
This means that no matter the size of the UAS,
they can make delivery quickly and easily and
then return. This has a two-pronged ripple effect
of increasing combat mass and removing warf-
ighters from frontline danger, as the technology
enables the redeployment of current manpower
on to different tasks, all benefits that align with
the U.S. Air Force Agile Combat Employment
initiative.
ensuring information assurance is defined and validated. Threats
UAS also have a role to play in the humanitarian and risks should be taken care of as soon as they arise at any point
relief mission, with their large payload capac- in their development.
ity increasing the amount of aid that can be
delivered at once. Of course there’s still a “long This market is going to grow and
road ahead” for this mission requiring govern- grow – a digital backbone is key
ment investment as highlighted by Lt. Col. Mark
Jacobsen in a recent interview, but the use of No matter who supports and maintains a UAV in its lifecycle, it will be
drones in humanitarian relief has two main ben- crucial to have the next generation of software available to manage
efits including getting to areas only accessible maintenance throughout their lifecycle. They need an end-to-end
via air without risking pilots, and the speed in digital data thread linking all data sources and stakeholders within
which cargo can be delivered to areas in des- a UAVs ecosystem. Only then will they be able to ensure UAVs are
perate need. ready for action.

Cutting edge software and Data collection, analysis, and execution are a vital part of the oper-

security is key for AAM success ational management process and demand the correct backbone
of software support. Accurate data, advanced data analytics, and
For uncrewed systems to become a staple within optimized forecasting must be in place to ensure maintenance tasks
modern fighting forces, key considerations are completed at the right place and the right time, planned or
must be sustainment, support, and mainte- unplanned, anywhere in the world.
nance to ensure optimized asset availability.
Looking through recent uncrewed systems’ RFPs
and SOWs from military forces we can see the We at IFS are already deeply involved in supporting the devel-
complexity of UAV logistics and sustainment opment of UAVs, working directly with next generation defence
activities. manufacturers involved in all stages of the UAV life cycle. They select
IFS as the software solution of choice to oversee operations and
manufacturing projects, recognizing that the IFS software could be
This complexity demonstrates a wide range of used from the ground up within their manufacturing process from
issues and actions that will require up-to-date protype to manufacturing operations.
software including ongoing support, repair and
maintenance and training, and obsolescence Operational readiness
management.
is always a work in progress
Furthermore, the security software in these Sustainment of these military resources is under constant watch now
UAS is key throughout their lifecycles due to with the growth of AAVs and UAVs in defence, not just due to the
their susceptibility to cyberattacks. This vul- increase in complexity, but because of how crucial they are in cur-
nerability makes being able to identify, report, rent and future operations. AAVs and UAVs must maintain constant
and resolve security violations an operational readiness for deployment, making the digital backbone essential to
imperative. Systems must be able to guarantee linking sustainment activities at all stages of their lifecycles to the
information systems are functional and secure, defence OEMs, forces, and contractors with a common data thread..

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