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1 1 (March 1, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govekto0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional ____ Sa Research Service Large Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Transfer to Ukraine: Issues for Congress March 1, 2023 In mid-2022, Ukraine reportedly requested that the Biden Administration transfer to Ukraine large advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Ukraine argues that access to these weapon systems would improve its air operations against Russian ground forces. In addition, the U.S. Air Force reportedly proposed the transfer of MQ-9 Reaper UAS to Ukraine in spring 2022. Some Members of Congress have expressed support for sending large UAS to Ukraine. For example, on September 21, 2022, a bipartisan group of 17 Members of the House of Representatives wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing support for the transfer of UAS like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle or the MQ-9A Reaper. Similarly, on November 22, 2022, a bipartisan group of 16 Senators also wrote to Secretary Austin expressing support for transfer of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Congress authorized the transfer of armed UAS to Ukraine (through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) in the FY2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act, P.L. 117-263, @ 1241(b). The Administration has reportedly expressed concern that Russia could capture and exploit some sensitive electronic components on these aircraft, such as electro- optical/infrared cameras. This Insight addresses potential issues Congress may consider if the Administration proposes a potential transfer of large UAS to Ukraine as the situation in the zone of conflict changes. Large UAS like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9A Reaper-sometimes referred to as medium altitude long endurance UAS-provide continuous surveillance and reconnaissance and can be armed with weapons like the AGM-114 Hellfire II missile, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb, and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). Large UAS require a 5,000-foot runway to take off and land, along with a ground control station (GCS) accommodating multiple two-person crews to operate the aircraft. The radio frequency signal connecting the aircraft to the GCS can be line-of-sight or relayed through another airborne platform or satellite. (For more information, see CRS Report R47188, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Roles, Missions, and Future Concepts.) Table I. MQ-I C and MQ-9A Performance Characteristics Platform Max Altitude Max Speed Endurance External Weapons Payload MQ-I C Gray Eagle 29,000 feet 167 knots 25 hours 500 lb. / four Hellfire II missiles Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12120 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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