Cyber-Physical Systems Challenges for UAVs: Defense Industry Insights

Objective: This paper identifies the challenges faced by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in advancing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).It analyzes focus areas in CPS development and provides strategic guidance for future industry efforts.Background: Cyber-Physical Systems and UAVs have reshaped modern military operations, supporting critical tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and mission planning.Despite increased budget allocation for Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E), addressing other nations' threats remains a significant challenge.Also, the confidential nature of defense programs limits the level of detail available in reports, making it difficult for industry stakeholders to identify priority areas and align their efforts effectively with defense objectives.Methodology: This research analyzes DoD reports, including the Cyber Strategy Summary, budget requests, and RDT&E program data, while also incorporating industry insights.A curiosity-driven approach inspired by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) was used to evaluate systemic relationships in DoD documents.Epistemic curiosity guided the identification of resource patterns, while diverse curiosity aligned challenges with critical defense objectives.Data visualization tools were used to present findings clearly. Results:The analysis identifies six challenges in CPS for UAVs.Between them, security, dependability, and sustainability are associated with a great part of the RDT&E budget allocation.While progress has been made, these areas remain essential for addressing current and future threats.Investments in these domains support the DoD Cyber Strategy goals and reflect priority areas in government funding. Conclusion:To strengthen CPS in UAV technologies, the defense industry must prioritize advanced cybersecurity measures, ensure reliable and continuous operations, and develop sustainable systems for long-term effectiveness.By focusing on security, dependability, and sustainability, next-generation Cyber-Physical Systems can reinforce national defense, counter evolving threats, and maintain the United States' advantage in military operations.