Selection of unmanned aerial vehicle systems for border monitoring using the MPSI-SPOTIS method

Abstract

Purpose – The present paper assesses the decision problem of selecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (SARP) by the hybrid MPSI-SPOTIS approach for deployment in border control and transborder illicit combat. Design/methodology/approach – By the hybrid MCDA MPSI-SPOTIS approach, and from the database available in Gettinger (2019), models were filtered by Endurance, Range, Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), and Payload, fitting within the classification of Categories EB 0 and 2. Category EB 1 was not considered in this study due to the limited number of models in the data source. Findings – The use of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tool MPSI-SPOTIS allowed the determination of weights by stochastic criteria, applied in a ranking method resistant to reverse ordering. The application of the method identified the Raybird-3 (Cat EB 0) and Searcher (Mk3) (Cat EB 2) models as the best alternatives. From a proposed clustering, other selection possibilities with close performance in the evaluation were presented. The cost criterion was not taken into consideration due to the absence of information in the data source employed. Future studies are suggested to include criteria related to the life cycle and acquisition cost of the models. Research limitations/implications – The cost criterion was not taken into consideration due to the absence of information in the data source used. Future studies are suggested to include criteria related to the life cycle and acquisition cost of the models. Originality/value – This paper aims to propose a technology selection method applied to complex defense acquisitions when multiple factors influence the decision makers and it is hard to obtain a major optimum solution in multitask and multi-mission platform.

Keywords

• MCDA
• MPSI
• SPOTIS
• UAV
• Drone
• SISFRON