UAV'S all country news and views

[bd popeye]

Post your pictures of UAV's and Robots here!

1) Camp Fallujah, Iraq (Nov. 27, 2005) - A U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to Combat Logistics Brigade Eight (CLB-8), 2d Marine Logistics Group (MLG), prepares to deploy a remotely operated vehicle to a buried improvised explosive device. The suspected IED was buried in a dirt mound on the side of the road next to an old IED crater. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Segovia (RELEASED)

2) St. Inigoes, Md. (June 27, 2005) – A "Silver Fox" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and its operator’s station on display at the 2005 Naval UAV Air Demo held at the Webster Field Annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The Silver Fox UAV is designed to provide low cost aerial surveillance imaging and carry sensor payload packages weighing up to four pounds. Video images are transmitted from Silver Fox to a ground station for quick reference. One ground station can simultaneously operation ten units. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

3) St. Inigoes, Md. (June 27, 2005) – A full scale Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) X-45C on display at the 2005 Naval Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Air Demo held at the Webster Field Annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Operational missions for the X-45C may include suppression of enemy air defenses; strike; electronic attack; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

4) An aerial view of the maiden flight of the second U.S. Navy RQ-4A Gobal Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) en route to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., from Palmdale, Calif., Jun. 7, 2005. Mr. Walter Jablow is the chase pilot for this aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Shryne) (Released) (Released to Public)

5) A Talon MTRS (man-transportable robotic system) robot that is used by the US Navy (USN) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 (EODMU-6), Detachment (DET) 10, to safely inspect ordnance and situations unsafe for EOD tech personnel, at the site of an Improvised Explosive Device detonation. A US Navy (USN) technician is controlling the Talon from one of the High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) in the background. (Released to Public)

[bd popeye]

1) US Marine Corps (USMC) Sergeant (SGT) Jason Perry, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician assigned to Headquarters Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), 3rd Force Service Support Group (FSSG), operates the remote controls for a Remote Ordnance Neutralization System (RONS) robot during a Force Protection Exercise (FPEX) being conducted at Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. (Released to Public)

2)U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Pitts, with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, inspects an explosive ordnance disposal robot at Balad Air Base, Iraq, April 3, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza) (Released) (Released to Public)

3) Hadithah Al Anbar, Iraq (Nov. 3, 2006) - U.S. Marines from Fox Company 2nd platoon 3rd squad secure the site of an unmanned aerial vehicle which crash landed on the roof of a house in the city of Hadithah while recovery issues are organized U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason L. Jensen (RELEASED)

4) Yuma, Ariz. (June 16, 2006) - David Hilliard, a Boeing mechanic operator, retrieves a Boeing Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The Scan Eagle UAV is a small GPS-guided plane that can fly over a designated battle space for up to fifth-teen hours and transmit real-time imagery directly to its home link. It weighs 40 lbs and has a ten-foot wingspan. It is invisible to radar and is barely audible once within 50 ft. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Guadalupe M. Deanda III (RELEASED)

5) St. Inigoes, Md. (June 27, 2005) – A RQ-8A Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) Fire Scout has the ability to autonomously take off and land from any aviation-capable warship and at unprepared landing zones. With an on-station endurance of over four hours, the Fire Scout system is capable of continuous operations, providing coverage at 110 nautical miles from the launch site. Utilizing a baseline payload that includes electro-optical/infrared sensors and a laser rangefinder /designator, Fire Scout can find and identify tactical targets, track and designate targets, accurately provide targeting data to strike platforms, employ precision weapons, and perform battle damage assessment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

[Ryz05]

Awesome posts! It's good to see the military is making use of more UAVs and robots. The US cannot rely just on satellites for surveillance, because of the risks when they are taken out of operation. A country cannot rely too much on one technology. In addition, even though there are fewer models of advanced fighter jets being developed, we see an increasing number of the models of UAVs and robots being fielded. This might be the beginnings of a new revolution in military affairs.

[bd popeye]

Thanks Rzy05. When I started researching UAV's I was surprised how many models were available or in R & D. I hope to see many more post about UAV's in this thread.:)

[bd popeye]

Nice pictures ger_mark.:) Can you give us some idea what those robots do for a mission??? Thanks!

[Scratch]

- Mirco UAV Aladin, real-time video imaging. hand-started. range stated as 5km -> the max range of the video signal, can be enhanced by a relais drone
wing-span: 1,5m, one 12V DC motor, max TOW: 3,5kg, 45-90km/h, endurance 45min

- drone CL 289: takes pics during a pre-planned flight
length: 3,7m, span:1,32m, max TOW:340kg, speed: 720km/h, endurance 30min

- KZO, mini-UAV near real-time target search and ID for artillery
length: 2,3m, span: 3,4m, endurance 3,5-6h, speed 120-180km/h

- full-scale mock-up of the Eurohawk; a NG GlobalHawk fitted for ELINT/SIGINT taks for the Luftwaffe

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8466/aladin640x407hq9.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aladin640x407hq9.jpg)http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/1860/drohnecl289pubpa5.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=drohnecl289pubpa5.jpg)http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4760/kzostartpubza4.th.jpg (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kzostartpubza4.jpg)http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3218/eurohawkmochupdn6.th.jpg (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eurohawkmochupdn6.jpg)

[ger_mark]

this is the pretty much inknown replacement for cl 289

http://i2.tinypic.com/4xxxn6b.jpg


this is the barracuda uav, too bad it crashed on it's 2nd flight in mid 2006 but i had the chance to see it on ila 06 in berlin before, eads is currently building a larger twin engined version to test ucav capability's
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Barracuda_av_dr.jpg/800px-Barracuda_av_dr.jpg



Also Rheinmetall is working on a german version of the predator
http://i2.tinypic.com/4utt5rn.jpg



http://www.diehl-bgt-defence.de/uploads/tx_cliwsprograms/HOPE.jpg
HOPE/HOSBO

The HOPE/HOSBO glide missile family meets the requirements of the German Air Force for engagement of above-ground and underground targets as well as sea targets. Apart from the seeker, the modularly designed missiles use the same main assemblies. HOPE is at present in the demonstrator phase. From 2010, aircraft and UAVs of the German Air Force could be armed with HOPE/HOSBO.

HOPE is equipped with a high-performance penetrator warhead whose efficiency is superior to any other system presently in service. HOPE is therefore especially suited for engagement of terrorist centers and dugouts in cave and tunnel systems but also hardened above-ground and underground infrastructure targets.

HOSBO can be equipped with various warheads based on lethal and non-lethal impact principles such as blast/fragmentation, submunitions or, in future, also High Power Microwaves. Thus, adapted effectiveness around and within the target is possible. In addition, collateral damage is avoided to the extent possible by using intelligent fuzes. The stringent requirements placed on precision within the target, all-weather capability and ECM resistance are fulfilled by means of GPS/INS guidance, electro-optical sensors and specially adapted target approach. Due to their aerodynamic design, glide missiles achieve an extremely long mission range while simultaneously retaining excellent maneuverability.

Due to the missiles' range, they can engage, for instance, anti-aircraft sites. Their maneuverability also enables engagement of agile targets such as high-speed boats and fast moving jeeps. In conjunction with the planned future data link and a camera sensor, target observation and selection ("eyes on target") will be possible so that the glide missile stops its target approach upon receipt of a mission abort command, overflies the original target due to its good flight characteristics and lands – in a controlled manner – in a deserted escape zone. This is especially of interest when engaging targets in asymmetric scenarios while observing stringent mission rules.

[bd popeye]

Great pics Ger_Mark!:)

With all the UAV and robotic technology the Germans have developed how much of this tech is for export?

[ger_mark]

some brand new eads uav's Unveiled!



EADS has unveiled a new concept for a multi-national, modular unmanned air vehicle at the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference in Cologne. The firm is showing two configurations of the updated vehicle, a short-winged, high-subsonic tactical reconnaissance model (carrying an electro-optical/infrared payload), and a long-winged endurance system carrying a radar sensor as well. The fuselage and payloads would be common. Twin engines could ease concerns over operations in national airspace.


http://aviationweek.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/08/img_1352.jpg
Target requirements: replacing Germany's reconnaissance Tornados and tactical drones, and meeting the French-led EuroMALE requirement. (In the past, EADS has proposed a version of Israel's Heron II, seen here yesterday, for EuroMALE, but this effort has lost steam.) The system could be in service by 2011.

http://aviationweek.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/08/img_1358.jpg

What this system is not, EADS says, is a substitute for the Barracuda demonstrator, which rejoined its fishy friends on an early test flight last September. A follow-on to the stealthy, combat-capable Barracuda may be in the works at EADS.

[bd popeye]

MIDEAST PALESTINIANS -epa01025159 An Israeli soldier watches as a demining robot checks a belt-device which Israeli security forces found near Balata Refugee Camp near the West Bank City of Nablus 31 May 2007,

[bd popeye]

Isreali UAV ..The pic is fuzzy but still worth a look.

Israel’s secret unmanned aerial vehicle caught on camera

Israel’s new and classified unmanned aerial vehicle has been caught on camera and exclusively published by Jane’s Defence Weekly during the high-altitude long-endurance UAV’s maiden flight.
Called the Eitan (Steadfast), the UAV is four times larger than the one currently serving with the Israel Air Force and is far superior to anything else operated by Israel’s armed forces.

First reported by Jane’s Defence Weekly in March 2006, there are few details available on this development by Israel Aerospace Industries, although it is known to have a maximum take-off weight of 5,000 kg and 50 hours’ endurance.

The Eitan is believed to have strike capabilities and to be part of Israel's anti-ballistic missile Boost Phase Launcher Intercept programme. Other reports suggest it could also serve as a tanker with capabilities to refuel other aircraft.

The twin-boomed design, based on the current medium-altitude, long-endurance Heron, has a wingspan of 26 m and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67 turboprop engine. Fully autonomous, the Eitan is reportedly capable of carrying a maximum payload of 1,800 kg at a cruising speed of 240 kt at 50,000 ft.

"This aircraft, with its advanced avionics, is on a level similar to that of systems that operate on fighter jets," said a report in the IAF's official magazine. "The system will operate with complete autonomy and allow the operator to focus more on performing the mission and less on flying the air platform." (ENDS)

[bd popeye]

I've never seen this one before.

DAM NECK, Va. (June 5, 2007) - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter (white shirt on the right) listens to a brief on the “Sentry HP” Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while touring Naval Special Warfare Development Group. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund

[sandyj]

Secret Bomber, Son of Killer Drone?

By Noah Shachtman

May 27, 2008 | 9:39:00 AM

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/27/x47b.jpg

Did Northrop Grumman win "a classified Air Force contract to develop a secret bomber prototype?" Our pal (and veteran aviation journo) Bill Sweetman thinks so. And he's pretty sure this new bomber is going to look a lot like a king-sized version of the killer drone that the company was developing for the Air Force and Darpa back in '06.

Take a look at Bill's evidence, and judge for yourself. And keep in mind: "Covering black programs is a combination of reporting and intelligence, and the 'mosaic' is a vital concept: like an archaeologist rebuilding a mosaic, you put the pieces together in a pattern that makes sense."

[sandyj]

X-48B Blended Wing Body Flight Tests Enter 2nd Phase

http://www.spacewar.com/images/x-48b-blended-wing-body-aircraft-uav-mojave-desert-bg.jpg
"We want to fully understand the aerodynamics of the blended wing body design all the way up to and beyond stall, so that we can learn how to fly a blended wing body aircraft as safely as any other large transport aircraft with a conventional tail," said Norm Princen, Boeing's X-48B chief engineer.

by Staff Writers

Edwards, CA (SPX) May 27, 2008

NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and The Boeing Co. are expanding the flight envelope for the X-48B blended wing body research aircraft.
Flight tests with the 500-pound, remotely piloted test vehicle are now in a second phase involving higher speed regimes.

The 21-foot wing span test aircraft is flying without its slats deployed. Slats are flight control surfaces on the leading edges of wings which, when extended, allow an aircraft to take off, fly and land at slower speeds.

X-48B flight testing is taking place at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. NASA Dryden is providing critical support to a Boeing-led project team that also includes the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, and Cranfield Aerospace Ltd., of Bedford, England.

"The first flight in the slats-retracted configuration marked another milestone in aviation history and the performance of the X-48 aircraft continues to exceed our expectations," said Tim Risch, NASA X-48B project manager.

"This flight milestone reinforced the productive relationship of the NASA, Boeing and Air Force team and NASA's continued commitment to developing the concepts, tools and technologies for the aircraft of the future."

"We want to fully understand the aerodynamics of the blended wing body design all the way up to and beyond stall, so that we can learn how to fly a blended wing body aircraft as safely as any other large transport aircraft with a conventional tail," said Norm Princen, Boeing's X-48B chief engineer.

"This latest phase of the flight testing is one more step in the process and we are looking forward to progressing on to more risky flight maneuvers in the months ahead."

[sandyj]

instead of having UAV articles spread all over the place, lets concentrate them all under one banner, this includes China UAV'S and drones target aircraft ETC. I will begin with a whole lot of postings -- so add on as you find them but please check to make sure you do not dupe them. [poster note ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
X45A
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1125/784pxx45aundersidewithwpr6.jpg
X45C
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5904/airshowfandotcombybernayd3.jpg

The X-45C is an unmanned, autonomous combat air vehicle that flies high-risk operational missions and delivers precision weapons on target. Controlled via either line-of-sight or satellite communications, the X-45C is highly adaptable to changing battle conditions and can provide 24/7 electronic attack, reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence gathering as well as engage in deep strikes to complement manned fighter and bomber forces.
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/15598.jpg

http://www.darpa.mil/j-ucas/X-45/videos.htm

http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/sy...b_gallery.html

[sandyj]

Corax (Demonstrator- new project Taranis
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/910/coraxuavml5.jpg

[sandyj]

indonesian UAV prototype... scan from magazine
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd112/karbol1978/i29503tempurjan200712djbh6.jpg
smart eagle... Indonesian Made UAV prototype
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd112/karbol1978/resizeofresizeofaviatorap7.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd112/karbol1978/resizeofresizeofgambarsgb8.jpg

[sandyj]

Globalhawk cutaway
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5918/globalhawksensorsystemsvt6.jpg

[sandyj]

Videos

11th Reconnaissance Squadron
http://www.patricksaviation.com/in/4395?i=z5O

Video fromt the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, who operates the UAV predator.

MiG-29 Shoots down Georgian UAV
http://www.patricksaviation.com/in/4395?i=JWN

[sandyj]

Swiss UAV
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/24823.jpg

[sandyj]

A fully armed MQ-9 Reaper taxis down an Afghanistan runway. The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it’s unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb. The ability to carry bombs, in addition to AGM-114K Hellfire missiles, is just one of the features that set the Reaper apart from its smaller brother the MQ-1 Predator.

http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/21066.jpg

[sandyj]

the Barracuda. It was created by the german Air Force
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/11722.jpg
Spanish-German EADS Barracuda UCAV.
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/11722.jpg
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/16876.jpg
http://www.patricksaviation.com/uploads/photos/16878.jpg

[sandyj]

Galileo Avionica
Falco
http://www.finmeccanica.it/IT/Common/images/sala_stampa/elettronica_difesa/GalileoAvionicaFalcoMaleUAValta.jpg
http://www.selex-sas.com/EN/Common/images/Galileo_Avionica/Foto_Prodotti/1_AIR/1_5_UAVs_FOR_SURVEILLANCE_RECONNAISSANCE_AND_TARGE T_DRONES/18x13cm/1_5_1_FALCO.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9839/pt084230706id7.jpg

[sandyj]

SAAB's Baby SHARC
Swedish Highly Advanced Research Configuration (SHARC) is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by Saab AB. Saab also plays a role in the creation of UAV's such as the stealth UAV Filur and stealth UCAV Dassault nEUROn.
http://www.tu.no/multimedia/archive/00019/12317_3_19361d.jpg
http://www.saabgroup.com/NR/rdonlyres/336AFED5-01BD-4B0F-8822-E95429C99786/0/2004_SHARC.jpg
SHARC Demonstration Video
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXodjoC4-cY
SHARC and Filur
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBAjewBDnKw

[sandyj]

USMC with Dragon Eye, the backpack UAV....
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/3565/dragoneye2750mu2.jpg
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9178/dragoneye1750wi0.jpg
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/5741/dragoneyecontrols200410ov8.jpg

[sandyj]

Czech-made SOJKA III; UAV TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM

Determination:

The system is designed for daily and night tactical aerial reconnaissance with a option of real time imagery transfer to Ground control station. According to customer request it is possible to equip the system with reconnaissance sensors for optical surveillance of terrain, objects and military vehicle, monitoring artillery fire, border control, natural disasters consequences (floods, fires, etc.), contaminated areas or as a aerial target for gunnery practice of shooting.

SOJKA UAV system consists of:

Ground Control Station (GCS)
Rocket-assisted Launcher (RL)
Transport Container (TC)
Off-Road Recovery Vehicle (RV)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – 3 to 4 pcs

DTransport:

The UAVs are in a dismounted state transported inside of transport container together with twenty pieces of take-off racket engines and eight pieces of parachute rescue rocket engines. Operating crew needs maximum 20 minutes for removing and following assembly mounting in the mission area. Recovery vehicle serves for transport of the UAV between TC and RL. It is employed also during transport of complete or even dismounted UAV from landing to the launch take-off areas.
GCS, TC and RL are mounted on a optional type of chassis. The chassis must be equipped with fasteners in accordance with ISO-1D standard. Tatra 815 4x4 chassis type is used as default design.
According to customer’s request it is possible to equip the assembly with arbitrary amount of UAVs and workshop containers intended for operational repairs of airframe, engine, electronic and special equipment.

Landing:

The UAV airframe is made of composite materials. The UAV is based on advanced technology employing glass, aramide and carbon fibres and special high-resistant resins. Wankel type pusher engine is supplied by UAV Engines Ltd. All parts of airframe are of a modular conception, made in tolerances allowing easy replacement of spare parts even under operating conditions. The flight is stabilized by electronic control system. The vehicle can be programmed in advance or even during the flight Payload mounted in a special container enabling easy replacement of the entire user sensors’ module in case the mission change is requested. The vehicle is manufactured in accordance with NP CAGI standard and electronic components are tested under MIL standards.

Ground control station:

The UAV is equipped with parachute recovery system intended for natural terrain landing and with landing skids for airplane-way landing on the airfield or similar natural surface.

UAV system:

Ground control station enables commander, operator and reconnaissance officer to work during all mission phases. It is equipped with monitors displaying UAV position on digitized map, real-time image from reconnaissance sensors and basic data concerning UAV flight and engine parameters. It is possible to control UAV in semi-automatic regime and to program its autonomous flight from operator workspace. Reconnaissance officer workplace receives data from real-time reconnaissance or from executed record after landing. Reconnaissance results are dispatched by commander to the command information system. It is possible to install th e other necessary communication systems according to user needs. Ground control station is equipped with an air conditioning system and NBC filter.

Launch:

The UAV Sojka system launches from rocket-assisted take-off launcher mounted on a terrain truck. Two operating crew personnel can prepare the launcher within 15 minutes. Ramp handling is very simple, its assembly from transport to operating state is feasible manually without assistance of hydraulic, pneumatic or other systems. Safety of the launch is monitored by electronic control system, interconnected with UAV onboard computer and ground control station.

Technical characteristics:

Speed: max. 210 km/h, min: 120 km/h
Endurance: 4 hr
Ceiling: 4000 m
Radius of operation: 200 km
Power plant: Engine AR 74-1230 (28,4kW / 7800 min-1
Navigation: Inertial with GPS correction
Technical characteristics:

Further characteristics:
Programmable flight
Data and image real time transfer
Onboard data record possibility
Recovery system enabling landing parachute

Dimensions and weights:

Wing span: 4,5 m
Overall length: 3,78 m
GTOW: 145 kg
Payload: 20 kg / 75 l
Payload:

Daylight color CCD TV cameras
Digital photographic camera
Infra-red line scanner Camelia
The Sony onboard video recorder
Alternative payload acc. To customer requests

[sandyj]

Czech-made SOJKA III; UAV TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8951/37nh8.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9628/38pc6.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8797/02ob3.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8879/03fz8.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4307/04rt9.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4540/07by2.jpg

url;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPs1IXpzNc4

[sandyj]

Dassault, Thales and Indra Submit A Joint MALE UAV offer

by Staff Writers

Madrid, Spain (SPX) Jun 09, 2008

Dassault Aviation, Thales and Indra have signed an industrial agreement covering Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE UAV) activities. On 22 May 2008 the companies submitted an offer to the French and Spanish Ministries of Defence for a UAV MALE system to be developed within the framework of Franco-Spanish cooperation.
This pragmatic and competitive offer would match the operational needs of both countries, and allow the supply to both Armed Forces of long endurance UAVs for theatre surveillance within a very short timeframe. The first system could be operational as early as the end of 2012.

The proposed solution, managed at a European level by Dassault Aviation, Thales and Indra, entirely fulfills the requirements of both countries by taking into account the current budget constraints while addressing operational needs with a comprehensive high performance mission system, integrating leading technologies.

The solution is based on the HERON TP UAV developed by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries. It is a new generation multi-mission platform, whose design benefits from 30 years of Israeli experience in the domain of UAVs.

This joint offer capitalises on strong industrial capabilities acquired in Europe and also covers the technical and managerial skills needed to succeed in such a partnership - aerospace, mission systems, systems architecture and complex systems management. The solution is based on extensive expertise, long lasting cooperation, and is backed by a strong and solid industrial team.

[sandyj]

War Zone Demand Assures Steady Growth For US Unmanned Aviation Systems Market

Changes in the political sphere and a lack of new unmanned system programs represent potential roadblocks to continued progress. These factors will curtail market growth between 2010 and 2016 and will affect companies that have depended heavily on the DoD the most.
by Staff Writers
Palo Alto CA (SPX) Jun 09, 2008
In support of the global war on terror, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has bolstered the strength of its unmanned systems fleet, which includes unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned ground systems (UGS), and unmanned maritime systems (UMS). The increasing demand for remotely operated systems from the DoD has created a multi-billion dollar defense industry, wherein small firms and large defense contractors compete for market share.
New analysis from Frost and Sullivan, U.S. Unmanned Systems Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of over $2.9 billion in 2007 and estimates this to reach $3.5 billion in 2016.

"Unmanned systems have proven to be ideal solutions for long endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, target acquisition, and in some cases, strike operations," says Frost and Sullivan Industry Analyst Lindsay Voss. "This is accelerating the procurement as well as the research and development efforts of the U.S. DoD."

These systems accomplish mundane and dangerous missions, thereby giving soldiers the freedom to focus on critical tasks. The U.S. military services have assigned top priority to unmanned systems programs to ensure continued and consistent funding. After rigorous battle testing, the proven benefits of these remote controlled vehicles encourage other federal agencies and commercial entities to consider adopting this technology.

Despite the DoD's high deployment over the last five years, growth of unmanned systems in the mid to long term is expected to be slow. Specifically, growth will likely plateau as technology matures and future growth will be dependent on a long-term plan to develop interoperable and unified systems.

Changes in the political sphere and a lack of new unmanned system programs represent potential roadblocks to continued progress. These factors will curtail market growth between 2010 and 2016 and will affect companies that have depended heavily on the DoD the most.

"Companies that had once tried to breakthrough this market have now focused their efforts on electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors, miniaturized synthetic aperture radar (SAR), collision avoidance systems, tactical data links, and ground control stations," notes Voss.

The DoD has not initiated new ventures that could provide opportunities to revitalize the sector in the future. Budget cuts and decision-making delays will also impact the market's future prospects.

"In the unmanned systems market, the focus tends to be on the platform itself, and several companies have been successful in selling their platforms to the DoD," observes Voss. "However, for companies to continue thriving in the market, it will be crucial to explore new methods to optimize system capabilities, including the enhancement of communication systems and payloads."

Going forward, emphasis will be on interoperability, innovation, and the reduction of operational and support costs. Promising areas include sensors, imagers, electro-optical cameras, radar guidance or navigation, communications, and ground control stations.

U.S. Unmanned Systems Markets is part of the Aerospace and Defense Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: C4ISR, commercial aerospace, and homeland security. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

[sandyj]

RAF Reaper UAV Fires Weapons for First Time

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued June 6, 2008)

An RAF Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle used its weapons system in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan for the first time this week.

As with any other munitions this was carried out under strict Rules of Engagement.

Unlike the United States Air Forces Reapers (Predators), which are frequently used to provide Close Air Support to troops, RAF Reapers are used predominately to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) data to coalition and UK forces on Operations.

39 Squadron, which is the RAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, was reformed in January this year and operates from Nevada in the USA as part of the USAF 432nd Wing.

The Reaper aircraft are based in Afghanistan but are remotely controlled by satellite link from the USA.

The Officer Commanding 39Sqn, Wing Commander Andy Jeffrey, said:

"Our mission is to provide persistent ISTAR, and where required offensive support to UK and Coalition forces involved in Operations. We are here to make a difference and save lives."

Although it's an RAF Squadron, 39Sqn is comprised of personnel from all three UK services; RAF, Royal Navy and the Army. The mix of different service personnel is seen by Wg Cdr Jeffrey as very much a key asset:

"To have an army soldier or Royal Marine who's had 'boots on the ground' in Afghanistan as part of the Squadron is absolutely fantastic."

During a mission the Reaper is controlled by a pilot and a sensor-operator both of whom are experienced aircrew. In addition, a mission coordinator, present in the ground station alongside the aircrew, is often an experienced soldier or Royal Marine.

Although operating from a purpose built ground station thousands of miles from where the Reaper is actually operating, Wg Cdr Jeffrey was keen to acknowledge the close bond between his Reaper crews and the troops on the ground on operations:

"You are in that fight, you are listening to the guy on the ground, on that radio, and who's taking incoming fire. It comes back to people, of saving lives and making a difference, and we are doing that."

[sandyj]

Boeing Awarded Navy Contract for ScanEagle Services

(Source: Boeing Co.; issued June 6, 2008)

ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company, in partnership with Insitu Inc., has been awarded a $65 million contract to provide continuing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services through the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system.

The contract, awarded by Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., runs through May 2009 with options for extensions.

The long-endurance, fully autonomous ScanEagle unmanned aircraft (UA) entered service with the U.S. Navy in 2005 and has been deployed with both sea and land detachments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the world.

It's been deployed aboard 15 different vessels in various classes, including the USNS Stockham, USS Whidbey Island, USS Oscar Austin, USS Oak Hill and USS Carter Hall. ScanEagle is currently being readied for deployment aboard the USS Mahan.

"Boeing is pleased and excited to continue our relationship with the U.S. Navy by providing superior ISR services so critical to the success of the warfighter's mission," said Don Iverson, ScanEagle U.S. Navy program manager for Boeing.

The ScanEagle UA carries inertially stabilized electro-optical and infrared cameras. The gimbaled cameras allow the operator to easily track both stationary and moving targets. Capable of flying above 16,000 feet and loitering over the battlefield for more than 20 hours, the platform provides persistent low-altitude reconnaissance.

ScanEagle is launched autonomously via a pneumatic SuperWedge catapult launcher and flies preprogrammed or operator-initiated missions. An Insitu-patented SkyHook system is used for retrieval -- the aircraft catches a rope suspended from a 50-foot-high tower. The patented system makes the ScanEagle system runway-independent, with a small footprint similar to that needed for vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.

Insitu, of Bingen, Wash., designs, develops and manufactures unmanned aircraft systems for commercial and military applications. Insitu in 1998 introduced the first unmanned aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, using only 1.5 gallons of fuel. Insitu partners with Boeing to develop, market and support ScanEagle operations.

[sandyj]

Skylark II (Israel) ...Canadians are gonna use them in Afghanistan
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2374/14ou5.jpg
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4607/skylark22gv1.jpg

more info:
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapo.../Skylark2.html

[sandyj]

Boeing Scaneagle : http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/...vd-1395-1.html
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/scaneagle/images/dvd-1395-1.jpg

[sandyj]

Luna UAVs _German
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/LUNA_UAV.jpg/800px-LUNA_UAV.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/LUNA_German_UAV.jpg
http://www.emt-penzberg.de/fileadmin/images/gallerie/01.jpg
http://www.emt-penzberg.de/fileadmin/images/gallerie/04.jpg

[tphuang]

Moved to the world section, Sandy, please make sure that you post in the right forum. All non-Chinese related stuff should be in the world section.

[sandyj]

Patria Mini-UAV
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/2092/lennokki3zj5.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6976/lennokki5zw9.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1387/lennokki4sv7.jpg

[sandyj]

MBLE Epervier-Asmodée UAV:

On April 24th, 1969 the Ministry of Defence bought the MBLE Epervier-system as an answer to a NATO-requirement issued in 1964 regarding an advanced battlefield reconnaisance and observation system.
After a long test and development period the 1 Platoon Drones SCB became operational in 1976.
Three aircraft where of the Asmodée-type, a non NATO-standard version that was not very successful.
The Asmodée were modified to a 'Long Range'-version, which included the installation of an additional fueltank in the camera compartment.

http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/odBc8uHwAajghWvIBSxQmQ98599/GW500H333

http://image.wetpaint.com/wiki/belmilac/image/1pV9kqU$rh1WlaOj2qdjS7A==71324/GW500H352

http://image.wetpaint.com/wiki/belmilac/image/1Vby+Mga$6vnURyeeKAoEnQ==98475/GW500H333

[sandyj]

Used by Belgium.

IAI - Eagle B-Hunter UAV:

One of these was shot down on its first three-hour shakedown flight in Democratic Republic of Congo following the type's deployment to the DRC on July 12 in support of EUFOR Congo. Part of the UAV fell in the Congo River; the rest struck a house and started a fire, injuring six people on the ground. The UAV was flying at 1300ft (400m) over marshland near Kinshasa/N'Dolo Airport when a lone gunman with a known criminal record apparently took a single shot at it with his Kalashnikov AK-47. By sheer misfortune, the bullet hit the left side of fuselage and then entered the wing root and struck the wing spar, destroying it and causing the wing to fold up.

http://image.wetpaint.com/wiki/belmilac/image/1XA4342I4rgF02M+OYECl6g==68791/GW500H375

http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/QDHgbQ-WvqVcQHMikD70nw170614/GW500H335

[sandyj]

European UAV hopes are dead, says Dassault chairman
By Murdo Morrison
European hopes of developing a home-grown large surveillance unmanned air vehicle are effectively dead, with programmes based on proven and readily available foreign platforms the only solution for governments' hard-pressed defence budgets.

That is the view of Dassault Aviation chairman Charles Edelstenne, whose company is teaming with Thales and Indra to propose to France and Spain a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV based on Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron TP. The offer, submitted on 22 May, is unsolicited and comes despite an earlier commitment by the two governments, plus Germany, to back an EADS-led initiative to develop the so-called Advanced UAV, a successor to the collapsed Euromale project.

However, Edelstenne is confident a decision to fund what he calls "a practical rather than political solution" by Paris and Madrid may be made as early as January 2009, which would allow deliveries from 2012. This, says Francois Quentin, senior vice-president of Thales's Aerospace division, would be at least four years ahead of the EADS rival and allow immediate deployment of a combat-proven airframe equipped with French and Spanish technology.

"There is no money for a European MALE," says Edelstenne, speaking in Paris at the official launch of the partnership last week. "So we have to forget any other project for a MALE in Europe. We cannot dream about what we can do, but make what we can sell."

This would leave Germany backing the EADS Advanced UAV. However, last month Berlin launched its own competition for five MALE UAVs, with Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron TP and General Atomics' Predator B candidates for the airframe. Edelstenne says there was never an intention to involve Germany in the latest partnership because its need for fast, reconnaissance UAVs is very different to that of France and Spain, which require a longer-endurance, loitering solution.

Although other unnamed countries were also invited to participate, the time which it would have taken to put together any team made it unrealistic, says Edelstenne.

Ironically, Thales and Indra were earmarked to develop a synthetic aperture radar payload for the Advanced UAV, but the companies' involvement was less than on the Dassault-led programme. Dassault is also continuing to work with EADS Spain on the French-led Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator, scheduled to fly in 2011 and being developed with Greece, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

[sandyj]

Innovative Norwegian UAV design unveiled

A small Norwegian company chose AUVSI as the launch pad for a novel modular, ducted fan UAV design that has been developed specifically with cold climates in mind. UMS Norway started the development of its fixed-wing Bold Viking UAV at the beginning of last year and expects to have the first flight trials of the 5 metre long, 200 kg UAV in September this year.

According to the company’s CEO, Fredrik Hiorth, it is the first time the company has publicly released information on the UAV design which it is building in collaboration with Optimum Solutions and L-3 Communications. The modular, all carbon fibre airframe was designed and built in Norway with Optimum Solutions providing integration skills for the L-3 avionics and sensor packages.

Hiorth said that the ducted fan concept reduced noise and improved safety. The internally positioned engine also reduces the aircrafts heat signature and the carbon fibre structure reduces its radar cross section giving the UAV a more stealthy design.

Similar to Scandinavian innovations in other defence systems the UAV is designed to be completely modular. The main fuselage is designed with three main parts: the engine and tail assembly back end; a middle mounted avionics package; and a nose section given over to sensor systems.

The tail fins and wings are also modular allowing them to be quickly changed. The leading edge of the wet wings has an electro-pulse de-icing solution and the ducted fan's intakes are heated to manage arctic conditions. The modular nature of the UAV means that it can be easily stored and only needs two personnel to assemble it.

According to Hiorth the nose assembly can accommodate a large payload, up to 50kg with a maximum volume of 136 dm3. The payload bay means that as well as carrying a forward mounted EO/IR ball the UAV can also carry internal payloads for a variety of missions including ELINT, SIGINT and SAR.

The forward mounted sensor EO/IR ball and the undercarriage are both retractable allowing the UAV to reach speeds of up to 150-160 knots, although its loiter speed is expected to be in the region of 60 knots. The current system is expected to have an endurance of between seven and nine hours, although the company is already working on an extended range version that could have an endurance of up to 18 hours.

Hiorth expects a typical Bold Eagle UAS, with a price tag of around $50 million, to consist of five airframes, a semi-mobile and portable GCS, plus up to 10 video dissemination terminals.

The UAV development is currently being funded by private investors with enough cash behind the venture for a three year development project. However, Hiorth believes that by the second half of 2009 UMS Norway would be in the position to go in to production with the system if it can find the right customer.

By Darren Lake, San Diego

[sandyj]

Evaluating Novel Threats to the Homeland: UAVs and Cruise Missiles

Source: The Rand Corporation

Ref: ISBN 978-0-8330-4169-2

Published June 4, 2008

130 pages in PDF format

Changes in technology and adversary behavior will invariably produce new threats, such as the use of cruise missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by terrorist groups or other asymmetric actors to attack homeland targets.
In this study, Rand examines the threat of UAVs and cruise missiles, weighing the benefits, costs, and risks of different options from the point of view of a potential adversary. For several types of attacks, the suitability of cruise missiles and UAVs was compared against other options, such as vest bombs, car bombs, and mortars. This approach identifies the operational problems faced by a potential adversary to help the defense understand how the capabilities that different attack modes provide may overcome those problems.
RAND also explored defensive options to address the threat. This analysis considered defensive options targeting the full range of adversary activities, including activities before, during, and after an attack, rather than a preferential focus on classical terminal-defense strategies.
It found that UAVs and cruise missiles represent a “niche threat” within a larger threat context; therefore, defenses were sought that provide common protection against both this and other asymmetric threats. The monograph concludes with a discussion of cross-cutting lessons about this threat and the assessment of novel threats in general.


(PDF format)

Full text : http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG626.pdf

[sandyj]

Puma video online
US fuell cell manufacturer Protonex has put a video on its website homepage showing the handheld launch of an Aerovironment Puma unmanned air vehicle that has been altered to use Protonex's Procore hydrogen fuelled power system

And here is a video of the Pterosoar, another fuel cell powered UAV that achieved a 2h 58min endurance this year

url; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLAiOiu_HfY

[sandyj]

VIDEO: Arctic COTS UAV makes ship deck landing
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWEa_4Hlm2s

The 70cm (27.5in)-wingspan, 80cm-long Multiplex Funjet UAV flew for one week from the Norwegian coastguard icebreaker "KV Svalbard" helicopter landing deck in February.

The Funjet was modified with electronics for open-source Paparazzi autopilot software by the Geophysical Institute of the University of Bergen, in partnership with Hildesheim, Germany based-Martin Mueller Engineering, a small UAV company. It is being used to collect enviromental data on temperature, humidity, pressure and wind.

The scientists used a pilot to launch and land the UAV using remote-control, but above 1,600ft and out of visual contact the Funjet had to operate autonomusly

[sandyj]

US Navy sonobuoy deployed UAV flight test this year

By Rob Coppinger

A sonobuoy tube-deployed unmanned air vehicle is to be flight tested using a Lockheed P-3C Orion in the third quarter of this year.

Called the Coyote and developed by the US Naval Air Systems Command and Arizona based-Advanced Ceramics Research, the sonobuoy-launched UAV has a 1h endurance at its 60kt (110km/h) cruise speed, or 20min at 85kt dash speed, at an operational altitude of up to 2,000ft (610m).

Its deployment altitude is 20,000ft and its control is line of sight up to 37km (20nm).

Following ejection, the tube's parachute is deployed and 5s later the tube sleeve is released. The flight surfaces are then deployed, horizontal tail first, then the wing, then the vertical tails.

The parachute remains attached for a further 10s after sleeve release while the lithium polymer battery-powered pusher propeller speeds up and the global positioning system searches for satellites for navigation.

By 15s after launch the Coyote's parachute is released and it begins its climb-out. After about 20s from launch the Coyote is in full flight mode.

The Coyote was launched from a representative sonobuoy launcher from a Raytheon C-12 Huron in April 2007. A second test is planned for July. However, its in-service aircraft is expected to be the P-3C.

[sandyj]

BAE Systems unveils new Fury UAV

San Diego, California - BAE Systems has unveiled the latest member of its UAS (Unmanned Autonomous System) family. Sharing a similar airframe and some vehicle system components with the HERTI reconnaissance and surveillance UAS, Fury is an armed reconnaissance and close air support UAS which features latest generation mission systems avionics, a newly developed stores management system and a proven weapon guidance system.

Unveiled to coincide with the start of a major autonomous systems exhibition in San Diego, Fury is the product of a distinct military development programme. It has been developed and trialled in partnership with Thales UK’s missile business in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This latest member of the BAE Systems’ UAS family is armed with the new Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) system, selected for Fury due to its suitability for lightweight manoeuvrable platforms, and for its ability to fire on the move while delivering significant precision effects. LMM is small in size and builds on the heritage of combat proven munitions such as Starstreak and Starburst.

Speaking at the start of a major autonomous systems exhibition in San Diego, California, BAE Systems’ project director Chris Clarkson said: “Fury is an affordable and reliable platform which has the ability to perform a number of military roles. With a high degree of autonomy, it combines many of the already proven elements of our other unmanned platforms, including a small logistic footprint and low operator workload with a reliable and highly accurate weapon system.”

Trials have seen the successful completion of missile blast effects analysis trials on the fuselage, successful target engagement with a live round fired from a static Fury UAS and the successful capture and tracking of ground targets from an airborne Fury UAS. Airborne trials have also simulated remote firing of the missile towards a fixed target.

Future trials will demonstrate the guided launch of a live weapon from an airborne Fury vehicle. These will demonstrate the safe separation of the weapon from the aircraft and that the avionics and weapon systems can successfully guide a live weapon to the target. Target acquisition, designation, tracking, and guidance are performed by the avionics and mission system, while target confirmation and authority to launch the weapon are given by the weapons operator from the ground station, via a high-integrity data link.

Other members of BAE Systems’ unmanned autonomous systems family include the HERTI reconnaissance and surveillance UAS which was successfully deployed in Afghanistan by the Royal Air Force in 2007 and Taranis, a £124m Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator programme that will help inform the UK MoD on the balance and capability of its ‘future force mix’.

[sandyj]

Bundeswehr: Microdrones and high-altitude UAVs

By Karl Schwarz

Whereas the US armed forces especially, but also the United Kingdom and Italy, have already accumulated a wealth of experience in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Luftwaffe is approaching the subject somewhat coutiously. Nevertheless, it is clear that, at least in the area of airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, the intention is definitely to make greater use of UAVs in the future. “Surveillance is a key capability,” explains Brigadier General Wolf-Dietrich Kniesel, General Strategic Development of the Luftwaffe in the Air Force Office. “If we exert surveillance pressure, the enemy has no time, for example, to build booby-traps or position missiles.”

With their long range and loiter time above the operational area, UAVs can contribute critically to the much sought-after information superiority. Because no human crew are required, greater flexibility of use is possible even under threat. Moreover, there are believed to be operational advantages, as fewer personnel have to be moved to the area of conflict. Thus the Americans control their UAVs in Afghanistan and Iraq primarily from Nellis AFB in Nevada.

In Germany a UAV Centre is under construction at Jagel Air Base, where Reconnaissance Wing 51 is stationed. A Tornado squadron is to be disbanded and replaced by a UAV unit. Jagel has the advantages of sufficient space and easy access to reserved airspace above the North Sea, given the likelihood that it will be some time before approval is obtained for the operation of UAVs outside restricted airspace.

Jagel will initially be the base for Euro Hawk. This version of the American RQ-4B Global Hawk is to be fitted with a SIGINT system developed by the EADS Defence Electronics business unit. As an “electromagnetic vacuum cleaner”, it will intercept radio and radar signals and thus contribute towards the development of a comprehensive situation picture.

A joint venture company between EADS and Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for Euro Hawk. Based in Friedrichshafen, EuroHawk GmbH has been endowed with €430 million to develop and build the first demonstrator. This should be available by 2010 and will initially be operated with industry support. If the hoped-for performance is confirmed, the plan is to purchase a further four Euro Hawks which will then finally replace the ageing BR.1150 Atlantics in the SIGINT role from 2014.

Whereas the Euro Hawk programme has the protection of already being under contract, the Luftwaffe's second pet project has only just entered the competition phase. A commercial off-the-shelf medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) system with video camera and imaging intelligence is called for to meet the requirements of SAATEG, an in-theatre imaging surveillance system. According to the Bundeswehr plan, this should enable “joint service, continuous situation reconnaissance and surveillance, target reconnaissance and battle damage assessment”.

The five UAVs to be procured for an “initial capability” would also be stationed in Jagel and overseen there by pilots with IFR licences. To make operational use of them, however, deployment to Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan, for example, would be necessary. From there the MALEs could then watch over the country for 24 hours at a time.

The Luftwaffe's preferred candidate for SAATEG is clearly the Predator B (MQ-9 Reaper) from General Atomics. It is being marketed in Germany jointly with Diehl BGT Defence. However, the Heron-TP from Israel Aerospace Industries is likely to also satisfy the criteria. Invitations to tender both for the procurement and also for adaptation to German requirements and logistics support were issued for both types in March. “It is hoped that the system can be debated in Parliament at the end of 2008,” said Thomas Kossendey, parliamentary state secretary in the Defence Ministry. Deliveries should then commence in 2010.

Looking beyond the “initial capability”, the Luftwaffe has in mind building up the fleet to around 20 UAVs by 2020. According to Kossendey, one possible “target equipment” for SAATEG is the “Advanced UAV”, which could be realised under a trilateral cooperative agreement with France and Spain. In December 2007, the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB), awarded EADS a contract for a 15-month “risk reduction study”. INDRA and Thales are also involved.

EADS is hoping to get into the UAV business in a big way through the Advanced UAV coupled with its parallel involvement in the development of an “Agile UAV”. “We are launching a modular concept on the market which represents a quantum leap in UAVs. I believe that this will enable us to offer the customer something which goes way beyond present capabilities,” said Dr. Stefan Zoller, CEO of EADS's Defence & Security Division, in an interview.

Whereas the Luftwaffe is thus grappling with the introduction of extremely complex aerial vehicles, the German Army has already been using the CL-289 unmanned reconnaissance air vehicle system, which proved its worth during “Allied Force” in Bosnia, since 1990. For shorter distances, three LUNA aerial reconnaissance and surveillance UAV systems with a range of around 40km were ordered in August 2003 from EMT of Penzberg. Each of these comprises two ground stations and nine air vehicles. Four further systems are to be purchased by 2012 to satisfy the needs of the new army structure.

Since August 2005 LUNA has been supplemented by 115 ALADIN close range imaging airborne reconnaissance drones. The model-sized, battery-powered motor gliders are also built by EMT. They are launched manually and permit real-time aerial reconnaissance and surveillance within a range of about 5 km, with an endurance time of up to 30 minutes. Two servicemen are required to get the drones operationally ready and conduct the mission. The reconnaissance results are available in real time and are also recorded so that they can be further analysed as required.

The KZO small target location aerial vehicle finally appeared in November 2005 after what seemed an endless development time, and is now being built by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics. Six systems are to be procured for €275 million. However, experience to date has been somewhat disappointing, since due to technical problems the drones have had to be grounded for some of the time.

Whereas the KZO has an operational range of up to 65km, the MIKADO mini reconnaissance drone system is envisaged for ultra-close range deployment, i.e. up to about 500m. Missions in built-up areas are conducted with small rotorcraft. A device manufactured by the Arnsberg-based company AirRobot was selected as the furthest developed and most cost-effective system of this kind. The first four-rotor helicopter was delivered at the end of 2006 for operational testing.

The German Army and Luftwaffe are not the only Services interested in UAVs, but the German Navy naturally is also seeking to use the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles. Corvettes such as the K130 need small unmanned helicopters to designate targets for missiles and to extend the range of tactical telecommunications through a radio relay capability. Candidates in this area include types such as the Camcopter S-100 from Schiebel and the Skeldar from Saab.

From FLUG REVUE 6/2008

[sandyj]

Small Raytheon Missile Deployed On Predator

Graham Warwick

A small air-to-surface missile developed as a private venture by Raytheon is being deployed on the Predator unmanned aircraft by an unidentified customer.
The Griffin is a 42-inch-long, tube-launched missile with a semi-active laser seeker, and is intended to give the Predator and smaller UAVs an organic, self-guided direct attack capability, Raytheon says.

The short-range missile including its launcher weigh around 45 pounds, and the Predator will be able to carry up to three rounds for each Hellfire missile now carried. Although longer than Hellfire, the Griffin has a narrower diameter at 5.5 inches and a smaller warhead, reducing collateral damage.

Raytheon says the low-cost weapon is modular, using technology from several of the company’s existing weapons including Javelin, AIM-9X and guided projectiles. Other seekers and warheads could be installed, the company says.

Developed and tested using company funds, the weapon has been integrated on Predator, Raytheon says, but it declined to identify the customer.

[sandyj]

Ultra Stealth

May 26, 2008

Bill Sweetman/Minneapolis

NGB demonstrator may be a twin-engine aircraft resembling an X-47B. Initial version will be piloted, but an unmanned endurance version is a probable follow-on.

Is Northrop Grumman building a secret bomber prototype? In late April, the company revealed first-quarter financial results. Data indicated $2 billion in new "restricted programs" contract awards at Integrated Systems, the aircraft division. This almost certainly confirms what DTI first reported earlier this year: Northrop Grumman has a classified, sole-source contract to build a demonstrator for the U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Bomber (DTI March, p. 30).

USAF budgets show no funding for the Next-Generation Bomber (NGB) itself in 2008, although documents show money for technology work in Fiscal 2008-10. Northrop Grumman CEO Ron Sugar said last year that Integrated Systems had made strides in black programs and identified restricted projects as the top new-business opportunity. Taken together, the evidence points to a single, very large contract win. Northrop Grumman also acquired Scaled Composites in 2007, a company that can develop large prototype aircraft quickly.

The $2-billion contract casts new light on the decision in January by Boeing and Lockheed Martin to reveal their year-old collaboration on NGB. (Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman declined interview requests.) Hailed as an NGB "dream team" combining Boeing's bomber experience with Lockheed Martin's stealth technology, the teaming now looks like an effort to catch up with a rival that has a lead in the next major U.S. combat aircraft program.

It is likely that the prototype will build on technology under development for the Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D), putting within reach USAF's goal of a 2018 initial operational capability date for the bomber. Industry and USAF sources have talked about a competition in 2010, leading to the start of systems development and demonstration in 2011. But it would be Northrop Grumman's to lose.

Events since 2000 placed Northrop Grumman in pole position. USAF interest in a replacement bomber was rekindled after 9/11, but USAF Secretary Jim Roche and Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper focused on the Lockheed Martin FB-22, seeing it as a low-risk solution that bolstered the case for the embattled F-22.

The departures of Roche and Jumper in 2005 coincided with a change in thinking. In October, USAF defined a three-stage Next-Generation Long-Range Strike program. Phase I would keep the force effective until 2018, with upgrades to aircraft. Phase II would be a new "2018 bomber," while Phase III encompassed hypersonic concepts. This was the end of the road for the FB-22, since nobody envisioned the F-22 remaining in production long enough to dovetail with Phase II.

Late in 2005, at a conference on unmanned combat air vehicles in London, there were signs of convergence between the bomber requirement and the Joint UCAS project. J-UCAS had been kicked off as a major effort three years earlier, but USAF was interested in a platform larger than the Navy could accommodate.

Northrop Grumman J-UCAS Program Manager Scott Winship said at the time that the company had proposed completing a third prototype as an X-47C with a 172-ft. wingspan and 10,000-lb. payload. J-UCAS leader Mike Francis stressed an advantage of the unmanned vehicle: an inherently lower radar cross-section (RCS) than conventional tailed aircraft.

Despite the tension in J-UCAS, it was a surprise when an early-2006 high-level Pentagon review killed it, splitting resources into a white-world Navy effort and a classified USAF program, while endorsing a plan to field a bomber in 2018.

It's now apparent, however, that USAF had already picked a primary approach to the NGB, and that the next two years of work, starting with the remaining Fiscal 2006 J-UCAS funding, are intended to validate that choice.

This approach emerged from J-UCAS, and particularly from Northrop Grumman, which anticipated the J-UCAS split and was prepared to respond. The company believed that the basic 42,000-lb. J-UCAS was better suited to the Navy than to USAF, had focused on the carrier-based J-UCAS demonstration and picked a design that offered high lift and a simple wingfold.

Northrop Grumman's proposal for a bigger X-47C also preceded -- and may have inspired -- USAF's switch to a larger long-range bomber. This meant, too, that the NGB program could get a running start because it would use aerodynamics and stealth technology that were in the works for J-UCAS.

The X-47B was much more advanced, in aerodynamic terms, than it appeared (see sidebar), and the same is likely true of its low-observable (LO) qualities. The aircraft is one of the first to combine a highly blended tailless configuration with new materials developed since the 1980s. The NGB will be the same, if not more so.

Northrop Grumman has stressed the "all-aspect, broadband" stealth inherent in the X-47B. Tailless shapes don't have the "bow-tie" RCS pattern, with the smallest RCS on the nose and tail and peaks on the beam configurations, which characterizes conventional aircraft. They are stealthier against low-frequency radars -- including updated, active-array VHF radars marketed by Russia -- because they do not have shape features which are so small that their RCS in the VHF band is determined by size, rather than shape or materials. It may be significant that John Cashen, leader of the B-2 signatures team, returned in 2006 after 10 years in Australia and is now a consultant for Northrop Grumman.

RCS test facilities across the U.S. have been upgraded since the F-22 and B-2 were designed: USAF's range at Holloman AFB, N.M., was reequipped to handle bistatic measurements, and a sophisticated airborne RCS measurement program based on a modified 737 was delivered in 2001.

How low can LO go? One paper, co-authored by a principal in DenMar Inc., the company founded by Stealth pioneer Denys Overholser, refers to the development of fasteners for a body with an RCS of -70 dB./sq. meter -- one-thousandth of the -40 dB. associated with the JSF, and one-tenth that of a mosquito. DTI queried RCS engineers who don't believe such numbers are possible; but then, when mention of a -30 dB. signature leaked out in a 1981 Northrop paper, nobody believed that either.

Concept Image: Jozef Galtial for DTI

[sandyj]

HALE UAVs Come of Age

The High Altitude, Long Endurance mission profile was never meant to be used with manned platform, but is perfectly suited for unmanned systems. Only few manned aircraft are prepared to fly and operate at these altitudes. The thin air at the Tropopause limits the use of conventional engines, but opens new horizons for surveillance, communications and electronic eavesdropping activities. After overcoming the technical obstacles, mission planners could benefit from unobstructed operations at altitudes well above civilian or military air traffic. At these altitudes, the atmosphere is calm, the thin air causes reduced drag, resulting in less energy required to maintain higher ground speed. Aircraft flying at these lofty altitudes are well above the jet stream and other high velocity currents, averaging 40 – 80 knots in speed, with peaks of up to 160 knots. These currents encountered at the high troposphere, at altitudes between 20,000 to 35,000 ft., usually affect the performance of aircraft operating at medium altitudes. (more...)


Until the early 2000s, only few manned platforms could soar to such heights. One of the first to explore these altitude was the Lockheed U-2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, designed in the late 1950s. A decade later, the SR-71A strategic reconnaissance aircraft, unofficially known as the "Blackbird," was used as long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The first flight took place on Dec. 22, 1964. Then the 'Blackbird' served for 22 years providing strategic reconnaissance missions and was retired in 1990 only to return five years later to fill a critical recce gap. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. The SR-71 flew at more than three times the speed of sound (Mach 3) at altitudes in excess of 80,000 feet (approximately 15 miles high).

The successor of the U-2, the U-2R 'Dragon Lady' is still operational today. Designed for high-altitude intelligence and reconnaissance missions, this aircraft can fly above 70,000 feet and carry some o the most advanced long-range reconnaissance gear available today. Its mission payloads include highest resolution SAR radar in service today, as well as sophisticated SIGINT systems. Providing near-real-time imagery and signals intelligence to warfighters and national authorities, the 'Dragon Lady' was used extensively during operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and provided important damage assessment information after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.

With the arrival of the RQ-4A Global Hawk, the missions of U-2R were reduced to those specific services which could not be supported yet by the unmanned platform. These missions will be transferred to the Global hawk fleet in the next decade, as the RQ-4B (Block 20, 30 and 40) aircraft are fielded, capable of carrying heavier payloads, including SIGINT and advanced SAR payloads.

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Global Hawk may be dominating the high altitudes today, but in the near future, it will have to share those heights with more unmanned platforms. One such system is the Integrated Sensor Is Structure (ISIS) developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. ISIS will provide a new model for persistent, autonomous ISR platform. Utilizing a stationary stratospheric airship, ISIS will establish a position on the 'high ground' at an altitude of 70,000 ft. This airship will be deployed for long missions, staying in position for one, five or even ten years. It will provide a persistent early warning sensor able to detect cruise missiles at distances of 600 kilometers or dismounted enemy combatants at a range of 300 km.

Smaller but but not less effective for its proposed mission is the Global Observer high altitude UAV system developed by Aerovironment. This aircraft was designed to provide long dwelling stratospheric capability with global range and no latitude restrictions. Operating at these heights, the platforms provides 'near space' capability comparable to satellites, providing services such as persistent ISR and communications relay, including dedicated communications support and satellite link redundancy for other UAVs.

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Another system under development by Aurora Flight Science and Boeing is the the Orion, High Altitude, Long Loiter (HALL) Unmanned Aerial System. This stratospheric platform will be able to cruise at an altitude of 65,000 ft for about 100 hours, powered by reciprocating engines consuming liquid hydrogen fuel. With a gross takeoff weight of 7,000 lbs (3.175 tons) HALL will be able to carry payloads weighing about 400 lbs (181kg). The U.S. Army/SMDC is supporting a team lead by Aurora and Boeing as a strategic partner, developing two Orion HALL platforms, to demonstrate the new technology. First flight is expected by 2009. Aurora and Boeing have also teamed since 2004 on a Boeing-led concept definition study of a twin-engine, larger unmanned platform designed for missions over a week long, carrying multi-sensor payloads weighing up to 2,000 lbs.

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Flying at the edge of space in the high stratosphere, a future unmanned aircraft could one day carry weapons or other payloads anywhere in the world within few hours, or deploy cargo to lower space orbit, responding within minutes to urgent mission requirements. These high flyers will be designed to carry our fast strikes deep into enemy territory, anywhere in the world. Such a project known as FALCON is pursued by DARPA and the US Air Force. Lockheed Marin, the system's developer is planning to fly the first FALCON demonstrator by the end of 2018, and is preparing to have such platform operational in about 10 years.

A similar platform expected to be demonstrated around that time is the X-51 WaveRider, developed by Boeing. This vehicle will demonstrate capabilities similar to the FALCON, as Boeing aims to compete with Lockheed Martin to fulfill the future USAF requirement for global strike with the hypersonic atmospheric vehicles. The waveRider will integrate a scramjet engine developed by Pratt & Whitney, a boost rocket motor derived from an ATACMS missile matched with an airframe built by Boeing. It will demonstrate acceleration from boost (Mach 4.5+) to Mach 6 -7 cruise.

[sandyj]

The US Navy/USMC Tier II

Tactical UAV Program

The US Navy and US Marine Corps have decided to delay the tactical-level unmanned aircraft system program for a year, splitting the program into two separate phases, the first to begin in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Industry teams preparing for the tender, originally expected in the fall of 2007, will now re-evaluate their plans to address what seems to be a much larger program, aiming at the acquisition for thousands of new air vehicles over the next several years. In addition to US Marine Corps and US Navy uses, the new program is also expected to address US Air Force requirements for base protection. (more...)

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The Navy and USMC plan to launch the program in 2008, with a baseline day/night imaging and target designation capability, similar to what the Boeing/Insitu Scan Eagle system is providing today. The Air Force program will follow by 2010 primarily addressing base security mission. In addition to standard EO payloads, these aircraft could also be equipped with acoustic sensors, to spot gunshots and other threats.

Companies that considered competing for the program include the Boeing/Insitu team, offering the Scan eagle, Raytheon, offering the Killer-Bee from Swift Engineering, AAI offering the Australian Aerosonde and MTC Technologies, offering the SpyHawk, designed by Arcturus. Northrop Grumman and Aurora Flight Sciences teamed to offer the Golden Eye 80 ducted-fan UAS and Israel Aerospace Industries prepared to offer its I-View 50 system with yet unnamed local partner.

[sandyj]

Latest Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems on Display

To improve mission range, persistence and raid response, some UAS are designed to be air-insertable. Since such missions could be 'one way' only, these UAVs are designed to be low-cost, optionally expendable systems. Among these are the the Finder from SAIC and the future SECC from Boeing. Two smaller, electrically powered UAVs also designed as optionally expendable systems, are the Coyote from ACR and Voyeur from Lite Machines as well as Aerovironment's Switchblade. At the lower tier, unmanned systems are rapidly maturing, with some systems already fielded with US forces, particularly special forces and light infantry and airborne units. (more...)
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Some of the latest developments shown here include the BatMav (Wasp III) micro UAV from Aerovironment, recently selected for the Pentagon's SUAV program. Its competitor, the Nighthawk (previously known as BatCam), is undergoing continuous development and was now introduced in a redesigned, lightweight 3rd generation model. Nighthawk and the new Maverick from Prioria, both represent a new concept of an 'always ready' UAV carried in a tube, with wings wrapped around the fuselage. When needed, the UAV is pulled out of tube, the wings automatically snapping into position making the UAV is ready to launch.

Other micro-designs at AUVSI included vertical take-off and landing designs, including the new electrically powered Micro-Air Vehicle from CRG, and new turbine-based propulsion developed for the Class I Micro UAV from Honeywell.

[sandyj]

New Unmanned Aerial Systems Unveiled

In recent years, as weaponized robots evolved from controversial science fiction into grim reality, particularly in the Middle East skies, new systems are being developed and deployed. The Sky Warrior and Reaper are representative systems pursued by the US Army and Air Force, based on the Predator platform. But some argue that payload capacity may not be the most important factor, as smaller aircraft such as the Sky Raider, designed for field operation could offer superior persistence, resulting in more opportunities to pursue time-critical targets of opportunity. (more...)

A nother program dominating the show was the US Navy Broad Area Maritime Search (BAMS), which is expected to select an unmanned platform to augment and replace part of the Navy's maritime surveillance aircraft in the next decade. The Navy considers three alternatives representing totally different solutions, based on the Global Hawk HALE from Northrop Grumman, the Mariner MALE UAV proposed by Lockheed Martin and General Atomics or an optionally piloted G550 platform from Boeing.

Obtaining High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) capability is becoming a new trend, with systems becoming more dominant in coming years with the maturation of unmanned platforms, introducing long persistence and 'near space' capabilities, replacing satellites being vulnerable to enemy attacks. HALE platforms could also augment existing space and aerial assets, supporting heightened operational needs in certain theaters. Our coverage includes an update on the various developments and missions proposed for Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk, the ISIS and FALCON systems from Lockheed martin, the HALL, from Aurora and Boeing, and the Global Observer from Aerovironment.

Between the large HALE systems and the smaller mini and Micro-UAVs, a new range of unmanned aerial systems are evolving, and are expected to define the future tactical systems for years to come. Several classes of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are considered by the US armed services, among them, two relatively new groups, currently defined as Tier II and Tier III by the US Navy/Marine Corps, the latter considered to be the more mature. However, just prior to the event, Tier II changed direction, somewhat reshuffling the cards for many participants. AUVSI provided the stage for several companies to display relevant technologies related to the tactical Tier II program. These included the New Integrator, developed by InSitu, as well as the new versions and payloads for the Scan Eagle developed by InSitu and Boeing. Among the new versions unveiled by Boeing were a redesigned Scan Eagle Compressed Carriage (SECC) configuration to be adapted for air insertion.

Other Tier II candidates at the show were the GoldenEye 80 from Aurora, teaming with Northrop Grumman to pursue this program. SpyHawk displayed by MTC and the original designer Arcturus, the KillerBee, presented Swift Engineering teamed with Raytheon to pursue this opportunity while IAI's I-View 50, the Israeli was newcomer to this program. Elbit Systems' Skylark II was also on display and could become an attractive option for the US Marines. Smaller systems, such as the the new Stalker and Desert Hawk III from Lockheed Martin, the Skylark from Elbit Systems, and Skylite from RAFAEL, brought to the show by Advanced Ceramics Research (ACR), which also displayed its own Sky Fox UAV.

Representative Tier III also included future weaponized UAVs; these platforms, considerably larger than Tier II are designed for closely supporting tactical units providing persistent operations over the battlezone.

They will be used for fire support, armed scout and ISR missions directly supporting maneuver forces. They are designed augmenting or replacing manned helicopter gunships or manned close air support. These Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Combat UAVs are expected to follow fielding of FireScout later in the next decade. Such futuristic designs are already under development, including the Excalibur from Aurora, AD-150, proposed by American Dynamics, and the VARIOUS UCAV, a concept for a future lightweight Unmanned Combat Aerial System developed by Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman also highlighted its newly selected X-47B UCAS-D vehicle, selected by the US Navy for evaluation for future carrier borne operations.


A unique sensor system for aerial refueling, designed by Cobham was introduced at AUVSI. This sensor is part of an aerial refueling system can be adapted to refuel unmanned aerial systems. The system utilizes the VisNav series 100 Dci sensor system can be applied to any buddy refueling pod and drogue, to accurately tracks measure the drogue position in azimuth and elevation. The system performs over 100 measurements every second and relay the data to the UAV for effective station keeping. The sensor performs under all lighting conditions and can be integrated with existing drogues and buddy store tanks.


Payloads and Control Systems
Advanced mission control systems were also introduced, including the Virtual Cockpit from Procerus Technologies. Among the new payloads, novel systems included the latest version of the miniature, stabilized U-STAMP payload from Controp.

Pyramid Vision introduced at AUVSI the Video Quest product, supporting processing, storage and management of video streams. Two lightweight 5" turrets included new versions of the TASE displayed by CloudCap and the new TigerEye from AeroMech. Rockwell. Collins and Sandia labs unveiled the new TacVu Mini SAR payload and control system, introducing all weather imaging technology available for tactical UAVs. Applied Signal Technology also introduced a cellphone spotter payload enabling a uAV to covertly spot, identify and localize cellphone users from a distance.

Other new airborne payloads for unmanned systems included two new communications systems, the Mini-Common Data Link which recently passed a major demonstration phase and a new add-on unveiled by Enerdyne, enabling transmission of digital communications protocols and high capacity digital data over existing analog links.

Israel Aerospace Industries' Malat division introduced a new systems designed to improve command and control of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) which were introduced at AUVSI. Finally, the naval application of unmanned systems was represented by a range of surface vehicles (USV) and sub-surface (UUVs) systems.

[sandyj]

AUVSI Review

The "Unmanned Systems North America" exhibition and conference was held in August 2007 by the Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) at the Washington Convention Center was the Unmanned Systems industry's largest gathering. The event was associated with the live demonstration of unmanned systems, where some 30 vehicles participated in the largest unmanned systems demonstration in history held on August 6, 2007 at the Webster Field Annex of Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. The demonstration was hosted by the US Navy and Marine Corps Unmanned Systems unit PMA-263 which organized the event at Webster Field. AUVSI began with an impressive flight demonstration of 18 unmanned vehicles. First was the Shadow small UAV, followed by the first public demonstration of the Cobra, a small experimental UAV introduced by Raytheon. The Cobra was flown from Raytheon's Multi-Vehicle Control System (MVCS). (more...)

Israel Aerospace Industries' MALAT group actually demonstrated the simultaneous launch, flight and recovery of two I-View 50 Small UAVs. One of the I-Views was deployed from the truck mounted mobile launcher, also accommodating the control system, while the other bird took off from the runway. IAI also demonstrated two landing methods – the first aircraft used a parafoil recovery on a short strip, while the other was retrieved using the system's automatic landing capability. Impressive demonstrations were provided by the Australian made Aerosonde, flown by AAI and the ScanEagle displayed by Insitu. Northrop Grumman demonstrated the latest model of the FireScout MQ-8B VTUAV, currently being tested by the US Navy at nearby Patuxent River.

The RQ-4N Global Hawk was also flown from the nearby Naval facility. Spectators could not see the UAV in flight, nor watch real-time imagery from the scene, but toward the end of the day, after some of the images were declassified by the Navy, Northrop Grumman showed examples of the images taken during the day. These included the flight line, display booths, and even some of the UAVs in flight, taken during the demonstrations by the aircraft circling an area over the ocean, about 60 nautical miles off the coast. Another UAV that provided continuous cover of the event throughout the day, was Aeronautics Aerostar, flown by PMA-263.



Different unmanned systems participated in a mock battle scenario, involving a team of marines, engaging insurgents in a simulated urban area. First in line was the MDARS from General Dynamics. As the robot patrolled the road, it was covered from the air by an Aerovironment Raven-B mini-UAV. Then, supported by two robots, a team of marines moved in. Suddenly, the team was engaged by enemy snipers! Taking cover behind a wall, they reacted, assessing the situation, using support from air and ground robots. One of these were the Foster Miller SWORDS, joining the team used as an unmanned scout, while an iRobot Pacbot, equipped with Red Owl sniper detection kit spotted the hostile shooters.

A miniature Nighthawk hand-launched UAV was tossed to patrol the area, while Adaptive Flight's autonomous Hornet Micro UAS (derivative of the commercial T-Rex 450 radio-controlled helicopter) perched over the area, watching suspected enemy locations, providing the team with a real-time bird's eye-view of the area. As IEDs were spotted, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) were sent in, including the robotic Caterpilar 247B designed by ARA and remotely controlled HMMWV, equipped with tele-operated grappler to remove the threat. Once the enemy location was spotted by the Pacbot and UAVs, an armed SRWS moved in, aligned in position blocking the enemy's escape route. Last but not least, a Remotec EOD robot moved in to deal with remaining unexploded IEDs and munitions left in the area.


Back at the convention center, the exhibition provided professionals with a vision of where the industry is heading, highlighting exotic futuristic designs, advanced materials and new sensors.

In recent years, as weaponized robots evolved from controversial science fiction into grim reality, particularly in the Middle East skies, new systems are being developed and deployed. The Sky Warrior and Reaper are representative systems pursued by the US Army and Air Force, based on the Predator platform. But some argue that payload capacity may not be the most important factor, as smaller aircraft such as the Sky Raider, designed for field operation could offer superior persistence, resulting in more opportunities to pursue time-critical targets of opportunity.

Another program dominating the show was the US Navy Broad Area Maritime Search (BAMS), which is expected to select an unmanned platform to augment and replace part of the Navy's maritime surveillance aircraft in the next decade. The Navy considers three alternatives representing totally different solutions, based on the Global Hawk HALE from Northrop Grumman, the Mariner MALE UAV proposed by Lockheed Martin and General Atomics or an optionally piloted G550 platform from Boeing.

Defense Update's AUVSI 07 coverage is focusing on the following topics

[sandyj]

UAV Payloads at AUVSI 2007

Several companies introduced new and advanced payload systems at AUVSI 07. Among these were AST, presenting the lightweight Cell Spotter system to covertly monitor cellular communications traffic over a limited area. Enerdyne introduced a new hardware add-on which can be easily installed on any UAV, enabling users to send high capacity digital feed over existing analog datalinks. Controp, AeroMech and CloudCap unveiled new versions of stabilized payloads weighing under two pounds each, designed specifically for emerging mini-UAVs while Rockwell Collins unveiled the new TacVue Mini-SAR designed for small UAVs, developed in cooperation Sandia Labs. (more...)

CellPhone Spotter
Applied Signal Technology (AST) is offering several types of electronic payloads enhancing target acquisition and identification from unmanned aerial systems. These include the Model 580 STYX small-size wireless interrogator, designed for interrogation of wireless communications using CDMA protocol. The system weighs only 7 pounds and consumes 7-12 watts that actively interacts with the cell station to obtain a mobile identification of dialed numbers from cellphones operating at any direction, over a distance of about 100 meters. Targets at longer distances can be obtained using directional antennae. STYX can operate in stealth mode, without any interruption of calls in progress. Alternatively, the STYX can operate passively to collect cal activity messages from a base station and nearby cell phones, including SMS messages, paging messages and responses and calls.

Another COMINT system developed by AST for UAVs is the Hydra. This system integrates adaptive beam forming and direction finding systems configured into small-size package. The system uses a software defined radio architecture to host a variety of signal-specific applications. The prototype Hydra has eight RF channels covering the 20-3000MHz range with 25 MHz IF bandwidth. The system weighs 30 pounds and consumes 180 watts. Further enhancements of the Hydra will include GSM identification and monitoring of GSM emitters, including the ability to geolocate each emitter.

[sandyj]

Advanced Datalinks

Cubic Corp. and Rockwell Collins performed the first successful flight test of the Mini Common Data Link (CDL) system linking a King Air aircraft and a KillerBee unmanned system with ground stations. The prototype M-CDL weighs 1.5 pounds and demonstrated communications over a distance of 20 miles transmitting signals at data rates up to 10.7 Mbps. The tests support the US military's goal of developing CDL terminals that meet the payload restrictions of small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) platforms and enable data link communications with current ground systems. Existing CDL systems are too heavy and too large to fit within SUAS platforms. The Mini TCDL is designed to operate at rates up to 45 Mbps and achieves interoperability with other vendor units through compliance with current DoD CDL waveform specifications.

A new datalink innovator at AUVSI was Enerdyne Technologies, a subsidiary of ViaSat. The company that specialized in video compression is now introducing a conversion system enabling analog datalinks to transfer digital signals at high data rates. Analog links are s widely used with current UAVs, including most of the MALE, SUAVs, mini and micro UAVs. The system uses a signal modulator that 'superimposes' a digital protocol over a standard analog link. After the conversion the link can carry digital data rates of 4-5 Mbps data. The signals are demodulated at the ground station using a special receiver provided by Enerdyne. The airborne segment weighs only four ounces (100 gr.) and its power consumption is very low. It can be installed in a UAV within few hours.

[sandyj]

Miniature Stabilized EO Payloads
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AeroMech Engineering introduced the TigerEye miniature EO payload designed for small UAS (SUAS). The five inch diameter turret weighs 1.7 pounds in the EO configuration (0.1 lb heavier for the IR version)is designed for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, with interface to the Cloud cap plug and play operating system complying with CAN or serial bus interface. TigerEye uses on board video processor providing electronic image stabilization and hardware embedded target tracking. The design uses a quick change of sensors in the field, without special tools. Optional sensors include a Sony EX980S camera with x26 zoom, a Flir Photon with 50 mm lense, a laser illuminator or low light CCD imager.

Cloud Cap Technologies offers several versions of its lightweight payload known as TASE weighing about 1 kg. The payload can accommodate a number of sensors, including daylight cameras such as the Sony EX980S with x26 zoom or EX480C with 18x zoom. A range of FLIRs is also available for this payload, including the FLIR Photon Block II core (324x256) with a single or dual lense, Thermoteknix Miricle modules (384x288 or 640x480) or a Short Wave InfraRed (SWIR) 320x240 sensor from Goodrich. Cloud Cap also offers a unique mechanism retracting the TASE gimbal into the aircraft to support belly landing or other operations. The entire mechanism adds only 280 grams to the payload weight while eliminating the need for much heavier parachute, airbag or landing carriage.


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Controp Precision Technologies from Israel, a pioneer in the field of miniature EO turrets for UAVs, unveiled enhanced versions of its STAMP miniature stabilized payload at AUVSI 07, introducing an operational Uncooled IR sensor packed version (U-STAMP) for the first time. This payload weighing only one kilogram is designed for nighttime missions, and, according to Controp, has already been delivered to several customers worldwide. According to Controp, the 3 axis gyro stabilization of the STAMP platform's line of sight provides unique attributes to this turret, including highly stable video imaging including high quality pictures in full zoom, without vibrations or jittering, It also provides continuous target tracking regardless of aircraft attitude and motion. Wide field of regard and the ability to 'point to coordinates' makes this small payload simple to use and highly efficient when operated by ordinary soldiers.

[sandyj]

TacVue MiniSAR
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Enabling effective tactical battlefield reconnaissance/surveillance from UAS or manned platform applications, today’s unmanned/manned vehicle platforms need superior all weather, obscurant, day/night operational radar systems for all environments. Towards this requirement, Rockwell Collins and Sandia National Laboratories have joined together to develop a high performance Synthetic Aperature Radar (SAR) system. With Sandia’s radar experience and Rockwell Collins’ ability to manufacture field-grade reliable products for use in harsh environments, we ensure unmanned/manned vehicle platforms superior radar performance. The radar operates at the Ku band (16.8 GHz) providing 4-inch resolution imagery from a distance of 10 kilometers or 1 meter resolution from 23 km. Images can be used for identification and accurate geo-location of small targets at a geolocation error level of 25 meters. The current system weighs about 27 lbs, with future version downsized to about 18 lbs.

[sandyj]

Warrior Aero-Marine Unveils Gull 36 Unmanned Flying Boat

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Warrior (Aero-Marine) Ltd began flying of the first 4.0 meter span Gull 36 UAV in the English Channel. The Gull's design utilizes Warrior's unique 'stepless' seaplane hull, enabling the flying boat to handle twice as large waves as equivalent seaplanes.

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“Both the hull and configuration contribute to the Gull working effectively in common sea conditions." said James Labouchere, CEO of Warrior Aero-Marine. "Its wave-piercing ability enables useful taxi speeds for surface operations and the Gull uses wave profiles to its advantage for take-off.” he added that the Gull is the first UAV seaplane that has been conceived and developed for both the coastal and offshore environment. No other published concept that we have seen can even approach the Gull’s combination of performance and seamanship.

New opportunities arise from the Gull combining boat functions and aircraft cruise performance, and switching spontaneously between aerial and surface functions. This combination enables surface work to be achieved at higher speeds than any vessel, and greater effect is won by the use of aerial detection and reconnaissance during transit.

These attributes offer exceptional capabilities for sampling, persistent tracking and observation of surface and subsurface targets. They will also enable fast remote insertion/extraction of small secondary unmanned surface and underwater vessels.
Combined with its use from lake, river and shore, and dirt strips with amphibious gear, the Gull is expected to achieve tasks that currently need multiple vehicle types and complex communications. In doing so, the GullL will enable a robust multi-role solution with a minimum of communications and one-stage data processing, to then transmit usable information and instruction.

To simplify deployment from ships at sea, the Gull could use the sled interface also developed by Warrior. Developed with the support of UK Defence Technology Centre R&D funds, Warrior developed and tested a towed-sled Launch and Recovery System. The SledLARS system can automatically launch and recover a fast-taxiing seaplane UAV (or a USV) from either the beam or stern of a parent vessel. This can be done while under high speed tow and on any point of wind. This removes the need for deck-mounted equipment for either launch or recovery, enables the GULL to be operated from both small and large vessels and allows ships’ other aerial activities to continue simultaneously with little or no interference.

[sandyj]

Maveric 150 Hand Launched, Foldable Micro UAV

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At AUVSI 2008 Prioria Robotics, Inc. launched a new version of the MAVERIC. A small system, carried and launched by a single-person, Maveric operates as an autonomous UAS, controlled by Peoria's Merlin operating system which has unique collision avoidance capabilitiesdesigned into its embedded-vision navigation. Another unique feature of the Maveric is its bendable, carbon fiber wings, allowing storage in a six-inch tube and deployment in less than two minutes with no assembly. The airframe is manufactured from lightweight composite materials.

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These algorithms improve the vehicle's performance in obstacle-saturated airspace, as in urban area, or in dense woodland. Other skills available in the maverick include target tracking, target identification and precision collision (guided strike). The Maveric weighs only two pounds fifty and is designed to carry a payload weight of 200 grams; standard payload includes a forward looking color video camera and another, side looking sensor accommodating either video or IR camera.At AUVSI 08 the company unveiled two redesigend versions of the Maveric, the Maveric 100 equipped with fixed camera and the '150, carrying a retractable gimbaled payload and forward looking fixed camera. The bird shaped Maveric weighs about 2.5 pounds and is powered by an electrical motor which is inaudible beyond 100 meters. It can fly missions of up to 50 minutes at a speed of 35 mph, or maximum airspeed of 60 mph, at altitudes of 50 – 25,000 ft. Maximum range is 27 km. At the end of its mission, Maveric will return to a predetermined point for skid landing.

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[sandyj]

V-STAR UAV - dubbed the "HMMWV of the Air"

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Frontline Aerospace, Inc., unveiled at AUVSI 2008 a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft configuration called V-STAR. The company is implementing this design concept in a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, associated with the MicroFire gas turbine fuel-efficiency technology also developed by the company.

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Frontline's founder and Chief Executive Officer Ryan S. Wood, calls the company's new VTOL-Swift Tactical Aerial Resource (V-STAR) the 'HUMVEE of the air', as it could provides breakthrough solutions for forward deployed military units, pushing logistics and weapons where other assets cannot move. “With payload at the center-of-gravity, V-STAR provides real mission flexibility, enabling to reach targets often three times faster than helicopters" said Wood. The same capabilities enable the platform to assume area surveillance, observation and target acquisition roles, carrying ISTAR payloads said Wood.

The V-STAR uses a vertical positioned ducted lift fan with counter-rotating blades for vertical flight and hovering. After takeoff the vehicle transitions to forward flight with its “diamond-box-wing” and propelled by the ducted rear pusher fan. Dual Rolls-Royce Model 250 gas turbines will propel the aircraft at a cruise speed of 288 knots with a 400-pound payload for 650 miles. Endurance variations of V-STAR can carry a 110-pound ITARS package for over 19 hours. The long endurance is derived partly form the implementation of Frontline's patent-pending MicroFire technology, contributing to the high fuel-efficiency and reduced carbon emissions for the Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine family.

The system is extracting heat from the engine through counter-flow heat recuperator, transferring heat from the exhaust air back to the compressed engine air before combustion. Such implementations could double the overall thermal efficiency of the engine. The 50 pound MicroFire system is designed for improved durability and reliability of such system at a low specific weight, improving fuel consumption as much as 40% with low pressure drop and low power loss.

[sandyj]

Lockheed Martin And Kaman Aerospace Demonstrate Unmanned Supply Helicopter To US Army

Ft. Eustis, VA -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Kaman Aerospace Corporation have demonstrated to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps the feasibility of transporting supplies to ground troops by an unmanned helicopter.

During 45 minutes of operation at Ft. Eustis, VA, an unmanned K-MAX® helicopter demonstrated autonomous take-off and landing, pick-up and delivery of a 3,000-pound sling load, and the ability to autonomously re-plan and detour from its designated route to accommodate changes to mission requirements and battlefield threats. The demonstration also illustrated the ability of a single ground operator to use both spoken and data commands to control the aircraft via data link, perform precision maneuvers at the pick-up or drop zones, and easily transfer control to another ground operator for maximum interoperability.

"Our objective was to show the Army that we have successfully integrated Lockheed Martin's mission management technology with a proven aerial lift helicopter to take on the routine but often dangerous work of re-supplying troops," said Michele Evans, Modernization and Sustainment vice president at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "Our mission management technology gives the unmanned K-MAX a high level of system autonomy and intelligence to meet operational objectives with minimal human oversight."

The April 23 demonstration was attended by representatives of the Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), the Combined Arms Support Command, the Training and Doctrine Command, Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center and the Marine Corps Development Command.

"The U.S. Army is interested to see how industry has adapted manned/unmanned teaming technology - originally developed for aerial scouting operations - for unmanned cargo re-supply by a vertical take-off and landing aircraft," said Ray Wall, chief of AATD's Systems Integration division. "Successful expansion of this technology into Afghanistan and Iraq would help alleviate the high operational demand for Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters, which are forced to carry supplies when their greater priority is to carry troops and other personnel."

The K-MAX unmanned aerial system was controlled by Lockheed Martin's KineForce™ mission management system, which is designed to translate the ground controller's objectives into mission executable plans, provide autonomous flight control capability, understand the dynamic battlefield environment, and react to threats. To command and control the K-MAX, a ground controller used a hand-held tablet computer - compatible with a common interface system used by the U.S. Army for control of unmanned aerial vehicles - to define the mission plan and monitor the aircraft during flight.

The Kaman designed-and-built K-MAX helicopter features a unique intermeshing rotor system that eliminates the need for a tail rotor, directing all of the power from the Honeywell T5317A-1 gas turbine engine to the main rotors. The design gives the aircraft a one-to-one lift ratio, enabling the K-MAX aircraft to lift up to 6,000 pounds - more than the aircraft's own weight - and providing superior high altitude and hot environment performance and low noise signature. Currently flown as a manned power lifter by the logging and construction industries, the aircraft has low operating costs per flight hour, and has maintained a high reliability rate over more than 225,000 flight hours in demanding environments.

"This prototype demonstration showed just a small sample of the potential for a rotary wing unmanned air system that has a lift capacity of 6,000 pounds," said Sal Bordonaro, President, Kaman Helicopters Division. "We believe this UAS could be used for any number of existing missions that are currently being flown by manned assets, and that the cost savings resulting from the use of the unmanned K-MAX would be recognized immediately."

Kaman Aerospace, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation [NASDAQ: KAMN], markets and supports its SH-2G and K-MAX helicopters, is a subcontractor for complex metallic and composite structures and components for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, designs and manufactures missile and bomb fuzing devices for the U.S. and allied militaries, and is a leading manufacturer of widely-used proprietary airframe bearings and components. Kaman Corporation conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.

[bd popeye]

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Quote:
ORKA, a drone for army and navy land and sea multi missions made by EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space company) is seen during the EuroSatory Defense Exhibition, Monday June 16, 2008 outside Paris.

[sandyj]

Son Of Predator Goes To Iraq

June 16, 2008:

For the last three months, two pre-production models of the U.S. Army's new Sky Warrior MQ-1C UAVs have been in Iraq for testing. The first flight, lasting 10.5 hours, was on April 18th. The two MQ-1Cs are slightly larger Predators, and are being used for missions formerly performed by Shadow 200, and other large army UAVs. The big difference is that Sky Warrior can carry weapons (like Hellfire missiles.)

The MQ-1C Sky Warrior weighs 1.5 tons, carries 300 pounds of sensors internally, and up to 500 pounds of sensors or weapons externally. It has an endurance of up to 36 hours and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour. Sky Warrior has a wingspan 56 feet and is 28 feet long. The Sky Warrior can land and take off automatically, and carry four Hellfire missiles (compared to two on the Predator). The original MQ-1 Predator is a one ton aircraft that is 27 feet long with a wingspan of 49 feet. It has two hard points, which usually carry one (107 pound) Hellfire each. Each hard point can also carry a Stinger air-to-air missile. Max speed of the Predator is 215 kilometers an hour, max cruising speed is 160 kilometers an hour. Max altitude is 25,000 feet. Typical sorties are 12-20 hours each.

As its model number (MQ-1C) indicates, Sky Warrior is a Predator (MQ-1) replacement. The U.S. Air Force plans to replace its MQ-1s with MQ-1Cs. Sky Warrior enters production next year, and the U.S. Army (which paid for development) wants over 500. So far, the attrition rate of Predators has been over five percent a year. Unless that can be brought down, few Predators will last more than a decade and the MQ-1C will replace it gradually. Most of the losses are due to mechanical, electronic, software or operator failure. Never have so many UAVs been used so extensively, and intensively, in combat. So it's a learning experience in a new environment. The attrition rate is coming down, but not rapidly.

The army and air force are going to jointly manage the Predator force, or at least the MQ-1Cs. This will cause some unexpected scuffles, as many air force generals believe the army should not have the MQ-1C, or at least not use them with weapons. That has already caused some sparks to fly in the Pentagon, but the recent purge and reshuffle of the senior air force leadership, by the Secretary of Defense, makes it appear that the army will be left alone to build its new robotic air force. Back in the 1950s, after a decade of bickering, the Department of Defense ordered the army to stick with helicopters, while the air force got all the fixed wing aircraft. But UAVs have no pilots in them and the army does not consider them part of the half century old deal.

There is a third member of the Predator family, that will stay just with the air force. The MQ-9 Reaper is a 4.7 ton, 36 foot long aircraft with a 66 foot wingspan that looks like the MQ-1. It has six hard points, and can carry 1,500 pounds of weapons. These include Hellfire missiles (up to eight), two Sidewinder or two AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two Maverick missiles, or two 500 pound smart bombs (laser or GPS guided.) Max speed is 400 kilometers an hour, and max endurance is 15 hours. The Reaper is considered a combat aircraft, to replace F-16s or A-10s.

[sandyj]

Video: iPhone Controls Robot Plane Squad

By Noah Shachtman

June 16, 2008 | 9:16:00 AM

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRcld5aAN2E

Since 2004, a team of professors and students from the University of California, Berkeley has searched for ways to let a single human supervise a team of robot planes. Now, this Center for Collaborative Control of Unmanned Vehicles has a new device for ordering around its drones: an iPhone.

In a video taken from this month's Teaching & Technology conference, the Berkeley crew uses an iPhone to pick tasks for its drone squadron, input a set of coordinates for a local reconnaissance mission, and send the planes new orders while the aircraft are in the sky.

But don't tell Steve Jobs how the Berkeley folks are using his gadget. According to the terms of the Apple Software Developer Kit agreement, "applications may not be designed or marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes."

[sandyj]

DATE:02/06/08

SOURCE:Flight International

UK makes progress towards non-segregated UAV flights

By Craig Hoyle

A UK initiative that seeks to enable the routine operation of unmanned air vehicles in non-segregated airspace will demonstrate the results of its first three years of activity in October, with its partners already working on proposals for a follow-on phase to include flight testing.

Partly funded by seven leading defence and aerospace companies including BAE Systems, EADS, Qinetiq and Thales, the UK government and several regional development agencies, the Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment (ASTRAEA) scheme's £32 million ($63.2 million) first phase is mid-way through its last year of funded activities.

Also involving academia and smaller suppliers, the project has delivered real progress, says vice-chairman Nick Miller, also business director, UAV systems for Thales UK's Aerospace Division. The three-day simulation-based demonstration at the ParcAberporth UAV centre in west Wales, "will show how far we have got in opening the airspace", he adds.

Sixteen projects are focused on autonomous technologies, architecture development, suggested operating standards and mission planning techniques. Thales is leading work on sense and avoid technologies, and has for example integrated a traffic collision avoidance system within a UAV's electro-optical/infrared sensor. "ASTRAEA 1 has been a success," says Miller. "It is clearly understood that autonomy is the way forward."

Agreeing that "sufficient progress had been made in many areas of UAS work to warrant a substantial review", the UK Civil Aviation Authority's Directorate of Airspace Policy in late April published the latest revision to its CAP 722 "Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace - Guidance" document.