UAV's, UCAV's and other such matters [Archive] - Page 6

buglerbilly

19-12-11, 12:56 PM

US Army Ends UAS Flights with Ground-Based Radar Only

Posted on December 19, 2011 by The Editor

The US Army has decided to shut down its first-ever effort to fly unmanned aircraft using just ground-based radar because the endeavor was taking up needed resources without providing enough benefits, according to an official leading the programme.

The flights at El Mirage flight operations facility in California — the first tests that did not use a chase plane or visual observer of some kind — were halted after just 11.25 hours of flight time in April due to a glitch. In the months since, programme officials had maintained the glitch was fixed, and the plan was to resume flights.

But as the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration were agreeing on the manner in which to resume flights, the Army leadership elected to suspend the flights using the prototype ground-based sense-and-avoid system, said Viva Austin, the Army’s product director for unmanned systems airspace integration concepts.

“Basically our leadership said, ‘Hey guys, this is just a piece of your plan, your path forward, and right now you’re spending a lot of resources and a lot of time on this effort, and it’s not buying you anything in the big game,’” Austin said in a Dec. 7 interview. Prior to the recent decision to halt the effort, the Army had agreed with the FAA to resume flights using a visual observer, she said.

Army leadership wanted to divert efforts to accelerate the continental U.S. fielding schedule of Gray Eagle drones, which will use a similar but more complex system in the national airspace, Austin said, noting the leadership decided to “cut our losses.”

Col. Timothy Baxter, Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems project manager, decided earlier this fall to shut down El Mirage, Austin said. Baxter told Dyke Weatherington, the Pentagon’s deputy director of unmanned warfare, of the plan in an Oct. 31 letter and asked him to inform the FAA, Austin said.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense deferred comments about the effort to the Army.

Baxter also asked Austin to create a plan to move forward, which was submitted last Friday during a management review. This submission finalized the plans to end the work at El Mirage.

Austin said the submitted plan calls for accelerating Gray Eagle fielding. These aircraft are stationed at Army airfields just outside of restricted airspace and need ground-based, sense-and-avoid capabilities to support them. The Army plans to move most of its testing and training out to Dugway Proving Ground in Utah to help with the acceleration, Austin said.

The plan was put these Gray Eagle systems in place in the fiscal year 2014-2015 time frame, but now the Army is going to work to do this faster.

“What we’re going to do is use the algorithms and displays, virtually the concept we developed for El Mirage, and we’re going to go back and certify all of the software” and build tunnels into the restricted airspace, Austin said. “And so what we developed for El Mirage will be what we put in place in an accelerated version until we get the more complex version out in 14-15.” She noted that this was a very exciting time for the Army.

The plan submitted last week also considered testing the ground-based, sense-and-avoid capability in theater. Austin this possibility is tough in the current fiscal environment because it is costly although important. “It’s one of those things, everybody is getting cut, and we’re not at the top of the most important list,” Austin said. She does not have a time line as to when a decision might get made on moving the system to theater.

In August 2010, the FAA initially approved the Army’s certificate of authorization (COA) to fly the planes at El Mirage during the nighttime. After a dispute between the FAA and the Pentagon over what data should be collected resulted in a memorandum of agreement, the FAA reissued the year-long COA on March 17. The first flight took off April 26 at midnight. But a glitch in the form of a self-check of the alert system grounded the system three days later. An FAA furlough that caused a partial shutdown also affected the Army’s ability to resume flights.

The effort to fly at El Mirage without using a visual observer was watched by others in the Defense Department, but at press time (Dec. 7) the other services had no comment on the impact of the Army’s decision.

Austin said the work done at El Mirage has enabled the Army to reach out and help the other services engage in similar efforts. She said the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, are looking at a similar COA. In addition, the Air Force requested this week a sit down with the Army to talk about putting together a safety case for a base, Austin said.

Austin noted the prototype at El Mirage also allowed the Army to work with the FAA and to demonstrate its system worked.

“We’re focusing more on the next steps,” Austin said. “And it’s unfortunate because the prototype was kind of a baby to us. It was the first one that was ever out there and it was a really good news story, but the reason we shut it down was really just because it was really time consuming and wasn’t buying us anything anymore.”

Although flights halted shortly after they started, the Army continued to run the radar and collect data on the airspace. No problems had been found with the system since the glitch in April.

Source Inside Defense

buglerbilly

19-12-11, 11:47 PM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Euro Hawk Class Of 2011

Posted by Nicholas Fiorenza at 12/19/2011 10:30 AM CST

The first 11 Luftwaffe officers have completed their Euro Hawk pilot training at Beale Air Force Base in California. The graduation ceremony for the the 21-week course took place last week, with the certificates handed out by Lt.Gen. Peter Schelzig, head of the Luftwaffe command, who in his speech at the ceremony said, "In God we trust, everyone else we monitor."

Graduating class poses with Schelzig and USAF Col. Phillip Stewart, vice commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing (photo: Luftwaffe/PRInfoZLw)

Eight Luftwaffe officers trained to fly Global Hawk and three received flight instructor certification and will go on to familiarize themselves with the technical differences between Euro Hawk and Global Hawk. All 11 are Tornado or F-4F Phantom pilots or weapons officers.

The training was provided by the U.S. Air Force and consisted of theory, flight simulation and flying Global Hawks over U.S. territory. In the New Year, the company Euro Hawk GmbH will provide two weeks of theoretical and practical training on Euro Hawk at Jagel, the home base of the Luftwaffe's Aufklärungsgeschwader (Reconnaissance Squadron) 51 "Immelmann," which will operate Euro Hawk. The three officers who received flight instructor certification will train further trainers.

buglerbilly

20-12-11, 04:10 AM

U.S. drone operators show signs of exhaustion

By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY Updated 1d 1h ago

About one in three airmen who operate cameras on high-altitude, remotely controlled spy planes and 30% of those who fly attack drones used to kill terrorists have emotional exhaustion from long hours of work, according to Air Force research recently released.

The airmen who operate drones from bases in Nevada and California complain of frequent shift changes, "mind-numbing" monotony, strains on families and ever-increasing workloads.

"There's just not enough people," says Wayne Chappelle, an Air Force psychologist who helped conduct a six-month study of drone operators from 2010 to 2011. "You have to constantly sustain a high level of vigilance, both visual and auditory information, and that would be really tough to do when there's a lot of monotony."

The aircraft — Predators, Reapers and Global Hawks — were used to track Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and are used to spy on Iran, locate and kill al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen and assist U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Researchers found slightly lower rates of clinical distress — those on the edge of mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression — among airmen, about 25% of the camera operators for the high-flying Global Hawk spy aircraft and 17% of pilots for Predator and Reaper attack drones.

Sixty-five percent to 70% of those with mental illness signs are not seeking treatment for it, researchers found.

About a third of drone pilots, camera operators and mission coordinators work 50 to 60 hours per week or more, data show. Many change shifts every 30 days. Burnout in this group was found among one in three, the research shows.

Lt. Gen. Larry James, Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, said that there has been pilot error in the program but that he did not think any of those cases were tied to emotional burnout.

Recent accidents include a drone going down in Iran, a crash at an airport on Seychelles and, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the accidental killing of two Marines in Afghanistan by a missile fired by a Predator drone.

For operators of Predators and Reapers — which fly at 20,000 feet and can kill terrorists with Hellfire missiles or guided bombs — daily combat missions have quadrupled from 10 to 15 in 2007 to 57 today, James says.

Concerns about job burnout led the Air Force in November to begin increasing staff for the drone programs, James says, and capping daily missions for Predator and Reaper patrols at 57.

"We've kind of been in this almost constant surge mode because there's such a demand for this capability, really for four to five years," James says.

The aircraft are flown remotely largely from Creech Air Force Base north of Las Vegas and Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento. Air Force reservists and National Guard troops operate the aircraft from other locations and have lower rates of burnout, research data show.

In contrast to the job exhaustion rates, researchers found very low levels of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Nearly 900 Air Force personnel were surveyed. Seventeen percent are women and 60% married. When they were first asked broadly about burnout, nearly half admitted it. More precise questioning revealed that true rates of exhaustion were far lower.

The vast majority of combat drones are flown by the Air Force, James says. Other branches of service and the CIA also fly the aircraft.

"The folks that execute this mission day in and day out truly are kind of the silent heroes out there that you don't hear a lot about. But they're absolutely critical to executing operations," James says.

buglerbilly

20-12-11, 08:36 AM

Swift Ramps Up Bat Production for Northrop Grumman

Posted on December 20, 2011 by The Editor

Swift Engineering, a high-tech race car and aerospace firm off Avenida La Pata in San Clemente’s commercial district, broke ground on a new 15,000-square-foot, $3-million manufacturing centre.

Armed with the latest design technology and poised to increase its manufacturing capacity by at least 600 percent, the firm plans to double its workforce by hiring and training 75 technicians.

Swift President Jan Refsdal said 75 new hires is a conservative estimate and the firm’s investment in San Clemente could increase to $10 million over the next five years. ”We’ve been producing four to five vehicles per month, and [Northrop Grumman] is telling us to produce 30 per month,” he said.

The vehicle in question is the Bat 12 unmanned aircraft, which Swift began developing in 2009. Northrop bought the patents, then hired Swift to begin producing the craft for the US military. The Bat 12 can be launched in the field, without a runway, and is used for reconnaissance to help ground troops detect improvised explosive devices.

Technicians Joe Smetona, left, and Francisco Gonzales pull a composite aircraft wing out of its mold - Photo: Adam Townsend

Swift’s subcontract is part of a $26.2-million deal Northrop Grumman and the feds signed in August, according to Defense Industry Daily. Contractors in many parts of the U.S. have a piece of the pie, manufacturing different parts of the drone and launch equipment, but the Bat 12 isn’t ready to fly until it leaves the factory floor in San Clemente.

Part of what makes all of Swift’s aerospace and racing development possible is the company’s virtual wind tunnel. Swift and its bevy of technical partner companies are on the cutting edge of virtual testing technologies, doing work that used to take up an entire building in a space the size of a restaurant freezer.

In the 1990s, when Swift’s primary business was designing race cars, the company plant on the hill overlooking Avenida Pico housed a 15,000-square-foot wind tunnel with a 500-watt motor. Designed to test parts and vehicles at speeds up to 140 mph, the machine was massively expensive to run and maintain, said Swift’s chief scientist Mark Page.

Now, with a new award-winning computer system, Swift can eliminate the expense of fabricating every test part. Engineers instead load the hypothetical part’s dimensions into their virtual wind tunnel. Luo said the computer equipment designed by Cray and Netlist has the computing processor power of about 18 to 36 MacBook Pros and the RAM memory of about 107 to 215 personal computers.

The computers do about five equations per cube of air, sometimes taking all night to crunch the numbers and give operators a visual representation of how any design would work in the real world.

But Refsdal said real wind tunnels are still useful. When Swift hits on a design it thinks is workable, it hires a subcontractor to run tests in a real-life wind tunnel. Now that CFD programmes are so widely available, there is an overcapacity of wind tunnel space in the industry, making it easier and cheaper for Swift to contract out testing, he said.

Source: San Clemente Patch

buglerbilly

20-12-11, 08:41 AM

Aurora Awarded Air Force Research Laboratory Urban Beat Cop Programme

Posted on December 20, 2011 by The Editor

Aurora Flight Sciences was awarded a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO) to provide a specialized Skate Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS), designed for autonomous operations in urban environments.

The “Urban Beat Cop” (UBC) programme will demonstrate the ability of an SUAS platform to perform missions typical to that of law enforcement officers “walking a beat” along a city street. While walking the beat, a police officer becomes very familiar with areas of the city by constantly observing, understanding, and interpreting what they see on a daily basis. A system that automatically performs this same mission in asymmetric urban conflicts, absent the presence of the warfighter, can significantly reduce casualties as well as improve the situational awareness.

The Urban Beat Cop programme is a twelve-month development effort that culminates in a flight test demonstration of the advanced video processing and parasitic recharging system required for the autonomous perch and stare operation. Aurora will develop and integrate capabilities to its Skate SUAS to allow the system to deploy and recover autonomously from a base station, perform “perch and stare” clandestine surveillance, and provide critical real-time Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) data to our nation’s warfighters.

“Skate’s unique vectored thrust control system, along with its low visual and acoustic signatures, makes it an ideal platform for the Urban Beat Cop program,” said Carl Schaefer, Aurora’s Director of Small UAS Programs. “Aurora is extremely pleased to have been selected by AFRL for this rapid response programme.”

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

20-12-11, 08:45 AM

Pakistan too has UAS Hacking Technology

Posted on December 20, 2011 by The Editor

This strikes me as a "my dick is as big as your dick" kind of statement, more for internal Pakistani political needs than a reflection of reality.................

Pakistan has been able to hack UAS technology to the extent that it can now command a transgressing aircraft to land in Pakistan, reliable sources told the Pakistan Observer.

This achievement by Pakistan is utmost significant amid desperate scenario that emerged as a result of attacks inside Pakistan by the United States CIA operated UAS despite persistent calls from Islamabad for end to such provocations.

Experts in Pakistan believe that the only positive aspect of the 2 May Abbottabad episode relating to the killing of Osama bin Laden was reported crashing of a Stealth helicopter. Pakistani experts seemed to have become aware for the first time, of the fact that there were Stealth helicopters besides Stealth aeroplanes. They are believed to have been able to decode or decipher the programming and sensitive technology applied to making and operationalisation of Stealth air-machines.

Sources said the knowledge gained by Pakistanis from the wreckage of Stealth helicopter secured from Abbotabad might have helped the Pakistani experts in developing insight about the programming and remote controlling of the CIA operated drones. This critical technological insight led Pakistani experts to decode sensitive gadgetry of the drones.

When asked about the impact of Pakistan’s newly acquired capability to safely bring the violating CIA operated drones to ground on Pakistan soil, the experts minced no words and said exuberantly that Pakistan had come into possession of a trump card in terms of strategic imperatives. Through newly acquired technological capability, Pakistani experts would also be able to decode intricate gadgetry of new generation of weapons being developed by the US.

Source: Pakistan Observer

Gubler, A.

20-12-11, 09:46 AM

This strikes me as a "my dick is as big as your dick" kind of statement, more for internal Pakistani political needs than a reflection of reality.................

My made up fictional non-exsistent capability is as good as your made up fictional non-exsistent capability.

Gubler, A.

20-12-11, 09:47 AM

buglerbilly

20-12-11, 01:05 PM

FCAS contract cements UK unmanned strategy

20 December 2011 - 10:25 by Beth Stevenson in London

The UK MoD has signed a £40 million Future Combat Air System (FCAS) contract with BAE Systems in support of the British unmanned air system strategy.

Signed on 19 December, the contract comprises a four-year study with a statement from the ministry describing how the ‘focused research’ contract will ensure the UK retains a ‘leading edge’ in the next generation of combat air systems.

‘It will inform the MoD’s unmanned air system strategy over the coming decades to ensure that the best use is made of these new technologies,’ the statement read.

Currently, the majority of unmanned aircraft is flying surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of frontline troops, the statement described, providing them with ‘vital intelligence’ to help save lives in Afghanistan especially.

The MoD’s unmanned air system strategy was released in March and outlines procedures and a general approach to unmanned systems up until 2030. Reiterating its preference to avoid describing a ‘position of consensus’, the report does however, seek to energise debate within the UK and move UAS-related thinking forward.

The FCAS contract aims to sustain and develop ‘critical’ technology, and a significant amount of the funding is expected to go to small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK.

Nick Joad, head of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s Air Domain, said in the statement: ‘This is an important step in ensuring that the MOD continues to develop its capabilities in this area and is able to exploit potentially game-changing technologies.

‘We have worked very hard with BAE Systems to ensure that we have a high impact programme and look forward to seeing the fruits of this investment of both money and intellectual capital,’ he added.

Peter Luff, Minister for defence equipment, support and technology, added that aerospace investment is important to the UK, and promised to continue supporting this ‘specialist field’.

A spokesperson for BAE Systems told Shephard: 'The FCAS Focused Research contract focuses on maturing critical technologies to ensure the UK retains a leading edge in the next generation of combat air systems. This will involve the equivalent of 75 full-time staff across BAE Systems. Additionally, there will be significant participation across Industry and Academia.'

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 01:30 PM

US Congress Legislates for Six UAS Test Sites

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Editor

Interesting (and smart) move in direct support of UAS development in the USA..............

Unmanned aircraft systems are a step closer to being more widely used in the United States as a result of legislation Congress passed on 15 Dec. (H.R. 1540), which calls for the creation of six UAS test sites around the country.  

AUVSI Chairman of the Board Peter Bale says, “the creation of these test sites will mark the first step in what will undoubtedly be a long process eventually leading to a common-day occurrence – manned and unmanned aircraft flying safely and seamlessly together in the national airspace.   “I applaud Congress’ foresight on the important role UAS can play for our economy and public safety, and I encourage the FAA to expeditiously set up these test sites with the input from the unmanned systems community.”

Previously, UAS have been limited to flying in military restricted airspace or in very limited areas with the prior approval of the FAA. Although UAS have primarily been used by the military to date, the civil and commercial applications of this revolutionary technology is almost limitless. Once UAS prove they are able to safely fly in the national airspace, AUVSI projects UAS will commonly be used for border surveillance, agriculture applications, suspect tracking by law enforcement, traffic monitoring and accident scene investigation, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, wildlife monitoring, power and pipe line monitoring, real-estate mapping and movie production, to name just a few.

Source: Aerospace Manufacturing and Design

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 01:33 PM

Iran Develops Unmanned Combat Aircraft

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Editor

Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi

*Sings* (in Farsi of course!)......."I'm so sexy its not true, my IQ is 42!" Your IQ would have to be 42 to believe even 5% of the sheer BS coming out of Iran...................

Iran’s Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says that the country is manufacturing new models of unmanned combat aircraft.

“We have had advanced capabilities in terms of unmanned aircraft; with regard to combat drones we have had a number of models, and we also have some models under production,” Vahidi told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.

The Defence Minister pointed out that Iran’s Armed Forces have predicted the areas where they can paralyze the enemies in any potential military engagement, adding, “That war, is a kind of war that we are not looking for; however, if the enemy seeks to take action, we will use all aspects of our capabilities in sophisticated areas.”

Vahidi made reference to the downing of a US unmanned aircraft by Iran’s Armed Forces, saying the incident demonstrated Iran’s might and readiness against the enemy plans. In response to a question about Iran’s plan to reverse engineer the captured aircraft, the defense minister did not provide any details, noting that the specifics regarding the issue are confidential.

“We have already produced several types of combat drones, as well,” he said, and added, “And we are now mass-producing a number of them.”   ”We are moving on the path of perfection,” he said.   Iran successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAS with bombing capabilities in June 2009.   In February 2011, Iran inaugurated the production line of two home-made Unmanned Aircraft with bombing and reconnaissance capabilities.   The two hi-tech drones named ‘Ra’d’ (Thunder) and ‘Nazir’ (Harbinger) are capable of conducting long-range reconnaissance, patrolling, assault and bombing missions with high precision.   Ra’d which is a UAS of choice for assault and bombing missions has the capability to destroy the specified targets with high pinpoint precision.

Iran started construction of a plant in the Northern province of Mazandaran in 2008 to mass produce UAS for different civilian and military missions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in September unveiled the country’s first home-made combat Unmanned Aircraft.   The combat drone, named Karrar, was unveiled in a special ceremony in Tehran marking the national ‘Day of Defense Industry’.   The Karrar UAS is capable of carrying a military payload to carry out bombing missions against ground targets. It is also capable of flying long distances at a very high speed.

Sources: Press TV, Fars News Agency

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 01:36 PM

Russia Introduces Mini UAS to Baltic Fleet

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Editor

Grusha - Photo: RIA Novosti

“Grusha” unmanned aircraft produced by the Izhmash concern have entered the inventory of Russia’s Baltic Fleet.

Little steps "may" eventually get them somewhere, usually 10 years or so behind the West................

Industrial experts state that the Grusha meets the global standards set for of mini-class unmanned aircraft. Their main functions are surveillance and reconnaissance up to a range of about 10 km. The new UAS have been delivered to marine corps and motorized infantry units of the Baltic Fleet’s coastal branches of troops. In future they are expected to enter service of all troops. This can be regarded as a milestone event – unmanned aircraft are no longer only designed and displayed at arms expos but enter the inventory of the armed forces, a Russian expert on unmanned aircraft Denis Fetudinov says:

“Last year land comparative tests of different mini-class drones were conducted among land troops. As a result several systems were selected which meet the demands of the troops to the fullest extent. Perhaps other branches of troops can also conduct such tests and choose the systems which meet their demands. It is likely that the Grusha drone was chosen in the result of such tests.”

The UAS wingspan is less than 1 meter and the weight is over 2 kg. Built in video cameras enable the vehicle to detect separate people at a distance of up to 500 meters, remaining invisible thanks to its light colouring and plastic body which let rays of radars pass through it.

Russian designers also have other developments. For example, these are the Dozor drones by the Transas company, which is the most advanced company in the creation of tactical drones. As for large drones there are no finished models for mass supplies. Russia’s Defense Ministry held a contest commissioning the companies to design a drone with a take off mass of 600-800 kg. Transas won the contest in this category, while the Kazan-based Sokol company was selected for the production of even heavier drones with the take off mass of more than 4 tons.

The Russian drone which is the take off mass of 600-800 kg is slightly smaller than US Predator, which was designed as a reconnaissance vehicle. Later the Americans built up its combat capacities. In particular, the drone carries anti-tank missiles. Its bigger modification, which weights 4.5 tons, has even more options for the installation of weapons onboard. It is likely that the Russian Defense Ministry launched a contest in order to catch up with the US in the category of heavy drones.

Source: The Voice of Russia

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 01:40 PM

Former Insitu Contract Worker Charged with Theft of Top Secret Manual

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Editor

What a moron and tool! "If you don't pay I'll go to an airport and go Overseas and tell people, nah nah dee nah nah"

"Oh! OK we'll arrest your ass instead and lock you away for 30 years!!!"

Errmmmmmmmmm.........:cuckoo

A former contract worker for Insitu pleaded not guilty in Federal Court last week to stealing a maintenance manual for top-secret UAS technology.

Stephen Marty Ward of Palmyra, Ind., is accused of duplicating or downloading the manual for an Insitu Inc. UAS while working as a technical writer, then offering to sell the information back for $400,000 after he was terminated.

He pleaded not guilty to theft of trade secrets Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Yakima, Wash. and was ordered to be held in custody pending trial.

Ward was employed by Corsair Engineering Inc. of Kirkland, Wash., and became a contract worker for Insitu on August 8, according to an affidavit filed with the indictment. He was terminated October 3.

According to the affidavit, two Corsair employees reported that Ward called one day after he was terminated, saying he had a substantial amount of data in his possession and that he “wanted a healthy settlement to go away and not make a fuss.”

Ward also said he was scheduling a trip abroad and that “other people were interested in the technology,” the affidavit said.

Insitu has a contract with the US Navy to design and test a specific unmanned aircraft system that is larger and more technologically advanced than the company’s ScanEagle, which has flown more than 500,000 combat flight hours for the US Department of Defense and other international customers.

Ward allegedly downloaded or copied a maintenance manual for the larger drone.

However, that manual contains information that is the culmination of years of research and development into both unmanned aircraft, and the incorporation of advanced technologies makes the manual significantly more valuable to Insitu, the affidavit said.

In a subsequent call, a Corsair executive offered Ward $300,000 in exchange for all Insitu documents in his possession. Ward countered with $400,000, and went to a restaurant in Floyds Knobs, Indiana for a $10,000 down payment on Nov. 10, according to the affidavit. Authorities arrested him that day.

An FBI spokeswoman declined comment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and a federal defender assigned to Ward did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

“Insitu has safeguards in place to protect its people, proprietary data and property,” Insitu spokeswoman Jill Vacek said in a statement Friday. “We continue to cooperate fully with the FBI and federal prosecutors until the matter is resolved.”

Source: The Seattle Times

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 01:44 PM

CybAero Successful Helicopter Test Flights in Gale Force Winds Over Arctic Ocean

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Editor

Uploaded by CybAero on Oct 12, 2011
Evaluation Flights of CybAeros unmanned helicopter at Vardö, Norway (at the Arctic Ocean, 200km north of Murmansk, Russia) in September 2011.

Sweden’s CybAero AB, in collaboration with the Norwegian Coast Guard and Coastal Agency, has conducted a series of flights with its unmanned helicopter, the APID 60, in winds up to gale force.

The flights took place over the Arctic Ocean, near the Norwegian village of Vardø, on behalf of “Arctic UAS” (Arctic Unmanned Aircraft Systems). During these flight tests the APID 60 carried a high precision landing system from EADS Astrium enabling fully autonomous, precision take-offs and landings from ships.

The flights were carried out under realistic conditions in some of the world’s most extreme weather conditions. In collaboration with civil organizations, inter alia, the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Farm and the rescue and service vessel Normand Jarl, different applications were tested such as shoreline search and rescue, the monitoring and controlling of oil spill clean-up efforts at the deployment of oil booms. CybAero also simulated missions such as reconnaissance and surveillance of terrorist and smuggling activities.

“It’s one thing to show that you can fly, but quite another to actually perform the task in these harsh conditions. The fully autonomous landing system developed by Astrium is currently integrated into the APID 60 and is seen as one key component for managing assignments of this nature,” says Andreas Gising, Flight Operations Officer and Manager on site in Vardø. “The performance of the Astrium High-Precision Local Navigation System is fully in line with the requirements we face for automated ship-board operations.”

The ability to quickly determine the location of oil spills was highly appreciated by the Coast Guard.

“These flights have shown that small unmanned aircraft have distinct competitive advantages over manned aircraft. We have a robust product in our APID 60 which is the world’s only complete helicopter-UAS system and a highly skilled team that can develop systems tailored for difficult and dangerous missions” says Leif Erlandsson, CEO of CybAero.

Vardø is located off the east coast of the Norwegian Polar Sea, north of Kirkenes and Murmansk.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

21-12-11, 11:53 PM

USAF Plans Larger, More Capable Predator

Dec 21, 2011

By David A. Fulghum, Bill Sweetman
Washington, Washington

The U.S. Air Force is planning to develop a heavier, more powerful version of the jet-powered, reduced signature Predator C Avenger unmanned aerial system (UAS) for deployment soon in combat zones.

“General Atomics Systems Inc. has shown the ability and willingness to quickly ramp up production capacity if the Air Force and other customers decide to rapidly field the Predator C,” states an Air Force acquisition document. Those customers are the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies. That means a Predator C-plus with more and larger sensors and weapons could become the next-generation stealth UAS design. That would relieve the Pentagon of having to create a new MQ-X in a budget environment that is guaranteed to quash new programs. General Atomics is the “only company that has built and flown a demonstrator with the required capabilities [which include some stealth and heavier weapons] and is developing a larger, more capable version suitable for deployment,” the Air Force document states. The project was already under way before the loss of a reduced signature UAV near Kashmar in northeastern Iran Dec. 4, say U.S. officials.

The Air Force’s secretive Big *Safari—a rapid-acquisition organization—is overseeing the Predator C project. However, USAF officials say the effort is expected to quickly expand beyond a single-aircraft demonstrator program. They also contend that the Avenger’s radar reflectivity can be made smaller and that UAS stealth is one of the capabilities to be studied in the test program.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which builds the Predator family of UAVs, has operated from a U.S. military facility at the Kandahar (Afghanistan) International Airport for at least four years. It housed Predators and the then-secret Lockheed-Martin RQ-170 Sentinel (first photographed at Kandahar) that crashed (AW&ST Dec. 12, p. 18).

Among the Predator C’s initial payloads will be Goodrich’s MS-177 with a long-range, multi-spectral 177-in. focal-length sensor. It was demonstrated on the E-8C Joint Stars program so that radar and video data could be fused. A similar system flew on the U-2, where it was paired with a signals intelligence payload to collect fused video and electronic emissions. The MS-177 is an oblique photographic sensor using dual-band imaging over three independent optical fields of view. Modes include wide-area and line search, pinpoint and stereo targeting. Another option is full-motion video like that carried by the RQ-170 to collect data on Osama bin-Laden. Signals intelligence is considered to be a likely add-on.

The $15 million sole-source procurement contract to General Atomics is to provide a test aircraft for the project. The contract was to have been awarded in November, but budget constraints intervened. According to the justification for “other than a full and open competition,” the test aircraft is needed to develop “next-generation UAS sensors, weapons and tactics, techniques and procedures” and thereby allow “quick, smooth and efficient fielding of these advanced capabilities to the area of operations.” The argument put forward by the 645th Aeronautical Group, aka Big Safari, stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, included a Pentagon decision that there are insufficient assets in Afghanistan to gather the necessary information, fully engage the present threat and prepare for the next generation of conflict.

Big Safari offers a streamlined acquisition process regularly used for urgent requirements. The acquisitions are critical, quick-reaction-type supplies/services deemed necessary for national security and that are outside normal acquisition parameters. Projects during the Cold War often involved equipping transport as well as high-performance aircraft with clandestine cameras and electronic surveillance devices.

The request also noted that in addition to the need outlined by USAF, the project provides a test platform for both the Secretary of Defense and intelligence agency “customers under an ongoing, classified [defense-secretary]-directed program.” The July 5 letter of direction predated the Sentinel crash. The Predator C is designed to provide a “significantly increased weapons and sensors payload capability,” and it is much faster than the MQ-9 Reaper. The aircraft has an internal weapons bay and three hard points on each wing. Funding will come from 3,600 research and development accounts.

The future seems bright for General Atomics because the memo also calls for a “permanent, next-generation UAS test capability,” which indicates additional production of the jet. The first Avenger has been flying on a weekly basis; the second aircraft produced should make its first flight soon. The aircraft slated for Afghanistan will be sequenced for later production, says an aerospace industry insider.

Photo: General Atomics

Photo: GA Predator C

buglerbilly

23-12-11, 12:56 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

US Navy Subs to Deploy Switchblade UAV

Posted by Graham Warwick at 12/22/2011 11:31 AM CST

The US Navy plans to launch AeroVironment's Switchblade small, expendable unmanned aircraft from a submerged submarine during the RIMPAC 2012 naval exercise in the Pacific.

A contract has been awarded to Raytheon, which has developed the submerged launch vehicle (SLV) that allows the UAV to be deployed via the submarine's trash disposal unit when the boat is at periscope depth. The SLV gets the UAV to the surface dry and then ejects it into flight.

Graphic: Raytheon

The contract for five sets of SLV and UAV is a continuation of the Submarine Over-The-Horizon Organic Capabilities (SOTHOC) program, under which Raytheon in 2008 demonstrated the "over-the-side" deployment of the SLV and UAV from a surface ship.

In the SOTHOC concept, the SLV and electric-powered UAV are stored on board as an all-up round. Ejected from the submerged submarine's trash disposal unit, the SLV is weighted to descend to a safe distance from the boat, then shed the weight and inflate a float collar.

The collar is pulsed to control the rate of ascent. As it approaches the surface, the SLV deploys a water drogue to provide stabilization and a vane to align it into the wind. The tube then pivots to a 35-degree angle and ejects the folding-wing UAV.

Graphic: AeroVironment

According to a "justifaction and approval" on fbo.gov for award of the sole-source contract to Raytheon to support RIMPAC 2012, the company has been working on SOTHOC since 2007 and deployed the Switchblade from a submerged submarine at periscope depth for the first time under a FY2008 follow-on contract.

Under an FY2010 contract, the J&A says, Raytheon upgraded the Switchblade for the SOTHOC concept, conducted land-based testing and supplied five SLVs and seven UAVs for a tactical development exercise. The latest award is being made under the same IDIQ umbrella contract.

buglerbilly

23-12-11, 02:00 AM

USAF’s New Drone Not Going to Afghanistan

Two weeks ago news reports emerged claiming that the Air Force will be sending a one-off copy of General Atomics Predator C Avenger UAV to Afghanistan where it would be tested in a combat environment.

The reports were based off an Air Force solicitation announcing its intention to buy the jet-powered drone and test out its ability to perform ISR missions and drop weapons downrange.

However, I revisited the solicitation last Friday and noticed that it was updated on Dec. 14 to say “cancelled.”

I contacted General Atomics about this on Friday and here’s what a company spokeswoman Kimberley Kasitz told me via email:

To our knowledge, this solicitation has not been cancelled. What may be happening here is that the solicitation was incorrect to say that the aircraft would be deployed to Afghanistan. This procurement is designed for R&D only at this time.

She added later that day, “our understanding is that this procurement will be as a test asset.”

I contacted the Air Force on Monday and received an email today from spokesman, Lt. Col. John Haynes, confirming what Kasitz said:

One Predator C aircraft will be procured by the US Air Force for test and evaluation of the system’s performance characteristics only. It will be assigned as a test aircraft and operated by Air Force Materiel Command. There is no intention to deploy the aircraft in the war in Afghanistan at this time.

The solicitation has since been updated to erase any signs that it ever said cancelled. The part saying where the aircraft will be used has been redacted.

The Predator C “will be used as a test asset in [redacted] and will provide a significantly increased weapons and sensors capability on an aircraft that will be able to fly to targets much more rapidly than the MQ-9 UAS,” reads the document.

As Aviation Week recently noted, this could be an effort to restart the services dormant MQ-X next-gen combat UAV program that was put on hold so that the service could develop requirements for a more stealthy and survivable drone. With budget cuts looming, the Air Force may want to get an existing jet into the field quickly so as to avoid the difficulties in launching a brand new program.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz1hJqBn0vG
Defense.org

buglerbilly

24-12-11, 02:11 PM

Rise of the drone: From Calif. garage to multibillion-dollar defense industry

By Peter Finn, Saturday, December 24, 8:49 AM

Pics are here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-booming-drone-sector/2011/12/23/gIQAUtFREP_gallery.html#photo=1

Lake Forest, Calif. — In 1980, Abraham Karem, an engineer who had emigrated from Israel, retreated into his three-car garage in Hacienda Heights outside Los Angeles and, to the bemusement of his tolerant wife, began to build an aircraft.

The work eventually spilled into the guest room, and when Karem finished more than a year later, he wheeled into his driveway an odd, cigar-shaped craft that was destined to change the way the United States wages war.

The Albatross, as it was called, was transported to the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, where it demonstrated the ability to stay aloft safely for up to 56 hours — a very, very long time in what was then the crash-prone world of drones.

Three iterations and more than a decade of development later, Karem’s modest-looking drone became the Predator, the lethal, remotely piloted machine that can circle above the enemy for nearly a day before controllers thousands of miles away in the southwestern United States launch Hellfire missiles toward targets they are watching on video screens.

The emergence of hunter-killer and surveillance drones as revolutionary new weapons in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in counterterrorism operations in places such as Pakistan and Yemen, has spawned a multibillion-dollar industry, much of it centered in Southern California, once the engine of Cold War military aviation.

Over the next 10 years, the Pentagon plans to purchase more than 700 medium- and large-size drones at a cost of nearly $40 billion, according to a Congressional Budget Office study. Thousands more mini-drones will be fitted in the backpacks of soldiers so they can hand-launch them in minutes to look over the next hill or dive-bomb opposing forces.

This booming sector has its roots in the often unsung persistence of engineering dreamers who worked on the technology of unmanned aviation when the military establishment and most major defense contractors had little or no interest in it. Innovators such as Karem were often sustained by grants from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and a handful of early believers, including the CIA.

Karem said he imagined his drones involved in a “tactical conflict with the Warsaw Pact, be it on the plains of Germany or as part of our Navy and Marines.” He had to sell his company, and with it the prototype of the Predator, long before it became the icon of a new kind of warfare.

“I did not envision the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of warfare with non-state adversaries,” said Karem, an aeronautical engineer who served for nine years in the Israeli air force before settling in the United States in 1977.

In the past decade, drones have become an integral part of U.S. military doctrine — so much so that it is difficult to recall how marginal they once seemed. The military had less than 200 drones the day before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; today it has more than 7,000, including mini-drones.

Before Sept. 11, drones weren’t “on the road map,” said Tim Conver, chairman and chief executive of AeroVironment, which builds close-in surveillance drones for the military. “It wasn’t something that [the Defense Department] had said: ‘We need this. Let’s build a program around this.’ ”

Before 2001, AeroVironment, through various small contracts, sold a drone called the Pointer in small numbers to the military. “Nobody ever really used them,” Conver said. Since the invasion of Afghanistan, the company has sold the military thousands of small drones.

The companies that design and manufacture drones have experienced massive growth that shows no sign of slowing, even with the end of the war in Iraq and the planned drawdown in Afghanistan. The technology is significantly cheaper than traditional aircraft, and its potential uses increase as the craft become faster and stealthier.

Teal Group, a Fairfax market analysis firm, estimates that nearly $100 billion will be spent globally on drones between now and 2019.

“The needs for [unmanned aerial vehicles] are unsatisfied,” said Phil Finnegan, Teal Group’s director of corporate analysis. “The military wants a lot more. Worldwide you have very limited adoption of UAVs, but foreign militaries have seen the success in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they want them.”

The rise of drones has been a small boon for Southern California, where the aerospace industry has contracted painfully in the past two decades. About 10,000 state residents are directly employed in the drone sector. And for national security reasons, much of the supply chain is kept onshore, generating jobs among contractors and subcontractors.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which makes the Predator and the next-generation Reaper drone, is in Poway, north of San Diego. AeroVironment, which makes an array of backpackable mini-drones, such as the Raven and the Wasp, is in Simi Valley.

Northrop Grumman is testing the X-47B, a carrier-based fighter drone, for the Navy in Palmdale. The RQ-170, the stealth drone manufactured by Lockheed Martin and used by the military and the CIA, is believed to have emerged from the company’s classified facility, the Skunk Works, also in Palmdale, near Edwards Air Force Base.

The Gossamer Condor

In the mid-1970s, Paul MacCready, an aeronautical engineer and the first American to become a world gliding champion, needed cash fast to cover a bad loan he had guaranteed. MacCready, the founder of AeroVironment, and a team of engineers at the company decided to chase the Kremer Prize, the reward for besting a challenge that had gone unmet for 20 years: a human-powered aircraft capable of flying a figure eight around two markers half a mile apart. In 1977, MacCready’s Gossamer Condor, piloted by Bryan Allen, took the prize, then worth about $100,000. Two years, later Allen flew another version of the bird across the English Channel.

AeroVironment, which consulted on air quality, began a sideline in aviation firsts.

“You had these incredibly talented people attracted to something this cool,” Conver said. “All the airplanes were extraordinarily light. All were focused on things that hadn’t been done before.”

The group eventually flew a solar-powered craft from Paris to England, built a working model of Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machine and created a flying model of a pterodactyl.

In 1987, AeroVironment flew the first backpack-portable unmanned military aircraft, a nine-pound plane with a camera in its nose. It was called the Pointer.

“They were bought for evaluation,” Conver said. “They were prototypes.”

When the first Special Operations teams went into Afghanistan in October 2001, they brought with them two Pointer systems that they used for low-altitude surveillance. Soon, word was going up the chain that the troops wanted more Pointers for Afghanistan’s difficult terrain. High above them, the Predator and Global Hawk were also proving themselves.

“The Predator is my most capable sensor in hunting down and killing al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership and is proving absolutely critical to our fight,” Gen. Tommy Franks wrote in a 2003 Air Force background paper.

The drive for drones was on, and the effect on companies such as AeroVironment was profound. In 2001, the company had annual revenue of $29.4 million. In the decade that followed, that number swelled to nearly $300 million, nearly 85 percent of it from the sale of drones. The company, which employs 768 people, up from 163 in 2001, went public in 2007.

Since 2003, AeroVironment has won four bidding contests for drone contracts. It now dominates the mini-drone industry with its Raven, Wasp and Puma systems. All are controlled by a common console that looks like a handheld video game. With it, soldiers maneuver the craft and view a stabilized picture of what the drone is circling.

AeroVironment continues to create new models. It recently received a $5 million contract for the Switchblade, a miniature killer drone laden with explosives that pinned-down troops could activate instead of calling in airstrikes. This flying bomb could be guided to a target from the console and then detonated.

The aerial torpedo

The concept behind the very first drones has a lot in common with that of the Switchblade. Toward the end of World War I, Charles Kettering, an American engineer and inventor, developed what was called an aerial torpedo. It was guided by a gyroscope and could be flown at a target 40 miles away. It never saw action.

During World War II, the Germans deployed drone bombs that were launched from planes and steered to the target by a pilot using a radio-controlled stick. The United States manufactured 15,000 drones for anti-aircraft practice at a plant in Southern California during the war, and the career of a woman then known as Norma Jean Dougherty, later Marilyn Monroe, was launched when an Army magazine published a photograph of her working in a drone factory. During the Vietnam War, unmanned craft were programmed to fly a particular route and take still photographs.

All this activity took place on the margins of warfare. The great problem afflicting drones was a lack of endurance in the air. The things kept crashing. That was the defect Karem set out to fix.

Karem wanted to increase the endurance of drones, some of which were crashing every 20 hours, by a factor of 100.

Karem was born in Baghdad, the son of a Jewish merchant who moved the family to Israel in 1951. He developed an early fascination with building aircraft and gravitated toward drones in the early 1970s when Israeli aviation engineers tried to satisfy an operational need for real-time, front-line intelligence.

“My preoccupation with UAVs continued for 30 years,” Karem said.

After leaving the Israeli air force and working for a defense contractor, Karem grew frustrated at his efforts to start his own business building drones in Israel and thought he would have more success in California.

The flight of the Albatross led Karem, with the support of DARPA, to develop the Amber drone, which was stocked with custom-built components, including a powerful flight control computer, and could be configured for surveillance or attack missions. He also developed a lower-technology, export version called the Gnat 750.

Karem’s drones were met with some skepticism. The military, he said, thought “they were skinny in shape” and unlikely to be robust enough for operations.

“Luckily for me, industry didn’t take my efforts all that seriously until Amber” proved successful, Karem said.

Karem began to scale up to full production but found himself overextended financially when the military decided not to pursue large-scale development of the Amber. Karem sold his company to Hughes Aircraft, which, in turn, sold it to General Atomics, a privately held firm that earns an estimated $600 million per year from defense contracts. Karem remained on as a consultant.

In 1993, James Woolsey, then the new director of the CIA, found himself frustrated by the intelligence from satellites flying over Bosnia. He had known Karem for several years and turned to General Atomics and Karem for a vehicle that could provide what drone builders call a “persistent stare.” Pentagon experts had said it would take years and many millions to develop a prototype.

The Gnat 750, operated from an abandoned airfield in Albania, first flew over Bosnia in February 1994.

“I could sit in my office, call up a classified channel and in an early version of e-mail type messages to a guy in Albania asking him to zoom in on things,” Woolsey said.

The data had a long way to go to reach Woolsey. It was relayed from the Gnat to a manned aircraft and then to the ground station and then to a satellite and from there to CIA headquarters in Langley.

To streamline the process, and fit in a satellite communications system, General Atomics enlarged the airframe and added a bulbous nose to the Gnat’s fuselage.

The Predator A was born. It first flew in July 1994.

By then, Karem had moved on. He later helped develop a drone helicopter, the A160 Hummingbird, a venture that was acquired by Boeing in 2004.

He has abandoned drones to pursue a new dream at his offices in Lake Forest: A Boeing 737-size passenger plane capable of taking off vertically and landing like a helicopter. Such an advance, Karem said, would scupper the need for high-speed rail and allow planes to commute between the downtowns of different cities.

Karem calls it an “aerotrain,” and the 74-year-old wants it built before he retires.

“I never fail,” he said.

Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.

buglerbilly

28-12-11, 11:59 AM

Under Obama, an emerging global apparatus for drone killing

U.S. Air Force/GETTY IMAGES - A crew chief from the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron completes post-flight inspections of the RQ-1 Predator after one of its sorties in Balad Air Base, Iraq. The RQ-1is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.

By Greg Miller, Wednesday, December 28, 8:17 AM

The Obama administration’s counterterrorism accomplishments are most apparent in what it has been able to dismantle, including CIA prisons and entire tiers of al-Qaeda’s leadership. But what the administration has assembled, hidden from public view, may be equally consequential.

In the space of three years, the administration has built an extensive apparatus for using drones to carry out targeted killings of suspected terrorists and stealth surveillance of other adversaries. The apparatus involves dozens of secret facilities, including two operational hubs on the East Coast, virtual Air Force* *cockpits in the Southwest and clandestine bases in at least six countries on two continents.

Other commanders in chief have presided over wars with far higher casualty counts. But no president has ever relied so extensively on the secret killing of individuals to advance the nation’s security goals.

The rapid expansion of the drone program has blurred long-standing boundaries between the CIA and the military. Lethal operations are increasingly assembled a la carte, piecing together personnel and equipment in ways that allow the White House to toggle between separate legal authorities that govern the use of lethal force.

In Yemen, for instance, the CIA and the military’s Joint Special Operations Command pursue the same adversary with nearly identical aircraft. But they alternate taking the lead on strikes to exploit their separate authorities, and they maintain separate kill lists that overlap but don’t match. CIA and military strikes this fall killed three U.S. citizens, two of whom were suspected al-Qaeda operatives.

The convergence of military and intelligence resources has created blind spots in congressional oversight. Intelligence committees are briefed on CIA operations, and JSOC reports to armed services panels. As a result, no committee has a complete, unobstructed view.

With a year to go in President Obama’s first term, his administration can point to undeniable results: Osama bin Laden is dead, the core al-Qaeda network is near defeat, and members of its regional affiliates scan the sky for metallic glints.

Those results, delivered with unprecedented precision from aircraft that put no American pilots at risk, may help explain why the drone campaign has never attracted as much scrutiny as the detention or interrogation programs of the George W. Bush era. Although human rights advocates and others are increasingly critical of the drone program, the level of public debate remains muted.

Senior Democrats barely blink at the idea that a president from their party has assembled such a highly efficient machine for the targeted killing of suspected terrorists. It is a measure of the extent to which the drone campaign has become an awkward open secret in Washington that even those inclined to express misgivings can only allude to a program that, officially, they are not allowed to discuss.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, described the program with a mixture of awe and concern. Its expansion under Obama was almost inevitable, she said, because of the technology’s growing sophistication. But the pace of its development, she said, makes it hard to predict how it might come to be used.

“What this does is it takes a lot of Americans out of harm’s way . . . without having to send in a special ops team or drop a 500-pound bomb,” Feinstein said in an interview in which she was careful to avoid explicit confirmation that the programs exist. “But I worry about how this develops. I’m worried because of what increased technology will make it capable of doing.”

Another reason for the lack of extensive debate is secrecy. The White House has refused to divulge details about the structure of the drone program or, with rare exceptions, who has been killed. White House and CIA officials declined to speak for attribution for this article.

Drone war’s evolution

Inside the White House, according to officials who would discuss the drone program only on the condition of anonymity, the drone is seen as a critical tool whose evolution was accelerating even before Obama was elected. Senior administration officials said the escalating number of strikes has created a perception that the drone is driving counterterrorism policy, when the reverse is true.

“People think we start with the drone and go from there, but that’s not it at all,” said a senior administration official involved with the program. “We’re not constructing a campaign around the drone. We’re not seeking to create some worldwide basing network so we have drone capabilities in every corner of the globe.”

Nevertheless, for a president who campaigned against the alleged counterterrorism excesses of his predecessor, Obama has emphatically embraced the post-Sept. 11 era’s signature counterterrorism tool.

When Obama was sworn into office in 2009, the nation’s clandestine drone war was confined to a single country, Pakistan, where 44 strikes over five years had left about 400 people dead, according to the New America Foundation. The number of strikes has since soared to nearly 240, and the number of those killed, according to conservative estimates, has more than quadrupled.

The number of strikes in Pakistan has declined this year, partly because the CIA has occasionally suspended them to ease tensions at moments of crisis. One lull followed the arrest of an American agency contractor who killed two Pakistani men; another came after the U.S. commando raid that killed bin Laden. The CIA’s most recent period of restraint followed U.S. military airstrikes last month that inadvertently killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border. At the same time, U.S. officials have said that the number of “high-value” al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan has dwindled to two.

Administration officials said the expansion of the program under Obama has largely been driven by the timeline of the drone’s development. Remotely piloted aircraft were used during the Clinton and Bush administrations, but only in recent years have they become advanced and abundant enough to be deployed on such a large scale.

The number of drone aircraft has exploded in the past three years. A recent study by the Congressional Budget Office counted 775 Predators, Reapers and other medium- and long-range drones in the U.S. inventory, with hundreds more in the pipeline.

About 30 of those aircraft have been allocated to the CIA, officials said. But the agency has a separate category that doesn’t show up in any public accounting, a fleet of stealth drones that were developed and acquired under a highly compartmentalized CIA program created after the Sept. 11 attacks. The RQ-170 model that recently crashed in Iran exposed the agency’s use of stealth drones to spy on that country’s nuclear program, but the planes have also been used in other countries.

The escalation of the lethal drone campaign under Obama was driven to an extent by early counterterrorism decisions. Shuttering the CIA’s detention program and halting transfers to Guantanamo Bay left few options beyond drone strikes or detention by often unreliable allies.

Key members of Obama’s national security team came into office more inclined to endorse drone strikes than were their counterparts under Bush, current and former officials said.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former CIA director and current Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, and counterterrorism adviser John O. Brennan seemed always ready to step on the accelerator, said a former official who served in both administrations and was supportive of the program. Current administration officials did not dispute the former official’s characterization of the internal dynamics.

The only member of Obama’s team known to have formally raised objections to the expanding drone campaign is Dennis Blair, who served as director of national intelligence.

During a National Security Council meeting in November 2009, Blair sought to override the agenda and force a debate on the use of drones, according to two participants.

Blair has since articulated his concerns publicly, calling for a suspension of unilateral drone strikes in Pakistan, which he argues damage relations with that country and kill mainly mid-level militants. But he now speaks as a private citizen. His opinion contributed to his isolation from Obama’s inner circle, and he was fired last year.

Obama himself was “oddly passive in this world,” the former official said, tending to defer on drone policy to senior aides whose instincts often dovetailed with the institutional agendas of the CIA and JSOC.

The senior administration official disputed that characterization, saying that Obama doesn’t weigh in on every operation but has been deeply involved in setting the criteria for strikes and emphasizing the need to minimize collateral damage.

“Everything about our counterterrorism operations is about carrying out the guidance that he’s given,” the official said. “I don’t think you could have the president any more involved.”

Yemen convergence

Yemen has emerged as a crucible of convergence, the only country where both the CIA and JSOC are known to fly armed drones and carry out strikes. The attacks are aimed at al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a Yemen-based affiliate that has eclipsed the terrorist network’s core as the most worrisome security threat.

From separate “ops centers” at Langley and Fort Bragg, N.C., the agency and JSOC share intelligence and coordinate attacks, even as operations unfold. U.S. officials said the CIA recently intervened in a planned JSOC strike in Yemen, urging its military counterpart to hold its fire because the intended target was not where the missile was aimed. Subsequent intelligence confirmed the agency’s concerns, officials said.

But seams in the collaboration still show.

After locating Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen this fall, the CIA quickly assembled a fleet of armed drones to track the alleged al-Qaeda leader until it could take a shot.

The agency moved armed Predators from Pakistan to Yemen temporarily, and assumed control of others from JSOC’s arsenal, to expand surveillance of Awlaki, a U.S.-born cleric connected to terrorism plots, including the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day 2009.

The choreography of the strike, which involved four drones, was intricate. Two Predators pointed lasers at Awlaki’s vehicle, and a third circled to make sure that no civilians wandered into the cross hairs. Reaper drones, which are larger than Predators and can carry more missiles, have become the main shooters in most strikes.

On Sept. 30, Awlaki was killed in a missile strike carried out by the CIA under Title 50 authorities — which govern covert intelligence operations — even though officials said it was initially unclear whether an agency or JSOC drone had delivered the fatal blow. A second U.S. citizen, an al-Qaeda propagandist who had lived in North Carolina, was among those killed.

The execution was nearly flawless, officials said. Nevertheless, when a similar strike was conducted just two weeks later, the entire protocol had changed. The second attack, which killed Awlaki’s 16-year-old son, was carried out by JSOC under Title 10 authorities that apply to the use of military force.

When pressed on why the CIA had not pulled the trigger, U.S. officials said it was because the main target of the Oct. 14 attack, an Egyptian named Ibrahim al-Banna, was not on the agency’s kill list. The Awlaki teenager, a U.S. citizen with no history of involvement with al-Qaeda, was an unintended casualty.

In interviews, senior U.S. officials acknowledged that the two kill lists don’t match, but offered conflicting explanations as to why.

Three senior U.S. officials said the lists vary because of the divergent legal authorities. JSOC’s list is longer, the officials said, because the post-Sept. 11, 2001, Authorization for Use of Military Force, as well as a separate executive order, gave JSOC latitude to hunt broadly defined groups of al-Qaeda fighters, even outside conventional war zones. The CIA’s lethal-action authorities, based in a presidential “finding” that has been modified since Sept. 11, were described as more narrow.

But others directly involved in the drone campaign offered a simpler explanation: Because the CIA had only recently resumed armed drone flights over Yemen, the agency hadn’t had as much time as JSOC to compile its kill list. Over time, officials said, the agency would catch up.

The administration official who discussed the drone program declined to address the discrepancies in the kill lists, except to say: “We are aiming and striving for alignment. That is an ideal to be achieved.”

Divided oversight

Such disparities often elude Congress, where the structure of oversight committees has failed to keep pace with the way military and intelligence operations have converged.

Within 24 hours of every CIA drone strike, a classified fax machine lights up in the secure spaces of the Senate intelligence committee, spitting out a report on the location, target and result.

The outdated procedure reflects the agency’s effort to comply with Title 50 requirements that Congress be provided with timely, written notification of covert action overseas. There is no comparable requirement in Title 10, and the Senate Armed Services Committee can go days before learning the details of JSOC strikes.

Neither panel is in a position to compare the CIA and JSOC kill lists or even arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the rules by which each is assembled.

The senior administration official said the gap is inadvertent. “It’s certainly not something where the goal is to evade oversight,” the official said. A senior Senate aide involved in reviewing military drone strikes said that the blind spot reflects a failure by Congress to adapt but that “we will eventually catch up.”

The disclosure of these operations is generally limited to relevant committees in the House and Senate and sometimes only to their leaders. Those briefed must abide by restrictions that prevent them from discussing what they have learned with those who lack the requisite security clearances. The vast majority of lawmakers receive scant information about the administration’s drone program.

The Senate intelligence committee, which is wrapping up a years-long investigation of the Bush-era interrogation program, has not initiated such an examination of armed drones. But officials said their oversight of the program has been augmented significantly in the past couple of years, with senior staff members now making frequent and sometimes unannounced visits to the CIA “ops center,” reviewing the intelligence involved in errant strikes, and visiting counterterrorism operations sites overseas.

Feinstein acknowledged concern with emerging blind spots.

“Whenever this is used, particularly in a lethal manner, there ought to be careful oversight, and that ought to be by civilians,” Feinstein said. “What we have is a very unique battlefield weapon. You can’t stop the technology from improving, so you better start thinking about how you monitor it.”

Increasing reach

The return of armed CIA Predators to Yemen — after carrying out a single strike there in 2002 — was part of a significant expansion of the drones’ geographic reach.

Over the past year, the agency has erected a secret drone base on the Arabian Peninsula. The U.S. military began flying Predators and Reapers from bases in Seychelles and Ethi*o*pia, in addition to JSOC’s long-standing drone base in Djibouti.

Senior administration officials said the sprawling program comprises distinct campaigns, each calibrated according to where and against whom the aircraft and other counterterrorism weapons are used.

In Pakistan, the CIA has carried out 239 strikes since Obama was sworn in, and the agency continues to have wide latitude to launch attacks.

In Yemen, there have been about 15 strikes since Obama took office, although it is not clear how many were carried out by drones because the U.S. military has also used conventional aircraft and cruise missiles.

Somalia, where the militant group al-Shabab is based, is surrounded by American drone installations. And officials said that JSOC has repeatedly lobbied for authority to strike al-Shabab training camps that have attracted some Somali Americans.

But the administration has allowed only a handful of strikes, out of concern that a broader campaign could turn al-Shabab from a regional menace into an adversary determined to carry out attacks on U.S. soil.

The plans are constantly being adjusted, officials said, with the White House holding strategy sessions on Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia two or three times a month. Administration officials point to the varied approach as evidence of its restraint.

“Somalia would be the easiest place to go in in an undiscriminating way and do drone strikes because there’s no host government to get” angry, the senior administration official said. “But that’s certainly not the way we’re approaching it.”

Drone strikes could resume, however, if factions of al-Shabab’s leadership succeed in expanding the group’s agenda.

“That’s an ongoing calculation because there’s an ongoing debate inside the senior leadership of al-Shabab,” the senior administration official said. “It certainly would not bother us if potential terrorists took note of the fact that we tend to go after those who go after us.”

Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.

buglerbilly

31-12-11, 02:22 AM

America to Expand UAS Fleet by 35% in 10 Years

Posted on December 30, 2011 by The Editor

In the next decade, US defence spending on known medium- and large-size unmanned aircraft will be nearly $40 billion, increasing inventory by 35 percent. Ranging in size from a private aircraft to a commercial jet, nearly 800 of these bigger unmanned are operating around the world, observing, collecting data and in some cases attacking the enemy. The military also has thousands of mini-UAS used for battlefield surveillance. Since 2001, the US government is estimated to have killed more than 2,000 militants and civilians in UAS attacks.

buglerbilly

01-01-12, 01:50 PM

Whaling: campaigners use drones in the fight against Japanese whalers

US military technology adapted as 'eye in the sky' by eco-activists in the Antarctic seas

Jonathan Franklin in Santiago, Chile

The Observer, Sunday 1 January 2012

The drone is launched from the deck of the Steve Irwin.

Environmental activists in the rough Antarctic seas have launched a new tool in the fight to stop a Japanese operation to kill hundreds of whales – remote-controlled drones.

Every morning for the past week, a battery-powered drone with a range of 300km (190 miles) has been launched from the MV Steve Irwin, which is attempting to disrupt the annual Japanese whale hunts in the waters off Antarctica.

"We first found the Japanese fleet when they were 28 nautical miles away," said Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international marine wildlife protection group based in the United States.

Subsequent attempts by Japanese whaling ships to block the anti-whaling flotilla and allow the whale factory ship Nisshin Maru to escape were foiled by the activists, who repeatedly launched the drone, which uses GPS co-ordinates and provides both video and still images to track the whaling ships.

"Our helicopter pilot, Chris Aultman, has been lobbying for this technology for the past two years and now that we have this 'eye in the sky' it makes it much harder for the whaling fleet to escape," said Watson in a telephone interview from the Steve Irwin. "The other day they switched back from east to west and we detected this with the drone."

Watson has 88 crew on three ships, two of which are equipped with drones. They act as spotters, finding the whalers in the vast expanse of ocean and allowing Watson's ships to home in on them.

Watson has embarked on his annual expedition to stop the slaughter of thousands of whales – the Japanese consider this to be scientific research while critics call it cruel and archaic. "Last year they had a quota of over 1,000 whales and only caught 16%. We saved at least 800 whales," said Watson, who has been known to ram the Japanese boats as part of his anything-goes tactics.

The advent of new technologies such as drones may finally put an end to the Japanese hunt, said Watson, who is also bringing publicity to the cause in Whale Wars, the Discovery channel documentary series that tracks the hunts: "Our goal is to bankrupt them and destroy them economically. Now that we can track them, it is getting easier."

Once exclusive to Israeli spy forces and the US air force, drones and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being sent on civilian missions such as crop inspections or marine mammal surveys. In April, drones hovered inside highly radioactive areas at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and recorded data from areas too dangerous for humans to enter.

Federal bodies in the US, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are scrambling to monitor the burgeoning industry. According to the Los Angeles Times, the FAA will issue proposals this month to clarify rules for the use of UAVs in civilian and commercial roles.

While drones used to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, some are now available for less than £500. The unit used by Sea Shepherd is a highly durable model known as the Osprey, which can run for hundreds of hours .

It was given to Sea Shepherd by Bayshore Recycling, a New Jersey-based solid waste recycling company committed to environmental protection. In addition to paying for the drone at an estimated cost of £10,000, Bayshore also paid for pilot training to run the remote control equipment.

"Everyone here at Bayshore is thrilled with the Sea Shepherd's news of not only saving the lives of many whales, but knowing our drone will continue to track the Japanese whaling fleet in this chase," said Elena Bagarozza, marketing co-ordinator at Bayshore.

Watson expects drones will be used to patrol environmentally sensitive areas ranging from the Galapagos Islands to other famed wildlife areas, including South Africa's Kruger National Park.

"There is huge potential and great value in this technology – for our expedition it is wonderful," said Eleanor Lister, 20, a Sea Shepherd crew member from Jersey, who spoke by satellite phone from aboard the Steve Irwin from a location that, she said, "was about 1,000 miles south-west of Australia".

She described the daily routine that begins when the ship's first mate holds aloft the Osprey drone, then tosses it into the headwinds. After tracking the Japanese whalers, the drone ends its mission as it homes in on the Steve Irwin and is flown into a thick net, where crew members inspect it for damage and download the video and photographs from the latest mission.

Despite severe weather in the Antarctic, the drone has flown dozens of flights and had no problems so far with ice buildup on the wings or trouble negotiating the gusty winds.

"The Osprey is comfortable in the wind and can handle 40 knots," said Jimmy Prouty, systems engineer at Hangar 18, the Kansas-based company that manufactures it. "This unit is waterproofed and has multiple security backups so that if it has problems or low battery it automatically returns to base."

buglerbilly

03-01-12, 12:37 PM

Elbit's Hermes 900 wins new export deal

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

1 hours ago

Source:

Almost certainly Brazil...............

Elbit Systems has been awarded a $50 million contract to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned air system (UAS) to an undisclosed customer "in the Americas".

Announcing the success on 3 January, the Israeli company said the Hermes 900s would be supplied to a governmental office and "operated in a variety of perimeter security missions".

Elbit said the project will be completed within about one year, and will also include the provision of ground control stations, Elop DCompass electro-optical/infrared sensors and satellite communications equipment.

© Elbit Systems

Elad Aharonson, general manager of Elbit's UAS division, noted that the same system has previously been selected for use by the air forces of Israel and Chile. "Hermes 900 is establishing its position as a world-leading UAS for intelligence missions, as well as perimeter and security missions," he said.

Capable of carrying multiple payloads, the Hermes 900 can be flown to an altitude of 30,000ft (9,150m). Operators can employ the same ground station to support operations with the design and Elbit's shorter-range Hermes 450 air vehicle.

This pic is from Defense Update, interesting comparison to the "clean" airframe above...............

buglerbilly

03-01-12, 02:11 PM

A160 Hummingbird Fitted with 1.8 Giga Pixel Camera

Posted on January 2, 2012 by The Editor

The A160 Hummingbird systems that are being deployed to Afghanistan in May 2012 will take advantage of the Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance-Imaging System.

Test flights will be carried out in Arizona at the start of the year before they are shipped to the Middle East. The Argus-IS’s acronym was chosen to recall Argus Panoptes – the one-hundred-eyed-giant of Greek mythology. The technology is based on a 1.8 gigapixel camera – the largest video sensor used in tactical missions.

The Argus-IS system offers the army wider fields of view than had been possible using earlier equipment. It offers 900 times the resolution of the 2 megapixel camera found in some mobile phones. The system can provide real-time video streams at the rate of 10 frames a second.

The army said that was enough to track people and vehicles from altitudes above 20,000 feet (6.1km) across almost 65 square miles (168 sq km).

In addition, operators on the ground can select up to 65 steerable “windows” following separate targets to be “stared at”. Vehicles, people and other objects can be tracked even if they move in different directions.

“If you have a bunch of people leaving a place at the same time, they no longer have to say, ‘Do I follow vehicle one, two, three or four,’” said program manager Brian Leninger ahead of the system’s launch. ”They can say: ‘I will follow all of them, simultaneously and automatically.’”

The equipment has had new antennas attached to it to optimise its performance on the new aircraft.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is also working with the UK-based defence contractor BAE Systems to develop a more advanced version of the Argus-IS sensor that will offer night vision.

It said the infrared imaging sensors would be sensitive enough to follow “dismounted personnel at night”.

In addition, the upgrade promises to be able to follow up to 130 “windows” at the same time.

Sources: BBC, The Register

buglerbilly

03-01-12, 02:13 PM

UAS Pilots May Fly 4 Aircraft At Once

Posted on January 2, 2012 by The Editor

New high-tech networking systems and ground stations in development would let a single pilot fly four aircraft, possibly even from different manufacturers, dramatically reducing the ground staff now needed for each plane.

To save money and make unmanned aircraft less reliant on massive ground support crews, manufacturers are working with military officials to develop more autonomous control systems and improve networking among planes. Early work on such systems has been going on for some time, but heavy demand for more drones and mounting budget pressures are now bringing them closer to operational use.

General Atomics, maker of the armed Predator and Reaper drones, is building a demonstrator ground station for the US Air Force that allows one pilot to command four UAS, said Christopher Ames, head of business development for the privately held San Diego-based company. ”That’s a big deal in the era of tight budgets,” Ames said. “It’s a significant achievement.”

Initial tests have also been done with one pilot managing two Northrop Grumman high-altitude Global Hawk aircraft as they changed guard, according to industry executives.

Britain and the United States are working on a joint programme involving up to five armed unmanned aircraft, according to a source familiar with the effort.

Source: Chicago Tribune

buglerbilly

05-01-12, 12:09 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

When the Drone Wars Begin

Posted by Paul McLeary at 1/4/2012 12:30 PM CST

In missions over Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Mexico, Iran—and wherever else the U.S. has been flying its remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) over the past decade—one thing U.S. forces mostly haven’t had to worry about is being shot down or hacked. (Unless you happened to have $26 to spend on some off-the-shelf software, as some Iraqis did a few years back.)
As with all good things, this era of uncontested American dominance in the skies will end one day. So what are the Pentagon and the defense industry doing to plan for it? According to several industry and military sources, they’re working various scenarios, although the range of plans remains a closely guarded secret even as technologies, and tactics, continue to evolve.

Christopher Ames, director of international strategic development at General Atomics (maker of the Predator), says that one way to keep RPAs out of harm’s way is to increase their standoff capability “so that you can influence the airspace and the area of interest from a greater distance.” If the RPAs can operate farther out, “then the aircraft themselves don’t need to have the same degree of imbued stealth or survivability,” he asserts. This is beneficial because of the extreme costs associated with stealth.

Steve Reid, the senior VP and general manager of AAI Corp.—maker of the RQ-7B Shadow—says that part of the issue in equipping RPAs with anti-jamming equipment is not only the cost. “You still need to generate the onboard power,” which can be an issue with the increasing need for more endurance and longer dwell times. All this will “work a little bit against active jammers and what-not,” he says. “You also have a small package, physically. Your data links and jammers are going to be in close proximity to one another; so you’re not going to be able to get the distance away you might have on a fighter so you’re not essentially jamming yourself or putting some [electromagnetic interference] challenges on your platform.”

Despite the challenges, both execs see a future in swarms of networked RPAs that could provide surveillance coverage over a wider area of interest, while being capable of handing off tasks to one another. Reid says that if something like a Predator or an RQ-170 were flying over contested airspace, “that becomes such a tremendous target and such a significant win for the adversary if they can take it out,” that swarms of smaller RPAs might be the better move. Having multiple networked assets in the sky creates redundancy, so if one system fails or is destroyed, another can step in and fulfill its mission.

“The geometry always enhances your ability to operate,” Reid says, adding that “the more geometry you’ve got going over the battlefield the more precise your weapons delivery can become.”

Pic: AAI

buglerbilly

05-01-12, 08:04 AM

Police in Brazil Deploy Heron for Drug Trafficking Surveillance

Posted on January 5, 2012 by The Editor

The Federal Police in the Parana district in Brazil have recently begun to operate a Heron-1 supplied by Israel Aerospace Industries.

The Heron will perform missions in the San Miguel de Iguacu area as part of the overall effort to fight drug trafficking. The Brazilian police say that by 2014, four bases in Brazil will be equipped with UAS.

The Heron was demonstrated in Brazil for the first time in 2009. The demonstration took place under harsh conditions in one of the most difficult areas of Brazil to fly in – the state of Parana, and the region of San Miguel de Iguacu.

Following a series of tests, the Brazilian police decided that the Heron system was best suited to what the police wanted: relaying data and intelligence in real time, carrying a number of sensors simultaneously, and employing satellite communications and Automatic Take-off and Landing (ATOL).

The police team emphasised that the Heron system can successfully complete missions under difficult climate and terrain conditions, and has more advanced flight and loitering capabilities than those offered by other UAS.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

05-01-12, 08:11 AM

Australia Rebukes Sea Shepherd for Unauthorised Use of UAS

Posted on January 5, 2012 by The Editor

Osprey used by Sea Shepherd

The conservation group Sea Shepherd has been told by the Australian Antarctic Division that its UAS must undergo an urgent environmental impact assessment (EIA) if they are to be used in waters covered by the Antarctic Treaty.

The aircraft were used by the group last month to find the factory ship Nisshin Maru before it reached Antarctic waters. The Federal Government requires anyone going to the far south from an Australian port to fill in an EIA and seek approval under the Antarctic Treaty.

The group completed EIAs before departing from Hobart and Fremantle last month but an AAD manager, Gillian Slocum, emailed the group after the drones’ existence became public.

”I do not recall drones being included in your EIA,” Ms Slocum said. ”If you do intend to use them in the Antarctic Treaty area then this activity must be subject to the same assessment as the rest of your season activities have been.”

Sea Shepherd’s leader, Paul Watson, said the demand was at odds with the treatment of the whalers in the Antarctic. ”I think Tokyo has made another complaint to Australia,” he said.

No you paranoid prick, you are flying an unauthorised UAS dipshit...........being Sea Shepherd doesn't make you above the Law..........no matter how justified the cause.

The group’s ships Brigitte Bardot and Steve Irwin are damaged but a drone is believed to be in use on a third ship, Bob Barker. The aircraft used is an Osprey built by Hangar18.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

buglerbilly

06-01-12, 10:32 AM

Israel Scraps $140m UAS Deal with Turkey

Posted on January 6, 2012 by The Editor

Israel has escalated its bitter quarrel with Turkey, its erstwhile ally, by scrapping a $140 million deal for unmanned aircraft and advanced intelligence-gathering systems the Israelis fear could end up in the hands of Iran.

The move by the Defense Ministry, which has the power to veto defense exports, could cost Israel Aerospace Industries and the military electronics manufacturer Elbit Systems an estimated $90 million if Ankara demands compensation.

The Jerusalem Post reported that IAI and Elbit were discussing the “expected economic implications” of the ministry’s action with Director General Udi Shani and the possibility they will face Turkish lawsuits.

Under the 2005 deal, state-run IAI, flagship of Israel’s defense industry, was contracted to supply Turkey with 10 Heron UAVs, with Elbit subsidiary El-Op producing the advanced infrared Lorop camera that the surveillance drones would carry.

The rift with Turkey has cost the Israeli defense industry potential contracts worth billions of dollars. There have been efforts to salvage the deals but the Israeli decision to halt exports of the Heron package is likely to dash any hopes of keeping them alive.

The ministry’s refusal to renew the export license for the airborne surveillance system followed a declaration by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in September that his country and neighbouring Iran were “firm in their stand” against Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq.

Turkish commanders have claimed that Israel is aiding the Turkish rebels, who seek Kurdish autonomy in southeast Anatolia. Those allegations have never been verified but the Israelis are suspected to have long supported, armed and trained Iraqi Kurds, initially against the Baathist regime in Baghdad in the 1970s and ’80s and more recently to destabilize Iran.

The Israeli Defense Ministry noted when it announced the cancellation of the contract that “we do not allow such advanced technology to fall into other hands as in this way the system can fall into enemy hands.”

The ministry said Israel was seeking to improve ties with Erdogan’s Islamist government in Ankara, although it didn’t elaborate.

But it stressed that despite this, it couldn’t permit the delivery of the Elbit system to Turkey because of security concerns.

The Heron deal, under which Turkish companies headed by Turkish Aerospace Industries would provide subsystems and services, was plagued by delays.

In 2009, Turkey threatened lawsuits unless the Israeli package was delivered. Soon after, IANA and Elbit withdrew technical teams from Turkey.

While the loss of the Turkish market was a hard blow for Israel’s defense industry, it’s increasingly looking to Asia and Latin America to develop new markets.

UAS are a big seller. Tel Aviv’s Globes business daily describes Israel as “a superpower in unmanned vehicles,” sales of which made up a substantial portion of defense exports totaling $9.6 billion in 2010.

Source: UPI

buglerbilly

07-01-12, 02:03 AM

Navy Balloon Launches Drone, Which Drops Two More Spy Bots

By Katie Drummond Email Author January 6, 2012 | 12:30 pm

It just might be the most convoluted spy program in the Pentagon’s history: Fly a balloon up to 60,000 feet, and have it unleash a drone. Then, have that drone deploy several smaller surveillance drones that glide to the ground and collect data. Rube Goldberg, call your office.

The elaborate plot comes courtesy of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), which recently announced successful completion of flight tests for their new, Autonomous Deployment Demonstration project. The goal sounds simple enough: land small, sensor-laden drones at precise locations, without being detected. That’d allow military personnel to have better intel inside enemy terrain, and avoid putting themselves in harm’s way to deposit the devices.

But the anodyne title and seemingly simple goal don’t begin to get at the complexity of the project.

The Navy started with a high-altitude balloon. To the end of the balloon, they attached a simple, mid-sized Tempest drone — each one has a 10-foot wingspan and can carry a 10-pound payload.

But we’re not done yet. The Tempest, in turn, is carrying two tiny Cicada drones — one under each wing.

The Cicada drones are tiny gliders, each about the size of a small bird and undetectable to radar. Plus, because the drones don’t have a motor or propulsion system, they’re essentially noiseless.

And their simple construction and inexpensive airframe means that the drones are disposable. The Cicada’s wings are made of nothing more than custom-printed circuit boards, which contain a basic navigation system and the requisite sensors for a given job.

Their drones-within-a-drone-within-a-balloon contraption complete, the Navy conducted a series of eight aerial tests. And — shazzam! — the clever plot worked: Unleashed at 57,000 feet, the Tempest drones traveled as far as 30 nautical miles before unleashing their Cicada cargo. Once deployed, the Cicada drones glided an extra 11 miles, and landed an average of 15 feet away from their target locations.

Whew.

“The mission profile is straight forward,” Chris Bovais, an NRL aeronautical engineer and flight test coordinator, said in a statement. “The Cicada is dropped from another airborne platform, flies to a single waypoint, and then enters an orbit. It descends in that orbit until it reaches the ground.”

Brace yourself, Bovais, because this “straight forward” scheme is expected to get a little more complex. Eventually, the Navy hopes to deploy hundreds of Cicada drones from an aerial vehicle, and disperse them to deluge a hostile area with secret sensors.

Photo: Naval Research Laboratory

ADMk2

07-01-12, 03:53 AM

Despite the challenges, both execs see a future in swarms of networked RPAs that could provide surveillance coverage over a wider area of interest, while being capable of handing off tasks to one another. Reid says that if something like a Predator or an RQ-170 were flying over contested airspace, “that becomes such a tremendous target and such a significant win for the adversary if they can take it out,” that swarms of smaller RPAs might be the better move. Having multiple networked assets in the sky creates redundancy, so if one system fails or is destroyed, another can step in and fulfill its mission.

“The geometry always enhances your ability to operate,” Reid says, adding that “the more geometry you’ve got going over the battlefield the more precise your weapons delivery can become.”

Pic: AAI

Both also happen to be exec's of companies that make small UAV's rather than large ones too...

:poke

buglerbilly

09-01-12, 12:32 PM

Aeronautics boosts production rate for unmanned Dominator

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

1 hours ago

Source:

Aeronautics Defense Systems has increased its production rate for the Dominator XP unmanned air system (UAS), with eight examples currently in different stages of work.

Flightglobal visited the Israeli company's production line on 2 January, when six Dominator XPs were in production. Company president Avi Leumi said that in total eight aircraft are now being prepared for delivery, with two of these involved in flight tests.

Aeronautics secured its first export contract for the Dominator XP in mid-2011, shortly after the model had been cleared for sale by the Israeli defence ministry. This followed adaptations made to the UAS to comply with the international Missile Technology Control Regime.

© Aeronautics Defense Systems

Based on the twin-engined Diamond DA42, the Dominator XP has a maximum take-off weight of 2,000kg (4,405lb), including a 300kg payload. The aircraft is capable of achieving an endurance of 28h. Aimed at the high end of the medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS market, the design can fly at an altitude of up to 30,000ft (9,150m) and has a top speed of 190kt (350km/h).

Leumi said the potential for the unmanned system is "very big", and forecast the sale of a "few dozen" examples within the next five years.

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 03:24 AM

General Atomics strengthens Reaper landing gear

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

5 hours ago

Source:

VERY smart bunch of cookies GA, gets them a whole new stream of business.............AND expands capability! Classic win-win.........

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced a redesign of the MQ-9 Reaper landing gear. The change, which adds a trailing arm the unmanned air vehicle's (UAV) main landing gear, will be included on new-build Block 5 MQ-9s and is retrofittable to existing aircraft.

The new landing gear allows significant improvement over current versions. According to General Atomics, equipped aircraft will gain 30% landing weight capacity, allowing aircraft to return with more fuel or heavier payloads. Similar performance metrics, including rejected takeoff loads, are improved.

"Our engineers and suppliers have worked hard to develop a landing gear design that will enhance and extend the utility of this multi-purpose aircraft for our customers," said David Alexander, vice president of engineering.

Customers of the aircraft expressed interest in a greater landing weight capacity, though none directly suggested a solution. The retrofit has no customers to date, but contract negotiations are ongoing with an unnamed customer, according to General Atomics.

©General Atomics

The new gear system can also be applied and retrofitted to other Predator models, including the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Testing will begin on a company-owned MQ-1 sometime later this year.

The MQ-9 has become a mainstay of US combat operations in Afghanistan, where rough operating locations and unpredictable flight schedules are common.

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 04:00 AM

US Army Issues RFI on Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Posted on January 9, 2012 by The Editor

The US Army Contracting Command, Fort Dix, NJ, on behalf of U.S. Army Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) issued an RFI on Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

The US Army is interested in exploring future (7-10 years out) capability concepts for Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Information gained from the future concepts presentations will be used to form the basis for future analysis and assessment of the Cargo UAS utility within the Army.

Concepts shall include aerial delivery of cargo directly to the point-of-need or point-of-effect to tactical combat range of 300 nautical miles (KM) with cruising airspeeds of 250 knots or greater with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. Other attributes include:

■ Ability to dynamically adapt to a changing environment to include metrological (rain, icing, high winds, temperature extremes).
■ Ability to adapt to varying operational situations/conditions and ground based condition changes
■ Ability to successfully and safely navigate through adverse terrain and elevations needed to reach dispersed and remote locations
■ Ability to conduct 24 hour operations
■ Ability to operate safely over populated areas and in controlled airspace
■ Ability to carry between 5,000 and 8,000 lbs of all classes of supply to include but not limited to ammunition, water, fuel, etc. internally and externallyAbility to be interoperable with combined arms maneuver and wide area security doctrine.

For full information and further details, the RFI can be consulted here.

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a2b4e8ac6100f4b22d535423f681d040&tab=core&_cview=0

Source FedBizOpps

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 04:06 AM

Northrop Grumman Gets $47M Contract to Integrate BCAN Payloads on 2 Global Hawks

Posted on January 9, 2012 by The Editor

Global Hawk Block 20

Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems Incorporated, of San Diego, California, is being awarded a $47,176,105 firm fixed price contract for the purchase and integration of two battlefield airborne communications node (BACN) payloads on two Global Hawk Block 20 aircraft.

These two Global Hawks, designated AF-11 and AF-13, will be provided to Northrop Grumman as government furnished property, then Northrop Grumman will integrate the BACN payload into these two Global Hawk Block 20 aircraft. The location of the performance is Palmdale, Calif. Work is expected to be completed Aug. 22, 2012, for AF-11 and December 15, 2012, for AF-13. The contracting activity is the Air Force Material Command, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. (FA8726-09-C-0010 P00041).

Source: FedBizOpps

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 04:21 AM

More Hill Heft Needed On UAS Exports, CRS Says

By Carlo Munoz

Published: January 9, 2012

(Photo: U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON: Congress needs to take a larger role in deciding how to get unmanned technologies into the hands of American allies while keeping them out of hands of U.S. adversaries, according to a new congressional study.

The use of unmanned systems on the modern-day battlefield has increased significantly over the past decade. Unmanned aircraft have become the weapon of choice for U.S. military and intelligence agencies in counterterrorism missions across the globe. So far, American defense firms have been the biggest beneficiaries of this boom in the drone market. But as the rest of the industrialized world begins to catch up in unmanned technology, there are concerns the U.S. could fall to second place -- or further -- to a number of near-peer countries. "Much new business is likely to be generated in the [unmanned systems] market, and if U.S. companies fail to capture this market share, European, Russian, Israeli, Chinese, or South African companies will," analysts from the Congressional Research Service claim in a Jan. 3 report. Competition for unmanned technologies will only get more intense as U.S. firms begin to look to overseas markets to bolster their bottom lines.

To that end, Congress must take steps to ensure U.S. industries keep their spot as top dog in the unmanned technology field, the report claims. One way to do that is to exert more control over the ongoing export reform effort being spearheaded by the White House. "As part of its defense and foreign policy oversight, Congress may examine whether a balance must be struck between supporting legitimate U.S. exports and curbing the spread of [unmanned aerial] technologies to dangerous groups or countries," CRS analysts write. The report does not go into detail as to what kinds of efforts lawmakers should take to assist in export policy oversight.

U.S defense firms have blamed the Pentagon and State Department's stringent rules over international sales of unmanned systems for America's potential decline in the drone market. Those rules have severely limited industry's ability to pass on key unmanned technology to America's closest allies. Denying these weapons to partner nations guarantees American forces will shoulder the brunt of the next global conflict, since our allies simply won't have the weapons to carry out the fight, defense analyst and former Pentagon international programs official Frank Cevasco told AOL Defense last month. The Obama administration is already taking action to make sure that does not happen.

In August, the White House unveiled a new export reform strategy that is designed to double military and commercial exports over the next five years. The strategy includes reducing the list of what sensitive military hardware cannot be sent overseas. The plan will also outline new parameters for information technology systems. Finally, all military and commercial exports will be overseen by a single licensing agency and export enforcement coordination center, according to the White House.

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 09:52 AM

Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Launched at CES

Posted on January 10, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by ARdrone on Jan 8, 2012

Official website: http://www.ardrone2.com COMING IN 2012
The AR.Drone 2.0 is at the crossroads where high-tech meets Icarus dream. Fly like a bird. View the earth from high above in high definition. Share your experience online with your friends.

With the AR.Drone smartphone app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. You will be close to fly like a bird.

Become a Fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/parrot
Follow Us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ardrone
Info, Apps, Games and more on http://www.ardrone2.com

The smartphone-controlled Parrot AR.Drone quadcopter, first shown at CES in 2010, is getting several updates that are being announced at this year’s conference.

The biggest changes for the AR.Drone 2.0 are hardware and software improvements to make the device easier to fly. Better location and orientation sensors should make it more stable in the air, and a new pressure sensor will help it hold its altitude more accurately when it’s more than a few feet off the ground (when the ultrasonic ground proximity sensor is ineffective).

On the software side, a new “absolute flight” mode lets you steer the drone around in the air by just tilting your smartphone; the copter points itself in the direction of travel automatically. If you want to fly it in a more conventional way, like a radio-controlled helicopter, there’s an expert mode as well. The control app is available for iOS and Android.

There’s also a “director mode” that lets you fly the copter in a sideways orientation, which is useful for recording video. A new 720p camera in the copter’s nose beams the image to your smartphone, and you can record that view as well (presumably without the pilot controls that are overlaid on the smartphone).

This product is sold as a hobby product or a toy, but the live video capture tool makes it more important than that: quadcopters are being used for legitimate (and not) business purposes, not to mention by police forces, protestors, and obviously for military and paramilitary applications. And, of course, for making movies.

On the other hand, the AR.Drone’s non-toy applications will be limited by its reliance on Wi-Fi for control and video transmission. And since it uses a direct Wi-Fi connection (the drone acts as its own hub), you can’t rely on signals from other Wi-Fi routers to extend the range (technically, you could, but that would be a topic for AR.Drone discussion boards). In fact, other Wi-Fi can interfere with the drone, and the Parrot team won’t fly the thing indoors at CES since they’ve already experienced what happens in the “Wi-Fi war zone” of a big conference.

The AR.Drone comes with some “virtual reality” games in which you fly the drone around and the screen on your smartphone shows target information and game data, which can include “missiles” shot at drones that friends are flying, superimposed on the control screen. With this update, the AR.Drone becomes more than a toy, and will likely become popular more for its capability to capture aerial video. It’s the ultimate accessory for filmmakers.

The AR.Drone 2.0 will ship in Q2 this year and list for $299, a new low price for the product.

Source: CT Net

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 10:34 AM

Aurora wins SolarEagle contract

10 January 2012 - 10:02 by the Shephard News Team

Aurora Flight Sciences has announced that it has been awarded a contract to design and fabricate structural components for the Boeing SolarEagle unmanned aircraft vehicle. Awarded by Boeing, the contract will see Aurora work on the ribs and skins for the 400 foot long wing and the solar collection panels.

SolarEagle is being developed by Boeing for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Vulture programme. The system is being designed to fly at altitudes above 60,000 feet for 30 days for ISR and communication applications. The aircraft will harvest solar energy during the day that will be stored in fuel cells and used to provide power through the night.

According to the company, the contract also includes components for both a subscale test article and a flight demonstrator.

buglerbilly

11-01-12, 12:50 PM

Another pic of the SolarEagle..................

buglerbilly

11-01-12, 02:17 PM

UK funds new UCAS research effort

By: Craig Hoyle London

1 hours ago

Source:

BAE Systems and the UK's Defence Science & Technology Laboratory are to work together on technology requirements for a future class of unmanned combat air systems, under the terms of a new research effort funded by the nation's Ministry of Defence.

Worth £40 million ($61.8 million), the Future Combat Air System initiative will "ensure that we develop and maintain the UK's formidable strengths in this specialist field", said minister for defence equipment and support Peter Luff.

A "significant amount" of the funding total will be passed on to support work performed by small and medium-sized enterprises, the MoD said, with the move intended to widen its domestic supplier base.

To run over a four-year period, the research activity also "will inform the MoD's unmanned air system strategy over the coming decades to ensure that the best use is made of these new technologies", BAE said. The initiative is being performed separately to a process intended to explore potential cooperation in the unmanned systems sector with France.

© Crown Copyright

BAE is already involved in a £140 million programme with industry partners including Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce to fly an unmanned combat air system demonstrator. Unveiled at the company's Warton production site in Lancashire in mid-2010, the stealthy Taranis is due to make its debut flight later this year.

buglerbilly

12-01-12, 02:53 AM

Textron unveils modified Aerosonde

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

6 hours ago

Source:

Textron has unveiled an updated version of the Aerosonde small unmanned air vehicle (UAV) featuring a heavy fuel engine and heavily modified wings. The changes will allow the aircraft to survive harsh recoveries.

Referred to internally as the 'RG,' the latest Aerosonde model is a modification of the Mk 4.7 and includes the aircraft's same 6.8kg (15lb) payload capacity. The changes include a 3kW (4hp) heavy fuel engine, built by Orbital, to meet the US military's requirement for heavy fuel operation. The increased power allows the aircraft to generate up to 300 watts for payloads, allowing greater choice and flexibility for operators.

The Aerosonde's wing is mounted slightly lower on the fuselage, replaced by communications equipment that benefits from airflow cooling. The wing is substantially strengthened both internally and externally, allowing the aircraft to survive more recoveries, which are made by flying the aircraft into a net. The launch process has been changed from a fuselage-gripping sling to wing-mounted brackets.

©Textron

The development process took 12 months, according to Textron, and six of the new aircraft have been built to date. The new version of Aerosonde will be included in bids for major US military UAV contracts, including ISR Services and MUAS.

buglerbilly

12-01-12, 02:04 PM

Missed targets prompt US Marine Corps to arm unmanned Shadows

By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC

37 minutes ago

Source:

The US Marine Corps will deploy AAI RQ-7 Shadows to Afghanistan armed with classified new gravity bombs in a demonstration that could pave the way for a dramatic expansion in the numbers of weaponised unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

Although by far the most numerous UAV fleet, the RQ-7 has remained unarmed in the absence of precision, air-dropped weapons small enough for the aircraft to carry.

The lack of armed RQ-7s has frustrated the USMC. On a recent deployment by a single unit, the marines counted 94 "high-value targets" that escaped even though they were spotted by RQ-7s circling overhead, said Steven Reid, vice president of AAI's unmanned systems division.

© US Army

The unarmed RQ-7 could only hand off the targets to other weaponised platforms, such as helicopters and fighters, but none were immediately available in the 94 events catalogued by the marine unit, Reid said.

That experience prompted the marines to launch a combat demonstration aimed at proving the feasibility of dropping guided bombs weighing under 11.5kg (25lb) from the RQ-7. The plan was delayed several months by policy reviews of treaty compliance, but cleared by the US State Department last July.

In late December, the army awarded AAI a $10 million contract on behalf of the marines to start working on the demonstration. The funding covers a 12-month first phase, which will install and certificate the RQ-7 to drop weapons. A follow-on, $7 million contract will then be awarded to deploy eight armed RQ-7s to Afghanistan, Reid said.

The marines' interest in weaponising the RQ-7 has sparked a cottage industry of miniature guided weapons, including the ATK Hatchet, MBDA Sabre and Raytheon small tactical munition.

However, the service will instead deploy the UAVs armed with another guided weapon that already has been developed and fielded in secrecy, Reid said.

If the demonstration is successful, thousands of RQ-7s could join the hundreds of Northrop Grumman RQ-5 Hunters and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1B Predators, MQ-1C Gray Eagles and MQ-9A Reapers already cleared to carry weapons in combat.

The US Army also operates the RQ-7, but so far has allowed the marines to take the lead with a weaponisation programme. Army officials still prefer to use the Shadow as a surveillance platform only.

However, AAI believes the army will eventually adopt the marines' interest. "They will see the utility of this the same way the Marine Corps does," Reid said.

buglerbilly

16-01-12, 01:44 PM

US Ground Control Stations Switch to Linux

Posted on January 16, 2012 by The Editor

The control of US military unmanned aircraft appears to have shifted from Windows to Linux following an embarrassing malware infection.

Ground control systems at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, which commands the unmanned aircraft, became infected with a virus last September. In a statement at the time the US Air Force dismissed the electronic nasty as a nuisance and said it posed no threat to the operation of Reaper aircraft, but the intrusion was nonetheless treated seriously.

“The ground system is separate from the flight control system Air Force pilots use to fly the aircraft remotely; the ability of the pilots to safely fly these aircraft remained secure throughout the incident,” it said.

“The malware was detected on a standalone mission support network using a Windows-based operating system,” a US Air Force statement at the time explained. “The malware in question is a credential stealer, not a keylogger, found routinely on computer networks and is considered more of a nuisance than an operational threat. It is not designed to transmit data or video, nor is it designed to corrupt data, files or programs on the infected computer. Our tools and processes detect this type of malware as soon as it appears on the system, preventing further reach.”

Control units were advised to stop using the removable drives to prevent another outbreak. Behind the scenes other changes appear to have been made: screenshots of control computers uploaded by security researcher Mikko Hypponen suggest that at least some of the consoles have been migrated from Microsoft Windows to open source Linux.

Photos of US ground control systems taken in 2009 (top of article) and 2011 (below) provide evidence of the change – in the earlier picture the Windows desktop GUI can be easily discerned whereas the latter slide indicates the new systems are Linux-based and have “improved displays”.

Hypponen said “If I would need to select between Windows XP and a Linux based system while building a military system, I wouldn’t doubt a second which one I would take.

Source: The Register

buglerbilly

16-01-12, 05:27 PM

Israeli defence ministry blocks unmanned Dominator sale to Abu Dhabi

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

2 hours ago

Source:

Israel's defence ministry has blocked a contract to sell Aeronautics Defense Systems Dominator XP unmanned air systems to Abu Dhabi, after reviewing the contents of the deal.

Aeronautics declined to comment on the ministry's decision, while the defence ministry said it would not comment on the matter of defence exports.

However, sources in Abu Dhabi claimed a downpayment linked to a sale of equipment including the Dominator had already been made, and that deliveries had been due to start soon.

© Aeronautics Defense Systems

Based on the Diamond DA42 twin-engined aircraft, the Dominator XP has been adapted to comply with the terms of the international Missile Technology Control Regime.

The company's baseline Dominator 2 design can be flown to an altitude of 30,000ft (9,150m) and achieve a maximum speed of 190kt (352km/h). With a maximum take-off weight of 2,000kg (4,409lb), including a 300kg payload, the aircraft has an endurance of up to 28h.

buglerbilly

17-01-12, 10:12 AM

Polish Aerostar UAVs to get operational boost

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

10 minutes ago

Source:

Aeronautics Defense Systems expects to have an automatic take-off and landing capability operational for Poland's Aerostar unmanned air systems "within the next months", according to company president Avi Leumi.

The Polish army has acquired two Aerostar systems under a $35 million contract intended to support its units as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The Israeli company is making an accelerated effort to upgrade the software of the Aerostar's flight control system so that it can perform a final approach and landing safely in windy conditions and with ground effects in the operational area.

The Aerostar air vehicle is 4.5m (14.7ft) long, has a wingspan of 7.5m and a maximum take-off weight of 210kg (462lb). It has a 12h endurance and a loitering speed of 60kt (111km/h).

buglerbilly

17-01-12, 11:33 PM

EADs Chief: French Support of UAV ‘Encouraging’

Jan. 17, 2012

By PIERRE TRAN

HAMBURG, Germany — The French Defense Minister’s preference for a broad European scope to a planned Anglo-French medium-altitude long-altitude UAV was a positive sign for EADS, Chief Executive Louis Gallois of the European company said Jan. 17.

“You have seen Mr. Longuet was pushing for a program with other European countries, including Germany and Italy,” Gallois told journalists on the sidelines of a joint New Year’s press conference by EADS and Airbus, here.

“I think it’s encouraging for us to push the way we’re pushing,” Gallois said.

Defense Minister Gérard Longuet told the French aerospace press club Jan. 9 the Anglo-French project “should accept the construction of Europe.

“We can’t ignore countries with industrial capabilities. We’ll probably have an Anglo-French project which cannot avoid opening to other European partners,” Longuet said.

France would not develop the EADS Talarion Advanced UAV, Longuet said.

Gallois has urged the British and French governments to open up a proposed new MALE UAV to include EADS and other European partners, to avoid a repetition of the Eurofighter Typhoon versus Rafale dogfight which has divided European industry into an internecine battle for foreign sales.

“Talarion is a prototype, it’s not a final project,” Gallois said.

A top priority for EADS in its talks with the governments of its “home countries” was to preserve research and development capabilities through the launch of new program, made possible by cuts in some defense orders, Gallois said.

The Talarion UAV was a potential for such new program support, he said.

EADS is waiting for a decision from the German government for a go ahead with Talarion, a company spokesman said. EADS has some 160 engineers working on UAVs and is funding the work on company money. In the face of defense budget cuts in Europe, one of EADS’ priorities for 2012 was to increase export efforts and grow its “global footprint,” Gallois said.

The company was also in talks with home country governments, particularly Germany, on “existing and valid” military contracts, he said.

Germany has said it wants to cut the orders for Tiger attack and NH90 transport utility helicopters.

“We have to discuss with them,” Gallois said. “We have our interest to defend regarding workload in our facilities, profitability, future of the product, the balance between Germany and other countries “We include in that the possibility to be part of new programs which could be financed with part of the savings on quantities. It means we are open to discussion,” Gallois said.

“As always, we want to have that decision as quickly as possible as we don’t like uncertainty,” he said.

EADS and Finmeccanica signed a deal in December to team on UAV development, reflecting wider discontent in Italy and Germany over the Anglo-French defense accord reached on Nov. 2, 2010.

The planned Anglo-French MALE drone was one of the projects included in the bilateral treaty. BAE Systems and Dassault have formed a joint venture to bid for the joint UAV program.

buglerbilly

18-01-12, 03:11 PM

Fulmar Flies for Frontex

Posted on January 18, 2012 by The Editor

Thales and Aerovisión have given a real flight demonstration of the Fulmar for the European Agency Frontex, the organism in charge of coordinating the border control operations of the European Union member states.Fulmar is a wholly Spanish project that is a global solution that uses the Maritime Surveillance Systems of the Thales Group. These systems supply images and video in real time and integrate the information in a security system, as is the case with border control. Such systems facilitate surveillance and control of maritime and border traffic and can provide inestimable support to rescue operations.

The Fulmar is a small-size model (3.1 metres) weighing only 19 kilos that can fly at a height of 3,000 metres and achieve 150 kilometres per hour, with an 8-hour flight range that would allow it to fly up to 800 kilometres without having to refuel.

The demonstration for border authorities organised by Frontexwas held at the Aktio Air Base in the Greek locality of Preveza. For three days, several international UAS manufacturers performed test flights patrolling the west coast of Greece, with Fulmar being the only Spanish product to demonstrate its capacities in a market dominated by unmanned aircraft from the United States and Israel.

The demonstration confirmed the ease of installation and flying of the Fulmar, as it does not require a runway for takeoff and landing given that it is launched from a catapult and is recovered by means of an impact-absorbing net. Both elements are simple to install in a short time and in different places. This facilitates the assembly and handling of the system and differentiates it from other models on the market.

In the demonstration for border authorities organised by Frontex, the Fulmar flew for two hours, detecting the information sent in from the different points established for the flight and sending images and video in real time that were viewed by the attendants at the ground base. The Fulmar thus displayed its capacity to integrate with maritime surveillance systems such as radars, a crucial aspect in this type of unmanned aerial surveillance system.

Fulmar is currently operative in Malaysia, where it performs border surveillance tasks in the Strait of Malacca.

Source: Defence Professionals

buglerbilly

19-01-12, 01:36 AM

A bit more on this..............

US Army’s logistics agency launches autonomous cargo aircraft study

By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC

10 hours ago

Source:

The US Army has expanded its early search for a future unmanned cargo aircraft to include concepts offering twice the speed of conventional helicopters.

The army's Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) has asked contractors to submit ideas for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that could deliver cargo autonomously.

The unmanned, VTOL aircraft must fly faster than 250kt (462km/h), or at least 70kt faster than the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, as stated in LIA's request for information.

The agency is also looking for aircraft concepts that can adapt to any weather in the air or on the ground. It should also be able to carry 2,670-3,630kg (5,000-8,000lb).

Most impressively, perhaps, is a design attribute for a VTOL aircraft that could hover at almost any altitude. The aircraft should be able to take off and land at 12,000ft (3,660m) when the outside temperature is 35°C (95°F), the LIA stated.

The request for information is intended for planning purposes, and comes about seven months after the army's aviation community asked industry for information about a more near-term aircraft that could do the same job.

The medium-range multi-platform concept was unveiled last June, calling for the acquisition of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft to serve in a variety of combat, surveillance and airlift roles.

Two months later, the army agreed to join the analytical phase of a similar programme initiated by the US Navy. The medium-range maritime unmanned aircraft system requirement was expected to attract bids based on the Boeing A160 Hummingbird, Kaman/Lockheed K-Max and the Northrop Grumman/Bell Helicopter Fire-X.

buglerbilly

19-01-12, 02:26 AM

Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 06:30 PM

Russia allocates $160 million fo development of three types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAV

Russian Helicopters has received 5 billion rubles ($160 mln) from the federal budget for the development of three types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). After charging that smaller domestic developers wasted public funds - and pointedly purchasing Israeli drones for military trials - the Defense Ministry has switched to a big holding with sufficient capacity to develop and produce indigenous UAVs.

Scale model of Ka-135 Unmanned Aerial vehicle (Photo credit Vitaly Kuzmin)

According to the Gazeta.ru portal, the company has been contracted by the Russian Defense Ministry to develop light-, medium-, and heavy-weight rotary UAVs for reconnaissance, strike and transportation purposes.

A prototype of a short-range drone, Ka-135, with carrying capacity of up to 100 kg, must be developed by 2015.

A heavy-weight UAV, dubbed Albatros, is expected to be developed by 2017. It can be used as a strike or transport drone.

The most recent contract envisions the development of a medium-weight UAV with operational range of up to 300 km.

If successful, Russian Helicopters may receive additional funding in the future to develop two more types of UAVs to be delivered to the military and police.

buglerbilly

19-01-12, 08:22 AM

DARPA Awards 3rd Contract to Develop Low-Power, Non-Acoustic Anti-Submarine Warfare Technologies for UAS

Posted on January 19, 2012 by The Editor

Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) experts in the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Virginia, have awarded their third industry contract for a programme that seeks to develop technologies to help detect enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters and harbours without using traditional acoustic submarine-hunting technologies like sonar.

The DARPA Strategic Technology Office has awarded Cortana Corp. in Falls Church, Virginia, a $496,500 contract for the Shallow Water Agile Submarine Hunting (SWASH) programme, which seeks to develop small, lightweight, low power non-acoustic ASW surveillance and cued search capability for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

For the SWASH research programme DARPA also awarded a $249,735.48 to SRC Inc. in North Syracuse, New York, last October, and a $367,507 contract last September to Applied Physical Sciences Corp. in Groton, Connecticut. Cued search capability refers to a way of looking for submerged submarines using data from separate or remote sensors.

The companies will try to develop advanced ASW surveillance capability, which does not use traditional acoustics or sonar, for UAS operating over shallow-water coastal areas and harbors.

DARPA scientists are asking experts from Cortana, SRC, and Applied Physical Sciences to concentrate small, lightweight, low power ASW sensing approaches for UAS.

Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics

buglerbilly

19-01-12, 09:31 AM

AeroVironment Wasp Video

Posted on January 19, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by AeroVironmentInc on Jan 10, 2012

The Wasp Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) is a small, portable, reliable, and rugged unmanned aerial platform designed for front-line day/night reconnaissance and surveillance. Wasp is the result of a multi-year joint development effort between AV and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

AeroVironment just released this video of the Wasp Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) – a small, portable, reliable, and rugged unmanned aerial platform designed for front-line day/night reconnaissance and surveillance.

Wasp is the result of a multi-year joint development effort between AV and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Source: YouTube

buglerbilly

19-01-12, 09:33 AM

UAV Factory Launches New Portable Universal Ground Control Station

Posted on January 19, 2012 by The Editor

UAV Factory has announced its second generation of portable ground control station for the unmanned aircraft.

UAV Factory’s off-the-shelf portable Ground Control Station (GCS) is a flexible and universal solution for controlling unmanned vehicles and payloads. By using a unique, modular electronics compartment (MEC) which is reconfigurable by the user, application specific hardware can be quickly installed.

This flexibility allows the GCS to be configured to control unmanned aircraft (UAS), ground robots, bomb disposal robots, remotely operated vehicles (ROV) and other robotic devices.

The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Konstantins Popiks, told UAS Vision: “Our target is to replace the current portable ground control stations that are used by UAS companies at the moment. Most of the current GCSs are made in-house and are crude, simple solutions that are assembled from components available in hardware stores stuffed into rugged case. Even well know industry players use this crude approach and our task is to take this particular area in unmanned industry to a new level.”

“Our latest GCS is industrial-grade, validated GCS that has a lot of features (battery hot swapping, fail safes, integrated dock station etc). We will also offer the price which was never seen before for this kind of product – prices for our GCS will start at €5,200 ( sold without Panasonic Toughbook). This price should make the in-house developed ground stations impractical.”

To download the complete Data Sheet, click here.

http://www.uasvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/GCS+datasheet+V2.1.pdf

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

20-01-12, 02:36 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Hermes 900 for Colombia

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 1/19/2012 11:55 AM CST

It would appear that Colombia is the country which has bought a Hermes 900 tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for $50 million. Israel's Elbit Systems issued a press release on January 3 saying vaguely that a system had been sold to “a governmental office of a country in the Americas”.

But our colleagues at the “infodefensa” blog, which specialises in Latin America and Spain, say today that “it can be confirmed” that the country in question is Colombia.

Colombia would use the UAV in border control missions notably in the country's northeast along the border with Venezuela, but infodefensa writes that sources claim the Colombian army is also interested in procuring a UAV.

The Hermes 900 flies at a maximum 33,000 feet, its primary task being to capture real-time images and transmit them to a universal ground control station. It can take-off and land automatically even in adverse weather conditions. The UAV's maximum endurance is 40 hours and maximum take-off weight is 970 kg. Its maiden flight was on December 14, 2009.

buglerbilly

20-01-12, 03:56 AM

'Saber' Bomb Takes A Stab At Shadow UAS

By Carlo Munoz

Published: January 19, 2012

WASHINGTON: The Marines are one step closer toward arming its Shadow aerial drone fleet, according to a senior industry official.

The Marines and their Navy counterparts will begin live flight tests of Shadow drones outfitted with the MBDA-built Saber guided bomb later this year, MBDA's Doug Denneny, vice president of business development, said. The upcoming tests will conducted at the Navy's air weapons station in China Lake, he said. MBDA has been running their own tests on the Sabre's performance at the Navy test range for the past year. But this new round of tests will be the first time that service officials will be in charge, Denneny said.

The Saber is essentially a much smaller version of the Small Diameter Bomb used onboard Air Force fighters. It uses both laser-based and GPS guidance systems to track potential targets. The current weapon of choice for unmanned aircraft is the Hellfire rocket, which lacks the precision that the Saber and other similar munitions have built in. If successful, the results of the upcoming China Lake tests could pave the way for the Saber to be the first weapon fielded by Shadow drones. Currently, MBDA is not under contract to build the Saber for the Marine Corps.

The Army and the Marine Corps fly the Shadow, but so far the Army has backed off any efforts to weaponize the unmanned aircraft. On the other hand, the push to arm the Marine Corps-owned Shadows came from combat units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Field commanders were frustrated at the lack of firepower on the Shadow drones, Denneny explained. The unmanned aircraft were excellent at spotting targets. But by the time Marine units could train their guns onto that target, it would be too late. By getting the Saber onto the Shadow, the time between identifying a target and taking one out would be a matter of seconds, he said.

buglerbilly

20-01-12, 12:54 PM

Presentation of the nEUROn to the Government Representatives

(Source: Dassault Aviation; issued January 20th, 2012)

The European Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle was unveiled to the six participating governments on Jan. 17; it is due to make its first flight in the middle of this year. (Dassault photo)

WHY do I get the feeling this is being prepared & presented much like an aircraft project..............it should be about getting things done quicker and cheaper as much as about unmanned technology and potential...................NEURON has always given me the feeling of a make-work effort.

ISTRES, France --- The nEUROn, European UCAV technology demonstrator, has been officially presented to the representatives of the six participating countries by Mr. Charles Edelstenne, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation.

Mr. Serge Dassault, Honorary Chairman of the company, as well as the representatives of the nEUROn industrial team - Saab (Sweden), Alenia Aermacchi (Italy), EADS-CASA (Spain), HAI (Greece) and RUAG (Switzerland) - attended this ceremony.

This presentation is a major milestone after five years of design, development, production, assembly and the first static tests of the nEUROn demonstrator. The first engine tests will be performed very soon, aiming at a first flight mid-2012. Afterwards, a complete sequence of test flights will take place during two years in France, Sweden and Italy. These tests will address flight qualities, stealthiness, air-to-ground weapon firing from an internal bay, integration into a C4i environment as well as the insertion of uninhabited platform in airspace.

The National Armament Directors - or their representatives - of the six participating countries (France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Greece and Switzerland) have been able to see for the first time this demonstrator that represents a triple "first" for the aerospace industries of European countries: first stealth combat aircraft, first UCAV developed in co-operation and first combat aircraft entirely designed and developed on a virtual plateau.

Launched at the initiative of the French Ministry of Defense in 2003, the nEUROn program has two aims:

-- to develop the technologies critical to tomorrow's combat aircraft;

-- to validate an innovative co-operation model, that optimizes the respective know-hows of the participating industries under the leadership of a single recognized and accepted main contractor.

During a brief speech, Mr. Charles Edelstenne said that it is now up to the Governments to think about a follow-up to nEUROn, in order to use at the best the experience gained during five years of development work. (ends)

Alenia Aermacchi: Official Launch of the nEUROn, the New Generation Technology Demonstrator for a European UCAV

(Source: Alenia Aermacchi; issued January 20th, 2012)

ISTRES, France --- Yesterday nEUROn, the technology demonstrator for a European UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) was officially presented by Charles Edelstenne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation, to the representatives of the six countries collaborating in the project (France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Greece).

The representatives of the partner countries were able to see the nEUROn for the first time. This represents a triple "first" for the aerospace industries of the countries participating in the project: the first stealth combat aircraft, the first UCAV developed through cooperation between several European countries and the first combat aircraft entirely designed and developed on a virtual platform.

The nEUROn's Roll-Out comes after five years of design, development, assembly and static testing. Very soon the first engine tests will be carried out, with plans for a maiden flight in mid-2012. Subsequently a complete flight test programme will be effected over a period of two years in France, Sweden and Italy.

These tests will be for quality of flight, level of invisibility to radar (stealth), air to ground missiles fired from an internal bay, integration in a C4i environment (command, communication control, computer and intelligence) and tests of an unmanned platform in the airspace.

Giuseppe Giordo, Chief Executive Officer of Alenia Aermacchi and Responsible for the Aeronautics sector of Finmeccanica, had the following comments: “For years we have been energetically engaged in the development of highly innovative products with means of development, manufacture and use that are entirely new in comparison with the traditional aeronautical context. Great attention has been given to the activities of technological development and simulation of unmanned aerial vehicles, capable of fulfilling complex missions autonomously, such as the Alenia Aermacchi's Sky-Y. Extremely sophisticated machines whose use and application is set to expand enormously over the coming decades.

For Alenia Aermacchi the Roll-Out of the nEUROn represents a very important goal because right from the start we have poured in to this project multiple resources: human, financial and technical. Now an important and decisive step has been taken within the ambitious nEUROn project of designing, constructing and testing the first European UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) simulator with stealth characteristics”.

The nEUROn programme, launched by the French Ministry of Defence and supported by Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece and Switzerland represents a very important effort to develop new technologies and create the foundations of future programmes for unmanned aerial vehicles for military use. The objective is to create a full-scale technology demonstrator for an UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle).

From the industrial point of view the nEUROn is a project led by Dassault Aviation with Alenia Aermacchi as its principal industrial partner, having a share of 22% in the project and responsibility for systems and subsystems. Alenia Aermacchi also, as national team leader, leads a group of Italian companies which includes SELEX Galileo (a Finmeccanica company).

Alenia Aermacchi is specifically responsible for the design and manufacture of the electricity generation and distribution system; the air data system with low observability, and, most importantly, the Smart Integrated Weapon Bay (SIWB), the integrated weapons system components with full subsystem management autonomy.

This system makes it possible to automatically identify and recognise the target, to transmit the request for approval to the ground station commander and to launch the weapon in stealth mode.

-ends-

buglerbilly

21-01-12, 12:11 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Neuron: Europe's UCAV Rolled Out

Posted by Robert Wall at 1/20/2012 3:53 AM CST

(Photo: Dassault)

The European Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator was rolled out on January 19 in what is shaping up to be a critical year for UCAVs in Europe.

First flight of Neuron is planned for mid-2012 and BAE Systems also plans to fly the U.K.'s Taranis UCAV demonstrator this year.

Neuron is a cooperative project led by France, with Italy and Sweden also playing critical roles, but Switzerland, Spain and Greece also involved. The industrial team is led by Dassault.

Dassault says the software integration for Neuron is in its final stages, and ground and engine tests will start soon.

This year, the U.K. and France will are also due to finalize terms of cooperation in the medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft segment. That is critical also for UCAVs, because success in cooperating on the MALE system (with Dassault and BAE Systems expected to be in charge of the work) could lead to the two countries working together also in the unmanned combat aircraft realm.

buglerbilly

21-01-12, 12:16 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

New Unmanned Air Systems Joint Venture for Europe

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 1/20/2012 8:56 AM CST

Perfectly timed to coincide with the Neuron roll-out by arch-UAV rival Dassault (see Robert Wall's post earlier today) Rheinmetall and Cassidian have announced the creation of a joint venture in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in which Cassidian will hold 51% and Rheinmetall 49% once all necessary authorizations and antitrust approvals have been granted. The joint venture is expected to have about 160 employees.

Basically the deal means Cassidian absorbs Rheinmetall's UAS product unit. The latter's Bremen-based subsidiary Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH expects the move to provide better opportunities for development of this unit and to secure sustainable long-term prospects for it. For Cassidian's CEO Stefan Zoller, “we see this as a logical step towards expanding our present UAS programmes.”

The as-yet-unamed joint venture will continue manufacturing the KZO (Kleinfluggerät Zielortung) unmanned reconnaissance system used by the German Armed Forces and work on the Heron UAS in the SAATEG (system for imagery reconnaissance deep in the area of operations) program.

buglerbilly

21-01-12, 01:52 AM

DARPA UAVFORGE Competition Hits Milestone 2

Posted on January 20, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by shen3131 on Nov 9, 2011
SQ-4 range of Nano UAS, developed jointly between Middlesex University and BCB International Ltd in the UK.

The DARPA uavforge competition is approaching the deadline for Milestone 2, with voting for the ‘Proof of Flight’ videos due to end on January 22 nd.

Of the six videos posted so far, the video above of Q-4 range of Nano UAS, developed jointly between Middlesex University and BCB International Ltd in the UK, is only one demonstrates that it can fulfil all of the criteria of the competition’s ‘Mission Scenario’:

You are a member of a team and your mission is to outfit a fictional Task Force with an unmanned remotely operated micro air vehicle system. The entire air vehicle system must fit within a rucksack and a single person traveling by foot must be able to carry and operate the vehicle without assistance.

The job of the Task Force is to conduct observations of suspicious activities occurring within the vicinity of two nondescript buildings in an urban area. Due to security in the region, all operations must be conducted beyond line of sight so as not to compromise your presence. If the UAV system is detected the mission will be jeopardized.

The total observation time may require up to three hours of pictures and/or video to document the facts. Once key observations have been made, the team must quickly retreat to their designated rendezvous location. It is possible the vehicle will be handed off to another member of the Task Force to ensure mission success.

[However, as some of the comments point out, it isn't very original... a comment that could be applied equally to most of the other competitors. -Ed.]

Source: uavforge

buglerbilly

23-01-12, 02:02 PM

Lockheed Martin to Develop Hybrid Renewable Energy UAS

Posted on January 23, 2012 by The Editor

Lockheed Martin won a $1.1 million contract Friday for development and ground demonstration of the integrated power system and payload into a SURGE-V hybrid UAV aircraft. Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems of America LLC in Fort Worth, Texas, were selected last May to develop a green hybrid propulsion system as part of the second phase of the Air Force Small Unmanned Renewable enerGy long Endurance Vehicle (SURGE-V programme.

The SURGE-V unmanned aircraft is to be a hybrid-powered manpackable UAS that weighs less than 20 pounds and is able to carry a 4-pound electro-optical payload on missions over rough terrain lasting for at least four hours.

The latest contract, awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, represents the next phase of SURGE-V engine development and demonstration.

The SURGE-V UAV must be small enough to be carried and operated by one person for battlefield situational awareness missions. The hybrid-powered UAV must be able to land on rough terrain, and operate in winds stronger than 35 knots, in temperatures as cold as 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, and at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet in sandy, dusty conditions, as well as in fog, light rain and snow, and high humidity.

Lockheed Martin will develop the advanced power and propulsion system, as well as the SURGE-V aircraft, in a simulated operational environment. Designers will optimize the power and propulsion system for weight, volume, ruggedization, and performance.

Lockheed Martin engineers will test the SURGE-V aircraft and engine to MIL-STD-810G standards for shock and vibration, and demonstrate that the integrated UAV system is aerodynamically stable, capable of producing sufficient power-to-weight ratios for adequate climb performance, and has sufficient endurance in a simulated operational environment.

Lockheed Martin may do work on the SURGE-V programme at a location other than Eagan, Minn., because the company plans to close the Eagan facility by 2013.

Last May Lockheed Martin and Elbit designed the SURGE-V hybrid propulsion system that runs on renewable energy. Now Lockheed Martin will concentrate on demonstrating the integrated power system and payload on a SURGE-V UAV. Ultimately, the Air Force may give Lockheed Martin the go-ahead to conduct flight demonstrations of the integrated system.

Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics

buglerbilly

23-01-12, 02:04 PM

DARPA UAVFORGE Competition – Camera Stabilisation System Demonstration

Posted on January 23, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by ZaitsevskyA on Dec 30, 2011
The stabilization system described above can be implemented on multi-copters and any other types of vehicles. This stabilization principle is technically feasible for mounts with any number of axes (one, two, three stabilization axes).

This video of the Ecilop 1 camera stabilisation system by Aleksey Zaitsevsky is one of the more original entrants in the DARPA uavforge competition.

The stabilization system described above can be implemented on multi-copters and any other types of vehicles. This stabilization principle is technically feasible for mounts with any number of axes (one, two, three stabilization axes).

We understand that Aleksey has moved on to develop Ecilop 2, a more complete version, and Eclip 3, a mini version, which we will feature in later issues.

Soure: DARPA uavforge

buglerbilly

23-01-12, 02:07 PM

MIT Scientist Study Birds to Discover Maximum Theoretical UAS Speeds

Posted on January 23, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by 2002Rembrandt on Jan 6, 2011
Tiny spy cameras allow you to see some of the world's most magnificent birds in flight.with the master of manoeuvrability, the Gos Hawk, as it flies through dense woodland. Great animal video from BBC wildlife show Animal Camera, with music by Gregory Paul.

The northern goshawk zips through a forest at high speeds, constantly adjusting its flight path to keep from colliding with trees and other obstacles.

While speed is a goshawk’s greatest asset, researchers at MIT say the bird must observe a theoretical speed limit if it wants to avoid a crash. The researchers found that, given a certain density of obstacles, there exists a speed below which a bird — and any other flying object — has a fair chance of flying collision-free. Any faster, and a bird or aircraft is sure to smack into something, no matter how much information it has about its environment. A paper detailing the results has been accepted to the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation.

These findings may not be news to the avian world, but Emilio Frazzoli, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, says knowing how fast to fly can help engineers program unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to fly at high speeds through cluttered environments such as forests and urban canyons.

Frazzoli is part of an interdisciplinary team that includes biologists at Harvard University, who are observing flying behaviors in goshawks and other birds, and roboticists at MIT, who are engineering birdlike UAVs. With Frazzoli’s mathematical contributions, the team hopes to build fast, agile UAVs that can move through cluttered environments — much like a goshawk streaking through the forest.

Most UAVs today fly at relatively slow speeds, particularly if navigating around obstacles. That’s mainly by design: Engineers programme a drone to fly just fast enough to be able to stop within the field of view of its sensors.

“If I can only see up to five meters, I can only go up to a speed that allows me to stop within five meters,” Frazzoli says. “Which is not very fast.” If the northern goshawk flew at speeds purely based on what it could immediately see, Frazzoli conjectures that the bird would not fly as fast. Instead, the goshawk likely gauges the density of trees, and speeds past obstacles, knowing intuitively that, given a certain forest density, it can always find an opening through the trees.

Frazzoli points out that a similar intuition exists in downhill skiing. “When you go skiing off the path, you don’t ski in a way that you can always stop before the first tree you see,” Frazzoli says. “You ski and you see an opening, and then you trust that once you go there, you’ll be able to see another opening and keep going.”

Frazzoli says that in a way, robots may be programmed with this same speedy intuition. Given some general information about the density of obstacles in a given environment, a robot could conceivably determine the maximum speed below at it can safely fly.

Toward this end, Frazzoli and PhD student Sertac Karaman developed mathematical models of various forest densities, calculating the maximum speed possible in each obstacle-filled environment.

The researchers first drew up a differential equation to represent the position of a bird in a given location at a given speed. They then worked out what’s called an ergodic model representing a statistical distribution of trees in the forest — similar to those commonly used by ecologists to characterize the density of a forest. In an ergodic forest, while the size, shape and spacing of individual trees may vary, their distribution in any given area is the same as any other area. Such models are thought to be a fair representation of most forests in the world.

Frazzoli and Karaman adjusted the model to represent varying densities of trees, and calculated the probability that a bird would collide with a tree while flying at a certain speed. The team found that, for any given forest density, there exists a critical speed above which there is no “infinite collision-free trajectory.” In other words, the bird is sure to crash. Below this speed, a bird has a good chance of flying without incident.“If I fly slower than that critical speed, then there is a fair possibility that I will actually be able to fly forever, always avoiding the trees,” Frazzoli says.

The team’s work establishes a theoretical speed limit for any given obstacle-filled environment. For UAVs, this means that no matter how good robots get at sensing and reacting to their environments, there will always be a maximum speed they will need to observe to ensure survival.

Steven LaValle, professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, says knowing where to cap a UAV’s speed can help engineers like himself design more agile robots.

“Rather than trying to optimize robot speed, we might be able to [design] the robot at 95 percent of that speed, and achieve must simpler strategies that are also much safer to execute,” says LaValle, who did not contribute to the research.

The researchers are now seeing if the theory bears out in nature. Frazzoli is collaborating with scientists at Harvard, who are observing how birds fly through cluttered environments — in particular, whether a bird will choose not to fly through an environment that is too dense. The team is comparing the birds’ behavior with what Frazzoli’s model can predict. So far, Frazzoli says preliminary results in pigeons are “very encouraging.”

In the coming months, Frazzoli also wants to see how close humans can come to such theoretical speed limits. He and his students are developing a first-person flying game to test how well people can navigate through a simulated forest at high speeds. “What we want to do is have people play, and we’ll just collect statistics,” Frazzoli says. “And the question is, how close to the theoretical limit can we get?”

Source: MIT News

buglerbilly

25-01-12, 01:09 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Introducing AAI's Shadow Knight

Posted by Graham Warwick at 1/24/2012 10:32 AM CST

When UAV specialist AAI licensed Carter Aviation Technologies' slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) concept in 2009, it raised a few eyebrows. Tiny Carter had been working on the technology for years and, until then, had failed to secure any mainstream interest.

But AAI believed Jay Carter's reinterpretation of the autogyro offered the promise of an affordable VTOL capability for unmanned aircraft, without the weight, complexity and maintenance burden of a conventional helicopter's powered rotor.

Initially, AAI's focus for SR/C was on adding an unpowered rotor to the RQ-7 Shadow to produce a tactical UAV that, by virtue of VTOL capability, would be independent of both rail launchers and runways. It has also studied a larger cargo UAV using SR/C and uses the technology in its Transformer "flying Humvee" design for DARPA.

Now the company has unveiled the Shadow Knight, its contender for the US Navy's Medium-Range Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MRMUAS) requirement for a shipboard VTOL UAS significantly more capable than the MQ-8 Fire Scout.

Concept: AAI, via Mike Hirschberg

Shadow Knight uses SR/C technology, but with a twist. Where Carter's design can take off and land vertically by first spinning up the high-inertia rotor, it can't hover. Recognizing that getting on and off a ship will require the ability to hover, AAI plans to add the capability to power the rotor.

That would seem to negate the principal benefit of SR/C - that it's unpowered rotor is simpler and easier to maintain than a conventional helicopter dynamic system. But AAI argues that the clutch and transmission needed to drive the rotor during take-off and landing would have a much lower duty cycle, and maintenance burden, than a helicopter drive system.

In forward flight, Shadow Knight would still fly like a compound autogyro. Props would provide forward thrust, the now-autorotating rotor would be slowed to minimize drag, and lift would transfer to the aerodynamically efficient long-span wing. The result, AAI believes, would be greater speed and endurance than a conventional helicopter.

AAI's data sheet for the Shadow Knight says it would meet the MRMUAS requirement to provide continuous surveillance at 300nm from the ship while carrying an 880lb ISR/strike payload. Dash speed would be up to 230kt and an additional 33 cu ft of payload space would provide a cargo resupply capability.

buglerbilly

25-01-12, 01:33 AM

Swiss make first OPA purchase

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

6 hours ago

Source:

Virginia-based Aurora Flight Sciences has announced the sale of a Centaur optionally-piloted vehicle (OPA) to the Swiss air force, marking both the aircraft's first sale and the world's first OPA purchase. The aircraft, a highly modified Diamond DA42, will be used to test technologies for integrating unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) into civil airspace.

Delivery is scheduled in November 2012.

"The first customer is usually the hardest one to get, and so for us it's a big deal," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "The Swiss are an iconic gold standard for the world in everything they do."

The Swiss government released a request for information (RFI) for the project in February, 2011, and downselected in August. Several competitors bid on the project, said Langford.

©Aurora - Digitally Enhanced

"Our objective with the Swiss is to have this aircraft perform beautifully for them, and they'll find other applications," said Langford, hopefully resulting in new orders. Aurora must sell 10-15 aircraft to break even on the project. "We certainly see a path to getting to the sales we need to get past break-even. We're optimistic of sales in the order of a couple of dozen."

The aircraft is designed and built with the academic research community in mind, but the civil world has been relatively slow to adapt UAV technology. In contrast, militaries worldwide have enthusiastically committed to UAVs ranging from very small to very large. The Swiss air force has operated smaller UAVs for decades.

"Our initial application for Centaur when we launched it, it was aimed at the scientific research community," Langford said. The aircraft was designed specifically to fly unmanned over the inhospitable polar ice cap; getting there requires flying through national airspace, where UAVs are not permitted.

The Centaur, which begins life as a regular DA42, is flown to Aurora's Manassas, Virginia facility, where the systems required for remote piloting are installed. Any extra payloads will be installed by the Swiss air force.

buglerbilly

25-01-12, 01:39 AM

Skylark I-LE cleared to fly in French airspace

24 January 2012 - 16:58 by the Shephard News Team

The Elbit Systems Skylark I-LE Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) has been cleared to fly in French national airspace following the issue of a Military Aircraft Type Certificate by the French Ministry of Defense (DGA – Direction Generale de l'Armement). Elbit Systems made the announcement in a 24 January 2012 company statement.

The certificate was issued following a rigorous review of air-worthiness and safety related documents that were submitted to the French Air-Worthiness Technical Authority. According to the company, the French Type Certificate is ‘a recognition of Skylark I-LE’s capabilities, and as such it is an important reference for Elbit Systems' customers in NATO and worldwide.’

The Skylark I-LE (Long Endurance) is a derivative of the legacy Skylark I UAS, already operational with several coalition forces worldwide. This mini/man-pack UAS is designed for lower echelons self support reconnaissance close range beyond-the next-hill missions, offering longer endurance of up to three hours and enhanced robustness. Performance-proven in cloudy and windy weather conditions, Skylark I-LE features advanced optical survey, target identification and surveillance capabilities . It features a gyroscopic stabilized gimbaled payload and a high degree of autonomous flight from take-off to precise recovery.

The latest configuration, equipped with algorithms derived from Elbit Systems’ Hermes family of larger UAS, can track fixed and moving targets, and can be used for both defence and homeland security applications including perimeter security, border and coastal surveillance, anti-terrorism surveillance and a variety of law enforcement missions. The system is equipped with the latest secured digital data link, and a new-generation night payload. Weighing only 700 grams, the thermal payload is the lightest in its class. The payload’s capabilities include very wide area coverage, continuous tracking of moving targets and a higher resolution rate than any of its predecessors.

Elbit Systems provides the Israeli Defence Force battalion-level with the Skylark I-LE for all Ground Forces, including training and logistics support.

buglerbilly

25-01-12, 10:16 AM

NATO to Sign Alliance Ground Surveillance by May 2012

Posted on January 25, 2012 by The Editor

Global Hawk Block 40 - Photo:Northrop Grumman

NATO’s long-running process to order an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) capability could at last achieve a contract signature within the next few months, although the scale of its programme appears to have again been revised.

“We have the contract, and it’s under negotiation,” said US Air Force Major Geneneral Steve Schmidt, commander of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. A 13-nation deal should be signed before the next NATO summit, in Chicago from 20-21 May, he added.

“I fully expect to see the announcement that NATO has purchased AGS by that summit,” Schmidt told the AEW and Battle Management conference in London on 17 January. Schmidt valued the pending acquisition at about €1 billion ($1.3 billion) for five Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned aircraft, each equipped with a Northrop/Raytheon surveillance payload. An associated 20-year operational support package is expected to total a further €2.2 billion, he added.

This assessment contrasts with a previous plan, which had called for the purchase of six Global Hawks, to be operated from NAS Sigonella in Sicily from later this decade. Northrop officials last October said a deal was expected to be signed in early November 2011.

Although NATO was able to access information from a USAF Global Hawk that flew a limited number of sorties during last year’s Libya campaign, Schmidt said the availability of an Alliance-owned fleet “would have been a game-changer” during the seven months of Operation Unified Protector.

Beyond its application during such coalition operations in the future, Schmidt said additional uses for the AGS fleet would include crisis management and cooperative security tasks.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

26-01-12, 12:03 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Former ISR Chief Calls for More Autonomy in UAVs

Posted by Paul McLeary at 1/25/2012 2:07 PM CST

It is being reported that the Air Force is preparing to scrap its fleet of long range, long endurance Block 30 RQ-4 Global Hawk UAVs, while continuing to rely on Cold War-era U2 aircraft for high-altitude surveillance missions for at least another decade. While the pre-budget leak is somewhat surprising, the Global Hawk program had run into trouble before this, blowing through its budget, suffering reductions in the number the Pentagon wanted to buy and prompting the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester to report that the aircraft “provided less than half the required 55 percent Effective-Time-On-Station coverage over a 30-day period,” when operating at operational tempos, concluding that it is “not operationally suitable.”

That said, the Global Hawk was the last asset to leave Iraqi airspace when U.S. troops pulled out in December, while racking up 1,146 missions and 21,325.3 flight hours during the war.

Aside from the long-endurance mission, one of the big questions for American remotely piloted aviation is how best to plan for a future that will undoubtedly see a proliferation of increasingly sophisticated jamming and hacking capabilities make its way into the hands of state and even non-state adversaries.

“We need to have a balanced capability” to operate in both kinds of environments, (ret) USAF Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the service’s first Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance says. One of the greatest weaknesses of the unmanned fleet, Deptula adds, is that every platform has to be controlled by an operator on the ground. “Those linkages are vulnerable to jamming. To counter that you need to move toward a greater degree of autonomy, but along with moving to autonomy you’ll encounter a variety of policy issues that when you have a man in the loop you don’t have to worry about that much.”

Deptula believes that the issue isn’t the technology so much as it is the Cold War-era organizations that control that technology. “What we need to be looking at are innovative ways to accomplish the same kinds of outcomes or desired effects with fewer resources: that being dollars expended, personnel required, and numbers of systems,” he says. “We also have to think about different ways of doing business. Right now if you want more capability you add more sensors which adds more data collection which now requires greater bandwidth to offboard the data.” The key to reducing the amount of data sent to the ground—making it vulnerable to hacking—is in processing that information on board and sending back only that is of interest so it doesn’t rely on a “man in the loop” to carry out the simplest tasks. Particularly at a time when force structure will be strained, adding more autonomy to unmanned aircraft might be the only way to achieve the level of surveillance that the armed forces desire.

buglerbilly

27-01-12, 08:12 AM

Pentagon Plans 30% Increase in UAS Fleet

Posted on January 27, 2012 by The Editor

Chart: The Wall Street Journal

The Pentagon plans to expand its global network of unmanned aircraft and special-operations bases in a fundamental realignment meant to project US power even as it cuts back conventional forces.

The plan, to be unveiled by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday and in budget documents next month, calls for a 30% increase in the U.S. fleet of armed unmanned aircraft in the coming years, defense officials said.

The strategy reflects the Obama administration’s increasing focus on small, secret operations in place of larger wars.

Marines, for example, will use a new base in Darwin, Australia, as a launch pad for Southeast Asia, while the U.S. is in talks to expand the U.S. presence in the Philippines—potential signals to China that the U.S. has quick-response capability in its backyard, defense officials said.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, sees the bases and unmanned aircraft as part of an effort to offset cutbacks that some critics say will undercut the U.S.’ global dominance. The Pentagon says it will have more than enough force to fight at least one major troop-intensive ground war.

Mr. Panetta alluded in a speech on Friday to plans to invest more heavily in unmanned aircraft and special forces, saying the U.S. wanted to develop an “innovative rotational presence” in Latin America, Africa and elsewhere.

Mr. Panetta is scheduled to outline elements of the department’s $525 billion budget for fiscal 2013, including the first of $487 billion in cuts over 10 years, at the Pentagon Thursday.

The plan, however, envisions a 10% increase in special-operations forces over the next four years, from 63,750 this year to 70,000 by 2015, U.S. officials said. Mr. Panetta also will announce a buildup in the unmanned aircraft fleet in the coming years, U.S. officials said, following growth under predecessor Robert Gates.

The Air Force now operates 61 unmanned aircraft combat air patrols around the clock, with up to four aircraft in each patrol. Mr. Panetta’s plan calls for the military to have enough unmanned aircraft to comfortably operate 65 combat air patrols constantly with the ability to temporarily surge to 85 combat air patrols, officials said.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

buglerbilly

27-01-12, 08:15 AM

Northrop Grumman Statement on the Global Hawk Block 30 Programme

Posted on January 27, 2012 by The Editor

Northrop Grumman Corporation has released the following statement on the Global Hawk Block 30 programme:

“The Pentagon announced today that it is planning to cancel the Global Hawk Block 30 programme and plans to perform this mission with the U-2 aircraft. Northrop Grumman is disappointed with the Pentagon’s decision, and plans to work with the Pentagon to assess alternatives to programme termination.

“The Global Hawk programme has demonstrated its utility in U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, as well as its utility in humanitarian operations in Japan and Haiti. Just a few months ago, the Pentagon published an acquisition decision memorandum regarding Global Hawk Block 30 that stated: ‘The continuation of the programme is essential to the national security… there are no alternatives to the program which will provide acceptable capability to meet the joint military requirement at less cost.’

“Global Hawk is the modern solution to providing surveillance. It provides long duration persistent surveillance, and collects information using multiple sensors on the platform. In contrast, the aging U-2 programme, first introduced in the 1950s, places pilots in danger, has limited flight duration, and provides limited sensor capacity. Extending the U-2′s service life also represents additional investment requirements for that programme.

“Northrop Grumman is committed to working with our customers to provide the best solutions for our country and our allies. We are pleased with the continuing support for the Global Hawk Block 40 system, as well as for the Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance system and our other unmanned systems.”

Source: Presss Release

buglerbilly

31-01-12, 11:13 AM

IN FOCUS: Completing the missing link in UAS crew training

By: Frances Fiorino Orlando

17 hours ago

Source:

Increasing demand for realistic mission crew training is extending to the unmanned sector, where dramatic growth is expected in the next decade.

"From a global market perspective, customers continue to seek more effective, efficient ways to do training," says Martin Gagne, group president, military simulation products, training and services for training organisation CAE. "It's all about gaining team training and mission rehearsal capability.

The customer is seeking a dynamic synthetic environment, one that enables them to see the effects of dropping a bomb - the crater on the ground - and enables them to preserve equipment for operational missions."

CAE research data indicate demand for similar training capabilities are set to run apace with unmanned air system (UAS) market growth. Five years ago, about 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - mainly military - were in operation worldwide.

Now there are about 1,300 UAVs flying, with 7,000-8,000 more to be launched in the next 10 years. Each vehicle would require two crew: the UAS pilot, or air vehicle operator, who guides the aircraft; and the sensor pilot operator, or mission payload operator, who operates the sensor ball or camera under the aircraft.

In addition to the "cockpit" crew, each mission would require one or two mission co-ordinators: either intelligence-specific or operations-specific.

To meet those demands and to address training shortfalls in the UAS arena, CAE developed the Unmanned Aerial System Mission Training Solution (MTS). Most simulated UAV training is platform-specific. CAE describes its product as "platform agnostic" because it is reconfigurable to any UAS or vehicle payload.

It is built on a common database and designed for NATO Standardisation Agreement 4568 compliance, which allows an operator to switch between real and synthetic environments and enables system interoperability among allied forces.

The MTS allows operators to switch training environments to suit the changing battlefield environment. The number of scenarios the system can recreate is "limited only by the time and money it takes to build the scenarios", says Chris Stellwag, CAE director, marketing communications - military.

ANALYSIS CAPABILITY

The system includes a two-place ground control station, for the UAS pilot and payload specialist, as well as a station for the instructor, who can develop, monitor and change the environment and scenarios. The system also has research and analysis capability. CAE's solution is simulating medium-altitude long endurance UAVs, such as the US Army's General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle.

© CAE
CAE offers simulation of long-endurance UAVS such as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' Gray Eagle

The sensor suite includes imaging, radar (SAR synthetic aperture), electronic warfare, countermeasures (infrared jammers), signal intelligence, and effectors, or smart and laser-guided weapons. In addition, software automatically generates friend-or-foe entities on the battlefield.

Gagne says the visualisation system creates an out-the-window, realistic representation of the environment the warfighter expects to encounter. That claim was substantiated at CAE's product demonstrations at November's I/ITSEC 2011 conference in Orlando, Florida.

In one scenario, the UAS ground control crew chased a white pick-up truck as it careered at high speed through the narrow, winding streets of downtown Baghdad amid numerous other white trucks, while communicating with mission co-ordinators and special forces on the ground waiting to pick up the occupant.

The mission commander's role was played by Keven Gambold, a 21-year veteran who served tours in Kosovo and Iraq. He is a former Panavia Tornado pilot for the UK Royal Air Force, and flew General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predators with the US Air Force.

© CAE
A Predator flying over Afghanistan

Gambold is now director of operations for Unmanned Experts, a consultancy partnering CAE to develop and provide UAS training solutions. The scenario was based on a real-life event, says Gambold. "Tracking a car is difficult - and there are hundreds of white pick-ups in Baghdad. Imagine if it was the first time you were in that seat chasing that car. Special Forces doesn't want to hear, 'One minute please, I'm training, do you mind?'"

Gambol believes the ability to train an entire mission team at a low cost compared with in-flight training - and in a safe environment - is the "missing link" in UAS training. He pointed out the deterrents to establishing standardised crew training.

"First, there is a pervasive belief among almost every company, country and ministry of defence that learning to operate a UAV is easy. Why bother going through formal training? I can do this from my PC. UAVs are cheap," says Gambold. "Furthermore, there is no such thing as a standard civil UAV licence; operators are licensed for a specific operation in restricted airspace."

Gambold upholds the opposing view: a UAV operator should understand flight regulations and how to safely operate in airspace.

As many nations rush to UAS platform acquisition and operation, the training element is often neglected, explains Gambold. In fairness, that is mainly down to the urgent need to deploy to the battlefield. As a result, the first time crews operate in UAS airspace is often during real operations, he adds.

"Live" training with UAVs is restricted. Commercial airspace is closed to them and the assets - the vehicles - are needed on the frontline. Also, UAS training qualifications vary among the military. The USAF, for example, requires operators to hold a pilot's licence. Not so the US Army.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

UAS training curricula vary greatly. Unlike commercial aviation, the length and scope of training depends on the needs of the UAS customer. The general idea is to get in the minimum amount of hours in the shortest possible time, again because getting to the frontline is a priority, says Gambold.

The USAF recognises the need and offers UAV pilot training at its Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Few candidates are able to complete the course because they must deploy to the frontline, says Gambold.

The price of CAE's UAS Mission Training Solution varies widely, based on customer requirements and training tasks, says Stellwag. There are simulations to fit a wide range of customer needs. Costs can range from a few hundred thousand dollars for a desktop trainer to a multimillion-dollar outlay for a UAS mission training system.

The UAS market continues to grow. New technologies - from fuel cells to micro-optics and laser power to artificial intelligence - are emerging daily in military and civil markets, says Gambold. As the market grows, so will demand for training. "The defence/military sector has been the locomotive of technological advancement," says Gagne. UAVs are becoming more relevant globally as nations, including Canada, seek more capability to patrol borders, waterways, and natural resources.

This points to a growing need to set UAV licensing, training and requirements for operating in civil airspace. The International Civil Aviation Organization is establishing guidance on personal UAV licensing, notes Gambold.

However, it now focuses on remotely piloted aircraft managed on a real-time basis, compared with autonomous systems. Gambold presented a paper at the 2011 UAS Training and Simulation Conference, setting criteria for a Commercial Pilot's Licence (Unmanned).

Other nations are working with respective aviation authorities to find solutions. The USA, for example, has been working with the FAA and stakeholders of the National Airspace System to find ways of safely integrating manned and unmanned operations into the civil airspace.

buglerbilly

31-01-12, 11:56 AM

US Customs and Border Protection Sets Up Predator B Maritime Operations

Posted on January 31, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by customsborderprotect on Jan 27, 2012
CBP launches new Unmanned Aircraft Systems specifically designed to patrol over open water.

The US Customs and Border Protection agency just posted this video showing its new Unmanned Aircraft Systems specifically designed to patrol over open water.

It details the setting up of its Predator B aircraft, the logistical and contractual hurdles that had to be jumped and their cooperation and integration with the US Coast Guards.

Source: YouTube

buglerbilly

01-02-12, 10:46 AM

Northwest to Manufacture UAVForge Winner

Posted on February 1, 2012 by The Editor

Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems announced that it has been awarded a contract under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) UAVForge programme to manufacture 15 units of the winning design.

UAVForge is a DARPA and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SSC Atlantic) collaborative initiative to design, build and manufacture advanced small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Teams, both domestic and abroad are invited to compete in this initiative to design an advanced small UAV for the chance to win a $100,000 prize and work with NWUAV to produce an initial lot of up to 15 units. New users and teams are welcome to join at UAVForge.net, where over 1,400 users have registered to participate in this revolutionary effort.

UAVForge is utilizing a crowdsourcing procurement concept with the goal being to facilitate the exchange of ideas among a loosely connected international community united through common interests and inspired by innovation and creative thought. Over the next months, teams will be submitting proof of flight and test flight videos. The top 10 teams will then complete in a fly-off to determine the winner of the UAVForge competition.

Chris Harris, President and Owner of NWUAV says, “We are excited to have been selected to work with DARPA and the UAV community on this important project. The build-to-print expertise within NWUAW is a perfect match for this project which we believe will prove effective in constructing an efficient UAV design that meets the mission requirements of UAVForge.”

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

01-02-12, 10:25 PM

USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A

Feb 1, 2012

By Guy Norris

EDWARDS AFB, Calif. — A new U.S. Air Force X-plane designated X-56A will explore active control technology for potential use in future high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance aircraft.

Designed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, the X-56A flying wing will also later be flown by NASA, and is an innovative modular unmanned air vehicle designed to test active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation. These technologies are considered vital for the successful development of the slender, lightweight, high-aspect-ratio wings that could be used by future transports as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs.

Formerly dubbed the Multi-Use Technology Testbed (MUTT), the UAV will test to the edge of the flight envelope where flutter occurs. Flutter is the potentially catastrophic dynamic coupling that can occur between the elastic motion of the wing and the aerodynamic loads acting on it. If a test goes too far and a wing fails in flight, the X-56A is fitted with a fuselage-mounted ballistic parachute recovery system.

Powered by twin JetCat P240 turbojets, and configured for easy wing replacement, the aircraft will be tested with stiff wings as well as multiple sets of flexible wings. The design also includes a hard point on the center upper deck of the aft fuselage that can either be adapted to house a third engine or the boom for a joined wing, thereby enabling testing of more advanced aerodynamic concepts.

The 28-ft.-span vehicle is the key test asset for the Air Force Research Laboratory-led Multi-utility Aeroelastic Demonstration Program (MAD). This is contributing to AFRL’s follow-on work to SensorCraft, a class of HALE vehicles intended for surveillance as well as telecommunication relay and environmental sensing. Following Air Force flight tests, the X-56A will be used by NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center for further work also aimed at lightweight structures and advanced technology for future low-emissions transport aircraft.

AFRL MAD Program Manager Pete Flick says the SensorCraft studies “led us to very different configurations that are inherently more flexible with high-aspect-ratio wings. Gust-load alleviation and flutter suppression are two key technologies we needed to pursue, and there was no testbed out there where we could test active flutter suppression without a lot of risk. So we went out to develop a vehicle specifically for that purpose. So that’s what motivated AFRL, and to work with NASA, which has a similar interest in pursuing configurations for future aircraft.”

The NASA flights will be conducted under the subsonic fixed-wing project and will help to develop guidelines and methodology for active dynamic structural control as well as provide flight-validated aircraft models for academia. The aeroelastic and lightweight structures research will also contribute toward long-range planning for the proposed X-54 low-boom supersonic demonstrator program.

Displaying clear design heritage from previous Lockheed SensorCraft concepts as well as flying wing designs including the P-175 Polecat, RQ-170 and DarkStar UAVs, the X-56A is characterized by a cranked delta planform. The flight-test package will include two identical center bodies measuring 7.5 ft. long, as well as four sets of constant-chord wings. One set will be stiff for baseline flight tests, as well as follow-on research, while the remaining three will be identical flexible wings made with lighter skin material for flutter testing.

The X-56A is in final assembly at GFMI Aerospace and Defense, a Fountain Valley, Calif.-based engineering company specializing in prototype and mockup development. The aircraft is currently due to be delivered to Lockheed Martin in late April and will be transported to Edwards AFB in June. Flights with the 452nd Flight Test Squadron, part of the 412th Test Wing, will begin at the North Base in July and continue through September. Following an approximately 25-hr.-long flight test effort, the X-56A is expected to transfer to NASA by year’s end.

AFRL Concept

buglerbilly

02-02-12, 09:48 AM

Elbit’s Hermes 900 Makes First Appearance at Singapore 2012 Air Show

Posted on February 2, 2012 by The Editor

Elbit Systems‘ Hermes 900 multi-mission UAS will make its first real-size appearance at the upcoming Singapore Air Show, which takes place from February 14 to 19, 2012.

The aircraft will be displayed at the Static Display Area together with the following payloads:

■ DCoMPASS – Digital Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilized System
■ AMPS – Advanced Multi-Sensor Payload System
■ SIGINT Payloads for UAS by Elbit Systems EW and SIGINT Elisra:
■ Emerald AES 210/V - ESM/ELINT Payload for UAS
■ iSNS – Immune Satellite Navigation System, GPS ECCM System
■ SKYFIX/SKYJAM – COMINT/DF and COMJAM Payload for UAS

The Skylark I LE Mini UAS will also be displayed in real-size, as part of the communication set up.

A range of the Company’s UAS will be presented in 1:10 scale: Hermes 450 Long Endurance Tactical UAS, Hermes 90 Tactical Close-Range Long Endurance UAS and Skylark II Tactical Close-Range UAS.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

04-02-12, 12:53 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

K-MAX Chugging Along in Afghanistan

Posted by Paul McLeary at 2/3/2012 9:58 AM CST

The moment that the helicopter touched the ground on a dusty airfield in southern Afghanistan, the game had changed. After a decade of sending vulnerable, manpower-intensive, fuel-sucking ground convoys to resupply troops at far-flung combat outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan—and seeing those convoys consistently ambushed, blown up or delayed—the U.S. Marine Corps had had enough. So on Dec. 17, the Corps not only took to the air to deliver supplies to its grunts, but it did so using the K-MAX remotely piloted helicopter.

And as of the end of January, the K-MAX has delivered over 100,000 lb. of cargo on more than 50 unmanned resupply missions, according to numbers provided by Lockheed Martin, which produces the K-MAX along with Kaman Aerospace.

On its maiden flight, the K-MAX was dispatched from Camp Dwyer to deliver supplies to Marines at Combat Outpost Payne in Helmand province, delivering 3,500 lb. of food and other supplies. One subsequent resupply mission saw the bird haul a 4,200-lb. generator in a single load, Lockheed’s Jeff Brown says.

During pre-deployment testing, the K-MAX was able to exceed the Navy and Marine Corps’ requirement to deliver 6,000 lb. of cargo per day over a five-day period, lugging a total of 33,400 lb. of cargo and topping out at about 3,500 lb. delivered in a single mission, the Marines have said. Plus, with its four-hook carousel, K-MAX can also supply multiple locations in one flight. The Marines say that they’ll continue to collect data on the K-MAX’s performance over the next six months, and once they analyze how effectively the aircraft performed they will make the decision whether or not to make it a program of record.

And you can bet the Army is keeping a close eye on the program. In August, the service awarded the Lockheed/Kaman team $47 million to continue work on the K-MAX program—testing was done this past fall at Ft. Benning—while wrapping up a larger study on a full range of unmanned cargo options.

The tests will help the service build a formal program of record for an unmanned vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) capability, a program which we already know Textron/AAI is very interested in. Steve Reid, the company’s senior VP and general manager for unmanned systems, says that the company has signed a license agreement with Carter Aviation for a manned, four-person rotary-wing asset that Textron is working on turning into an unmanned asset that “would do the cargo mission that’s being talked about” quite nicely. The Navy has also been busy with other unmanned options, including awarding Northrop Grumman a contract in September to supply 28 MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL-UAS’s (based on Bell’s 407 helicopter airframe), which the company has touted for its cargo-lugging capabilities.

buglerbilly

04-02-12, 01:11 AM

Army Eying the K-MAX for Tactical Airlift?

Check this out. We’ve been wondering how the cancellation of the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft would impact the Army’s tactical airlift needs. While the Air Force says canning the JCA won’t hurt anyone, it looks like the Army is eying the optionally-manned K-MAX helo to carry realatively small but urgent loads of cargo to remote bases.

Now, the Marines have been experimenting with using the K-MAX for this role in Afghanistan for a while now and the Army is very interested in seeing how that effort goes, according to AvWeek.

And you can bet the Army is keeping a close eye on the program. In August, the service awarded the Lockheed/Kaman team $47 million to continue work on the K-MAX program—testing was done this past fall at Ft. Benning—while wrapping up a larger study on a full range of unmanned cargo options.

The tests will help the service build a formal program of record for an unmanned vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, a program which we already know Textron/AAI is very interested in. Steve Reid, the company’s senior vp and general manager for unmanned systems says that the company has signed a license agreement with Carter Aviation for a manned, four-person rotary winged asset that Textron is working on turning into an unmanned asset that the company feels “would do the cargo mission that’s being talked about” quite nicely. The Navy has also been busy with other unmanned options, including awarding Northrop Grumman a contract in September to supply twenty-eight MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL-UAS’s (based on Bell’s 407 helicopter airframe), which the company has touted for its cargo-lugging capabilities.

Very interesting.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz1lN4WHxKy
Defense.org

buglerbilly

07-02-12, 10:31 AM

MicroFalcon completes extreme weather testing

07 February 2012 - 4:25 by the Shephard News Team

Innocon has announced that its MicroFalcon mini UAS has completed flight tests at extreme weather conditions. According to a 6 February 2012 company statement, the MicroFalcon operated successfully under a snow storm at -15 Celsius, and a 35knt wind velocity.

The MicroFalcon is Innocon's lightest UAV. It provides high quality intelligence and surveillance information required for both the civil and HLS markets, as well as for military over the hill missions. This UAV has an Innovative structure of boxed type wings with belly mounted payload, which contributes to its high survivability and fast redeployment time cycle.

The system is designed to give around the clock coverage of the targeted area with its multi UAV control capability. The multi UAV function allows the operator to fly continuously over the target. Both UAVs are controlled and monitored during the whole time from a single ground control station.

buglerbilly

07-02-12, 10:33 AM

Elbit Systems launches hyperspectral UAV payload

07 February 2012 - 9:09 by the Shephard News Team

Elbit Systems has announced the newest addition to its portfolio of UAV payloads with the recent launch of a Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 hyperspectral payload with new revolutionary intelligence capabilities.

The new hyperspectral imaging technology enables simultaneous imaging of the region of interest at different wavelengths. The payload is capable of imaging the spectral signature of the imaged materials, which is unique to every material in nature, like a fingerprint. Using a very sensitive imaging technology, the system can perform remote sensing by distinguishing most colors at a broad spectral range and at an extremely high resolution.

The innovative hyperspectral technology introduces a new, additional dimension to the world of intelligence gathering, by enabling detection and tracking of targets on the basis of their material signature. The new payload enables intelligence gathering via identification, measurement and tracking of materials and objects including uncovering low signature military activity and invisible obstacles, as well as identification of hazardous materials. The airborne hyperspectral system is also complemented by a ground segment that provides automatic interpretation of the images/data and a mission planning system.

According to the company, in its Hermes 900 or Hermes 450 UAS configuration, the new system facilitates remote sensing and monitoring capabilities for various scenarios. In addition to military applications, the new hyperspectral technology is applicable for commercial and scientific use, such as pollution detection, water sampling, mineral deposits location, as well as agricultural applications like vegetation tracking and projection of crop yields, soil identification and more.

Elbit Systems has completed the development of the system and has recently conducted a series of successful test flights.

buglerbilly

07-02-12, 10:16 PM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Avenger Redux - Second Predator C Flies

Posted by Graham Warwick at 2/7/2012 11:45 AM CST

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has flown the second jet-powered Predator C, aka Avenger. Tail 2 first flew on Jan 12 at Gray Butte in California and is 4ft longer than the first aircraft, to accommodate larger payloads and more fuel.

Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

GA-ASI says the second Avenger "refines the first prototype design to an operational capability" - the Pentagon revealed in December it is buying a single Avenger for deployment to Afghanistan to act as a testbed for next-generation UAS sensors, weapons and operations.

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545-powered Avenger is 44ft long, with a 66ft wingspan, and has a top speed exceeding 400kt and endurance of more than 16 hours. The aircraft can carry 3,500lb internally, plus weapons up to 2,000lb JDAM class on wing hardpoints, GA-ASI says.

Two more aircraft are under construction, the company says, with Tail 3 to fly by late summer and Tail 4 early in 2013.

buglerbilly

09-02-12, 12:32 PM

BAE Demonstrates UAS Recovery Capability

Posted on February 9, 2012 by The Editor

BAE Systems has for the first time successfully demonstrated the ability for an unmanned aircraft to recover to an airfield that is unfamiliar to its mission system.

The demonstration – conducted at West Sale in Victoria – was conducted by a Kingfisher 2, and also saw the vehicle successfully integrate into nearby RAAF East Sale’s busy air traffic services.

“Most autonomous landing technologies require a fair amount of specific detail about an alternate recovery airfield before the aircraft’s launched on its mission,” said BAE’s Airborne Systems Integration and Development’s general manager Brad Yelland. “We’ve shown that we can get the aircraft back safely when its mission system has almost no detail about an airfield but still has to land there.”

The Kingfisher 2’s mission system incorporates a navigation system that does not rely on standard GPS information, and instead collects raw satellite data and inertial measurement and air pressure data. The autonomous recovery payload uses runway co-ordinates generated by the navigation system and combines all the data to create a destination flight path. For the demonstration flights, the vehicle was given single latitude and longitude bearings of an airfield and told to land, and the mission system calculated the flight path, identified the airstrip using the electro-optic sensor payload, surveyed and mapped the landing strip, and landed autonomously.

“We are excited about the next phase in our development of unique autonomous-enabling technologies,” Yelland added. “These capabilities will provide an advantage for military UAS operators in theatre and contribute to the progress of commercial UAS operations in Australia and worldwide.”

Source: Australian Aviation

buglerbilly

09-02-12, 12:33 PM

Innocon MicroFalcon Flight Tests in Extreme Weather

Posted on February 9, 2012 by The Editor

Innocon’s MicroFalcon mini UAS has completed flight tests at extreme weather conditions.

The MicroFalcon operated successfully under a snow storm at -15 Celsius, and a 35 knots wind velocity.   ”We are proud of the MicroFalcon mini UAS system. It has demonstrated its long endurance, wide-area surveillance capability to detect targets in all operational environments – in any type of weather, day and night,” says Michael Armon, Innocon’s CEO.

The MicroFalcon is Innocon’s lightest UAS. It provides high quality intelligence and surveillance information required for both the civil and HLS markets, as well as for military over the hill missions. This UAS has an innovative structure of boxed type wings with belly-mounted payload, which contributes to its high survivability and fast redeployment time cycle.

Moreover, the system is able to give around the clock coverage of the targeted area with its multi UAS control capability. The multi UAS function allows the operator to fly continuously over the target. Both UAS are controlled and monitored during the whole time from a single ground control station.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

09-02-12, 12:36 PM

Pulse Aerospace Announces New Unmanned Helicopter

Posted on February 9, 2012 by The Editor

Pulse Aerospace released is latest product, the PA-01 Vapor helicopter unmanned aircraft system at the PIPELINE Innovator of the Year Event in Overland Park, Kansas on January 26, 2012.

Bill Donovan, President of Pulse Aerospace, was selected into the 2011 group of high-growth oriented innovators to take part in the PIPELINE entrepreneurial fellowship culminating in venture capital presentations to judges including Thomas B. Pickens III of Astrotech; Lars Perkins, founder of Picasa; and Suren Dutia, Kauffman Foundation Fellow. “It was really great to put our company through this process.” said Bill Donovan. “There are a lot of business incubators out there for new ideas, but PIPELINE is more focused on helping existing companies that are poised for strong growth, and the timing worked out well for us to release our new product, the Vapor, at the event.”

During his presentation, Donovan emphasised that a new commercial market is emerging, which they hope to capitalize on with the Vapor. “To integrate UAS into the commercial market you have to do three things: You have to make them easier to operate, more affordable, and more reliable. We designed the Vapor with these goals in mind,” said Donovan.

“The first systems that will fly commercially in the US will be small vehicles operated close to the user,” said Lance Holly, Vice President of Pulse Aerospace. “Vertical Takeoff or Landing (VTOL) systems offer the easiest operation, and it has long been understood that helicopters provide the best endurance and payload capacity in the VTOL space.”

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

10-02-12, 01:26 PM

Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron Unmanned Aerial System was demonstrated to Frontex EU Agency

(Source: Israel Aerospace Industries; issued February 9, 2012)

Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Heron Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was recently demonstrated successfully and according to the plan, this time in Greece, as part of a demonstration held by the European Union (EU) agency, Frontex.

During the demonstration a number of IAI payloads were employed successfully to detect potential targets, for monitoring anti-smuggling and other illegal activity operations in both the ground and maritime arenas. Among the payloads demonstrated were IAI's Tamam Division Multi-mission Optronic Stabilized Payload (MOSP), and ELTA's, an IAI group and subsidiary, Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR).

Heron UAS successfully demonstrated precise ISR capabilities and Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) which allow Heron full operational activity in difficult weather conditions.

Frontex, a specialized and independent EU body, is tasked with coordinating operational cooperation between Member States in the field of border security. The demonstration took place at the Hellenic Air-Force base Aktio, in the presence of representatives from various European countries' Border-Police and Coast-Guard forces as well as the Hellenic Coast Guard.

IAI's Heron is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS With a wingspan of 16.6 meters and a takeoff weight of 1,250 kg, the Heron UAS can reach an altitude of 30,000 feet with an endurance of up to 40 hours (depending on the mission and payload configuration). Heron is a multi-mission UAS able to carry a wide variety of sensors. It can operate at least five different payloads simultaneously, to provide real-time information over a wide area for an extended period of time.

The Heron UAS is in operational use with over 18 customers worldwide including the Brazilian Federal Police. Its impressive capabilities for monitoring anti-smuggling and other illegal activities were demonstrated to the Australian Customs and the Spanish Guardia Civil.

"Demonstrations like the one in Greece help Frontex understand whether there are possibilities for a civilian use of such technologies. Our main interest is their potential use for border control and for search and rescue operations at sea, as saving human lives is one of our priorities", said Edgar Beugels, Head of Frontex Research and Development.

-ends-

buglerbilly

10-02-12, 01:30 PM

Israel Aerospace Industries Presents C²Strike – Integrated Tactical See & Strike System

(Source: Israel Aerospace Industries; issued February 9, 2012)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is finalizing development of C²Strike - a command, communication, surveillance and strike integrated system designated for tactical use and based on the Panther UAS special capabilities. C²Strike system opens new and groundbreaking capabilities for the tactical maneuvering force in defense and strike missions.

Panther's Automatic Vertical Take-Off and Landing (AVTOL) capabilities, and its hovering and transitioning to straight & level flight, were recently demonstrated to certain IAI customers. The Panther, having E/O surveillance and Laser designation Payloads, provides a unique solution for the tactical tier.

Until now, observation capability by UAS and precise fire support were not readily available at the tactical level. Weapon accuracy and effectiveness was limited, and small forces - terrorists, hiding anti-tank squads, etc., could block an armored maneuver. The challenge in such battlefield scenarios is to locate and strike low-signature and time sensitive targets, swiftly and accurately. There is an ongoing worldwide need for such a solution.

IAI's Total Connectivity Solution is implemented in the C²Strike system to enable real time data transfer. An integrated network between airborne surveillance systems, control systems and precision strike systems creates a united operational system-of-systems. Fast, accurate and independent identification, location, designation, launch and strike of targets is achieved.

The Panther UAS' multi-sensor payload consists of a day-night designation system. The UAS is operated by a commander, an operator and a technician, that move with the mobile forces in the MMS (Mobile Mission Station). Each MMS carries more than one Panther UAS, for full support, backup and hot swap between mission and transit UAS.

The system uses video geo-registration technology for accurate target coordinates location.

Various IAI's weapon systems are integrated with C²Strike, for example: the LAHAT laser guided missile, equipped with advanced guidance capabilities and unique warheads, with a range of 8 km; the TopGun GPS/INS guided missile, capable of mid-course target changing for accurate strike and guided-artillery allocation. Integration of other weapon systems is possible per customer's specific requirements.

A ground communication system connects the MMS vehicle and the strike weapon systems. The C²Strike system extracts accurate target coordinates and provides a real time broad situation picture to the commander, who is in full situational-awareness, and assigns munition allocations accordingly. All communications are secure as required. The customer's own network can be used for communication. To further enhance the communication system's capabilities, the Panther UAS could also be used as a relay. IAI's ETOP Hovering Observation Platform could also be integrated with the system, according to the required operational range and battlefield characteristics.

Background Material – The Panther UAS:

With its 3 ultra-quiet electrical motors, the Panther tactical UAV, which weighs roughly 65 kg, can take off and land vertically on any unprepared area. The Panther utilizes Tilt Rotor technology for maneuvering the platform in various modes: pinpoint hovering like a helicopter, and straight and level efficient endurance flight like a fixed wing aircraft.

A typical mission can take approximately 3 hours, at an altitude of 2000 feet above ground. It cannot be heard or seen from the ground. The operational range is 25-50 km according to mission profile.

The Panther is equipped with an advanced autonomous flight control system controlling the transition between the various modes as well as during the Automatic Vertical Takeoff and Landing (AVTOL) phases. The Panther UAS carries IAI's Mini-POP (Plug-in Optronics Payload) – a day/night stabilized camera including, in addition to specific customer's requirement, a laser range finder, laser pointer or laser designator.

-ends-

buglerbilly

11-02-12, 12:44 AM

European Industry Calls for UAS Regulatory Framework

Feb. 10, 2012 - 03:39PM

By JULIAN HALE

BRUSSELS — A representative from the European defense industry came out strongly in favor of the European Union developing a regulatory framework for unmanned aerial systems (UASs) at a workshop on research and development into UASs here Feb. 9.

Dave Kershaw, the Future Capability Business Development Director at BAE Systems and who is serving on a UAS working group at the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), expressed the need for a “fair and reasonable regulatory framework to operate systems across borders” and that there was “a need for coordination between countries.”

He also called for a “proof of concept demonstration” to show the safety of UASs. By way of example, in the U.K. in 2003, he said a UAS had been ready to fly in six months but it had taken 18 months until the regulator “let us fly because we didn’t understand each other.” Hence the need for a proof of concept, he argued.

He concluded by asking: “Is the European Commission ready to create a regulatory framework and rules of the highway to allow us to make products?”

European Defence Agency CEO Claude France Arnould cited “lack of coordination” as “a big issue,” and said there “was a strong expectation for the EU to bring it all together.”

She stressed that “the question of safety is key for everything” and that “safety has to be proved, certified and perceived.”

Daniel Calleja Crespo, the director general of the European Commission’s DG Enterprise, said that during the workshop he had “heard a clear call for the EU to take the lead. The question is, when the EU takes the lead, how it moves forward on fragmentation. We need to analyze how the commission can meet expectations.”

The Commission will produce a report summarizing the main findings of the workshop and identifying ways forward in the spring, he added.

Asked about the benefits for military users of UASs flying in normal airspace, Christian Breant, EDA research director, pointed to the use of UASs for training. He also said that they could in the future be flown directly to battlefields whereas currently, they are taken on boats or aircraft.

Christoph Kautz, deputy head of unit at DG Enterprise, noted that Horizon 2020, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020), refers to dual-use technologies to ensure interoperability between civil protection and military forces, and for border security and crisis management. However, panelists were unable to give details of the priority research and development areas.

buglerbilly

14-02-12, 10:43 AM

IN FOCUS: Elbit plots UAV expansion

By: Zach Rosenberg Tel Aviv

4 hours ago

Source:

Elbit Systems is the largest publicly listed defence company in a country dominated by state-owned behemoths. As such, the company is proud of its ranking among the top defence companies in the world, having begun with electro-optics and branched out into unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), electronic sensors and data fusion.

Its Hermes 450 mid-sized UAV has become popular throughout the world, and Elbit has in recent years used the same systems to expand up to the Hermes 900, effectively doubling the 450's essential performance, and the Hermes 90, a smaller version now in the final range of test flights.

© Elbit
The Hermes 450 can carry a 255kg payload

Revenue totalled $2.4 billion in 2011 for Elbit, which has a $5.4 billion backlog for its products. Although few specific customers are discussed, as is accepted practice in Israeli industry, officials say the company does roughly 25% of its business within Israel, 25% in Europe, 25% in the USA and 25% in the rest of the world, especially the lucrative and growing Latin American and Asian markets - a ratio the company cultivates carefully, wary of reliance on one customer or niche.

Abroad, Elbit's partnership strategy has allied it to AEL in Brazil, Halbit Avionics in India and UAS Dynamics in the USA. Its modus operandi is to co-opt or acquire companies until the required footholds are gained for political and economic consideration as a local company.

"Third-tier countries look at the UAV system as a technology jump for their forces," says Shimon Sarid, Elbit's vice-president of operations. "We are getting, sometimes, indications from many countries that we didn't even think of that now they're interested in jumping into the UAV world."

Elop, the electro-optical division, markets a range of electro-optics, including everything from rifle scopes and infrared binoculars to high-resolution satellite cameras and long-range oblique photography payloads. Roughly 40% of Elop's business is dedicated to ground-based systems, with another 40% for airborne systems. The remaining 20% goes to naval and space applications. Elbit builds an assorted array of cameras, designators, countermeasures and intelligence packages.

The most capable system is the advanced multi-sensor payload system, a pod that combines an Elbit-built camera, laser designator, thermal imager and various other sensors, capable of imaging targets up to 100km. "I think it's a unique capability: you cannot find it elsewhere," says Elop. At more or less 85kg, depending on the specific sensors the customer selects, "it's a very big system". The USA is by far the largest market for such systems, where US competitors such as Wescam and Raytheon dominate the market. Two customers, including Israel, are flying "a couple of tens" of the system.

DEFAULT PAYLOAD

Elbit's most popular system by far, and its biggest moneymaker, is the digital compact multipurpose advanced stabilised system, or Dcompass. Over 400 of the systems have been sold worldwide. It is the default payload for the Hermes aircraft line. "When you look at the market today for those kind of payloads, the lowest weight that you can find on the market is 45kg," says Elop. "And our goal was to build a product giving state-of-the-art performance 25% lighter than our competitors." The Dcompass weighs 33kg, it adds. A smaller version for tactical UAVs, the MicroCompass, weighs in at 9kg, while much of the competition, according to Elop, is twice the weight.

© Elbit

The Dcompass, with a 15in aperture, "is currently the biggest market, but we see the market going to smaller payloads, lighter payloads, and we anticipate that the market share will move to the order of 8-inch, 10-inch". Miniaturisation remains the division's main focus.

The Hermes line of UAVs remains Elbit's flagship. Recently upgraded with a new engine, allowing an increase to 550kg takeoff weight, the Hermes 450 can carry a payload of up to 255kg. While Elbit does not openly discuss customers, as is standard practice within the Israeli defence establishment, major operators include Mexico and Singapore. And the aircraft account for 85% of all Israel Defence Force (IDF) UAVs, says Elbit.

A derivative of the aircraft, Watchkeeper, won a 2005 contest to supply the British Army with 54 UAVs, under the largest UAV contract ever tendered outside the USA. While Watchkeeper is subjected to operational evaluations, the UK is using leased Hermes 450s to conduct surveillance in Afghanistan. The contract was won in cooperation with France's Thales, which also supplied the communications system. Elbit and Thales are "trying to market Watchkeeper other places in the world, and also we're talking with them about the expansion of that agreement to other platforms", says Sarid.

The Hermes 900 almost doubles the 450's performance: it is twice the size, carries twice the payload and remains in the air for twice as long. The system was purchased by the IDF shortly after its 2009 first flight and has since found export customers in Chile and other nations in the Americas.

The Hermes 90, a smaller derivative based on external designs, is nearing readiness. The aircraft can carry up to 55kg payload and remain airborne for 15 hours.

"We are about to qualify the system and be ready for marketing," says Sarid. "It will take us three or four months. We are at the last stage of development."

HYDROGEN FUEL

Elbit's smallest offerings are its Skylark I and II. Both battery-powered aircraft are sized for the tactical market. The Skylark I can be hand-launched, but the larger Skylark II requires a launch rail. The company has test-flown a hydrogen fuel cell for the Skylark I that promises to double its endurance; the same system will be scaled up and introduced onto the Skylark II sometime in the future.

[I] © Elbit
Elbit Skylark II UAV

"I think in the next three years, I hope that we'll see our more advanced versions of the Hermes 900 [and] 450 come into the market," says Sarid. "On the larger type of UAVs, it will take a while and need cooperation from other countries [and] other large companies, [but] we'll be able to go up to the category of 3-5t UAV."

Defence budgets are falling worldwide, forcing companies from lucrative markets to seek profits abroad and create fierce competition where there was once very little.

"Become indispensable" is advice often given to contractors. Elbit, despite manufacturing UAVs in the same class as many competitors, appears to be targeting exactly that.

buglerbilly

14-02-12, 10:47 AM

IN FOCUS: Unmanned systems lead IAI push for international growth

By: Zach Rosenberg Tel Aviv

2 hours ago

Source:

Like all of the Middle Eastern nation's defence companies, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is in a delicate predicament: it cannot reveal much of its clientele, and Israeli politics - internal and external - put major limitations on what it can sell, and where.

Many of the governments buying IAI equipment, including major customers buying top-shelf systems, do not speak publicly about their purchases, and IAI does not disclose them.

© Israel Aerospace industries
IAI makes Herons at its facility beside Ben Gurion airport

"I can tell you no-one bought from Israel because they like us, or they love us," says Tommy Silberring, general manager of IAI's Malat division, which manufactures its UAVs. "They buy from us because we have a capability that is maybe better in price, or because we have the flexibility to enable that country to integrate their own systems."

IAI is not only the country's largest defence company, but also one of the major drivers of high technology in a place famous for its technological prowess. Its 17,000 employees are divided into six divisions, three concerned with military projects and three with civil work. IAI's backlog is valued at $10.6 billion and in January the manufacturer disclosed its largest order ever, valued at $1.6 billion and covering a range of systems including Heron 1 UAVs, Harop stand-off munitions and Green Pine radars.

Among the civil divisions, Bedek is pre-eminent. Based at IAI's facility besides Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Bedek is mainly concerned with passenger-to-cargo conversions of the Boeing 737, 747 and 767, a roster to which additions are under consideration. Maintenance, repair and operations work is also a major contributor to IAI's bottom line.

SPANNING SECTORS

IAI also produces G150, G200 and G280 midsize business jets for Gulfstream. The aircraft are built in Tel Aviv and flown to the USA for interior outfitting. The G280 is the latest offering. After a four-year development programme the aircraft has earned approval from the Israeli civil aviation authority, but is not yet certified with the US Federal Aviation Administration or European Aviation Safety Agency. Despite what is widely acknowledged as expectation-exceeding performance, the depressed market for new midsize business jets and correspondingly small order book means it may be some time before IAI comes anywhere near recouping its development costs.

The Israeli Defence Force is in the middle of a highly competitive $1 billion contest for an advanced trainer aircraft to replace its aged Douglas A-4 Skyhawks. As whichever trainer is eventually selected will be operated by IAI, the company stands to gain either way. The field has narrowed to two competitors: Italy's Alenia Aermacchi M346 and South Korea's KAI T-50. The governments of both nations are long-time customers for various IAI products, and both nations have threatened to look elsewhere for equipment should their products not be selected. Preliminary indications are that Italy has the favoured product.

© Israel Aerospace industries
UAV contests in Canada and Germany could yield quick divdends for the Heron

Special-mission aircraft - regular aircraft packed full of specialised electronics - have been particularly lucrative for IAI. Its offerings include heavily modified Gulfstream Vs for airborne early warning (AEW), signals intelligence and synthetic aperture radar. Several deals are potentially forthcoming, and Italy has reportedly committed to buy two of the AEW aircraft if Aermacchi wins its trainer bid.

IAI's bread and butter is UAVs for export. Widely considered to be among the inventors of the modern UAV, IAI remains on the cutting edge of international markets in that area. It offers a more diverse array of UAVs than any other manufacturer in Israel, ranging from a tiny hand-launched aircraft, the Mosquito, to the Heron TP, a large medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) aircraft capable of staying in the air for two days.

In keeping with the tradition of Israeli defence companies, almost 80% of its sales are made abroad. India, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing defence markets, is a particularly loyal customer of IAI's. India operates around 50 Heron UAVs with IAI-developed radar and optical payloads, plus a number of IAI-modified special-mission aircraft. "India is one of our biggest markets," confirms Silberring.

CROWDED ARENA

Other countries operating the Heron include Australia, France, Germany and Brazil. Most operators have only a handful of aircraft on a lease basis, many for operations over Afghanistan, but IAI is angling for purchases. France has selected a version of the aircraft co-produced with Dassault, called the Harfang, for purchase, despite blistering criticism from the French senate. In each of these contests the aircraft faces competition from the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator B, the only other large MALE aircraft available on the international market. However, the arena is likely to get more crowded as other companies - particularly Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems - bring their own offerings to the table. But for the meantime IAI has a lock on non-NATO countries.

IAI's electronics division, Elta, is the fourth-largest radar manufacturer in the world, providing systems for both IAI's products and those of others. Ironically, despite it being among the early adaptors of solid-state electronics, Elta's most sought-after and profitable services are for older technology. Many of IAI's customers are simply not in the market for cutting-edge technology.

"We thought that we would phase out of [TWT, transmitting wave tube] technology, and we actually moved long ago into solid-state technology," says Igal Karney, Elta's manager of marketing and sales. "But still there are so many systems in the field, so the need for TWT has even increased."

Rumours that IMI, a state-owned munitions company, may be primed for acquisition are emerging in defence circles. Members of the Israeli government occasionally make public statements about partial or total privatisation. Such changes have been floated for years, but Israel's falling defence budget may finally be the requisite catalyst.

Either way, change of one sort or another is coming to IAI. Its president Yitzhak Nissan, who has held the post for six years, is leaving his position after a semi-public fight with the chairman of the board. Two board members are following. But whether this results in any major changes to business strategy or product road-maps is yet to be seen.

Still, IAI has entered 2012 with a strong outlook. UAV contests in Canada, Germany and Australia could yield quick dividends for the Heron, and a number of smaller, somewhat more opaque contests in smaller nations also offer potential.

buglerbilly

14-02-12, 10:55 AM

IN FOCUS: Israel embraces micro and mini unmanned systems

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

1 hours ago

Source:

Israeli Defence Force (IDF) doctrine holds that to attain full command of a given area, a ground force must be continuously present while the air force is on call to support from above.

But the manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) offers a different take - and the tools to perform it. A company source explains that by using unmanned air systems (UAS), hovering intelligence platforms and stand-off sensors on aircraft, the air force can achieve sustained dominance, saying: "Some of these aerial systems should be operated by the infantry the ground force can stay in safe areas and move in only when the targets are well defined and precisely located."

© BlueBird
BlueBird's calapult launched Boomerang UAV has a range of 35km

IAI's Panther tiltrotor UAS uses an innovative automatic flight control system to manage the transition between phases of flight. The Panther can be made to take off or land with simple clicks of the operator console.

The Panther is powered by three ultra-quiet electrical motors, explains IAI. It has a take-off weight of 65kg (143lb) and an endurance of 6h. A smaller Mini Panther design, meanwhile, has a weight of just 12kg when taking off and its endurance is 2h.

The second such tool is the IAI hovering aerial vehicle (HAV), a purely electrically powered, tethered, airborne platform which can be used for observation, surveillance and other applications. The HAV can carry a payload of up to 20kg and operate up to a maximum altitude of 30ft (100m). It combines an electrically powered aerial platform and a ground system which includes the means for automatic deployment, cables, and a mission management unit. The third tool developed by IAI is the Ghost vertical take-off UAS.

And the manufacturer is also developing the Harlim, a solar-powered system that takes off when the fighting starts and is in the air for its duration; the Butterfly, a micro UAS with flapping wings; and the Mosquito super-mini UAS.

With mini and micro UAS designs becoming more popular, IAI seeks advanced propulsion systems for these small platforms, with a focus on batteries and hybrid systems as alternatives to the fuel cells that have entered the market in recent years.

A senior IAI source says the introduction of fuel cell power packs for UAS is proceeding at "a slower pace than we thought", with some lithium-ion batteries are the near-term preferred solution for small vehicles. "These batteries have been improved in recent years, and they are giving good results," says the source.

Hybrid power packs, meanwhile, are in development in the USA, Europe and Asia. The US Air Force has asked industry to develop a hybrid power pack that will weigh less than 9kg and be capable of powering a UAS for mission durations of 4h.

A hybrid power pack is based on an internal combustion engine that drives a small auxiliary power unit (APU). This APU recharges the batteries that power the propeller.

IAI's Ghost has a maximum take-off weight of 4kg, an endurance of 25min, a speed of 35kt (65km/h), and an operational range of 4km (2.1nm). The mini UAS is powered by electric motors and will be capable of automatic take-off and landing.

While all these development efforts continue, IAI is upgrading its mini UAS designs. It is, for example, marketing a new variant of the Bird Eye 650, with a new propulsion system powered by fuel cells allowing 6h endurance, compared with 3h for its existing version. The variant also weighs less and includes an advanced folding launcher.

"The improvements of the Bird Eye 650 make it an even more cost-effective system," says Tommy Silberring, general manager of IAI's Malat division. "The Bird Eye 650 was developed using experience we gained from the Bird Eye 400, which in turn was developed based on our knowledge of other UASs, such as the Heron."

The Bird Eye 650 provides real-time day/night imagery data for urban operation and "over-the-hill" intelligence. It consists of three UAV platforms, electro-optic and infrared (IR) payloads, a portable ground control system, a data link, and a power source and repair kit. The entire system is man-portable and can be deployed in the field by two people.

The portable ground control system is lightweight and allows for automatic operation of the UAS and its payloads, and the data link allows for digital ground communication. The system uses a man-portable remote video terminal and a ground control element.

While companies develop more mini and micro UASs, some are entering service in the Israel's infantry units. The IDF has completed a series of operational tests with the Elbit Systems Skylark II UAS, which was selected as the infantry's brigade-level system.

The Skylark II was selected after the other bidder, IAI, was not ready with the tiltrotor Panther UAS. The defence ministry rejected IAI's request to postpone the decision.

The Skylark II is designed for data collection and target-marking at mission ranges exceeding 60km. Elbit says it uses a highly deployable single vehicle equipped with an integral launcher for point launch and recovery and an advanced, dual ground control station.

The company has demonstrated that the Skylark II full-cycle operation is possible with a two-person crew. The aircraft's gimballed, triple-sensor payload includes a colour charge-coupled device (CCD) day camera, a third-generation thermal-imaging night camera and a laser illuminator. Mission range is 60km, with a 4h endurance. The maximum ceiling of the UAV is 15,000ft (4,570m), with a maximum take-off weight of 65kg and a 6.5m wingspan.

Elbit says that the propulsion system of this UAS enables medium-altitude as well as low-altitude covert flights for high-quality imagery and operational reconnaissance under cloud cover with no risk of exposure.

Also in development is the Skylark I-LE (long endurance), a derivative of the Skylark I operational with several armed forces worldwide, including Israel and Afghanistan. This mini-UAS is tailored for lower echelons self-support reconnaissance, performing close-range beyond-the-next-hill missions, and is equipped with a secure digital data link.

Skylark I-LE is equipped with an Elbit thermal night sensor weighing just 700g. The payload's capabilities include very wide area coverage, continuous tracking of moving targets and a higher resolution rate than any of its predecessors.

© IAI
Israel Aerospace Industries has developed the Ghost - a vertical take off UAS

The Skylark I system set a world record for its class in high-altitude flight, climbing to an altitude exceeding 16,000ft, and has demonstrated outstanding performance in weather conditions ranging from arctic to equatorial, Elbit says.

In 2009 the company was awarded an initial $40 million contract by the Israeli defence ministry to supply the Skylark I-LE mini-UAS to all IDF ground force battalions. The contract includes training and logistics support and has options for more systems, bringing the potential total value to $100 million.

Deliveries will be over the next few years, subject to the IDF's requirements and procurement process. During its operation "Cast Lead" in Gaza, the IDF used its already operational Skylark UAS for intelligence-gathering and real-time coordination between ground, air and sea forces.

The Skylark I-LE has a 2.9m wingspan, 3h endurance and a 15km mission radius equipped with a Controp gyro-stabilised payload. The maximum take-off weight is 6.1kg by day and 6.3kg by night, launched by hand, bungee or rail. Operational altitude is 9,840ft, with deep-stall and airbag recovery possible. The LE's electric propulsion emits very low noise levels.

Aeronautics Defense Systems, a fast-growing Israeli UAS manufacturer, is producing two types of a mini air vehicle: the Orbiter 1 and its larger version the Orbiter 2. The former has a wingspan of 2.2m, a maximum take-off weight of 7kg and an endurance of 3h, compared to the latter's respective figures of 3m, 9kg and 4h.

Innocon is a latecomer to the Israeli UAS industry. It has sold its Micro Falcon UAS to the Peruvian army in a deal that includes its Naviator flight computer, which manages all flight parameters including take-off and landing. A ground station will also be supplied.

Micro Falcon is Innocon's lightest UAS, weighing only 6kg. Designed for soldier-level missions of over-the-hill observation, it operates at an altitude of 1,000ft and can stay airborne for 2h by day or night. Rugged, with box-type wings, the Micro Falcon can land upside down using a parachute, thereby increasing survivability and cutting down on redeployment time cycle.

The Peruvian army is to equip the Micro Falcon with the Controp stabilised mini payload (STAMP). This payload has two versions: the D-STAMP, with a CCD camera for daylight applications; and U-STAMP, with an uncooled IR camera for night applications. Each gyro-stabilised payload weighs less than 1kg.

Another Israeli UAS manufacturer, BlueBird, offers the SpyLite, a mini system with a maximum take-off weight of 8kg, an endurance of over 3h and an operational range of 50km. The SpyLite has a wingspan of 2.4m and is recovered by a combination of parachute and airbag.

BlueBird also manufactures the 1h-endurance MicroB, with a wingspan of 99cm and a launch weight of 1kg.

Slightly different lines of products are manned helicopters converted to fly with a black box instead of a pilot, and a new breed of vertical short take-off and landing (VSTOL) unmanned platforms.

IAI is developing unmanned helicopters for resupply and medical evacuation missions in the combat zone. After evaluating different proposals, it concluded that converting a heavy helicopter was the best option.

Avi Bleser, marketing director of IAI's Malat UAS division, says that tests have been performed with a Bell 212. To prove the accuracy of the flight control system, a basketball was attached to the helicopter with a rope, and the flight control system manoeuvred it again and again so that it entered a basket placed on the ground. "The idea is to control such an unmanned helicopter using the same ground station used for UAS," says Bleser. "This will ensure commonality and ease of operations."

The IDF's ground forces have initiated a research and development programme aimed at producing "hovering platforms" capable of lifting heavy weights, after Elbit won a contract to develop a cargo UAS for the military.

The project has been dubbed the Flying Elephant and is intended for resupply missions to the frontline. Elbit's proposal is based on a wheeled cargo pallet that can be loaded with 1 tonne of ammunition, food or water. The pallet is attached to a special parafoil with servo systems that ensure its aerodynamic shape. The Flying Elephant will be able to fly for a "number of kilometres" and will have a GPS system for navigation to the desired supply point.

Sources say the Elbit proposal was selected for its simplicity and the projected time needed to deploy such a system, although it will be limited in its flight altitude and carrying capability.

© IAI
IAI's Mosquito is a super-mini unmanned air system that is launched by hand

The need for such a platform reflects lessons learned from the second Lebanon war, where combat units had difficulties receiving supplies from helicopters. The same difficulties were experienced by the medical crews when urgent evacuation was required.

A prototype of Urban Aeronautics' AirMule ducted-fan unmanned platform has completed another series of test flights in which its automatic take-off and landing system was tested, along with its precision hovering feature.

The 6.2m long and 2.2m wide AirMule has an empty weight of 771kg and a maximum gross take-off weight of 1,400kg. It is powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2 940shp engine, driving a rotor with a diameter of 1.8m. It has a maximum speed of 97kt and can reach a maximum altitude of 12,000ft. Flight endurance is up to 5h, according to Urban, which plans to move the next series of test flights to southern Israel, where there are areas that facilitate the opening of the AirMule's flight envelope.

IAI and Elbit have developed larger UASs in service in Israel and many other countries. IAI's Heron 1 is very active with the Israeli air force in a variety of missions, some highly classified. Elbit's Hermes 450 is also deployed by the Israeli service and has been exported, for example providing the basis for the British Army's new Watchkeeper system.

While at one end of the spectrum UAS have become small and very "personal", at the other end there are very large designs such as IAI's Heron TP, which has a wingspan similar to a Boeing 737.

Taking into account that Israel is revealing only a small part of its UAS portfolio, it can be assumed with great confidence that in the various companies' "Skunk Works"-type departments new designs are under development, with some already performing test flights.

What is certain is that last year the Israeli air force's UASs performed more flight hours than its manned aircraft, and in operational missions.

[B]SVOTL

AIRMULE HARVESTS INTERNAL RESOURCES

Among the strangest and most innovative aircraft in the world is the AirMule, built by small Israeli company Urban Aeronautics.

A single-engined vertical take-off and landing aircraft powered by internal rotors, AirMule does not, admittedly, represent a new concept. The US Army tested a similar vehicle in the 1950s - but it was heavy, slow, gas-guzzling and unstable, and was quickly shelved in favour of the clearly superior helicopter.

Yet helicopters are limited by the large open rotor, making them an inelegant solution for roles such as medical evacuation and flight in confined spaces.

Urban Aeronautics president Rafi Yoeli deems the internal rotor concept worth another look: "Materials are much lighter, analysis methods enable saving some more weight, and the most dominant component is really the engine," Yoeli says. "Today, compared to turboshaft technology in the 1960s, they weighed half what they did, and put out twice the power."

© Urban Aeronautics
The AirMule's interior fuselage is shaped with an aggressive camber for significant lift

Another major innovation is the network of vanes used to vector thrust from the fans. Controlled by computer, the vanes allow directional control without the AirMule needing to move. It can change position without the need to roll, or stay stable in gusty conditions.

"When you hook up this whole thing into full-authority FBW flight control system, you have the first vehicle in the world that can move in six degrees of freedom independently of each other," Yoeli adds. With endurance and stability issues solved, Urban tackled the problem of speed. Attaching rear-facing fans to the aircraft went a long way to making the aircraft faster, opening vents in the forward fuselage did the rest. The interior fuselage is shaped with an aggressive camber, allowing it to generate significant lift at 100kt-plus (185km/h).

Only one prototype AirMule has been built − a second one is under construction. The aircraft has made 60 tethered flights, Urban says, and accumulated "several hours" of airborne time.

"We've frozen the configuration now, no changes, no more development, everything works very well, and all that we have to do is open up the flight envelope of the test vehicle and get some more airtime on it," Yoeli says. "This is where all the effort will go in the next two years. More flying, more testing, more data, and more field experience with the prototypes."

Funding remains elusive, despite support from the Israel Defence Force and a number of private investors. No orders have materialised, although Yoeli is confident of success once both demonstrators start untethered flight, scheduled for the end of 2012. AirMule is mainly aimed towards the military market, where there are obvious benefits for landing in confined spaces. Yoeli says AirMule has low "detectables" - heat, noise and radar cross-section - in comparison with similar-sized helicopters, and the aircraft can easily fit inside a Lockheed Martin C-130 or Sikorsky CH-53 without disassembly.

Civilian applications such as medical evacuation are another potential market, although Yoeli says unmanned and single-engined aircraft have an uncertain future in that realm. Urban hopes to attach robotic arms to the aircraft and sell it to disaster response agencies and for power-line maintenance.

Sales discussions are under way with a number of major aircraft manufacturers, Yoeli says: "We are advancing with them, we are advancing with others. I am very, very confident. We also know the hurdle that we had to pass. We know where we are technically. I see no show stoppers on the way to making this revolution."

Arie Egozi's blog Ariel View provides running commentary on developments in the Israeli aerospace industry.

buglerbilly

14-02-12, 11:10 AM

China’s AVIC Invests $3.2M in Unmanned Helicopter

Posted on February 14, 2012 by The Editor

Chinese airframe manufacturer AVIC is investing yuan (CNY) 20 million ($3.2 million) in the U8 unmanned helicopter programme, which is being designed for civilian use.

The investment is being made through Jingdezhen Helicopter, said AVIC in a Hong Kong stock exchange statement. AVIC owns almost 54.7% of the company.

“With the rapid development of the society and economy, the unmanned helicopter is widely used in the context of maritime supervision, rescue, police patrol, traffic control, agriculture and forestry, air monitoring, forest fire prevention and electric power circuit detection,” said AVIC.

The AVIC-owned China Helicopter Research & Development Institute has already invested CNY30 million in the project. It will issue a report on the validity of the programme by 30 September 2014.

AVIC displayed a prototype of the U8 at Beijing’s Aviation Expo China trade show in September 2011. According to a Chinese military website, the aircraft has already completed a round of successful test flights.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

14-02-12, 11:45 AM

Korea Continues to Develop Tilt-Rotor UAS

Posted on February 14, 2012 by The Editor

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Korean Air have signed an agreement to develop the world’s first small-scale unmanned tilt-rotor aircraft by 2013.

The envisioned aircraft, called “TR-6X,” will be about 60 percent the size of the first unmanned aircraft unveiled in November by the state-run aerospace think tank. It flies like a plane but tilts its rotors to take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The government invested 87.2 billion won ($77.7 million) into the project from 2002.

The smaller tilt-rotor will also be able to fly more than five hours at an altitude of 3 kilometers or above with a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

Under the plan, KARI will transfer related technologies to Korean Air, and the flag carrier will bankroll the programme until June 2013. Terms of the agreement were not revealed.

“The TR-6X will have great versatility as it can be adopted not only for military use but also in a wide range of civil applications,” according to Korean Air.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

15-02-12, 11:24 AM

SGA2012: Japanese companies exhibit VTOL UAV prototypes

15 February 2012 - 2:00 by Beth Stevenson in Singapore

Aoki Best-Tech has unveiled a prototype of its quad tilt-rotor VTOL UAV for the first time as company executives predict that is nearing completion.

Speaking to Shephard at the Singapore Airshow on 14 February, a representative from the Japanese company said it is two years from being completed following its ten years of development to date, and said: 'We've changed the motor from electric to gas.'

'We are developing the flight control system. It had an electric motor, but this must contain a large battery which is very heavy.'

The company has also been testing the tilt-rotor capability, and said that 'its [tilting] is very difficult moving from 30 to zero degrees'. The company will be testing this 'difficult range' in April, which will be 50/50 government to company funded.

Next year will see the company conduct six months of testing on the payload, which varies depending on the application, but will not exceed 10kg, the representative said. The basic system weighs 47kg, but the company has made allowances of up to 70kg depending on customer requirements.

Applications include: environmental observation; disaster control; SAR; crop monitoring; fish detection and pipeline/powerline inspecting.

Meanwhile, Japanese UAV prototype manufacturer Industry Networks has showcased its solutions for the first time outside of Japan in an effort to increase its international footprint.

A representative from the company said that it is demonstrating its 'fresh and new' two and four blade VTOL solutions, which move away from 'standard UAVs that tend to be one blade, and at a push two'.

The systems are powered by a gear system with one motor, and the company has worked with the University of Shinshu in Japan to develop them.

The multi-winged systems ensure that the platform is 'more stable, and you don't have to worry about one wing being easily damaged'.

They are both radio controlled, and the company is working towards a GPS-enabled system, the representative explained.

The platforms are for agricultural and industrial applications, and are 'produced upon request' as prototype and design systems.

buglerbilly

15-02-12, 12:42 PM

IAI Establishes UAS Academy

Posted on February 15, 2012 by The Editor

Israel Aerospace Industries announced that it has established the IAI UAS Academy – a unique solution for training and certification of UAS operators and technicians – at the IAI facilities near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel.The UAS Academy is based on IAI’s vast knowledge and experience of four decades in designing, manufacturing and operating UAS, as well as training UAS technicians and operators, and brings these services together under one operation.

In addition to providing a variety of training services to IAI customers within IAI premises and in other planned locations, the UAS Academy redefines the training concept. It provides solutions to the growing need for trained and skilled UAS operation, maintenance and mission crews in various military, para-military and civilian facilities. Each course is tailored to the customers requirements and to the trainee’s experience.

The Academy places special emphasis on the operational mission training experience and offers a generic and “cross platform” training services in new facilities. Basic and advanced courses are provided as well as recurrent training courses and workshops, special payloads operation courses, seminars for mission commanders and instructors, and qualification maintenance programs. UAS academy addresses all UAS personnel – Internal Pilots, External Pilots, payload operators of all types, technicians, mission-commanders and instructors.

The curriculum includes the wide spectrum of courses required for training and qualification of UAS operators and technicians: Practical flight training, simulations with Semi-Simulators and high fidelity UAS Mission Trainer (UMT) as well as theoretical training.

In addition to reducing costs of operating UAS, training with the academy facilitates the availability of aerial platforms and airspace. Sharing the wide knowledge of working with various customers around the world adds to the training high value.

The Academy’s training is applicable to a wide range of customers with different experience, knowledge and background – from customers who are establishing basic UAS abilities – to well experienced customers interested in optimising their training abilities as well as those who intend to shift to the qualification and endorsement model, customary in flight schools worldwide.

Tommy Silberring, General Manager of IAI’s Malat division said: “I congratulate IAI’s Academy for setting the new standard of training in the UAS field, and for providing the best and most extensive training solution for IAI’s UAS operators as well as other UAS users. In today’s world where the need for UAS has become essential for every county, training by IAI’s team of experts will enhance the safety and operational capabilities of UAS operation and mission crews around the world and will become a key element of their success”.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

15-02-12, 10:01 PM

AATI Sues Boeing and Insitu for Willful Infringement of Patents for UAV Retrieval System

(Source: Arent Fox LLP; issued February 14, 2012)

ST. LOUIS --- Advanced Aerospace Technologies, Inc., (AATI) has filed a lawsuit against The Boeing Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Insitu, Inc., seeking in excess of $160 million in royalties based on infringement of AATI patents by Insitu's Skyhook retrieval system – which is the device Boeing and Insitu employ to retrieve unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without a runway at the end of a flight. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

AATI is owned by William Randall McDonnell, an aeronautical engineer and member of the McDonnell family of aviation pioneers who founded McDonnell Aircraft. As described in papers AATI filed with the court, Mr. McDonnell invented a retrieval system using a "swept" wing with a special hook and clasp at the end which enables UAVs returning from a mission to be safely retrieved without a runway by flying into a suspended line. The hook grabs the line and channels it to a clasp which holds the UAV securely and enables it to be lowered into the hands of operators without damage.

Combined with an appropriate launch mechanism, this approach eliminates the weight, volume, cost and complexity of runway-dependent aircraft hardware – such as wheels, tires, brakes, nose wheel steering, landing gear struts, landing gear doors, extend/retract actuators, and wheel wells.

AATI alleges that Insitu was unable to retrieve its UAVs without damaging them – and that this inability was threatening the financial viability of Insitu's UAV program and the company itself. To solve this problem, Mr. McDonnell provided his patented technology to Insitu – and Insitu incorporated it into its various unmanned aircraft systems, including: ScanEagle, NightEagle, Insight, GeoRanger, ScanEagle Compressed Carriage, and Integrator. Incorporation of the AATI patented inventions into these unmanned aircraft systems was enormously successful – enabling Insitu and Boeing to come to dominate their segment of the UAV market.

According to AATI, Insitu and Boeing misappropriated AATI's patented inventions and Insitu's unmanned aircraft systems infringe AATI's patents. Insitu and Boeing have never paid any royalties or other amounts to AATI for their use of the AATI inventions.

In addition to the lawsuit filed against Insitu and Boeing in St. Louis, AATI also has filed a companion lawsuit against the U.S. Government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. Most of Insitu's and Boeing's revenues from the unmanned aerial systems in question have been generated from the sale of services – where Boeing and/or Insitu own and operate the UAVs and sell surveillance and reconnaissance services to the U.S. Government and foreign governments. The St. Louis lawsuit seeks royalties based on this business and commercial sales.

In some instances, Insitu or Boeing apparently sold the unmanned aerial systems to the U.S. Government. Under applicable laws, AATI must obtain from the U.S. Government any royalties due on sales of hardware to the U.S. Government to whatever extent that it can be shown that, in accepting such hardware, the Government authorized and consented to the infringement. The Government then gets reimbursed by Insitu and Boeing pursuant to an indemnification obligation under those Government contracts. The lawsuit in the Court of Federal Claims is for any royalties that can be recovered only through this route.

In filing the lawsuits, Mr. McDonnell stated:

"I was pleased my inventions solved Insitu's inability to safely and reliably retrieve their UAVs at the end of a flight – and enabled the company to become successful. I am greatly disappointed that Insitu, and then Boeing, declined to pay the compensation due for their use of my inventions – and that I now must resort to court action."

Legal counsel for AATI, Craig King of the Arent Fox law firm, stated:

"These lawsuits are about obtaining due compensation for the AATI inventions that have been incorporated by Insitu and Boeing into the enormously successful Skyhook retrieval system. We have not sought an injunction – and plan no actions as part of these lawsuits that might in any way impair the continued use of the unmanned aerial systems in question. The safety of our war fighters and performance of military missions is of paramount concern to AATI, and neither will be affected by these lawsuits."

Arent Fox LLP, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles, is a recognized leader in areas including intellectual property, government contracts, real estate, telecommunications, health care, automotive, sports, white collar, international trade, bankruptcy, and complex litigation.

-ends-

buglerbilly

17-02-12, 04:21 AM

UK to announce joint drone project with France

Thursday 16 February 2012 .

A UK/French plan to build the next-generation drone will be announced tomorrow during a summit in Paris, as Britain's BAE Systems warns of a 14 per cent fall in sales due to defence spending cuts.

David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to announce plans to develop a next-generation of unmanned stealth aircraft, or drone, at a bilateral summit in Paris on Friday.

Headed by France's Dassault Aviation and British defence contractor BAE Systems, the project follows a cooperation accord signed by the two countries in 2010.

The first prototype of the new aircraft could appear by 2020, according to defence sources.

BAE Systems said it expected that tomorrow's summit, originally scheduled for December last year, would pave the way for a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) design and development programme, and an unmanned combat air system demonstrator programme.

In 2010, the company said it was in talks with Dassault Aviation about working together on developing UAVs, which are used for both intelligence gathering and attack missions.

The two companies are in competition to sell conventional fighter jets. Only last week, France's Dassault won a bid to sell 126 fighter jets to India, dashing BAE hopes of securing the contract.

This new anglo-french partnership comes at a difficult time for the defence industry. On Thursday, BAE - Europe's biggest defence contractor and Britain's biggest manufacturer employer - warned that budget cuts by the UK and US governments had led to a 14 per cent fall in its revenues last year, resulting in a £19.2bn fall in sales.

£45bn cost of a drone

The new drone will be built according to performance targets set by EU countries, but qualities to be considered will include the aircraft's visibility, how long it can stay in the air, and whether they will be used for surveillance or attack.

Unfortunately, getting rid of the pilot means that you have to have a data link back to your HQ, not only to control the aircraft, but also for legal and ethical issues about allowing a machine to kill someone on the ground.

The cost of developing a drone is estimated at around £45bn, with the new drones likely to exceed that amount over eight years. (Ferkin WOT? Do these Muppets even know how much 45 Billion is?)

Collaborations of this sort - motivated by the need to cut costs - are nothing new for the UK. But usually such partnerships have been Europe-wide, said Trevor Taylor, professorial fellow in defence industries at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)

"If you can share the cost that's obviously helpful," he told Channel 4 News. "The UK for a long time has done a lot of acquisition in collaboration with other countries. But there have been criticisms about things taking longer than they should. Some people have felt that we ought to focus our cooperation with a lead partner at least."

As an ally with industrial capabilities, France is in some ways, a natural partner.

ADMk2

17-02-12, 04:43 AM

It's not a goddamn "drone" either. A drone is a male bee or a thing involved in mindless drudgery. It's an unmanned aerial vehicle, remote piloted vehicle, unmanned aerial/aviation system or similar.

These wankers are as bad as Green's Senator Ludlam. Even their favourite "so-called" line would be appropriate IF they absolutely must use the term "drone", but the dickheads can't even grasp that concept...

buglerbilly

17-02-12, 11:29 AM

Insitu Delivers Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capability to Marines

(Source: Insitu, Inc.; issued February 15, 2012)

BINGEN, Wash. --- Insitu Inc. announced today that it has delivered and flown one of two Integrator Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that will provide the U.S. Marine Corps an early operational capability for the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) program.

"The Integrator system delivery at Twentynine Palms, just less than a year-and-a-half post-contract award, is a reflection of our commitment to STUAS and our commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps," said Insitu Senior Vice President of Integrator Programs Bill Clark. "We continue to be grateful for the opportunity to support the warfighter with cost-effective and ever-increasing ISR capability."

The STUAS program was awarded to Insitu for its Integrator UAS in July 2010 to provide persistent maritime and land-based tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data collection and dissemination capabilities to the warfighter. Just six months after contract award, the first operational assessment was completed and the Marine Corps elected to obtain an early operational capability.

The Marines are acquiring the first system through a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) business arrangement. The Marines will own the system at Twentynine Palms while Insitu Field Service Representatives (FSRs), who have accumulated more than 575,000 combat flight hours with the ScanEagle UAS, will operate and maintain it.

"The Marine Corps was in a position to take advantage of the Early Operational Capability (EOC) of the Insitu Integrator UAS that was demonstrated during our initial operational assessment at Yuma Proving Grounds in January and February 2011. This EOC system at Twentynine Palms will optimize the predeployment training and exercises for the Marines prior to their arrival in OEF or any other AOR.

“We also have the additional benefit of being able to capture flight/system data, Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RMA) data, feeding that knowledge quickly back into the development of RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) Program of Record (POR). Along with providing our Marines the optimal training prior to deployment, this will reduce risk on the STUAS program," said COL James Rector, U.S.Marine Corps, PMA-263 Program Manager.

A second system was delivered to NAVAIR earlier this month.

As the early operational capability exercises progress, the U.S. Marine Corps will continue to collaborate with Insitu on the development of the Integrator-variant, designated RQ-21A, which is on track for delivery in 2013. The team is building hardware to support flight testing, which will culminate in a second Operational Assessment (OA-2) at the end of 2012.

Each Integrator early operational UAS includes four Integrator aircraft, a ground control station, a launch system and a recovery system, representing the latest advancements from many of today's industry leaders. Quatro Composites manufactured the aircraft structures that contain Rockwell Collins' flight computer and the Propulsion Module Unit (PMU) which was built, tested and certified by Northwest (NW) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Propulsion Systems.

The PMU also incorporates several NW UAV components, including its low-noise muffler system. Each aircraft carries Harris Corporation's UHF/VHF communications relay payload, Hood Technology Corporation's multi-function ball turret and the L3 Communications-West Bandit Digital Data Link. Command and control from the Insitu ground control station is provided through FreeWave Technologies.

Insitu Inc., located in Bingen, Wash., is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Insitu designs, develops and manufactures UAS and provides associated services for commercial, civil and defense applications. To date, these systems have accumulated more than 575,000 combat flight hours and 64,000 sorties.

-ends-

buglerbilly

17-02-12, 12:28 PM

Aurora Selected By Raytheon for DARPA PCAS Program

(Source: Aurora Flight Sciences; issued February 16, 2012)

This image shows the proof-of-concept using the A-10 as the aerial vehicle..........................

MANASSAS, VA --- Aurora Flight Sciences today announced its selection by Raytheon Corporation as a team member for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program.

Raytheon's PCAS solution aims to develop technologies that significantly reduce the timeline for close air support through improved coordination among Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), airborne sensors and weapon systems. Aurora will be the air vehicle platform lead and will be responsible for leveraging its extensive unmanned systems technology to develop an unmanned version of the Air Force's A-10 aircraft for demonstrating the PCAS technology.

"Aurora's selection by Raytheon to develop critical air vehicle technologies for the DARPA PCAS program is a major step in our relationship which began with the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) and Loiter Attack Missile (LAM) programs in the 1990s," said John Langford, Aurora's President and CEO. "We are looking forward to working closely with Raytheon on a wide range of unmanned systems technologies in the future."

Raytheon's PCAS team members also include Rockwell Collins and GE Aviation. PCAS will incorporate a 'system-of-systems' approach to demonstrate the ability to digitally task a Close Air Support (CAS) platform from the ground. Raytheon will use an open architecture approach to enable the PCAS technology to be utilized in future command and control systems.

Aurora Flight Sciences designs and builds robotic aircraft and other advanced aerospace vehicles for scientific and military applications. Aurora is headquartered in Manassas, VA and operates production plants in Bridgeport, WV and Columbus, MS and a Research and Development Center in Cambridge, MA.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

-ends-

buglerbilly

18-02-12, 12:00 AM

Singapore: New Chinese UAV Unveiled

Feb. 17, 2012 - 10:44AM

By WENDELL MINNICK

The X200 vertical take-off/landing UAV is displayed at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 17 in Singapore. Developed by the Beijing-based Yotaisc Science and Technology Development Co., the X200 debuted at the show. (Wendell Minnick / Staff)

SINGAPORE — Beijing-based Yotaisc Science and Technology Development Co. unveiled the X200 vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) UAV for the first time at the Singapore Airshow.

Man Yi, Yotaisc’s sales director, said the X200 rotorcraft is capable of autonomous flight and is one of the largest helo UAVs available in China. Yotaisc now has three prototypes, and several foreign countries and companies are looking at procuring it.

With an unusual non-tail design and co-axial dual-rotor, the X200 can carry a 100-kilogram payload at a cruising speed of 93 miles per hour with a maximum endurance of five hours and a maximum altitude of 16,400 feet (5,000 meters).

Maximum speeds can reach 136 miles per hour. A multiredundant inertial navigation system and global positioning system handle navigation.

The X200 can be outfitted with a variety of payloads. Yotaisc has three gimbal pods developed by a “Chinese Navy lab” capable of conducting a variety of missions, Man said. It can be outfitted with a synthetic aperture radar, 3D laser radar, multispectral imaging and ground penetrating radar.

Yotaisc is focused on the civilian market but has done business with the Chinese military in the past, he said.

The X200 is actually an upgraded variant of an earlier, smaller design, the M28, which the company began manufacturing in 2005.

Twenty M28 aircraft were produced. Two were sold to the People’s Liberation Army and 17 were sold to undisclosed nonmilitary customers inside China, Man said.

Military markets include national land security, battlefield management, search and rescue, emergency command, reconnaissance, and communications relay. Civilian markets include electrical inspections, marine monitoring, disaster monitoring and assessment, agriculture, surveying and mapping, and geophysical prospecting.

The company also produces a light VTOL UAV, dubbed the G3, capable of total autonomous flight.

The X200 has been in development since 2010 and will go on the market in September. The company plans to exhibit the aircraft again at the Airshow China (Zhuhai Airshow) in November.

Yotaisc was established as a private company in 2009, but it began as a “research group” in 1992, Man said.

buglerbilly

19-02-12, 09:23 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Entente Cordiale

Posted by Bill Sweetman at 2/18/2012 10:35 AM CST

There are three parts to the UAV accords: France to evaluate Watchkeeper; Dassault and BAE to continue joint work on MALE UAV (presumably in Mantis/Heron TP/Reaper class, multisensor and civil-airspace capable); and Dassault/BAE to collaborate on UCAV for high-threat environments.

The last one clearly builds on Neuron and Taranis. The announcement would not make a lot of sense, either, unless both sides are willing to share domestic stealth technology and resources (and doubtless, from Dassault's point of view, to protect French technology from being passed to the US). And before you knock European technology - where is the world's largest indoor RCS range?

It gets even more interesting when you look at the Neuron goal, which is to demonstrate the ability to search an area with an imaging infrared sensor, ID a specific target and hit it with a short-range weapon.

I don't think that it's extrapolating too far to suggest that the prime target would be a long-range mobile SAM system, and that the idea is that the drone would be cued by off-board electronic surveillance, fly into the target area and start looking for the target.

A smart search system would use terrain data to refine the search, because these are big vehicles that can't go everywhere. Moreover, double-digit SAM components are distinctive, and Selex Galileo (which is doing the Neuron payload) has worked harder than most on burst illumination laser, which essentially gives you a hologram of the target. Telling the difference between a school bus and an SA-21 TEL should not be that hard.

It's an asymmetrical approach to dealing with the S-300/400 problem, because it builds on those systems' inherent weaknesses: big, slow, soft and not unlimited in numbers. The challenge is getting the RCS low enough that your loss rate will be acceptable, but that's easier with an all-wing tailless vehicle than with a supersonic fighter.

buglerbilly

22-02-12, 10:46 AM

British Army set for operational trials with Watchkeeper UAS

By: Craig Hoyle London

04:33 20 Feb 2012

Source:

Thales UK has confirmed it has provided France's DGA procurement agency and army with technical information about the Watchkeeper tactical unmanned air system, as its British Army launch customer prepares to begin operational field trials with the type.

French interest in the Watchkeeper system was revealed during a bilateral summit in Paris on 16 February, with a formal evaluation to start during 2012 and conclude next year.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said co-operation between the nations would offer advantages in technical, support and operational terms, and during the development of doctrine and concepts for the equipment's use.

© Thales UK

"The French army has similar requirements to the British Army and is interested in replacing its SDTI [Sagem Sperwer] system with a high-performance, certified and financially attractive solution," said Thales. It cited the "considerable pedigree" of the Watchkeeper air vehicle (above), which builds on the Elbit Systems Hermes 450 design, which has now amassed more than 60,000 flight hours in support of the UK armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operational field trials of the Watchkeeper system involving the Royal Artillery's 32 Regiment are "due to start at ParcAberporth shortly", Thales said, adding that more than 100 flights of the aircraft have now been undertaken in the UK. The army assessment had been due to start last October, but was delayed due to "technical issues encountered during software integration and flight trials".

The UTacS joint venture company formed by Thales and Elbit began delivering Watchkeeper equipment in late 2011, ahead of the type's phased introduction to use in Afghanistan.

"Details of when Watchkeeper will deploy to Afghanistan are operationally sensitive, but the British Army is planning a progressive roll-out in theatre during 2012," the Ministry of Defence said.

buglerbilly

22-02-12, 10:29 PM

France's DGA outlines army interest in Watchkeeper

By: Murdo Morrison Paris

6 hours ago

Source:

The French army has a real interest in acquiring the Thales UK/Elbit Systems-developed Watchkeeper tactical unmanned air system, with a contract to potentially be approved next year, said Laurent Collet-Billon, chief executive of France's DGA defence procurement agency.

Speaking in Paris on 22 February, less than one week after the first suggestion of a French Watchkeeper acquisition emerged, Collet-Billon said interest from the French military is "very high because we know it is so qualified for civil airspace". He added: "The army does want Watchkeeper."

French army personnel will visit the UK late this year to receive training on the British Army's new intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance system, before an evaluation in early 2013 using one ground control station and up to two air vehicles, which will be deployed to the south of France. "We will be seeing how it operates with our information systems," Collet-Billon said.

© Thales UK
Watchkeeper air vehicles have undergone flight trials in the UK and Israel

He added that by mid-2013, the French government will "make a statement on whether we purchase the system, how many and for how long". Assuming all goes to plan, a contract could be signed "before the end of 2013".

In addition to its utility for the French army, Collet-Billon also suggested the Watchkeeper system could be operated from ships to complement the navy's new NH Industries NH90 maritime helicopters and "increase our surveillance capacity".

buglerbilly

23-02-12, 09:55 PM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Sky Sapience Introduces the HoverMast Autonomous Hovering Platform

Posted by Noam Eshel at 2/23/2012 5:45 AM CST

The ‘HoverMast’ developed by the Israeli start-up company Sky Sapience is scheduled to go on an operational evaluation in the upcoming months, demonstrating the system’s capability to expand the surveillance coverage of unmanned ground vehicles. The HoverMast will be unveiled at the upcoming AUVSI Conference and Exhibition to be held in Tel-Aviv next month. Sky Sapience is positioned to compete with IAI's ETOP, which is a larger, heavier platform.

Sky Sapience developed HoverMast in the past two years, in response to an Israel Ministry of Defense (MOD) requirement for a lightweight tethered hovering platform. The system was one of several concepts evaluated by the MOD Research and Development Directorate (DDRD), which eventually selected the HoverMast as the sole developer of the tethered platform technology. Sky Sapience markets the HoverMast as a platform for military surveillance, observation and target acquisition applications. It will also offer an affordable application for border protection, urban security, crowd control and other civil applications.

According to Brig. General (IAF Ret.) Gabriel Shachor, CEO and Founder of Sky Sapience, the HoverMast was developed specifically for small vehicles such as the Guardium-LS from G-Nius, the vehicle selected for integration with the HoverMast. Other platforms include the Zibar light reconnaissance vehicle. According to Shachor, the platform is due to enter production toward the autumn this year. Sky Sapience has strategic partnerships with MAFAT -- the IMOD research and development agency and G-NIUS Unmanned Ground Systems Ltd.

In the stowed position the HoverMast folds into a compact 72 cm diameter container carried on vehicle flatbed or roof, mounted on UGVs or All Terrain Vehicles or small naval craft; making the system especially suited for special forces, border and port protection, and infantry missions. Since the HoverMast is tethered, it is not bound by standard air control regulations, lending itself to urban activities including urban warfare and law enforcement, and industrial, civilian and homeland security operations.

Compared to the 7-5 m telescopic masts currently mounted on surveillance vehicles, HoverMast offers faster response, lighter weight, and the capability to operate on the move. Furthermore, the new platform alleviates the need to operate from a horizontal surface and is less sensitive to wind gusts. According to Shachor, the HoverMast would also be more affordable than mast mounted systems.

Deployment is fully automatic, with HoverMast deploying from the stowed position to an elevation of 30-50 meters in just 15 seconds. A cable that also provides power supply and wideband data link tethers the vehicle. The platform uses a coaxial counter-rotating ducted fan for lift generation, with four thrusters providing station keeping, maneuvering and stabilization. At a 15 kg net platform weight HoverMast, can carry up to 9 kg of payload. The platform net weight is 10 kg, including electro-optic sensors, laser designators, radar, or signals intelligence sensors. Sensor data can be transmitted to remote clients or fed through the tether datalink to the base station.

Photo: Sky Sapience

buglerbilly

23-02-12, 10:17 PM

Paris open to offers to expand Anglo-French UAV project

By: Murdo Morrison Paris

9 hours ago

Source:

Paris is open to offers from Germany and Italy to join an Anglo-French project to develop a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air system, according to the head of France's DGA defence procurement agency.

"No door is closed" to either country co-operating in the study being carried out by BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation, Laurent Collet-Billon said during a press conference in Paris on 22 February. "We are setting out requirements with the UK and the field is open for discussions with other countries," he said.

Europe's emerging demand for a domestic MALE UAS programme was formally divided late last year, when EADS Cassidian and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica signed a teaming agreement, partly in response to the BAE/Dassault tie-up. Cassidian has so far failed to secure sufficient funding from potential customers, including France, Germany and Spain, to build a prototype of its proposed Talarion air vehicle, which it has designed to conduct multiple roles.

BAE and Dassault have so far proposed a so-called Telemos development of the Mantis technology demonstrator previously flown in Australia by the UK company. The companies received fresh backing to advance the scheme on 17 February during a summit involving French president Nicolas Sarkozy and UK prime minister David Cameron. A new agreement is to cover "planned co-operation on UAS within a long-term strategic partnership framework aimed at building a sovereign capability shared by our two countries," Cameron said.

buglerbilly

23-02-12, 10:21 PM

General Atomics tests sense-and-avoid radar

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

2 hours ago

Source:

General Atomics - Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has successfully flight tested a sense-and-avoid radar aboard a Twin Otter test bed. The Due Regard active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar is intended for eventual installation on the MQ-1 Predator/Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles (UAV).

A sense-and-avoid radar is a crucial component of deconflicting the aircraft with civilian air traffic, a prerequisite of allowing UAVs into civilian airspace. The FAA FY2013 budget, recently passed into law, gives the regulator three years to form a plan for introducing UAVs into civilian airspace.

"The successful demonstration of our Due Regard Radar represents a major milestone in the development of the company's airborne sense-and-avoid radar architecture," said Linden Blue, president of the reconnaissance systems group at GA-ASI. "Equipping a highly reliable UAS such as Predator B with this capability will expand its capacity to operate routinely in domestic and international airspace, ensuring its interoperability with civilian air traffic and airspace rules and regulations."

GA-ASI plans to integrate Due Regard onto an unmanned aircraft to continue testing. The company expects the radar to be ready for for customer introduction by 2015.

GA-ASI was not immediately available for comment.

buglerbilly

24-02-12, 10:35 PM

Boeing's 'Hummingbird' Back In The Mix For New Marine Corps Drone

By Carlo Munoz

Published: February 24, 2012

FT. LAUDERDALE: Boeing's premiere helicopter drone is back in the mix to become the Marine Corps' new unmanned aerial cargo hauler, according to a program official.

Naval Air Systems Command, which is leading the Corps' search for a cargo drone, lifted the stop work order it imposed on Boeing's A160 Hummingbird late last year. The drone is already in service with the Army and Special Operations Command. Company officials got word they could restart work on the Hummingbird for the Marine Corps program late last month, Jeff Shelton, Boeing's business development lead for the A160 program, said yesterday. Navy and Marine Corps leaders lifted the stop work order issued last December after company officials were able to "modify the contract," Shelton said during the Association of the U.S. Army's annual symposium here. He declined to comment on the specifics surrounding the command's decision to stop work on the A160 or what changes were made to the contract to allow work to re-start.

The decision to stop work on the A160 development came just as program officials were preparing for a key test of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin's offering for the Marines, dubbed the K-MAX, passed its Quick Reaction Assessment in Yuma, AZ last September and is now undergoing operational testing in Afghanistan. The Hummingbird has yet to complete the QRA. With work now back underway at Boeing on the helo drone, company officials are also eying other opportunities for the aircraft across the services.

Boeing has pitched the A160 to the Navy for its Medium-Range Maritime Unmanned Aerial System program, Shelton said. Envisioned as a larger version of the Navy's venerable Fire Scout drone, the MRMUAS will be able to fly further and longer than the Fire Scout while carrying a larger sensor payload. However, that effort is now in question after Navy officials decided zero out funding for the MRMUAS in its fiscal 2013 budget plan. That said, Boeing is also looking to help the Army expand the number of missions for the Hummingbirds the service already has. The Army has already completed joint capability and technology demonstration deal with the company, looking at everything from expanded intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to possibly arming the A160. However, the main goal for the Boeing team is to get back into the game with the Marine Corps cargo drone.

The new helo drone, either the K-Max or the Hummingbird, would carry out tactical resupply missions to various Marine Corps units on the battlefield. They would theoretically take the truck convoys that traditionally do that mission off the dangerous roadways of Afghanistan. These convoys have become a prime target for improvised explosive devices planted by insurgent forces. IEDs have become the No. 1 killer of U.S. and coalition forces in country.

buglerbilly

27-02-12, 10:44 AM

Drone Makers Cashing in as War Tactics Evolve

Feb. 26, 2012 - 01:06PM

By BHAVAN JAIPRAGAS, Agence France-Presse

An Elbit System Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is seen at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 15. (Roslan Rahman / AFP)

SINGAPORE — They are deadly, hard to detect and fast becoming one of the most sought-after weapons in the air defense industry.

Global demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones, is heating up as armed forces invest in new systems to boost their ability to carry out reconnaissance and strikes without putting soldiers’ lives in danger.

Propelled by a rise in Asian defense budgets, annual global spending on UAVs is forecast to almost double from the current $5.9 billion to $11.3 billion over the next decade, according to U.S.-based defense research firm Teal Group. The Asia Pacific is the second largest buyer after the United States.

“Almost every country in the region is trying to get their hands on drones or develop their own ... Thailand, India, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Korea,” said Jon Grevatt of IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly.

Home to more than half the world’s population, Asia also has some of the biggest potential flashpoints from North Korea, to the South China Sea, South Asia and Afghanistan.

“UAVs are necessary in this age when you want to win wars and at the same time you want to have less casualties,” said Tommy Silberring, who heads the drone division at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). IAI, which pioneered the development of UAV technology for the Israeli military in the 1970s, was one of several defense manufacturers showing off drones at last week’s Singapore Airshow.

The use of drones rather than manned aircraft helps make countries participation in multilateral war efforts more palatable to the public, said Silberring, a former Israeli air force colonel.

“You really don’t want to tell your people that you are giving the lives of your soldiers for another country,” he told AFP at the air show.

Drones have played a crucial role in recent conflicts, with the United States relying on them to strike targets in the rugged tribal areas of Pakistan that are strongholds of Taliban and al-Qaida operatives. U.S. drones were also used in the NATO-led intervention in Libya last year.

According to IAI, its Heron UAVs are used by 18 customers around the world, including Singapore’s air force, which displayed its Heron 1 at the show.

The Heron TP — the largest in the Israeli drone arsenal with the wingspan of a Boeing 737 passenger jet — is purported to have a range of more than7,400 kilometers (4,600 miles).

In the United States, homegrown manufacturers such as General Atomics and Northrop Grumman look set to benefit from the Pentagons recent plans to expand its current fleet of 7,494 drones by 30 percent.

According to a congressional report released in January, the U.S. military is expected to spend nearly $32 billion on new UAVs over the next eight years.

“Over the next few years, we will definitely see an aggressive growth of unmanned systems being used by U.S. forces around the world,” said Commander Robert Moss, a regional director at the United States Office of Naval Research Global.

“There is a wide range of uses for unmanned systems, from surveillance work, gathering atmospheric data to direct combat strikes,” he told AFP.

This burgeoning demand has spurred Asian manufacturers to enter the market, which has long been dominated by Israeli and U.S. companies.

“We want to be in the unmanned arena but we are selective because there are already so many big players in the industry,” said Patrick Choy, vice president of international marketing at ST Engineering, a Singapore-based defense manufacturer.

ST Engineering launched the Skyblade 360, the latest addition in a series of mini UAVs, at the airshow. Its predecessor, the Skyblade III, is used by the Singapore Armed Forces to provide reconnaissance and surveillance for ground forces.

Choy emphasized that ST Engineering had no intention of competing with Israeli and U.S. manufacturers to build large UAVs.

“We want to build a niche in the tactical area, where we are able to help small units with our UAV technology,” he told AFP. “Unless you are a global power, you cannot convince customers to buy big UAVs which require supporting technology like satellites”.

India is similarly modest about its Rustom-1 drone, a model of which was on display at the trade fair.

“Our main priority is to enhance the current capability of the Rustom ... we have no intentions of exporting it,” said Parimal Kumar, a senior official from India’s Defence Research and Development Organization.

IAI’s Silberring is unfazed by the nascent Asian drone manufacturers, and said demand for Israeli drones would remain high.

“You just cannot compete with us ... we look 20 years ahead to make sure we have products in the market no one will have,” he said.

buglerbilly

28-02-12, 11:04 AM

Northrop Grumman moves closer to BAMS first flight

By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC

9 hours ago

Source:

Northrop Grumman has installed landing gear and wings on the airframe of the first RQ-4 Global Hawk variant designed for the US Navy's requirement for broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS).

At the same time, the company has released new details of the critical new sensor invented for the BAMS mission. The sensor entered flight tests in December.

Both events indicate Northrop remains on track to complete first flight of the MQ-4C BAMS aircraft later this year, the company said.

© Northrop Grumman

The navy plans to buy 70 MQ-4Cs, including five test aircraft, under a nearly $12 billion acquisition programme, with entry into service scheduled in December 2015.

The first MQ-4C BAMS aircraft will scan the oceans for maritime traffic with a special radar developed by Northrop called the multi-function active sensor (MFAS).

Northrop had previously described MFAS as an electronically-scanned array. The company now adds that the array operates with a rotating sensor with electronic scanning functionality.

It can switch between various surveillance modes, including maritime surface search to track surface traffic, inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) to classify ships by type and image-while-scan to interleave ISAR snapshots and high-resolution scans. The MFAS also can search over land using a spot SAR mode for stationary targets and a strip SAR mode for images along a fixed line, Northrop said.

© Northrop Grumman

Northrop had previously flight-tested a prototype version of the MFAS sensor (above) during the BAMS competition.

Publicly-released images of the prototype and the latest versions of the radar show minor changes to the radome colour and shape, but it was not immediately clear if Northrop had made more significant changes to the array itself.

buglerbilly

28-02-12, 12:38 PM

2. The MQ-9′s Cost and Performance

By Winslow Wheeler | February 28, 2012

Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson
A fully-loaded MQ-9 Reaper taxis down an Afghanistan runway

Interesting article, the second of five............

Because of Reaper’s nature, unit-cost estimates can be tricky. Various media reports cite a per-unit cost from $4 million to $5 million. They are quite incorrect.

Because they are integral to Reaper’s ability to operate, the ground components for it must be included, and a Combat Air Patrol, or “CAP” (i.e. the specified Reaper operating unit), consists of four air vehicles, not one. Accordingly, the Air Force factsheet for Reaper cites a unit cost not for one air vehicle but for a Reaper CAP (“four aircraft with sensors”) at $53.5 million in FY 2006 dollars (which would be $60.3 million in 2012 dollars).[1] But even that Air Force fact sheet calculation is incomplete.

It does not include development and other costs that are included in DOD’s summary Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs). The latest SAR available (from December 2010) shows a cost of $11.3 billion (in 2008 dollars) for the then-planned total purchase of 399[2] individual Reaper air vehicles and associated ground equipment.[3] In contemporary 2012 dollars that comes to $12.1 billion, which calculates to $30.2 million for each individual Reaper and its share of ground equipment, or $120.8 million for a complete, operable CAP of four.[4] (Given the infrequency at which Reaper flies in comparison to typical combat aircraft, the four Reaper calculation is apt for comparing to manned aircraft. This issue is discussed more in later parts of this series.)

The actual cost for a Reaper unit is $120.8 million in 2012 dollars. Given the newly announced reduction in Reaper production rates, the elements that Reaper uses but charged to other programs (summarized in Part 1) and the statement that some additional ground control stations may be bought, the $120.8 million unit cost is an underestimate; however, the data are unavailable to know by how much.

Reaper unit cost is well above that of the aircraft frequently compared to it: the F-16 and the A-10. The Air Force’s “factsheet” on the F-16C cites an $18.8 million unit cost in 1998 dollars (or $27.2 million in 2012 dollars);[5] GAO cites F-16C unit procurement cost, not including R&D which is not readily available for inclusion, at $55 million per copy.[6] For the A-10, the Air Force factsheet cites no estimate for the unit cost,[7] but GAO cited a total program unit cost (including R&D) at $11.8 million in 1994 dollars (or $18.8 million in 2012 dollars). There have been modifications to the A-10 since that GAO estimate, even if they were to double the cost of the aircraft, it would remain a fraction of the cost to buy a Reaper unit.

Reaper is not cheaper to buy than aircraft it is compared to; it is multiples more expensive: from two to six times more costly.[8]

Nor is Reaper cheaper to operate, despite initial appearances. Air Force flying hour cost data shows Reaper to cost only $3,624 per hour to fly in 2011 for what the Air Force terms “operational” flying hour costs.[9] That compares to the much higher hourly cost to fly A-10s or F-16s: $17,780 per hour for the newly modified A-10C and $20,809 for an F-16C. However, because each Reaper flies a large number of hours in the air, the math suppresses the per-hour Reaper number. If the calculation is for total maintenance costs over the course of a year for a Reaper unit, the relationship changes: at a per year cost of $5.1 million, per individual Reaper, and at $20.4 million per CAP, the Reaper shows itself to be well above the cost to maintain and operate over a year for an individual A-10C (at $5.5 million) or an F-16C (at $4.8 million).[10] Annual operating unit cost for a Reaper unit is about four times the annual cost to operate an F-16 or an A-10.

Infrastructure: Much of those higher costs are driven by the infrastructure needed to operate Reaper, which has an extensive infrastructure on the ground: the GCS, satellite link, and the local control unit for take offs and landings. Most of this support is not analogous to manned aircraft. For example, without a control tower and its personnel, a manned aircraft remains capable of landing, and without centralized mission control, they are able to perform their missions quite effectively. (Indeed, many argue convincingly that micro-management of manned aircraft by a central command seriously degrades effectiveness.)

Reaper’s infrastructure necessitates at least 171 personnel for each CAP: these include 43 mission control personnel, including seven pilots and seven sensor operators, 59 launch, recovery and maintenance personnel (including six more pilots and sensor operators), 66 Processing Exploitation Dissemination personnel for intelligence and its support (including 14 more maintenance personnel) and three “other equipment” personnel.[11]

As some say, drones like Reaper are not “unmanned;” hence the term “remotely piloted vehicle.”

Endurance: Reaper’s ability to loiter over the battlefield for long periods (attempting to collect intelligence, find targets, and engage them) is much longer than manned combat aircraft; however, there are some limitations. Reaper, like many aircraft, must trade off gas (and loiter time) for munitions and cannot take off with a full load of both. General Atomics, and many media reports, assert day long endurance, even 30 hours,[12] but that is with no munitions adding weight and drag. Others, such as DOT&E and Global Security note the trade-off between fuel and weapons and that actual endurance is “approximately” [13] 14 hours (or “up to” 14 hours[14]) for a Reaper carrying weapons. Nonetheless, this lesser loiter time is a multiple of what manned aircraft perform, even with mid-mission aerial refueling. An A-10 might have a prolonged mission of four hours, usually less. (CBO reports an Air Force assessment of a limit of 12 hours for the pilot of a single seat aircraft;[15] however, that is very uncommon and may only realistically pertain to U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.)

Survivability: Reaper (like Predator) is fundamentally incapable of defending itself. It lacks any ability to sense threats 360 degrees around itself; while it can “see” below and somewhat to the sides, it is through a “soda straw” (depending on the setting of the sensors). If it does observe a threat, it is incapable of doing anything effective about it; not only is it quite slow, but with a high aspect ratio wing varying from 55 to 86 feet and a frail airframe unable to withstand more than a mild two “G” maneuver,[16] it is incapable of agile movement to get out of the way of immediate threats. If it attempts high angle maneuvers, it may lose its link to satellite or ground control, which has in the past caused crashes. It is also unarmored to survive a hit. Reapers (and Predator) have been equipped with Stinger air to air missiles for a theoretical air-to-air capability, but with so little external awareness and no ability to maneuver, it is a meaningless “capability” adding little more than weight and drag. (A Predator has been reported to have attempted, unsuccessfully, to engage an Iraqi aircraft in 2003 with a Stinger missile; the Predator was destroyed by the aircraft it attempted to engage.[17]) As analysts have commented, Reaper is survivable only in a “permissive” environment, which in truth means an absence of air defenses. (This problem also explains why Reaper and Predator are reluctant to venture below 10,000 feet where they can become vulnerable to man portable guns and early vintage man portable air defense missiles.)

Reaper compares poorly to manned combat aircraft on survivability. The A-10, for example, was thought by some to be vulnerable to modern air defenses of the sort above Iraq and Kosovo that it successfully engaged and survived. In operation Desert Storm in 1991, A-10s were highly survivable, even in the presence of Iraq’s densest and more effective defenses; there, the A-10 had an attrition rate of 0.5 aircraft for every 1,000 sorties,[18] a rate that GAO found to be a statistically insignificant difference from the higher survivability rate of the F-117 stealth attack bomber.[19] In the Kosovo air war, the A-10 had a higher survivability rate than the F-117.

Payload: One of the biggest improvements of Reaper over Predator is increased payload: 450 pounds for the Predator (specifically two Hellfire missiles), compared to an internal payload of 750 pounds (for sensors) and an external (wing mounted) payload of 3,000 pounds for Reaper (for weapons and/or fuel tanks).[20] However, the weight carrying ability of the individual wing hard points limits what is in fact carried.[21] While the Reaper is credited to be able to carry as many as 16 Hellfires[22] or four 500 pound laser guided bombs, CBO notes that a typical payload “varies up to” four Hellfire missiles and two 500 pound bombs.[23]

Despite being credited by many as also employing 500 pound GPS guided Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs, DOT&E reports that “ongoing developmental challenges precluded operational testing and fielding” Reaper with JDAMs.[24]

Reaper’s maximum payload is a fraction of what A-10s can and do carry. Rather than the Reaper’s maximum 3,000 pound payload (or a typical payload of two Hellfires and two 500 pound laser guided bombs), the A-10 has a maximum payload of 16,000 pounds and is credited with carrying up to eighteen 500 pound bombs (guided or unguided).[25] F-16’s, as bombers, typically carry two 2,000 pound bombs and additional fuel.[26] (Some asses F-16’s at four 2,000 pound bombs or eight 500 pound bombs.[27]) However, this crude analysis of simple weight does not adequately measure the difference between Reaper and an aircraft such as the A-10, or even lesser aircraft. This analysis ignores other very important issues, such as the nature, variety and delivery methods the A-10 can employ. And, it ignores what many credit as the A-10’s most effective weapon, the GAU-8 cannon for which Reaper has no counterpart. With its lesser weapons payload, Reaper is unable to loiter over the battlefield and employ weapons for more than a very limited number of targets. Even five Reapers would not match the air to ground capability of one A-10.

However, one must also consider the relative ability to collect intelligence and find a target (and to distinguish if it should be attacked). This is an area where drone advocates assert real superiority over manned aircraft.

Next: The Reaper’s Ability to Hunt Down Targets

Winslow T. Wheeler is the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

End notes

[1] See p. 2 of http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=6405.

[2] The 399 count includes the 396 bought under procurement account funding and three bought under research and development funding.

[3] See p. 11 of the DOD Summary SAR for all Major Defense Acquisition Programs for December 2010 at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ara/am/sar/SST-2010-12.pdf.

[4] In the- year dollars, the program is $12.496 billion for 399 air vehicles, or $31.3 million each, or $125.3 million for a CAP.

[5] See the Air Force’s “factsheet” at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=103.

[6] See p. 9 of February 24, 2011 letter to Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Howard McKeon, Government Accountability Office, “Tactical Aircraft: Air Force Fighter Reports Generally Addressed Congressional Mandates, but Reflected Dated Plans and Guidance, and Limited Analyses,” GAO-11-323R, at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11323r.pdf.

[7] See the Air Force fact sheet at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=70.

[8] Reaper, like virtually any DOD acquisition system, has also its cost overruns: GAO estimates that, as of 2010, Reaper unit cost increased 32 percent (from $508.7 million for 33 aircraft to $2,406 million for 118 aircraft). See p. 6 of “Defense Acquisitions: DOD Could Achieve Greater Commonality and Efficiencies among Its Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” Government Accountability Office, March 23, 2010, GAO-10-508T, at http://www.gao.gov/assets/130/124311.pdf.

[9] The flying hour cost data is from Air Force flying hour cost spread sheets available from the author on request.

[10] Some will find it strange that an A-10 costs more to operate per year than an F-16, but the A-10 has been flying significantly more hours per aircraft, and the conversion to the new “C” model has also increased costs.

[11] See slide 4 of “The Way Ahead: Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the United States Air Force,” briefing slides presented by Lt Gen Dave Deptula, Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, undated, at http://www.daytonregion.com/pdf/UAV_Rountable_5.pdf. The slide cites 168 people but the data on the slide indicate 171; 177 for surge purposes.

[12] See General Atomics fact sheet at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator_b.php.

[13] P. 245, “FY 2011 Annual Report,” Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, December 2011, Department of Defense, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/.

[14] See Global Security website at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm.

[15] P. 29 of CBO’s “Policy Options” at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.

[16] See Table 4 of Integration of UAS in the Civil Airworthiness Regulatory System: Present and Future, C. Cuerno-Rejado, R. Martinez-Val, E. Garcia-Julia, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spanish Civil Aviation Authority, at http://oa.upm.es/9504/1/INVE_MEM_2010_88111.pdf. Note that A-10 and F-16s are stressed well above the MQ-9 to 7Gs.

[17] P. 5, CRS, “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.

[18] P. 651, Gulf War Air Power Survey, Volume V, A Statistical Compendium and Chronology, Washington D.C. 1993.

[19] See pp. 99-102 of “Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air campaign,” General Accounting Office, July 1997, GAO-97-134, at http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/ns97134.pdf.

[20] P. 219, DOT&E 2010 Annual Report, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2010/.

[21] See discussion of the wing hard points at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm or at the Wikipedia entry for MQ-9.

[22] P. 35, CRS, “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.

[23] Pp. 4 & 16 (footnote #5), CBO, “Policy Options” at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.

[24] P. 245 of DOT&E 2011 Annual Report, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/

[25] Air Force fact sheet at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=70.

[26] Air Force fact sheet at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=103.

[27] P. 1, CBO, “Policy Options” at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.

Read more: http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/02/28/2-the-mq-9s-cost-and-performance/#more-67487#ixzz1ngBr7hwi

buglerbilly

28-02-12, 12:44 PM

1. Revisiting the Reaper Revolution

By Winslow Wheeler | February 27, 2012

Air Force photo/Lance Cheung
The MQ-9 Reaper: a game-changing, bargain weapon of the future?

First article............

In a surprise move this year, the Pentagon has reduced spending for two aerial drones. A version of the RQ-4 Global Hawk will be relegated to storage to be superseded by more capable versions, and future production of the MQ-9 Reaper is to be reduced from 48 per year to 24.

The decisions were surprising. Drones are widely touted as the future of warfare. How can it be that the 40-year old, manned U-2 reconnaissance aircraft can do the mission better than even an early-generation drone?

The Reaper decision was not attached to any admission of disappointment; it was just a matter of budget constraints and skilled manpower shortages, DOD said. The minor setback with Global Hawk notwithstanding, the aura of a leap-ahead in war-fighting technology is left intact, or so it is to be believed.

Much has been written about unmanned aerial drones.[1] Some of it has questioned the morality of how they are being used, and in a few cases, some aspects of technical performance is questioned.[2] Much more of the writing and the vast majority of expert opinion is that drones are cheaper to buy and operate than manned aircraft, can do things aircraft cannot do, and when they perform aircraft-type missions, they often do them at least as well, if not better—all without endangering an American pilot. Some even proclaim the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to be the Air Force’s last manned tactical aircraft, and the Air Force is seriously contemplating an “optionally manned” long range, nuclear bomber.

For example, Peter Singer of the Brookings Institution argues that “an amazing revolution is taking place on the battlefield;”[3] drones “will increasingly be available as autonomous force multipliers.”[4] Singer’s colleague at Brookings, Michael O’Hanlon, argues that “The era of manned airplanes should be seen as over,”[5] and they both argue that those who persist in supporting manned systems are standing in the way of progress in defense technology, if not history. Even some promoters of manned systems tend to agree for the long term; one advocate of all things Air Force, John A. Tirpak, executive editor of Air Force Magazine, favorably compares the Reaper drone to the F-16 as a bomber,[6] and retired Air Force General David Deptula, often quoted by the media on drone topics, has argued that the next step is to reduce, if not eliminate, the role of humans in operating drones, even from the ground.[7]

The defense trade press assiduously reports advances in drone technology;[8] Congress has called for “one-third of the aircraft in the operational deep strike force aircraft fleet” to be unmanned,[9] and there is a bipartisan Unmanned Systems Caucus in Congress, co-chaired by the ubiquitous chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Cong. Buck McKeon (R-CA).[10]

All of it gives the aura of inevitability to the future of drones and an impression of cutting edge insight to those who opine on what should seem obvious to thinking, informed analysts and commentators.

The rhetoric harks back to the “revolution in military affairs” proclaimed shortly before the first Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in 1991, the “one bomb one target” precision affirmed after that war, and the “shock and awe” that experts predicted would implode Saddam Hussein’s regime in a matter of hours at the start of the 2003 war.

This author has some experience with such prognostications. From 1992 to 1996, I worked with a team in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the effectiveness of the air war in Operation Desert Storm. It was not “one bomb one target;” for bridges, for example, it was an average of eleven laser guided bombs to make any bridge un-useable; for other targets it was more.[11] Other data show that “precision” attacks on Saddam Hussein’s air defenses on the first night of Operation Desert Storm and on Saddam Hussein himself in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 definitively failed to achieve the intended objectives and frequently missed their aim points.[12]

Today’s augury on drones makes the same facile predictions and uses the same rhetoric. It has meant more money. In the twelve years before the 9/11 attacks (1988-2000), DOD spent just $3.9 billion for drones. After 9/11, spending increased dramatically, from $667 million in 2001[13] to $5.1 billion in 2011 [14] in known [15] drone costs, totaling $30 billion. CBO estimates that spending will increase again in the next decade, to $37 billion.[16] But even that estimate will probably turn out to be low, the new downturns announced for Global Hawk and Reaper notwithstanding.

Amidst the enthusiasm for drones and the increasing money, there has been little public diagnostic analysis of what a specific drone can and cannot do, how well or poorly, the cost, and how it all compares to relevant comparison manned aircraft. A recent and informative report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) suggests at least three areas of comparison: unmanned aerial systems “eliminate the risk to a pilot’s life, and their aeronautical capabilities, such as endurance, are not bound by human limitations…. [They] may also be cheaper to procure and operate than manned aircraft.”[17]

Selection of Reaper

The Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper is selected for analysis. In combat since October 2007, it has been employed long enough to have an operational record for a reality-based analysis, and as a successor to the earlier MQ-1B Predator (deployed in 2002 as the first U.S. armed aerial drone in the modern age [18]), it is not so new to be dismissed, or defended, as too embryonic for meaningful analysis.

Various websites provide a physical description of Reaper. These include sites that convey some useful basic information but also tend to describe performance as uncompromised by limitations and planned upgrades as fully in hand; sometimes important data is completely missing. Such sites include those of the producer, General Atomics, GlobalSecurity.org, and the Air Force.[19] The Wikipedia entry for Reaper provides more details and links, but it also gives the impression of being written by advocates.[20] Others, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Defense Department’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), are more objective, but they are also cryptic.[21] More complete descriptions and analysis are provided by the Congressional Research Service [22] and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO);[23] however, even the more informative of these (CRS’s) only touches on issues that when scratched can be quite revealing.

The first point that almost all descriptions make about Reaper is that it is not a stand-alone, pilot-less aircraft. It is a system with elements that go beyond what piloted aircraft require. A Reaper unit does not consist of one “aircraft;” it consists of four (why will be explained in subsequent parts), and it requires a manned ground control station (GCS) that is typically remotely located, often in the US.[24] It also requires a dedicated Primary Satellite Link (PSL)[25] and a local control unit for landings and take-offs where the air vehicles are based. In comparing drones to manned aircraft, CRS points out, for example, it is necessary to include these components that are essential for flight.[26]

Unclassified DOD records show Reaper spending to have started in 2002. Congress quickly became a major advocate and increased the purchase by 58 air vehicles.[27] Production had been planned to terminate at the end of 2016 at 399 individual air vehicles, and total Reaper spending had been projected at $12.497 billion in nominal (“then year”) dollars.[28] The 2013 budget request included the reduction in Reaper’s production rate from 48 to 24 per year for the years 2013-2017,[29] which would imply a reduction in the total buy by either 96 or 72 air vehicles.[30] It is also not clear how much this change would reduce the cost of the total buy; unit costs will go up with the rate change, and one budget document addressed buying more ground control stations with the money that is saved from the reduced production.

In any case, the total amount for Reaper costs is not borne by the Reaper program alone: Reaper uses the same ground equipment as Predator B; there may be GCS and other ground equipment paid for by the Predator B program but employed by Reapers, and more than one DOD official informally speculated that other Reaper costs may be buried in other programs, such as Gorgon Stare.

Distinguishing Between Reapers

Important to appreciate about Reaper is that it is not a Predator, nor a minor modification of it as the producer’s moniker, “Predator B,”[31] might lead one to believe. The Air Force makes the distinction between them clear in its “factsheets.”[32] While they dissemble on issues like cost and performance, they can at least be taken at face value on some basics:

Characteristic MQ-1B Predator MQ-9 Reaper

Wingspan 55 ft. 66 ft. or 86 ft.

Empty Weight 1,130 lbs. 4,900 lbs. for 66 ft. wingspan variant

Maximum Take Off Weight 2,250 lbs. with up to 665 lbs. of fuel and 450 lbs. of weapons 10,500 lbs. with up to 4,000 lbs. of fuel and up to 3,000 lbs. of external wing stores (fuel and/or weapons) and a 750 lb. internal sensor payload. Any payload combination may not exceed 5,600 lbs.

Sensor Package Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-A) with infrared sensor, daylight TV camera with image-intensifier & laser illuminator/designator MTS-B with basically same sensors, plus synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to enable GBU-38 JDAM targeting. (See SAR/JDAM discussion below.)

Armament 2 laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire[33] missiles Hellfire and/or 500 lb. GBU-12 laser guided bombs up to a total of 3,000 lbs.[34]

Speed (kt) 70 (cruise/loiter); 118 (max.)[35] 120 (cruise/loiter); 240 (max.)[36]

Range Up to 770 miles Up to 1,150 miles

Ceiling Up to 25,000 ft. depending on payload Up to 50,000 ft. depending on variant and payload

Endurance Up to 40 hours; 14-16 hours with wing stores[37] Up to 24 to 30 hours with no external stores; 14 hours with typical munitions; up to 42 hours with 2 wing fuel tanks and 1,000 lbs. of weapons[38]

Initially Deployed March 2005 October 2007

Note that, despite some similarity in appearance, Reaper is an entirely different air vehicle from the MQ-1B Predator (or the original, unarmed RQ-1A Predator). At 4,900 pounds, Reaper’s empty weight is four times that of Predator, and its wingspan is 20 to 56 percent wider. Reaper has loiter and maximum speeds that are roughly twice Predator’s, but both are slow compared, for example, to modern combat aircraft. (The slow speed is a real advantage for finding and identifying targets.) Perhaps the most noticeable difference in the table above is the much larger payload of weapons that Reaper can carry, up to 3,000 pounds rather than Predator B’s very modest 450 pounds.

There are also important similarities. Both can loiter above the battlefield searching for targets for long periods (up to 40 hours), much longer than manned aircraft—even when the latter can be refueled in the air. Similarly, loiter endurance is significantly reduced depending on the weight and drag of munitions, down to 14-16 hours, perhaps less. The two may differ little in their maximum ceiling with no or light payloads, but there is a high altitude, longer wingspan version of Reaper for as high as 50,000 feet claimed.

Next: Cost and Performance

Winslow T. Wheeler is the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

End notes

[1] Several titles have been applied to drones: unmanned aerial systems (UASs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and remotely piloted vehicles (RPAs) are the most common.
[2] For example, see David Cortright’s “License to Kill” at http://www.cato-unbound.org/2012/01/09/david-cortright/license-to-kill/, the work of David S. Cloud at the LA Times, such as at http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/29/world/la-fg-drones-civilians-20111230, work at the U.K.’s The Guardian, such as at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/07/cia-unaccountable-drone-war or at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/17/us-drone-strikes-pakistan-waziristan. There is also an excellent summary of the aftereffects of drones and occupation in Iraq at Salon.com. http://www.salon.com/2012/01/30/lessons_from_iraqi_outrage_over_us_drones/singleton/. See also Nick Turse’s work at TomDispath.com at http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175489/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_drone_disasters_/ and http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175482/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_the_life_and_death_of_ame rican_drones/
[3] See the website for P.W. Singer’s Wired for War at http://wiredforwar.pwsinger.com/.
[4] See “With more details coming, analysts split on new DOD strategy,” Chris Carroll & Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes, January 25, 2012 at http://www.stripes.com/news/with-more-details-coming-analysts-split-on-new-dod-strategy-1.166755.
[5] See “Rest in Peace, Manned Aircraft,” Air Force Times, April 16, 2011, posted by David Larter at http://militarytimes.com/blogs/flightlines/2011/08/16/rest-in-peace-manned-aircraft/.
[6] See “The RPA Boom,” Air Force Magazine, John A. Tirpak, August 2010 at http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/August%202010/0810RPA.aspx.
[7] See “Former ISR Chief Calls for More Autonomy in UAVs,” Areas A Technology Blog, by Paul McLeary, Aviation Week, January 25, 2012 at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3Aca1e0ff0-837f-4b24-8e09-acb9eebe7bb9.
[8] See “MQ-9 to Provide Full HD Video by 2015 after Two-Phased MTS Upgrade,” Inside the Air Force, 1/20/12 at http://defensenewsstand.com/Inside-the-Air-Force/Inside-the-Air-Force-01/20/2012/menu-id-290.html.
[9] See section 220 of PL 106-398.
[10] Find the website at http://unmannedsystemscaucus.mckeon.house.gov/.
[11] P. 189 ff., Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air Campaign,” General Accounting Office, June 1997, GAO/NSIAD-97-134 at http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/ns97134.pdf.
[12] Pp. 135-139, GAO, Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air Campaign, at http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/ns97134.pdf.
[13] P. 13 of “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” Jeremiah Gertler, Congressional Research Service, R42136 at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.
[14] P. ix of “Summary” of “Policy Options for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Congressional Budget Office, June 2011 at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.
[15] There are additional drone costs in the DOD budget, but they are classified and for the Central Intelligence Agency.
[16] P. vii of “Summary” of CBO, “Policy Options,” at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.
[17] P. 1, CRS, “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,”at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.
[18] For a discussion of unmanned systems in the previous century, see “Air Force UAVs: The Secret History,” Thomas Erhardt, July 2010, A Mitchell Institute Study, at http://www.afa.org/mitchell/reports/MS_UAV_0710.pdf.
[19] See, for example, the descriptions of Reaper at the General Atomics website at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator_b.php, which describes endurance as 30 hours without caveat (discussed below in text) and the description by GlobalSecurity.org at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm, which, for example, describes the performance of Reaper’s Synthetic Aperture Radar without any issues and available munitions to include GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions without the issues pointed out by others. The Air Force’s “factsheet” is at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6405.
[20] For example, see the Wikipedia entry for Reaper, as of February 2012, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQ-9_Reaper.
[21] See the system descriptions by GAO (at p. 113 of “Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapons Programs,” Government Accountability Office, March 2011, GAO-11-233SP, at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11233sp.pdf ) or by DOD’s DOT&E at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/.
[22] See CRS’ “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems.” An informative and useful report, it is at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.
[23] See CBO’s “Policy Options” volume at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf. This report contains some basic system information, but is mostly devoted to “policy options” which are limited to only a mix of current and planned drones, not other platforms that in some cases are clearly cheaper and more effective—see following text in main body.
[24] At Cannon and Holloman AFBs, NM; Creech AFB, NV, and Syracuse NY plus “several locations in CENTCOM and AFRICOM.” The Air Force will start MQ-9 operations at Ellsworth AFB SD in 20012. P. 7 & 11 of United States Air Force, Report to Congressional Committees , “Report on Future Unmanned Aerial Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability,” September 2011, submitted to Congress pursuant to House Report 111-491, page 509.
[25] See the Air Force fact sheet at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6405.
[26] P. 13 of CRS’s “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.
[27] P. 4, “Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) RCS: DD-A&T (Q&A) 823-424; MQ-9 UAS Predator, as of June 30, 2010.” Not available on line but available from the author.
[28] Pp. 14-18 of the DOD SAR for Reaper.
[29] See “Service Scales Back MQ-9 Purchases: Lt. Gen. James: Air Force Could Provide More Than 65 CAPs If Needed,” Maggie Ybarra, Inside the Air Force, 2/17/12.
[30] The previous production plan was scheduled to end after 2016; if it is extended to 2017 with the additional 24 air vehicles, the reduction would be 72 rather than 96.
[31] See the General Atomics advert for “Predator B,” rather Reaper, at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator_b.php.
[32] Find the Air Force Fact sheet on MQ-1B Predator at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=122; on Reaper at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=6405.
[33] Hellfire is a short range 100 pound missile with a 20 pound warhead; find a discussion of it at the Wikipedia website at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-114_Hellfire. There is also a useful system description of Hellfire at the Federation of American Scientists website at http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/agm-114.htm.
[34] See text in main body below; while the fact sheet asserts Reaper can employ GPS-guided JDAM GBU-38, that appears not to be the case.
[35] See p. 63 of “FY 2009-2034 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap,” Department of Defense, 2009, at http://www.acq.osd.mil/psa/docs/UMSIntegratedRoadmap2009.pdf.
[36] See p. 67 of “FY 2009-2034 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap,” at http://www.acq.osd.mil/psa/docs/UMSIntegratedRoadmap2009.pdf.
[37] This data not from USAF Fact Sheet; see instead General Atomics brochure at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator.php. CBO limits the endurance to 24 hours with no weapons payload; 20 hours with weapons; see p. 4 of http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf. A different DOD source limits loiter to 16 hours with external stores; see http://www.acq.osd.mil/psa/docs/UMSIntegratedRoadmap2009.pdf.
[38] These data not from USAF Fact Sheet; see instead General Atomics brochure at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator_b.php, and Global Security at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm. CBO cites 21 and 17 hours for with and without weapons; see p. 4 of http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf. DOD cites 24 hours with no external stores at http://www.acq.osd.mil/psa/docs/UMSIntegratedRoadmap2009.pdf.

Read more: http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/02/27/1-the-reaper-revolution-revisited/#ixzz1ngD69FDR

buglerbilly

29-02-12, 10:26 PM

Cassidian to return Barracuda to testing

By: Craig Hoyle Cardiff

5 hours ago

Source:

EADS Cassidian has confirmed plans to launch a new flight-test campaign with its Barracuda unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator later this year, but declined to detail its objectives for the activity.

To be staged at Goose Bay, Canada "this summer", the flights will build on work performed at the same site in July 2010, when Cassidian's lone Barracuda air vehicle took part in trials of sense-and-avoid equipment.

The earlier programme involved equipping the Barracuda with a traffic collision avoidance system and transponder to support deconfliction trials also involving a manned chase aircraft. This payload will eventually be expanded to include a radar and optical sensors, said Joost van Tooren, the company's head of flight guidance. This combination will be required to allow operators to gain permission to routinely fly unmanned systems in non-segregated airspace.

© Cassidian

"We are continuing to work on maturing technologies and on more demonstrations," van Tooren said, without detailing the contents of the forthcoming test programme.

Meanwhile, Cassidian has also reported strong early progress with a research programme intended to develop next-generation technologies for unmanned air systems.

Named Sagitta, and also involving German academic institutions and PhD students, the programme was launched last year and will run until 2014. Based on the use of a common air vehicle design, study aspects include the use of new materials and embedded sensors, miniaturisation and morphing designs, plus adaptive control techniques. It also includes steps to increase the autonomy of the aircraft and its sensor payload, said Cassidian head of technology and research Aimo Bülte.

"We can already see the interaction is very fruitful," Bülte said at EADS's Newport facility in south Wales on 29 February. "We are open to ideas that wouldn't normally get into the [design] system." However, he added: "We are very far away from a product."

Cassidian has identified UAVs as being one of its major product focus areas, said Bülte, who noted its development work also draws on flight-control technologies and other advances developed for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

buglerbilly

01-03-12, 12:36 PM

The MQ-9 Reaper: Separating Fact From Fiction

3. Finding the Right Targets

By Winslow Wheeler | February 29, 2012

Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson,
The Reaper's ability to distinguish between good and bad targets on the ground is a key link in the "kill chain"

Third of five

Many argue the most critical payload Reaper carries is sensors for finding targets and collecting information that is made available to operators on the ground. The current version of the Reaper has a “Multi-Spectral Targeting System” that combines infrared and optical sensors and a laser designator/range finder to employ Hellfire missiles and laser guided bombs.

But the ability of these sensors to identify targets—to discern just what they are, based on the clarity and resolution of the imagery received on the ground—has serious limitations.

According to test reports, these sensors have had difficulty finding and tracking targets as large as “vehicles,” and they have even more difficulty with “dismounts” (people).[1] To improve the resolution of these sensors, Reaper operates at altitudes well below its nominal 25,000 to 50,000 foot ceiling; they typically operate at 10,000 to 15,000 feet[2] to enable better image resolution, and they may operate lower than that, if severe terrain and vulnerability to hand held air defenses is not a problem.

Some Reaper and Predator imagery has appeared on the internet. One should assume that the quality of these images is degraded by the reproduction on the internet; however, even assuming that as an analytical precaution, the quality of the imagery—specifically the ability to discern the nature of “dismounts” (people) and whether they are or are not legitimate targets—is very clearly very limited.[3]

The failure to be able to discriminate valid human targets was vividly and tragically displayed in a combat engagement in April 2011 involving Marines and the Taliban in Afghanistan. A Predator was unable to discriminate the highly distinctive combat outline of two Marines (with full battle equipment) from the irregular enemy. Based simply on detecting muzzle flashes and making a poorly informed assessment based on their geographic location in the middle of a fluid firefight, a Predator with Hellfires killed two Marines, mistaking them for the enemy.[4] As the internet video cited above makes abundantly clear, the quality of the imagery transmitted to screens on the ground from operational altitudes is so poor it cannot make critically important distinctions.

Reaper is commonly described to have a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for finding and identifying targets through weather (which the other sensors are unable to attempt). However, according to DOD’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the SAR has been problematic,[5] in part due to power and payload limitations: Reaper “remains unable to execute all-weather Hunter-Killer operations. The SAR is the only MQ-9 system capable of providing MQ-9 UAS with the capability to find, fix, track, and engage targets through the weather.”[6] If the SAR were to be available, several experts cautioned the author that it remains quite controversial whether SAR imagery would materially assist the ability to actually find and identify targets.

According to GAO, Reaper’s Block 5 upgrade will attempt to address these and other deficiencies, by attempting to remediate poor performance in area surveillance and the ability to detect “dismounted soldiers.”[7] These improvements are not expected to be available until 2014 to 2015.[8] The extent to which they will be effective is unknown, but it is notable that problems in Predator’s (and by implication Reaper’s) sensors have been an issue for a long time. A report as early as 2001 from DOT&E noted them; [9] the problems are persistent, and assuming a new technological development will eliminate them has proven to be a false hope in the past.

Reaper’s sensors and endurance might seem tailor made for the task of border surveillance and assisting the apprehension of illegal aliens and drug smugglers crossing the border. The terrain in the US southwest would seem near-ideal for such operations—being relatively flat, barren and arid, especially compared to the extremely rugged terrain in much of Afghanistan. And, there is no air defense to worry about or to limit low altitude searching. Thus, one would expect Reaper and other drones to excel. Indeed, drones were declared a “force multiplier” by Customs and Border Enforcement in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).[10]

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in DHS has been attempting to employ drones for border surveillance for several years. The simpler and cheaper Hermes and Hunter drones were initially employed, and the experiment was assessed in a December 2005 report from DHS’s Office of Inspections and Special Reviews. The report found that those drones cost $1,351 and $923 per hour to operate (considerably less than Predator), but those costs were double the cost of manned aircraft to operate. More importantly, those drones were found to be significantly less effective than manned aircraft in finding and helping to seize immigrants or marijuana crossing the border illegally.[11] The report also found that when the drones did play a role in seizures, the role was secondary in that they simply assisted in the seizure of illegals already detected by other means.[12] The drones’ sensors were impeded by “weather” in the mild form of clouds and humidity, and finally the drone’s high accident rate impeded operations.[13]

CBP subsequently purchased six Reapers[14] (reported as “Predator Bs”) for southwest border enforcement. As of June, 2011, they had flown 10,000 hours, which led to the apprehension of 4,865 undocumented aliens and 238 drug smugglers.[15] This was 1.5 percent of the total reported number of 327,577 illegal immigrants caught in the same time frame, and based on an operating cost estimate of $3,600 per hour, Reaper’s cost-effectiveness calculated to $7,054 for each illegal immigrant or drug smuggler caught.

In assessing these Reaper operations, GAO also considered a program dubbed “Big Miguel” that consisted of a manned Cessna aircraft with a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor acquired and operated for $1.2 million for a year—i.e. one quarter the cost of acquiring one Reaper air vehicle without its support infrastructure and without the cost of operations. According to GAO, the Cessna/FLIR program found and assisted in the apprehension of 6,500 to 8,000 undocumented aliens and the seizure of $54 million in marijuana.[16] Those numbers calculate to a cost per illegal alien for the Cessna at $230 per alien, or 3 percent of the Reaper’s per alien cost.[17]

The manned Cessna was far cheaper to both buy and operate than the Reapers bought by CBP, and the Cessna was more effective. The experience was summed up by an official of the Border Patrol Union: “Unmanned aircraft …are not economical or efficient in civilian law enforcement applications….there are a number of other [manned] technologies that are capable of providing a greater level of usefulness at far lower cost. It appears that the contractors have once again managed to sell a bill of goods to the politicians and bureaucrats who oversee the procurement of technology designed to secure our borders.”[18]

These awkwardly costly and ineffective results notwithstanding, Congress has called for still more domestic drone use. In February 2012, a new authorization statute for the Federal Aviation Administration called for “a comprehensive plan to safely accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system …. as soon as practicable, but not later than September 30, 2015.”[19]

Next: How Many Drones Are There? How Many Have Crashed?

Winslow T. Wheeler is the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

End notes

[1] See a longer discussion of these limitations in an analysis of the Gorgon Stare equipment that has been added to some Reapers; find it at “Gorgon State Is ‘Not Operationally Effective’ and ‘Not Operationally Suitable,’” Winslow T. Wheeler, January 27, 2011 at http://www.cdi.org/friendlyversion/printversion.cfm?documentID=4637.

[2] P. 34, CRS, “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.

[3] Find samples of these videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GShSMMLooJg&feature=related, http://www.dvidshub.net/video/133189/last-convoy-out-iraq, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smh-HwtDHI8&feature=related.

[4] See the unclassified summary of the USMC report on this incident at http://cryptome.org/2012/01/drone-heroes.pdf.

[5] P. 219, DOT&E 2010 Annual Report, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2010/.

[6] P. 246, DOT&E 2011 Annual Report, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/.

[7] See p. 114 GAO “Defense Acquisitions” at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11233sp.pdf.

[8] See “MQ-9 to Provide Full HD Video by 2015 after Two-phased MTS Upgrade,” Inside the Air Force, 1/20/12, Gabe Starosta.

[9] Pp. 21 ff, “Operational Test & Evaluation Report on the Predator Medium-Altitude Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV),” September 2001, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Department of Defense.

[10] P. 10, “Fallacies of High-Tech Fixes for Border Security,” Tom Barry, International Security Report, Center for International Security, April 2010, at http://www.ciponline.org/images/uploads/1004_TBP.pdf.

[11] P. 16, “A Review of Remote Surveillance Technology Along US Land Borders,” Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, Office of Inspections and Special Reviews, OIG-06-15, December 20005, at http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/OIG_06-15_Dec05.pdf.

[12] P. 10, “Fallacies of High-Tech Fixes for Border Security,” Tom Barry, at http://www.ciponline.org/images/uploads/1004_TBP.pdf.

[13] P. 4, “Homeland Security: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Border Surveillance,” Chad C. Haddal, Jeremiah Gertler, Congressional Research Service, July 8,2010, RS21698, at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RS21698.pdf.

[14] P. 1, CRS, “Homeland Security: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Border Surveillance,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RS21698.pdf.

[15] See “More Predator Drones Fly US-Mexico Border,” William Booth, Washington Post, December 21, 2011, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/more-predator-drones-fly-us-mexico-border/2011/12/01/gIQANSZz8O_story.html.

[16] P. 32, “Observations on the Costs and Benefits of an Increased Department of Defense Role in Helping to Secure the Southwest Land Border,” Government Accountability Office, September 12, 2011, GAO-11-856R, at http://www.gao.gov/assets/100/97733.pdf.

[17] “More Predator Drones Fly US-Mexico Border,” William Booth, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/more-predator-drones-fly-us-mexico-border/2011/12/01/gIQANSZz8O_story.html

[18] “US Adds Drones to Fight Smuggling,” Randall C. Archibald, New York Times, December 7, 2009, at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/us/08drone.html.

[19] See the conference report at http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2012/02/faa-uas.html.

Read more: http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/02/29/3-finding-the-right-targets/#more-67489#ixzz1nrjyWwVC

buglerbilly

02-03-12, 12:57 PM

NCKU Turbo-Jet Robot Aircraft Sky Fortress-III to Make Its Debut

(Source: National Cheng Kung University; issued March 1, 2012)

Soooo, you've got a large model aeroplane with a pulse jet engine that screams like 4,000 banshees applauding a heavy metal concert, real "secret" that's going to be, you won't need radar just use your ears................

TAINAN, Taiwan --- An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design team led by Wei-Hsiang Lai, professor of aeronautics and astronautics and director of advanced propulsion and power system research center at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has innovated first turbo-jet robot aircraft named Sky Fortress-III anticipating to assist in typhoon surveillance and disaster prevention and marked a milestone in robotic aviation of Taiwan.

The critical role of turbines in aircraft is well-acknowledged and the global market of UVA is about NT$100 billion annually. The aeronautics and astronautics research team in NCKU will put effort in integrating fields of geomatics, water conservancy, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and earth sciences in UAV innovation to facilitate not only scientific research but civilian issues like surveillance and disaster prevention, said President Hwung-Hweng Hwung of NCKU.

Prof. Lai proudly initiated the debut, Sky Fortress-III remodeled from 2011 Taiwan UVA Design Competition champion Sky Fortress-II designed by NCKU UAV team and advanced from OS91 methanol engine to King Tech K80, a turbojet engine.

It weighs 7.5kg with wind span in 3m performing astonishingly in the primary run at a speed of above 200km/h and expecting to reach 300km/h when the structure is further fortified.

To build a small, strong propeller driven aircraft like Sky Fortress-III, the miniaturization of the turbojet engine is the key innovation. The NCKU UAV design team with more-than-10-year experience has successfully applied the turbojet engine to the unmanned aircraft.

The engine assembled in Sky Fortress-III, King Tech K80, is a product cooperatively innovated by professor Lai and Taiwan-based KingTech-Jet Co., Ltd., with its propelled power 8kg thrust and powered with diesel or JP-8 jet fuel is favored by UAV players around the world.

-ends-

buglerbilly

03-03-12, 02:27 AM

Air Force Experimental Drone Uses Computing Power to Smooth High Flights

By Jason Paur Email Author March 2, 2012 | 3:07 pm

Image: U.S. Air Force

Flutter kills. When a vibration, usually in an aircraft’s wing or tail, matches the natural frequency of that structure, the results of that “flutter” can be catastrophic. If the vibration isn’t dampened over time, it can grow, causing the structure to flex uncontrollably and potentially fail.

The potential for flutter problems gets worse as engineers try to design planes to fly higher and longer with even more slender wings than are seen on some of the latest unmanned aircraft. So no wonder the Air Force, NASA and Lockheed Martin are teaming up for new ways to fight flutter with a new experimental drone. Meet the X-56A.

Flutter issues have led to the destruction of many airplanes, especially in the early days before it was fully understood. (Check out this NASA video where the horizontal part of a normally rigid aluminum tail flexes and bends as if it were made of rubber during flutter testing performed by Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise.) But even some of the most modern aircraft are not immune. A Lockheed F-117 stealth fighter crashed in 1997 after a loose elevation started the vibration that grew into flutter, leading to total wing failure. Even the newest Boeing 747-8 had a flutter issue after computer models showed the potential for the phenomenon during certain fuel-loading scenarios.

So the Pentagon is turning to the same place it always does when it needs to push the limits of new aircraft design: the Mojave desert. The X-56A is the latest ‘X’ plane unveiled by the United States Air Force and NASA. It follows the innovative path blazed by all the research-focused aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base that came before, but without a pilot.

The X-56A, developed with Lockheed Martin’s famed Skunk Works, is a modular drone designed to test an unusual method of alleviating flutter in lightweight aircraft. Rather than relying upon structural strength to keep the wing in one piece, it uses computing power.

While any kind of aircraft can be affected (or even bridges), the long and slender, high aspect ratio wings on airplanes such as the Predator and Global Hawk are particularly susceptible to flutter. The efficient wing design allows the airplanes to fly for long periods of time at high altitude, but engineers are limited by the fine balance between weight and strength. An even more slender wing might be better, and could potentially allow longer and higher flights. But as of now such wings aren’t possible because more strength (and weight) is usually what is used to combat the potential for flutter.

NASA and the Air Force hope to develop designs for future high-altitude aircraft that minimize the risk of flutter while maintaining the absolutely minimal weight of the slender, efficient wings needed to stay aloft for hours or even days at a time. And they want to do this by relying on a computer to control the flutter by moving the control surfaces to counter the vibrations before they increase to a destructive amplitude.

With a wingspan of just 28 feet, the X-56A is a small-scale version of current high altitude unmanned aircraft. Engineers operating the flying test bed will attempt to intentionally induce flutter in the wings and to see if the fly-by-wire flight control computer can eliminate any problems that arise. The ability of a flight computer to control small changes as an airplane flies through turbulent skies is not new — it’s even used in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. But the Air Force and NASA want to take the test to the “edge of the envelope” and perhaps beyond.

The X-56A research project includes four separate sets of wings. One is relatively stiff to create a baseline for the tests, according to Aviation Week.

The remaining three sets are flexible wings that make it easier to induce flutter and test the fly-by-wire computer’s ability to reduce or eliminate the potentially destructive phenomenon. The airplane is equipped with a parachute in case the wing is destroyed in flight.

When flutter does occur in the X-56A’s slender wings, the on-board flight computer will manipulate the flight control surfaces on the wings in an attempt to reduce it. Although some fly-by-wire aircraft have been able to reduce the oscillations, the typical solution is to simply increase the strength (and weight) of the structure.

If successful, new designs could lead to ultra lightweight structures and extremely efficient wings for future high altitude drones expanding the capabilities of the eyes in the sky.

The research could also make its way into the civilian world. Because strength, weight and efficiency are interlinked, many futuristic designs promoted by NASA and others rarely go beyond the design concept stage because there is no way to safely use lightweight structures that lack the strength to handle potentially destructive things like flutter.

Of course, relying on a computer to augment the structure of a wing might not be on some people’s list of ideas you want to try on a jet airliner. But the same could be said of fly-by-wire control systems in general just a few decades ago. Today people regularly fly on airplanes that rely 100 percent on a computer to keep them flying. Perhaps relying on the 1s and 0s to also keep the airplane in one piece isn’t that far of a stretch.

Flight testing of the X-56A is expected to begin at Edwards Air Force Base this summer.

buglerbilly

03-03-12, 03:09 AM

The MQ-9 Reaper: Separating Fact From Fiction

4. Keeping Track of the Drones

By Winslow Wheeler | March 1, 2012

Air Force
A disconnected vacuum line caused this 2009 Predator crash in Nevada

Fourth of five parts (see one, two or three)

Predator purchases ended in 2009, with a total of 248 being bought by the Air Force.[1] Reaper purchases started in 2002, rose from four per year in 2004 to 48 per year in 2011, yielding a 108-strong Reaper fleet authorized by the end of 2010, with 48 more to be bought in both 2011 and 2012.[2]

Previous plans for combined Predator and Reaper production had been to support 65 CAPs (four air vehicles each) by 2013.[3] However, 2013 budget materials clarified that the 65 CAPs would not be complete until later, variously stated to be either 2014[4] or 2017.[5] Air Force budget documents for 2013 assert that by the end of 2011 there were 60 Predator/Reaper CAPs,[6] implying a total count of Predators and Reapers of 240. It seems like some of the Pentagon’s drones are missing…

Assuming a two year delay between purchase authorization and delivery, a combined total of 248 Predators and 108 Reapers (356 of both) should be available at the start of 2012.[7] (If one assumes a one year delivery delay, that number would be 404 in 2012.) With almost all Predators and Reapers operationally deployed,[8] there would seem an excess of up to 116 Predators and/or Reapers (or an excess of 164 if one assumes only a one year delivery delay.)[9]

There are two potential explanations: either there are significantly more than four air vehicles per CAP (to address the infrequency with which they fly, an issue addressed below) or there have been an extraordinary number of Predator and Reaper crashes. The latter appears to be the more complete explanation.

Crashes: While it is conventional wisdom that drones are prone to crashes, that wisdom seems to understate the dimension of the problem.

As a gross indicator of the seriousness of the problem, DOD had expected the Reaper inventory to be 256 air vehicles in 2017, a year after the previously planned buy of 396 was to be complete.[10] Assuming the last purchase is delivered within a year, losses as high as 140 air vehicles appear to have been anticipated. If the delivery lag is two years, not one, 92 air vehicles would seem to have been anticipated as losses.

The Air Force claims that it has reduced the loss rate for Predator from 28 mishaps per 100,000 hours to 7.6 and that Reaper can or will share this reduction in losses by virtue of its triple redundant flight controls, back up communications and other characteristics.[11] The available data do not appear to support this claim.

While Air Force “mishap” reports[12] show only three Reaper crashes since 2006; that data base is incomplete. A larger number has been publically reported, as well as an extremely high crash rate of 16.4 for every 100,000 flying hours. [13] A different public data base, at Drone Wars UK, appears to be a little more complete.[14] It reported four Reaper crashes in 2011 and six more in the preceding three years. While the data show some evidence of a declining crash rate per flying hour as operators become more familiar with the Reaper’s characteristics, the data also show an increase in crashes, and the crash rate, from 2010 to 2011. However, the Drone Wars UK data base, being reliant on public reports, asserts “This list is almost certainly not complete.” The data here is clearly an undercount of Reaper crashes; an audit of each Reaper produced and its status and history is clearly needed to resolve this critical, possibly crippling, issue.

A high Predator crash rate tends to validate these data. CRS reported 20 Predator mishaps for every 100,000 flying hours in 2005.[15] The Air Force claims that contemporary mishap rates have fallen as the system matures. Air Force class A mishap reports show 12 Predator MQ-1B crashes in 2011: a calculation of the crash rate per flying hour does not support the Air Force contention of lowering rates. Both the total number of Predator crashes and the rate per 100,000 hours of flying increased, for example, from 2010 to 2011. The Predator crash data at the UK Drone Wars website also shows a continuing and severe Predator crash problem.[16] And, the gross numbers of Predators and Reapers produced compared to those operating in the inventory suggests that the number of Predator/Reaper crashes could be as many as 100 air vehicles, possibly more. Clearly, a full and independent audit of the fate of each tail number is called for to measure—definitively—the precise dimension of this problem.

Operational Availability: DOT&E found that Reaper has failed to meet its own criteria for system failures sufficiently seriously that it is not ready, several years after its operational deployment, for resumed operational testing. (The system continues to be deployed under an extended “Interim Authority to Operate.”)[17] The system’s unreliability surely exacerbates the system’s high crash rate, and it is one of several factors impacting the system’s operational availability.

In 2011, the declared operational inventory of 69 Reaper air vehicles flew a total of 97,727 hours. That calculates to 1,416 hours per air vehicle per year, or 118 hours per month, or 29.5 hours per week.[18] For a Reaper that flies the maximum 42 hour sortie (using two wing fuel tanks and two munitions), the air vehicle gets into the air less than once a week. If a Reaper flies what is described as a more typical 14 hour mission, it will be in the air twice a week, on average. Thus, individual Reaper air vehicles fly from less than once a week to as much as twice a week.[19]

Some unofficial websites describe Predator and Reaper CAPs providing 24 hour per day seven days per week coverage of the battlefield.[20] With four air vehicles, as defined by DOD, a Reaper CAP is incapable of providing that coverage: there are 168 hours in a week; any four Reapers flew, on average, 118 hours in any week in 2011. A six Reaper “CAP” could provide the 168 hours needed per week, providing a slim additional margin of nine hours, but if two hours of flying are required for transit to the operational area and back for each sortie, seven Reaper air vehicles would be required for a 24/7 CAP.

These sortie rates are a small fraction of what manned aircraft have flown in historically relevant combat. In Operation Desert Storm in 1991, GAO found that throughout the course of the 41 day air war, F-16s flew more than one sortie per day, not two sorties, or less, per week. The A-10 flew significantly more often than F-16s in Desert Storm. The notoriously unreliable F-111Fs flew almost one sortie per day (0.9), and the even more difficult to support F-117 had a rate of .7 sorties per day.[21] In 2011, the average Reaper air vehicle flew somewhere between 0.1 and 0.3 sorties per day, a rate that for a single manned aircraft in sustained combat would surely be deemed catastrophically low.

An astute reader will observe that this analysis ignores Reaper’s much longer endurance (from up to 14 hours to as long as 42 hours) which enables it to search for targets and intelligence. To make the argument that Reaper’s (and other drones’) ability to loiter and search for and find targets proves superiority over manned aircraft in a critically important dimension assumes that the drones are effective at finding targets and collecting intelligence and at prosecuting the targets once detected and identified. The available evidence, discussed in Part 3, shows that, as a practical matter, Reapers (and other drones) are less effective than simple, even primitive, manned Cessnas at finding and identifying targets.

Next, and last, article: So where is the “revolution”?

Winslow T. Wheeler is the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

End notes

[1] P. 16, “Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) RCS: DD-A&T (Q&A) 823-271; MQ-1B UAS Predator, as of June 30, 2010.”

[2] Pp. 15 & 18, DOD Predator SAR.

[3] P. 5, DOD Reaper, SAR. See also p. 4 of DOD’s 2012-2041 Aircraft Procurement Plan at http://www.airforce-magazine.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Reports/2011/May%202011/Day25/AircraftProctPlan2012-2041_052511.pdf.

[4] P. 58, United States Air Force, FY2013 Budget Overview, SAF/FMB February 2012 at http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120209-052.pdf.

[5] P. 1-2 of Program Acquisition Costs by Weapon System, February 2012, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) at http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2013/FY2013_Weapons.pdf.

[6] P. 57, United States Air Force, FY2013 Budget Overview, SAF/FMB February 2012 at http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120209-052.pdf.

[7] That would be 248 Predators purchased through 2009, 108 Reapers purchased through 2010, and 48 more Reapers purchased in 2011.

[8] In 2011 only 10 Predators and 5 Reapers in the total available inventory of both were not operationally deployed, according to operating cost data provided by the Air Force and available from the author.

[9] There is also confusion about the total number of Reapers actually existing in 2011 according to Air Force records. Four different DOD reports give four different Reaper inventory counts varying from 63 to 74. See p. 4 of “Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) RCS: DD-A&T (Q&A)823-424; MQ-9 UAS Predator, as of June 30, 2010;” p. 5 of “Report on Future Unmanned Aerial Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability,” Report to Congressional Committee, United States Air Force, September 2011; p. 21 of http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/resources/UnmannedSystemsIntegratedRoadmapFY2011.pdf , and Air Force inventory, flying hour and cost data in the files of the author. Reapers are also being produced for the CIA; their numbers are classified and are publically unknown.

[10] See p. 5 of United States Air Force, Report to Congressional Committees, “Report on Future Unmanned Aerial Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability,” September 2011, submitted to Congress pursuant to House Report 111-491, page 509.

[11] P. 32, CBO, “Policy Options,” at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12163/06-08-UAS.pdf.

[12] See the Air Force’s official mishap data at http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/index.html.

[13] For example, see “War Zone Drone Crashes Add Up,” David Zuccino, Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2010, at http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/06/world/la-fg-drone-crashes-20100706.

[14] See Drone Wars UK, Drone Crash Database, at http://dronewarsuk.wordpress.com/drone-crash-database/.

[15] P. 18, CRS, “U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems,” at http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf.

[16] The Air Force claims that contemporary drone mishap rates have fallen to the point where they are comparable to aircraft, such as the F-16 at a similar (implied early) stage of maturity. The data available do not support that assertion. Air Force class A mishap reports show 12 Predator MQ-1B crashes in 2011 after almost 10 years of employment: Predator is not an “immature” system. While early F-16C mishap reports and flying hours are not available; in 2011 there were four F-16C class A mishaps. According to Air Force flying hour data, the two platforms flew approximately the same number of hours in 2011, just over 200,000. The Predator mishap (rather crash) rate calculates to three times that of the F-16C.

[17] P. 247, DOT&E 2011 Annual Report, at http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2011/.

[18] The data is available in USAF flying hour and cost data made available to the author; these data are available on request.

[19] The 2011 data for Reaper’s “sortie” rate is not an exception. The 2010 data shows Reaper in the air for 30.4 hours each week, and the 2010 data for Predator (MQ-1B) shows it in the air 26.4 hours per week.

[20] For example, see “Predator Patrols to Nearly Double by 2010,” Defense Update, Undated, at http://defense-update.com/newscast/0707/news/200707_predator.htm.

[21]P. 166, GAO, Evaluation of the Air Campaign,: at http://gao.gov/assets/230/224366.pdf.

Read more: http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/03/01/4-keeping-track-of-the-drones/#ixzz1o1GkZI1B

buglerbilly

03-03-12, 03:12 AM

The MQ-9 Reaper: Separating Fact From Fiction

5. Revolutionary…Or Routine?

By Winslow Wheeler | March 2, 2012

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez
An MQ-9 Reaper taxis at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

Last of five parts (see one, two, three or four)

The proclamation that the Reaper (and, by implication similar drones) is the future of warfare bound to yield a revolutionary transformation in combat doesn’t seem to stand up to a reality scrub. The evidence is out there for anyone willing to hunt it down and and compare, as they like to say at the Pentagon, apples to apples.

Bottom line: the Reaper is more costly to both buy and fly than the manned aircraft it is commonly matched against. The margins are not even close — the Reaper is approximately twice the price to acquire compared to a contemporary F-16 fighter-bomber, and up to six times the cost of an A-10 close-support aircraft. Reaper’s annual operating costs are roughly four times the cost to operate an F-16 or an A-10. (See Part 2)

In acquisition since 2002 and in combat operations since 2007, the Reaper (MQ-9) is a prominent example of drone technology that can be assessed for cost effectiveness using publically available empirical data. (See Part 1)

Based on Defense Department data on the cost to acquire and operate, a Reaper unit costs at least $120.8 million to buy and $25.6 million per year to operate (in 2012 dollars). A substantial part of the high cost to acquire and operate a Reaper “CAP” is the considerable material and human infrastructure it requires, including ground control stations, satellite links and at least 171 human operators and support personnel. (See Part 2)

Reaper is not survivable in the presence of even minimal air defenses; it is far less survivable than manned aircraft, such as the A-10 which has demonstrated high survivability in air combat since 1991. (In the presence of air defenses, Reaper would require manned escort aircraft, thereby removing the assumed advantage of being unmanned.)

Reaper’s ability to carry weapons, while a vast improvement over Predator, compares unfavorably to typical comparison aircraft, such as the A-10 and the F-16. The comparison involves not just payload, but also diversity of weapons and delivery methods. A more sophisticated analysis comparing Reaper to the A-10, for example, would surely lead to an even more negative relative assessment of Reaper. (See Part 2)

While Reaper possesses the ability to loiter in the air far longer than manned aircraft on a typical mission, the ability of Reaper to find targets is limited and problematic. Empirical comparisons to simple, even primitive, manned aircraft used in border surveillance with FLIR technology demonstrates that Reaper is, again, more expensive to operate and, importantly, less effective in finding and identifying targets. The quality of the imagery received on the ground from drone sensors is too poor even to reliably make distinctions between friendly combat loaded Marines from irregulars with a quite different physical profile. (See Part 3)

While many understand that drones, such as Reaper, have a high crash rate, the actual rate may be significantly higher than is commonly understood. While public and DOD data are incomplete and an audit of each tail number produced is called for, the total number of Predator and Reaper crashes may already be as many as 100, possibly more. (See Part 4)

Defense Department usage data verify that individual Reaper air vehicles are not available for use more than once or twice a week: An operational availability rate that for a manned aircraft would be deemed unacceptable. (See Part 4)

The wide and enthusiastic popularity for Reaper, and other drones, in the Defense Department, the Executive branch, Congress, the mainstream media and think tanks is not rationally explained by Reaper’s poor to mediocre performance on the operating dimensions measured here over the past week.

Instead, the drone’s unique characteristic — that it is manned from the ground not the air — cloaks it in a technology that seems to intrigue policy makers. It gives them a self-perceived license to employ the system over ambiguous or hostile territory (such as Pakistan, and Iran) . The consequences of that use, while not addressed in this series, appear significant and controversial, and will become moreso in the future. An empirical study of the relevant data by a fully independent entity, including all classified data, is clearly in order.

Reaper’s unique attribute has charmed technologists who proclaim that a revolution in warfare is at hand when the data clearly demonstrate otherwise.

Winslow T. Wheeler is the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information in Washington. He is also the editor of the anthology “The Pentagon Labyrinth: 10 Short Essays to Help You Through It”.

Read more: http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/03/02/5-revolutionary-or-routine/#ixzz1o1HUln2d

buglerbilly

05-03-12, 09:34 AM

Iran’s Mohajer Family of UAS

Posted on March 5, 2012 by The Editor

Mohajer 4

The Mohajer family of reconnaissance and surveillance UAS emerged during the later stages of the Iran-Iraq war as improvised UAS but have since evolved. Mohajer means “Migrant”. Early model Mohajers were some of the first ever use of UCAVs in combat. 253 Mohajers have been produced by the Qods Aviation Industry as of 2006-2007.

Early-model Mohajers feature the same basic design with a cigarette shaped fuselage with wings mounted at the high fuselage point and slightly to the rear. The wings themselves have a constant chord. Only the Mohajer-4 differs in this regard. All models have a joined double tail-boom. Control surfaces are found on the main wings as well as the tail-planes. Most models are fitted with landing skids. The Mohajer family uses an unknown powerplant.

The Mohajer can be launched from the usual range of JATO/RATO Pneumatic launch ramps usually associated with Iran’s other UAS, except perhaps the shortest. Recovery is either conventional landing via skids or by parachute.

The Mohajer-1 saw action during the later stages of the Iran-Iraq war where it was launched from speedboats to provide battlefield surveillance for Iranian offensives. Unlike later Mohajers, it featured a tricycle landing gear that would theoretically give it a conventional take-off capability. It had a range of 30 km while it’s payload included a static nose mounted camera and up to six PG-7 rockets (three under each wing).

The Mohajer-2 shares the same basic design as the Mohajer-1, but adds what can only be explained as carry handles have been mounted on either side of the fuselage just forward and below the leading edge of the wing. The wheels meanwhile have been replaced with skids. It is powered by an unknown 25 hp engine. One possible candidate is the WAE-342 which is also used on the Ababil UAS. One large increase in capability compared to the Mohajer-1 comes in the addition of an auto-pilot with a real-time data uplink/downlink.

Mohajer 2

Mounted in the front of the fuselage is a new payload bay which can carries a traversable mount for TV or FLIR cameras. Also carried is a line-scanner that is advertised as being able to provide 1-meter resolution at an altitude of 5 km. Some models also have a static, forward facing camera mounted in the front of the fuselage.

Also known as the “Dorna”, the Mohajer-3 is reported to have wheels, rather then skids which gives it a conventional launch capability. It is reported to have 80% autonomous capability.

The Mohajer-4, also known as the Hodhod, radically from previous designs featuring a larger box-like fuselage compared to the cigarette shape of earlier generations. The wings are now tapered with a upward cranked tip. Meanwhile, the static skids of the Mohajer-2 have been replaced with flexible skids in a tricycle configuration. It also features composite construction.

The Mohajer-4 was reported to have been first tested in February 2002 alongside the Saeqeh target drone. At least two types of engines appear to be in use, though the exact designations are unknown.

The Mohajer-4 appears to use the same TV/FLIR payload as the Mohajer-2. Another similarity between the two models can be found in the presence of a static, forward-facing camera in the nose of some models of the Mohajer-4 as well.

Mohajer-4 Specifications:

■ Length: 3.74 km
■ Wingspan: 5.3 m
■ Height: NA
■ Empty Weight: NA
■ MTOW: 210 kg
■ Payload Weight: NA
■ Cruise Speed: 200 km/h
■ Endurance: 3 hr
■ Range: 150 km
■ Ceiling: 4.57 km
■ Powerplant: NA
■ Payload:NA

Source: The Arkenstone

buglerbilly

05-03-12, 09:39 AM

Autonomous Interacting Flying Robots Presentation at TED 2012

Posted on March 5, 2012 by The Editor

Video here: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang///id/1376

This video shows the full version of Vijay Kumar’s presentation at the recent TED2012 Conference, which terminates with the James Bond sequence.

Vijay Kumar headed General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Lab at the University of Pennsylvania from 1998-2004. Now he is the Deputy Dean for Education in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, where he continues his work in robotics, blending computer science and mechanical engineering to create the next generation of robotic wonders.

“Agile aerial robots like this have many applications. You can send them inside buildings as first responders to look for intruders, maybe look for biochemical leaks … [or they] can be used for transporting cargo.” – Vijay Kumar

Source: TED

buglerbilly

05-03-12, 09:51 AM

US Government Accountability Office Critical of Overlaps in Defence Department’s UAS Programme

Posted on March 5, 2012 by The Editor

The US Government Accountability Office just published its 2012 Annual Report. It found evidence of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation among federal government programmes – one of the defence areas highlighted is unmanned aircraft systems.

The Department of Defense (DOD) estimates that the cost of current unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) acquisition programmes and related systems will exceed $37.5 billion in fiscal years 2012 through 2016. These programmes and systems can be found across DOD and the military services (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps).

In 2009, GAO’s work highlighted the need to consider commonality in UAS—using the same or interchangeable subsystems and components in more than one subsystem to improve interoperability of systems—and indicated that DOD lacked an analytical approach to prioritise capability needs which would reduce the likelihood of redundancies in UAS capabilities.

As GAO reported in June 2011, although the Joint Requirements Oversight Council is directed to ensure that trade-offs among cost, schedule, and performance objectives are considered as part of its requirements review process, it currently does not prioritise requirements, consider redundancies across proposed programmes, or prioritise and analyse capability gaps in a consistent manner. Congress has enacted legislation requiring DOD to establish a policy and acquisition strategy for more common ground stations and payloads for manned and unmanned aircraft systems. The elements of DOD’s planned UAS portfolio include unmanned aircraft, payloads, and ground control stations.

Military service-driven requirements—rather than an effective department-wide strategy—have led to overlap in DOD’s UAS capabilities, resulting in many programmes and systems being pursued that have similar flight characteristics and mission requirements. DOD currently has 15 unmanned aircraft programmes which it categorises into five groups according to weight, altitude, and speed.

Groups 4 and 5 contain the largest and most expensive aircraft, with weights exceeding 1,320 pounds. Group 5 aircraft fly higher—above 18,000 feet—than Group 4 aircraft. DOD has spent almost $19 billion through fiscal year 2011 to develop and procure three aircraft in Group 5 and five aircraft in Group 4, where GAO found potential overlap, and expects to spend an additional $32.4 billion to complete these programmes.

Illustrative of the overlap, in Group 5, the Navy plans to spend more than $3 billion to develop its own variant of the Air Force Global Hawk—the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance UAS—rather than using the already fielded Global Hawk. According to the Navy, its unique requirements necessitate modifications to the Global Hawk airframe, payload interfaces, and ground control station. However, the Navy programme office was not able to provide quantitative analysis to justify the variant. According to programme officials, no analysis was conducted to determine the cost-effectiveness of developing a new aircraft to meet the Navy’s requirements versus buying more Global Hawks.

If the preference for service-unique solutions persists in the absence of a department-wide strategy, so will the potential for overlap in the future.

To download the Unmanned Aircraft Systems section of the Report, click here.

http://www.uasvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/GAO-12-342SP.pdf

Source: Government Accountability Office

buglerbilly

07-03-12, 11:59 AM

AAI Gets $600M Aerosonde Order from US Special Forces Command

Posted on March 7, 2012 by The Editor

US Special Forces Command (SOCOM) selected the AAI Aerosonde to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services. The mid-endurance unmanned air systems (MEUAS) award, worth up to $600 million over time, will see AAI operate and maintain the small unmanned aircraft on SOCOM’s behalf.

Textron, AAI’s parent company, declined to provide additional details, including aircraft type and payloads. However, AAI officials told Flightglobal in January of their intent to bid the contract with a revamped version of the Aerosonde Mk 4.7.

The modified Aerosonde, known internally as ‘Aerosonde-G,’ weighs 34kg [75lb] and includes a heavy fuel engine with significantly increased power. The aircraft uses the same ground control station as the RQ-7, a system also built by AAI that is widely operated throughout US ground forces.

Aerosonde and two others were selected to fulfill the US Navy’s ISR services contract, a similar contractor-owned, contractor-operated contract worth up to $874 million.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

08-03-12, 10:05 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

EADS Shifts UAV Focus to Technology from Talarion

Posted by Robert Wall at 3/8/2012 2:59 AM CST

EADS appears to be rethinking its push of the Talarion unmannned aircraft, after a prolonged period of unsuccessfully trying to get Germany and other European countries to back its development.

"For the time being we are not pushing the development of Talarion," says EADS CEO Louis Gallois. Instead, he says, "we have decided to work on technology programs linked to drones."

But that does not mean EADS has made its peace with the decision in France and the U.K. to back the BAE Systems/Dassault Aviation Telemos unmanned aircraft for their future medium-extended long-endurance system.

Gallois says there has to be a European program. "One or two countries can not afford to develop" such a system alone. "We need to have a wider market," he says, or else Europe will continue buying U.S. or Israeli systems.

buglerbilly

08-03-12, 10:40 AM

Denel Dynamics Seeker 400 on Display at Defence and Security Asia 2012

Posted on March 8, 2012 by The Editor

The prototype of the new Denel Dynamics Seeker 400 is currently on display at the Denel Dynamics stand at Defence and Security Asia 2012, on March 5-8 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The long-endurance tactical UAS is on track to make its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2012. “The decision by Denel to consider investing in this new product was mainly based on requirements globally of such a capability. Based on the business case, Denel decided to fund the development from its balance sheet. The nation is waiting in anticipation for the first flight.” says Tsepo Monaheng, Executive for Denel UAS.

The aircraft has already been displayed in mock-up form at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Show (AAD) 2010, in Cape Town South Africa. There is already a launch customer for the Seeker 400 who operated the Seeker I tactical UAS in the early 1990s. The other two countries that currently operate the Seeker II are also interested in the Seeker 400 because the new aircraft can be controlled by simply using their existing Seeker II control stations.

Though it utilizes the Seeker II architectural design, the Seeker 400 is a totally new aircraft. The Seeker 400 is much larger and much more capable than the Seeker II. It provides a variety of operational options. It is deployable in most conditions, including taking off from an unprepared piece of land.

Monaheng describes the Seeker 400 as a “typical entry-level” towards the long-endurance UAV (MALE). It can stay in the air for 16 hours and can simultaneously operate two payloads. Currently, it has a range of 250 km, because it uses only line-of-sight communications, but it could be upgraded to use satellite communications, which would allow it to operate at much greater ranges. With the use of the existing tactical ground station (TGS), the range may be extended to 750km. The Seeker 400 flight test programme will run for most of 2012, and production should start by the end of that year.

Denel Dynamics plans, in due course, to add weapons to the Seeker 400. The prototype was recently displayed at the company’s 2011 ‘Show and Tell’ briefing in Centurion with a Mokopa antitank missile (also a Denel Dynamics product) under each wing. A number of countries have already expressed interest in an armed version of the UAS.

The Seeker 400 was originally conceived as an upgrade of the Seeker II (hence, the name) but, as the project developed, the company realized that a totally new and larger aircraft would do better in the market. The retention of the name ‘Seeker’ also takes advantage of the Seeker II’s established brand.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

09-03-12, 11:37 AM

GA-ASI furthers Predator radar development

08 March 2012 - 11:47 by Beth Stevenson in London

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has furthered the development of its Due Regard Radar for the Predator B by testing a prototype on a manned aircraft.

Announced by the company on 22 February, the radar was demonstrated aboard a Twin Otter aircraft on 17 October in Borrego Springs, California, US.

The radar is designed to support the Predator B’s overall radar-based sense and avoid architecture according to the company, and a representative told Shephard that the radar is expected to be tested aboard a UAV ‘within the next year or two’.

‘Equipping a highly reliable UAS such as the Predator B with this capability will expand its capacity to operate routinely in domestic and international airspace, ensuring its interoperability with civilian air traffic and airspace rules and regulations,’ Linden Blue, president, reconnaissance systems group, GA-ASI said in a statement.

The system is based around an AESA radar and during testing it successfully detected ‘intruder’ King Air aircraft which entered the Twin Otter’s airspace.

Testing was conducted to collect data for algorithm development in preparation for additional manned testing which is due later this year.

It will then fly with upgraded hardware, the representative explained and will collect further data to support algorithm development and requirements analysis.

The company is also considering testing the radar on all of its current aircraft, including other members of the Predator family and the Gray Eagle UAS. However, initial development will focus on testing aboard the Predator B.

The continued evaluation aims to allow the radar to achieve technology readiness level 7. It is expected to be production-ready by 2015, GA-ASI concluded.

buglerbilly

09-03-12, 12:01 PM

Use Mothballed Global Hawks For Missile Intercept Say Ex-BPI Programme Managers

Posted on March 9, 2012 by The Editor

An ad hoc team of former programme managers is calling on the Pentagon to adapt the 18 Global Hawk Block 30 UAS, due to be mothballed under current budget plans, for boost-phase intercept (BPI) of ballistic missiles.

They contend that the US could quickly field a flexible, mobile, ultra-smart BPI Hawk anywhere, and in particular place them to fend off nuclear missiles launched from Iran toward Israel or from North Korea into South Korea. Some of the advocates have been working on similar projects since the Strategic Defense Initiative programme developed precursors for the same mission after the first Persian Gulf war.

Dale Tietz

“The recent cancellation of the Airborne Laser programme leaves the US and its allies with no early intercept capability,” says Dale Tietz, former Pentagon BPI programme manager. “Even if allied attacks on Iranian nuclear sites delay nuclear weapons production, BPI Hawk networks could provide a [long-term] picket-fence deterrent. Moreover, having a lethal BPI capability in the U.S. inventory is extremely important to an integrated missile defense system for early tactical ballistic missile destruction. New hypervelocity interceptor designs are now light enough for several to be carried on the BPI Hawk and fast enough to destroy Iranian and North Korean missiles.”

All the U.S. needs now is an American sponsor and operator to integrate the components and qualify a system for rapid deployment, but not an expensive acquisition programme, says Len Caveny, a propulsion expert and former Ballistic Missile Defense Office director of science and technology.

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) said in a hearing this week that storing the Global Hawks in a hangar “is not acceptable,” and suggested that the Air Force find another taker. “If the Air Force isn’t going to use them, we’ve got to find a home for them”

Source: Aerospace Daily

buglerbilly

12-03-12, 12:04 PM

March 2012

Refueling the RPAs

By Rebecca Grant

Technical advances have the Air Force on the verge of refueling operations with no human present.

Midair refueling is about to change—and it has nothing to do with the new KC-46 tanker program. This change is something elemental.

Since aerial refueling became routine in the late 1940s, USAF pilots have learned the fine skills of flying their aircraft to contact with a tanker—one of the most sensitive in-flight maneuvers. Normally, it takes eyes-on from the pilot in the cockpit, the boom operator on board the tanker, or both.

A KC-135R refuels a future remotely piloted aircraft in this artist’s concept.
(Artist’s concept by Erik Simonsen)

But over the last decade, advances in precision navigation and automated technology have opened up a new realm: automated refueling, where sensor feedback routines control the contact between receiver aircraft and tanker aircraft without control inputs from pilots.

Flight tests beginning in the mid-2000s have pioneered methods for automation routines. And more is coming. Summer 2012 may see tests of one unmanned aircraft refueling another.

"In-flight refueling has proven invaluable to manned military aviation, and there’s no reason to expect that the same wouldn’t be true for unmanned systems, especially as the demand for unmanned air vehicles has grown in recent years," said Jim McCormick, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program manager for KQ-X, a program testing Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft as unmanned tankers and receivers.

Of course, there are distinct techniques for aerial refueling. Three major approaches have all chalked up successes. The first approach driven by NASA and DARPA matured the concept of optical tracking for automating the probe and drogue "Navy-style" refueling. The Air Force Research Laboratory has spurred extensive industry work in refueling remotely piloted aircraft from USAF tanker booms. On top of this, DARPA now has a new program under way to demonstrate that one unmanned Global Hawk can act as a tanker to refuel another Global Hawk at high altitude.

Automated air refueling required technology to advance beyond basic RPA control. In the late 1990s, several developments pointed toward the possibility of autonomous aerial refueling. First was the widespread use of Predators in the Balkans and other locations. Next, the Global Positioning System satellite constellation reached full operational capability in 1995. GPS provided a means for more reliable flight and autonomous positioning.

Soon the idea of refueling unmanned vehicles took root. "Making UAVs air refuelable would double or triple the loiter time, allowing a single UAV to perform the missions of two or three unrefuelable UAVs," concluded Maj. Jeffrey L. Stephenson in a 1998 master’s degree thesis for the School of Advanced Airpower Studies aptly titled "The Aerial Refueling Receiver That Does Not Complain."

Stephenson sketched out the benefits and challenges of automated refueling for remotely piloted aircraft such as Predators. One big unsolved problem was how to handle the fine control required for joining hose and receptacle. Remote piloting and automatic waypoint flying were adequate for getting unmanned aircraft from point A to point B. To refuel, though, they’d need to move in close to the tanker and react with finely shaded control to changes such as wake flow turbulence.

However, aerial refueling for RPAs on intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance missions was not a pressing priority because those unmanned aircraft already boasted long endurance.

The real impetus toward automated air refueling came from research in the early 2000s on a Joint Unmanned Combat Air System program, dubbed J-UCAS. This program ultimately did not proceed, and part of it was spun off to create the Navy UCAS demonstrator now flying as the Northrop Grumman X-47B.

However, the seed was planted. How would a stealthy but heavy, and possibly armed, long-range RPA get maximum endurance? Midair refueling was the answer. But it could not rely only on ground controller inputs because of the time lag over the satellite link. Unmanned aircraft refueling had to be automated.

Most unmanned aircraft operations are remote, where pilots and sensor operators fly aircraft by transmitting commands over radio or satellite communications links. Aircraft—manned and unmanned—also have automated controls and subroutines that assist human control or, as with autopilot, take over in prescribed situations.

Pilot Dick Ewers and flight test engineer Leslie Molzahn keep their hands off the controls as NASA F/A-18 #845 pulls up to the refueling drogue during an autonomous refueling demonstration flight in 2007.
(NASA photo by Lori Losey)

True autonomy is a different beast. It stems from command routines based on sensor inputs exclusive of human intervention. Automation is "hands-off" work done machine-to-machine. The Automation Federation defines it as "the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services." That’s easier said than done, especially with objects such as aircraft, which move in a dynamic environment of wind and weather.

Achieving autonomy crosses many functional domains and "involves a very broad range of technologies, including robotics and expert systems, telemetry and communications, electro-optics, cybersecurity, process measurement and control, sensors, wireless applications, systems integration, test measurement, and many, many more," according to the Automation Federation.

Advances in many of these disciplines made automated air refueling possible.

DARPA and NASA began the Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration by gathering data on how the tanker probe and receiver acted in the stream of air.

Contact was key.

"Autonomous in-flight refueling using a probe-and-drogue system is basically a docking situation that probably requires centimeter-level accuracy in the relative position of the refueling probe (from the receiving aircraft) with respect to the drogue (from the tanker) during the end game," explained a team of aerospace engineers from Texas A&M and Virginia Tech in a 2007 paper. In making the contact, pilots had "to ensure that the tip of the probe contacts only the inner sleeve of the receptacle and not the more lightly constructed and easily damaged shroud," the team added.

Now, it would be up to an automation routine to do the same. The first breakthrough came in 2006 when a NASA F/A-18 engaged with a contract Omega Air Refueling Services tanker while relying on an autonomous system. However, these flights still required pilot consent at points in the maneuver.

The process relied on a combination of technologies. Inertial navigation assisted by GPS guided the receiver aircraft toward the refueling airplane. Once in close, the mating of the receiver’s probe with the refueling basket proceeded via optical tracking, which used a system of cameras and emitters to make the minute corrections necessary to achieve lock. Basically, it took the place of what pilots have been doing for decades.

"Skilled pilots can actually save some tricky, last-second movement the basket has a habit of making," commented NASA test pilot Dick Ewers. But, he added, they often "set themselves up for a basket strike, ripping off the basket from the hose or sometimes breaking the probe or parts of the airplane."

Intriguingly, the automated systems handled the process differently. Pilots learned not to try to follow every move of the bouncing basket in order to catch it. But the optical tracker did just that, gradually falling into rhythm with the basket so that movements were synchronized.

By 2007, the Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration was logging full success. DARPA announced that the system had demonstrated the ability to "join the tanker from up to [2.3] miles behind, 1,000 feet below, and 30 degrees off heading." Specifically, that meant an unmanned aircraft could fly first to a designated waypoint using GPS and then switch to a fully autonomous refueling mode.

A Calspan Learjet, configured to fly like an RPA, maneuvers into refueling position under a KC-135R in these photos of automated aerial refueling demonstration test flights. By 2007, the system was considered fully successful.
(USAF photo by Bobbi Zapka)

The Air Force also wanted to develop something different, namely, an automated system suitable for its boom-equipped tankers. The main advantage of a boom is greatly increased fuel flow rates of up to 1,200 gallons per minute. It’s important when fighters are waiting turns to refuel or large aircraft such as bombers, AWACS, JSTARS, or even other tankers need fuel. While some Air Force tankers carry both probe and drogue and boom systems, refueling from the boom has long been the norm for USAF pilots.

Automating the boom operation was a different challenge, especially since the boom was regarded as not nearly so forgiving as the basket.

Two potential approaches were tried in models and found wanting. The first was to use GPS to edge an unmanned receiver into position. This seemed to work for formation flying. However, it did not fully cope with "distortions due to wake effects from the tanker," found the Texas A&M team.

Another discarded approach was pattern recognition. It didn’t work in low lighting conditions and threatened to take up too much on-board computing power.

Method three was picked. This was a technique broadly based on optical recognition, with the help of algorithms to improve prediction. The guinea pig was a specially modified Learjet flown out of Niagara Falls, N.Y., by Calspan Corp. as part of an overall contract led by Boeing’s Phantom Works.

"The goal is to be able to fly something without a pilot in it within 40 feet of a manned vehicle," an AFRL official said of the program in an interview.

Flight tests in 2007 showed major progress. Although the Learjet had an automated air refueling system, pilots handled takeoff then turned the jet over to the system to demonstrate a refueling rendezvous. The automated system guided the Learjet into position behind a KC-135 tanker. There it ran through seven air refueling positions including contact, precontact, left and right inboard observation, left and right outboard observation, and the all-important break away. The Learjet held contact position for 20 minutes and was guided by the autonomous system for a total of one hour and 40 minutes of flight time.

"These tests show that we are making great advancements in system integrity, continuity, and availability through improved relative navigation algorithms, control laws, and hardware," Boeing program manager David Riley commented in December 2007.

In 2009, Boeing again won the Air Force Research Laboratory’s contract, this time worth $49 million for a full test program. Reports at the time hinted that part of the reason for AFRL’s interest was to explore automated refueling of an optionally manned new long-range strike bomber. The technology required a boom system depending directly on advances in optical tracking. The key was to steer the boom using an image placed on the receiver RPA.

Then in 2010, Northrop Grumman demonstrated its capability for positioning aircraft. "The success of this flight test is especially notable because it demonstrates the ability of an embedded GPS/INS to host relative navigation processing," said Alex Fax, director of positioning, navigation, and timing solutions at Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division.

A series of tests carried out by the 190th Air Refueling Wing in late 2010 and early 2011 marked a new era. A Learjet test aircraft once again played the role of unmanned aircraft. Pilots flew the airplane to altitude then turned it over to the automated system, which moved the airplane into position for the tanker boom operator.

A Calspan Learjet, configured to fly like an RPA, maneuvers into refueling position under a KC-135R in these photos of automated aerial refueling demonstration test flights. By 2007, the system was considered fully successful.
(USAF photo)

Demonstration of the fine skills for station-keeping opens the possibility for all aircraft, manned and unmanned, to refuel under autonomous control. Equipment installed in the test aircraft enabled eight straight days of unmanned air refueling tests. Test officials said the system blurred the distinction between traditionally piloted and autonomous aircraft, comparing it to a safety feature. "The pilot can let go, and it relieves fatigue. Planes can be manned or unmanned—it’s optional," said Lt. Col. Lee Grunberger, who was one of the test coordinators.

Success with manned aircraft tankers refueling autonomously operated receivers was not the end. The next hurdle was the unmanned tanker.

Global Hawks were the natural candidate for the KQ-X program. The high-altitude surveillance airplanes had been flying in combat all during the 2000s with proven reliability. Their internal fuel capacity, of about 17,300 pounds, made the Global Hawk a suitable "tanker" that could carry aloft enough fuel for both its own missions and potential offload.

According to DARPA, the program is addressing the challenges of unmanned systems, sensing, and aerodynamics to a much greater degree than AARD. "Tackling these complexities in a fully unmanned refueling scenario, with the real-world Global Hawk system, should increase our confidence that unmanned systems can be autonomously refueled in a safe, flexible, and affordable manner," said McCormick, the program manager.

As early as 1998, Stephenson had cited the range, fuel payload, and high-altitude operating characteristics and deemed it ideal for top priority in the unmanned aerial refueling mission. The problem at the time was how to compensate for as much as a 3.5-second delay in a satellite control link during rendezvous.

DARPA took up the challenge with its new KQ-X program in 2010—and followed a pragmatic approach. "We’re using proven Global Hawk aircraft and ground stations, algorithms developed under AARD, and off-the-shelf refueling hardware," McCormick explained. The DARPA program takes full advantage of the work carried out over the previous decade and will use it to reduce risk. "We’re mostly avoiding new technology, so we can focus on the challenges of integration and unmanned operation," he noted.

The Autonomous High-Altitude Long-Endurance Refueling program set out to demonstrate "repeatable probability of success with limited flight performance aircraft under high-altitude conditions, redundant safe separation, and unmanned flight operations," stated DARPA officials.

"We think this is important because a next generation HALE platform designed to refuel may be much more affordable, capable, and effective," McCormick said.

A Global Hawk refuels another RQ-4 in this NASA artist’s concept. DARPA believes Global Hawk is the obvious choice of test aircraft for the Autonomous High-Altitude Long-Endurance Refueling program. NASA envisions that the tanker will fly behind the receiving aircraft.
(NASA illustration)

Two older Global Hawks operated by NASA were designated for the program. Step 1 was risk reduction. Northrop Grumman’s Proteus test aircraft flew within 40 feet of the NASA Global Hawk while at 45,000 feet.

"When you add autonomous flight of both aircraft into the mix, ... you gain a capability that has mission applications far beyond just aerial refueling," said Geoffrey Sommer, KQ-X program manager for Northrop Grumman.

The concept for double unmanned refueling was a bit different from the routine scenario of receiver trailing tanker. In this case, plans called for the tanker Global Hawk to fly behind the receiver Global Hawk. "We want the aircraft with the smarts and the maneuvering capabilities in the rear," Northrop Grumman official Mark Gamache explained to news site Xconomy San Diego at the outset of the program.

According to McCormick, 2012 is a make-or-break year. "We plan to complete, this summer, a convincing demonstration that includes repeated transfer of fuel," he said. "In the process, we will learn better how this type of aircraft operates in close formation and gain valuable experience with complex unmanned operations."

Unmanned Fleet?

In preparing a 2011 study of autonomy, the Defense Science Board observed, "Dramatic progress in supporting technologies suggests that unprecedented, perhaps unimagined, degrees of autonomy can be introduced into current and future military systems." The Pentagon urged the DSB to identify opportunities for "more aggressive application of autonomy."

Still, several questions remain before USAF finds itself conducting hands-off refueling on a regular basis. First is whether to add autonomous refueling capability to current platforms. For example, converting legacy RPAs to take on fuel in flight depends on the aerodynamics and durability of each system. At a minimum, each must be able to handle a single point refueling receptacle.

Then there are the flying characteristics to consider. Early model Predators were designed for a limited envelope, not including extreme turbulence, weather, and high-altitude operations. On the other hand, the Global Hawk’s inherent flying characteristics are far better suited to midair refueling.

The F/A-18 research aircraft follows a pickup carrying an airborne tanker drogue image down a runway in early AARD testing. An RPA’s approach to the boom is broadly based on optical recognition, aided by algorithms to improve prediction accuracy.
(NASA photo by Tony Landis)

Tactics are another consideration. Planning tanker orbits, especially for high-intensity air campaigns, is an art in itself. Day-to-day tactics and training will have to sort out the most efficient systems for rendezvous, for example. Stephenson advocated "en route rendezvous [allowing] both the UAV and tanker to enter the air refueling track on a straight-line course." In this case, "the tanker will not have to orbit and waste valuable time waiting to hook up with the UAV," he pointed out. More experiments—and a dose of experience—will be needed to clarify these points, but the progress is promising.

Refueling will be essential for unmanned deep reach aircraft on strike or ISR missions. For example, the Navy’s UCAS-D stealth demonstrator logged successful flights by two test air vehicles in 2011. Although it is just a demonstrator, UCAS-D’s estimated range of 1,726 to 2,417 miles would be greatly expanded by aerial refueling. The ability to top off with fuel from a "recovery" tanker could become important in operations around the carrier—or even over land bases. The same would hold true for unmanned strike aircraft. Refueling is essential for moving from the relatively light ISR payloads to toting munitions out to deep strike ranges.

The technology of visual recognition for close-in guidance may also pay off in other applications going well beyond air refueling, such as complex RPA formations.

Given these advances, there seems little doubt that the Defense Science Board’s predictions about new opportunities in autonomy are being proved right when it comes to automated aerial refueling.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebecca Grant is president of IRIS Independent Research. Her most recent article for Air Force Magazine was "Black Bomber Blues" in the January issue.

buglerbilly

13-03-12, 01:03 PM

Schiebel flies Camcopter with heavy fuel engine

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

14 hours ago

Source:

Schiebel has made its first S-100 Camcopter flights with a heavy fuel engine at its test centre in Weiner Neustadt, Austria.

The heavy fuel engine, which the company says is interchangeable with its current 50hp avgas engine, is designed to appeal to the naval users that could form a coveted market for unmanned helicopters.

"We listen to our customers, and then we build the features they ask for," says company chairman Hans Georg Schiebel. "The new fuel options will be a big advantage to all our customers worldwide across all markets, offering them even more flexibility."

© Schiebel

The S-100, which boasts a main-bay payload capacity of 50kg (110lb) and an endurance upwards of 6h, is the most popular of the small-but-growing vertical take-off UAV market. Manufacturers are offering an increasingly greater diversity of unmanned helicopters, from aircraft the size of insects to the Boeing A160, which is the same size as a full-scale manned helicopter.

Modifying the Camcopter with a heavy fuel engine allows the aircraft to use the same gasoline as heavy trucks, aircraft and ships, enabling users to simply their purchase, supply and storage logistics. The modification is particularly valuable to maritime users, where accommodating several types of fuel is especially onerous. The US military also has a heavy fuel requirement to simplify its logistics chain for forces deployed in remote areas.

Schiebel did not immediately respond to questions.

buglerbilly

13-03-12, 10:59 PM

Boeing Phantom Eye undergoes taxi testing

13 March 2012 - 16:20 by the Shephard News Team

Boeing has announced that its Phantom Eye high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has conducted its first medium-speed taxi test. The hydrogen-powered aircraft is designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and communications.

According to Boeing, the test was conducted March 10 2012 at Edwards Air Force Base in coordination with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Centre. Phantom Eye, travelling atop its launching cart system, reached speeds of up to 30 knots as ground teams relayed directions and information using Boeing’s advanced Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (COMC2) software.

With its 150-foot wingspan, Phantom Eye is designed to fly at an altitude of up to 65,000 feet and stay airborne for up to four days while carrying a 450-pound payload.

James Dodd, Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft vice president, Boeing Phantom Works, said of the tests, ‘Phantom Eye’s hydrogen-powered propulsion system, matched with its exceptional fuel economy and robust endurance, ushers in a new realm of possibilities for potential customers’ long-endurance ISR missions’.

buglerbilly

14-03-12, 05:31 AM

Turkey sells mini drones to Qatar

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Ümit Enginsoy
uenginsoy@aol.com

In an effort to boost defense industry exports to Islamic states, Turkey has recently sold 10 mini drones to Qatar, a senior procurement official said Sunday.

The small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) were exported under a general agreement made during the International Defense Fair (IDEF), which convened in Istanbul May 2011, for the sale of Turkish defense goods to Qatar worth $120 million within a year.

This $25 million sale will become the first export of SUAVs by Turkey, and they will also be the first drones in Qatar’s inventory. The SUAVs, called “Bayraktar,” are made by Naykar Makina, which also produces the “Malazgirt” mini helicopter and the tactical “Çaldıran” unmanned aerial vehicle.

Turkey, which sold defense goods worth over $1 billion abroad in 2011, has recently attempted to bolster defense exports to Islamic countries.

In a separate development, the first drone to have been built entirely domestically by Turkey, the Anka, will compete in an international tender held by Colombia, even before entering service in Turkey, another senior procurement official said.

The Anka, Turkey’s first locally-made drone in the medium-altitude and long-endurance category, was successful in last year’s flight tests.

After crash landing in its first two attempts, the Anka successfully flew in the final two trials.

March/13/2012

buglerbilly

14-03-12, 10:37 PM

Contracts Boost UAV Fee-for-service Market

Mar 14, 2012

By Graham Warwick
Washington

Unmanned aircraft are maturing fast and, with Pentagon procurement slowing, more companies see a growing market in operating fleets of vehicles to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services on behalf of customers. This is bringing new competitors into the market.

The U.S. Navy has qualified AAI Corp., Boeing Insitu and CSC to bid competitively to provide sea- and land-based ISR services under a five-year, $874 million contract vehicle. AAI and Insitu both have experience in operating their unmanned aircraft systems in the field, but this is a new business for information technology services giant CSC.

“We have not done ISR services before, but this is not a design and development contract, it’s operations—and CSC does billions of dollars of that. It’s a business model very familiar to us,” says Bob Frizzelle, vice president and general manager for ISR mission systems.

Under the Navy’s new ISR contract, Insitu has won the first task order for sea-based services, with its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system, says an industry source, while AAI will perform the initial two land-based services tasks, with its Aerosonde UAS. AAI has also won a contract potentially worth $600 million to provide ISR services, again with its Aerosonde, to U.S. Special Operations Command (Socom).

CSC has qualified to provide land-based services to the Navy with the Arcturus UAV T-50, but has yet to win an ISR task order. “The aircraft are bought and paid for. Our people are trained. We’re not in the money, but we are in the hunt,” says Frizzelle. The company proposed the vertical-takeoff-and-landing Saab Skeldar for the sea-based portion of the contract, but was excluded because the unmanned helicopter did not have the required mission duration.

Both the Navy ISR services and Socom Medium-Endurance UAS II programs will replace sea- and land-based surveillance services that have been provided by Boeing and Insitu using the ScanEagle UAS. Under services contracts, ScanEagles have accumulated more than 575,000 combat flight hours since 2004 operating from ships and land for the U.S. military and allies.

“The market is going to fee for service, and is less about which vehicle you offer,” says Fred Strader, CEO of Textron Systems, of which AAI is an operating unit. “Fee for service arose during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and makes sense when technology is changing a lot,” he says. “For five years, the Navy will not be tied to any one company, until they buy systems down the road.”

The ISR services program will bridge the gap until the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ own Insitu RQ-21A small tactical unmanned aircraft system (Stuas) is fielded beginning in 2013. In January, Insitu delivered two Integrator UAS to the Navy to provide an early operational capability for the Stuas program. The first system is being used for Marine Corps predeployment training at Twentynine Palms, Calif. The second was delivered to the Navy.

Frizzelle says the Navy’s “level of service” requirements under the ISR services contract are similar to the quality-of-service demands built into IT outsourcing contracts. “You prebid a fixed price for a level of service and if you miss it they decrement your fee.” The Navy set requirements in areas ranging from mission duration to the resolution of full-motion video from the UAS’s electro-optical and infrared sensors.

CSC decided to enter the ISR services market after acquiring CenTauri Solutions in December 2010. Providing services was seen as an extension of the small company’s experience integrating ISR sensors on to the Scheibel S-100 unmanned helicopter for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization’s Yellow Jacket program. “Platforms are becoming a commodity,” says Frizzelle. “And once they are a commodity, companies like CSC can be competitive as service providers.”

Photo: Insitu

buglerbilly

14-03-12, 10:41 PM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Elbit's Mystery Sale to Latin America

Posted by Paul McLeary at 3/14/2012 11:15 AM CDT

When Elbit Systems announced a $50 million sale “to supply Hermes 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to a governmental office of a country in the Americas” on Jan. 3, speculation was rampant that Colombia was the buyer. The contract called for “systems such as the Universal Ground Control Stations (UGCS), Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop's highly advanced DCoMPASS payload systems, as well as satellite communication systems.”

But this week, a friend in Mexico points to this curious entry on the Mexican Treasury Ministry's special projects web page—posted on Dec. 20, 2011—for the “acquisition of unmanned aircraft, ground segment and additional payloads for the Federal Police” for 744 million pesos, which is equivalent to about $50 million U.S. dollars. There is also a Mexican Treasury document passed along to Aviation Week that details the “acquisition of two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 900, ground command-and-control system and additional payload."

So, did those Hermes 900s really go to Mexico? Elbit representatives declined to comment, but Mexico already has a relationship with the company. In 2009, the Mexican defense ministry bought several Hermes 450 drones for $23.25 million, and the Federal Police also operate a number of the company’s Skylark-I mini-UAVs. The Hermes 450 is the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces' UAV fleet, clocking over 300,000 flight hours, and is capable of staying aloft for 17 hr. while reaching a ceiling of about 18,000 ft.

The Hermes 900 would be a huge upgrade over those capabilities, however. Capable of operating at a maximum 33,000 ft., the UAV's maximum endurance is 40 hr. and maximum takeoff weight is 970 kg.

Of interest to any customer of both the 450 and the 900 is the fact that Elbit Systems has already performed a series of joint flights with the two platforms, using a single universal ground control station to control and operate both the birds at once, while transmitting imagery, electronic and communications intelligence to the ground, and each other.

buglerbilly

15-03-12, 02:02 PM

Pentagon Drone Reports Show Big Budgets, Low Performance

(Source: Project On Government Oversight; issued March 14, 2012)

POGO is releasing a host documents obtained by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) is responsible for providing Congress with Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR) for major weapons programs. By tracking cost and performance objectives, these SARs indicate whether taxpayers are getting bang for their buck.

Most taxpayers never see SARs unfortunately, because they are not typically made available to the public. However, through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, POGO obtained SARs for the Reaper and Global Hawk drones, and is making those documents publicly available for the first time.

The Reaper Report

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/325497/mq-9-uas-reaper-sar-25-dec-2010.pdf

The Reaper drone is a multi-mission unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), capable of reconnaissance intelligence and surveillance missions, though it is best known for its use a hunter-killer – tracking and eliminating enemy targets. Its use in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries has not been without controversy.

According to the SAR: “The program is in concurrent capability development, procurement, combat operations and support.” This concurrency was the result of the Reaper’s “urgent beginnings” following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Thus, the Reaper was in use long before a number of development and testing milestones were obtained. According to the report:

Since the last SAR, the program office conducted both the Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR) on the Reaper Block 5. This stabilized the Block 5 design and began the integration and test phase of the program. The Air Force Technical Airworthiness Authority signed the Initial Tailored Airworthiness Certification Criteria (TACC) for the Reaper. The approved TACC establishes the initial airworthiness certification basis for the Reaper

While the SAR reported on December 31, 2010 that “there are no significant software issues with the program at this time,” just ten months later, Wired reported that a computer virus in the Predator and Reaper drones was “logging pilots’ every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones.”

And this wasn’t the only problem with the Reaper that the SAR failed to report. Given the Reaper’s high crash rate and limited operational availability, it’s curious to note that in the “Performance” section of the SAR, the current estimates of all capabilities are identical to the baseline objectives. And, by identical, I mean literally word-for-word. For instance, the current estimate for the “Hunter” characteristic is, “The system’s capability must allow a targeting solution at the weapon’s maximum range.” Instead of indicating whether or not there actually is a targeting solution, this simply echoes the baseline objective.

These aren’t inconsequential omissions given the cost of this program. According to the SAR, the 399 Reapers scheduled to be built are estimated to cost taxpayers approximately $31.3 million each and $12.496 billion in total, which is $662 million more than initial estimates.

The SAR also reports that the planes will cost $18.221 billion to operate over the life-cycle of the program and that the Reaper program, in total, will cost taxpayers more than $30 billion.

The Global Hawk Report

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/325498/rq-4a-b-uas-global-hawk-sar-25-dec-2010.pdf

According to the Global Hawk SAR, the plane breached Acquisition Program Baselines (APB) in schedule, performance, RDT&E (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation), procurement, and unit cost. Additionally, the average program unit cost (APUC) led to a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach (i.e. cost increased by more than 25 percent). Incidentally, the Air Force recently announced plans to terminate the Global Hawk.

The SAR indicates that the Global Hawk was not meeting the majority of its performance baselines. For instance, mission planning was taking over 16 hours—twice the performance objective. Also, a sensor system known as the “electro-optical spot mode” had an objective range of 80 kilometers, but currently had a range of just 50 kilometers.

According to the SAR, the baseline estimate of the total acquisition cost for all Global Hawk drones was $5.394 billion, and the SAR estimate was $13.934 billion. In other words, the acquisition cost of these drones increased by more than 150 percent. Additionally, the operating and support cost of the Global Hawk program is expected to cost the Pentagon nearly $30 billion, driving the total cost of this drone to taxpayers above $43 billion.

-ends-

buglerbilly

16-03-12, 10:55 AM

MIT Develops Hand Gesture Recognition System for UAS on Carrier Decks

Posted on March 16, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by MITNewsOffice on Mar 13, 2012

Aircraft-carrier crew use a set of standard hand gestures to guide planes on the carrier deck. But as robot planes are increasingly used for routine air missions, researchers at MIT are working on a system that would enable them to follow the same types of gestures.

The problem of interpreting hand signals has two distinct parts. The first is simply inferring the body pose of the signaler from a digital image: Are the hands up or down, the elbows in or out? The second is determining which specific gesture is depicted in a series of images. The MIT researchers are chiefly concerned with the second problem; they present their solution in the March issue of the journal ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems. But to test their approach, they also had to address the first problem, which they did in work presented at last year's IEEE International Conference on Automatic Face and Gesture Recognition.

Yale Song, a PhD student in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, his advisor, computer science professor Randall Davis, and David Demirdjian, a research scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), recorded a series of videos in which several different people performed a set of 24 gestures commonly used by aircraft-carrier deck personnel. In order to test their gesture-identification system, they first had to determine the body pose of each subject in each frame of video. "These days you can just easily use off-the-shelf Kinect or many other drivers," Song says, referring to the popular Microsoft Xbox device that allows players to control video games using gestures. But that wasn't true when the MIT researchers began their project; to make things even more complicated, their algorithms had to infer not only body position but also the shapes of the subjects' hands.

Read more: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/robots-hand-gestures-0314.html

Video: Melanie Gonick
Simulations courtesy of Yale Song

VERY interesting development for UCAV's in particular................

Aircraft-carrier crews use a set of standard hand gestures to guide planes on the carrier deck. But as unmanned aircraft are increasingly used for routine air missions, researchers at MIT are working on a system that would enable them to follow the same types of gestures.

The problem of interpreting hand signals has two distinct parts. The first is simply inferring the body pose of the signaler from a digital image: Are the hands up or down, the elbows in or out? The second is determining which specific gesture is depicted in a series of images. The MIT researchers are chiefly concerned with the second problem; they present their solution in the March issue of the journal ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems. But to test their approach, they also had to address the first problem, which they did in work presented at last year’s IEEE International Conference on Automatic Face and Gesture Recognition.

Yale Song, a PhD student in MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, his advisor, computer science professor Randall Davis, and David Demirdjian, a research scientist at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), recorded a series of videos in which several different people performed a set of 24 gestures commonly used by aircraft-carrier deck personnel. In order to test their gesture-identification system, they first had to determine the body pose of each subject in each frame of video. “These days you can just easily use off-the-shelf Kinect or many other drivers,” Song says, referring to the popular Microsoft Xbox device that allows players to control video games using gestures. But that wasn’t true when the MIT researchers began their project; to make things even more complicated, their algorithms had to infer not only body position but also the shapes of the subjects’ hands.

The MIT researchers’ software represented the contents of each frame of video using only a few variables: three-dimensional data about the positions of the elbows and wrists, and whether the hands were open or closed, the thumbs up or down. The database in which the researchers stored sequences of such abstract representations was the subject of last year’s paper. For the new paper, they used that database to train their gesture-classification algorithm.

The main challenge in classifying the signals, Song explains, is that the input — the sequence of body positions — is continuous: Crewmembers on the aircraft carrier’s deck are in constant motion. The algorithm that classifies their gestures, however, can’t wait until they stop moving to begin its analysis. “We cannot just give it thousands of [video] frames, because it will take forever,” Song says.

The researchers’ algorithm thus works on a series of short body-pose sequences; each is about 60 frames long, or the equivalent of roughly three seconds of video. The sequences overlap: The second sequence might start at, say, frame 10 of the first sequence, the third sequence at frame 10 of the second, and so on. The problem is that no one sequence may contain enough information to conclusively identify a gesture, and a new gesture could begin halfway through a frame.

For each frame in a sequence, the algorithm calculates the probability that it belongs to each of the 24 gestures. Then it calculates a weighted average of the probabilities for the whole sequence. Gesture identification is based on the weighted averages of several successive sequences, which improves accuracy, since the averages preserve information about how each frame relates to those before and after it. In evaluating the collective probabilities of successive sequences, the algorithm also assumes that gestures don’t change too rapidly or too erratically.

In tests, the researchers’ algorithm correctly identified the gestures collected in the training database with 76 percent accuracy. Obviously, that’s not a high enough percentage for an application that deck crews — and multimillion-dollar pieces of equipment — rely on for their safety. But Song believes he knows how to increase the system’s accuracy. Part of the difficulty in training the classification algorithm is that it has to consider so many possibilities for every pose it’s presented with: For every arm position there are four possible hand positions, and for every hand position there are six possible arm positions. In ongoing work, the researchers are retooling the algorithm so that it considers arm position and hand position separately, which drastically cuts down on the computational complexity of its task. As a consequence, it should learn to identify gestures from the training data much more efficiently.

Philip Cohen, co-founder and executive vice president of research at Adapx, a company that builds computer interfaces that rely on natural means of expression, such as handwriting and speech, says that the MIT researchers’ new paper offers “a novel extension and combination of model-based and appearance-based gesture-recognition techniques for body and hand tracking using computer vision and machine learning.”

“These results are important and presage a next stage of research that integrates vision-based gesture recognition into multimodal human-computer and human-robot interaction technologies,” Cohen says.

Source: MIT

buglerbilly

19-03-12, 12:40 PM

Autonomous, Roaming Swarm Creates Temporary Local Wi-Fi Network

Posted on March 19, 2012 by The Editor

Electronic Countermeasures @ GLOW Festival NL 2011 from liam young on Vimeo.

The Electronic Countermeasures project is essentially an autonomous, roaming Internet swarm, constructed from repurposed UAS.

The project is lead by Liam Young of think tank Tomorrow’s Thoughts Today and Unknown Fields Division, with assistance from Eleanor Saitta, Oliviu Lugojan-Ghenciu, and Superflux and was demonstraeted at the Glow Festival in the Netherlands last year.

These UAS would fly off and hover above the city, and create ad hoc connections and networks in a new form of nomadic territorial infrastructure,” Young says, “a flock of interactive autonomous drones that form their own place specific, temporary, local, Wi-Fi community–a pirate Internet.”

Rather than carry satellites to uplink to the greater Internet, Young imagines his swarm as a highly site-specific means to create peer-to-peer communication (think text messaging or the old Napster file sharing model). And in this regard, Young actually views Electronic Countermeasures as a form of nomadic architecture–a roaming infrastructure built from digital beams rather than steel–like a drifting island of information.

“Architecture is typically such a slow medium and we wanted to develop alternative strategies for how an architect may operate and alternative forms of projects that could play out with much more immediacy,” he writes.

Source: Co Design

buglerbilly

20-03-12, 10:37 PM

AUVSI Israel: IAF feels pressure on UAV development

20 March 2012 - 16:30 by Beth Stevenson in Tel Aviv, Israel

An Israeli Air Force (IAF) official has claimed that the UAS fleet is by definition 'unstable' as the force sees itself under pressure by the demands on Israeli UAV development.

Col Eli Ankori, IAF UAV Department, Israel, told the AUVSI Israel conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on 20 March: 'We had no history to rely on, no revelations. We now have a multi-layered concept; it's basically a lot of everything.

'The more assets you have the more worries you have. We're challenged by the complexity. The UAS fleet is, by definition, unstable.'

He said that safety is now much more of an issue than it was before, and the fact that Israel was ahead in its UAV manufacture meant that it only had its own mistakes to learn from.

'It used to be one still picture and now we're facing a flood of information,' he continued. 'We have to be able to store and protect the data and be able to extract from it.

'In the UAS world technology is everywhere,' he said, and went on to describe how the IAF is having to look at an array of elements that make up UAVs, such as spectrum, bandwidth, all-weather capabilities, C2 and different processor types.

'I'd say we're technologically stretched from the high end right the way down to the low end,' Ankori said.

He referred to a constant issue of choosing between COTS and tailored solutions, in an effort to always try to drive down the flight cost hours: 'It's a constant dilemma of skunk works versus mass production.

'Between each stage of development there are other transitioned challenging stages,' he said while describing the efforts the IAF has to go to before a system can be deployed.

'UASs are in constant development and we used to have a simple system. We've been driven to apply standards for everything. There are unique standards and criteria for UAS.'

Sharing crowded airspace with civil aviation is another problem, and 'the battlefield today drives combined operations. This requires a joint language and common interface and unique conops', Ankori explained.

'This is a daily challenge we're facing with an increased complexity,’ he concluded.

buglerbilly

20-03-12, 10:38 PM

AUVSI Israel: Lessons learned generate mature UK UAV solutions

20 March 2012 - 16:35 by Beth Stevenson in Tel Aviv, Israel

A British Army officer has claimed that the UK’s fleet of UAVs are now being effectively controlled in Afghanistan following previous errors made in their concept of operations.

Maj Mark Whittle, 32 Regiment Deputy Commander, Royal Artillery, British Army, told the AUVSI conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on 20 March that the three aerial unmanned systems the army operates were not performing as well as required due to the fact that they were being deployed with different regiments.

'We had to improve the way we deployed these services. We now have one single regiment, 32 [Royal Artillery], using it,' Whittle said. 'We answered significant questions that had been asked.'

Around 1,000 'products' are generated on every six-month tour of Afghanistan from UAVs and Whittle said that 'since 2007 the products produced have increased exponentially per tour each time'.

The Desert Hawk III small UAV has achieved 20,000 operational hours so far, while the Hermes 450 has flown 61,160 hours. The army also flies the T-Hawk VTOL UAV.

'Professional operators now lead the Hermes 450 better; they exploit the capability to the best of its ability. Our motto is “fly once, capture once, use many times”,’ he added.

'We take individuals, and their job is not to operate the UAS, but sit with the operator and understand the requirement,' and then they produce the mission plan that helps give a better understanding of the operations, Whittle explained.

'Our experience in Afghanistan is that not only is having the people there to exploit the data important, the time in which to do it is even more so.

'We find ourselves in a mature environment operationally,' he explained, and therefore 'the collaboration and fusing at the higher level must be done correctly'.

He also emphasised the importance of ISTAR layering, saying that the army 'must use all of the capabilities it has available'.

The systems are operational in the third busiest airport in the world, Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, so the army is 'destined to find itself in a difficult environment', and therefore collaboration with third parties is important, Whittle said.

With regards to the ‘inevitability' of being responsible for killing somebody with a UAV, Whittle commented: 'I suspect it's destined to happen at some point. Our job is to make sure that is as far away as possible, although we've had some close calls. We must ensure runway management with due consideration.'

As for to the Watchkeeper programme currently flying in the UK with the support of operators, Whittle concluded: 'We look forward to that capability being deployed later this year.'

buglerbilly

20-03-12, 10:42 PM

AUVSI Israel: IDF outlines SkyRider roadmap

20 March 2012 - 16:50 by Beth Stevenson in Tel Aviv, Israel

The IDF is looking at ways to advance its SkyRider UAV to make it suitable for future missions, officials have revealed.

Maj Manahem Landau, MoD Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) told the AUVSI Israel in Tel Aviv on 20 March that the army is currently working on the Block 10 variant of the system, and aims to deploy it by the end of this year.

The next system, based on the Elbit Skylark I LE, needs to accumulate heavier payloads, Landau said, as well as a larger and more useful load of 1.6KG; beyond line of sight capability through a communications relay; a C4I interface; on the move vehicle configuration; IR stabilised continuous zoom camera payload; and an embedded target tracker.

The current configuration which was operational during the second Lebanon War and has accumulated some 4,500 flight hours, weighs approximately 7kg, has a 1KG payload, is bungee or vehicle-launched and is operated by two personnel and is carried in a backpack.

'The ground forces realised they needed their own organic UAV so that the commander can decide when it needs to use one,' Landau said of the need for the system.

'The MoD and Elbit is investing to make the system better. Israel is a very small country. It is our obligation to see that the system developed from our side is good enough.'

R&D plans for the system also include enhanced target acquisition and sensor-to shooter capability 'for lower tactical echelon', as well as a combined day/night payload, and an area surveillance capability. It is also looking at a higher ceiling and longer range.

'We think it has a naval application. We're going to check the maximum range of the communications to see if the army and navy can use it,' Landau explained.

'We need to keep it robust and relevant. We need a good enough system. The most simple system is the most complicated in our experience.'

buglerbilly

20-03-12, 10:48 PM

Cassidian calls time on Talarion UAS

By: Craig Hoyle London

7 hours ago

Source:

EADS company Cassidian confirms that it has halted work on the Talarion unmanned air system (UAS) programme, after failing to secure financial backing from potential future buyers.

"Cassidian said several times during the last few months that we will only continue to invest in the Talarion programme if we would get a firm commitment from our potential customers," the company says, referring to France, Germany and Spain. "Unfortunately, we did not get this commitment so far. Therefore we decided to ramp down the programme."

© Cassidian

Ambitious in its scale, the Talarion had been designed to meet a broad range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance requirements for a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS previously identified by France, Germany and Spain. Powered by two jet engines and with a 28m (91.8ft) wingspan, the aircraft was to have had a maximum take-off weight of around 7t and to have been flown at altitudes up to 50,000ft.

EADS originally saw an opportunity to produce 15 of the systems under a European programme worth around €3 billion ($3.9 billion), but spent the past two years unsuccessfully lobbying its now cash-strapped expected customers. It also made an attempt to market the aircraft to the Royal Air Force, rebranding it as the "X-UAS", but the UK instead backed a collaborative venture between BAE Systems and France's Dassault.

© Craig Hoyle/Flightglobal
The Talarion-based "X-UAS" concept failed to attract interest from the UK

Cassidian chief executive Stefan Zoller has long seen the UAS sector as an engine for major growth at Cassidian, and the company is to continue work using its Barracuda unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator. The aircraft is due to undergo a new programme of system flight tests later this year in Goose Bay, Canada.

Speaking earlier this month, Cassidian head of technology and research Aimo Bülte said the company's interest in unmanned systems also currently includes researching increased airframe and sensor autonomy, adaptive control techniques and the use of new materials and embedded sensors.

"We will continue to talk to our potential customers and interested industrial partners in order to secure key technologies for a joint European MALE programme," Cassidian says. The company has previously signed agreements with Italy's Alenia Aermacchi and Turkish Aerospace Industries to collaborate on such an activity. It also earlier this year established a new UAS joint venture with Germany's Rheinmetall Defence, in which it holds a 51% stake.

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 05:33 AM

New Environments Challenge UAV Connectivity

Mar 20, 2012

By Frank Morring, Jr.
Washington

U.S. Air Force planners expect commercial communications satellites to have an ever-larger role in operating remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) as war-on-terror funding dwindles and the U.S. military focus shifts to other theaters, including Africa, Latin America and the U.S. border regions.

At the same time, better sensors and more demand for the data they provide to troops on the ground will increase bandwidth needed to keep the RPAs performing effectively, according to experts who discussed the topic at the Satellite 2012 conference in Washington last week.

“The overseas contingency operations funding—it used to be called the ‘global war on terrorism funding’— starting to dry up,” says Col. Michael L. Lakos, chief of the Milsatcom Div. at Air Force Space Command. “We need to figure out another way to fund the insatiable appetite our commanders in the field have with RPAs and UAVs, full streaming video, full motion video, et cetera.”

Lakos’ service is working on a global communications architecture for RPAs, drawing on expertise in the Space and Missile Systems Center, combat command, special operations command and elsewhere to generate requirements. “We have to leverage you folks in industry to help us solve the problem, trying to do it better, but cheaper at the same time.” Lakos says.

Among the themes industry is pushing are open standards for greater interoperability among space, air and ground systems, and multiple frequency bands on future satellites for more operational flexibility to accommodate different geographic theaters. A continuing and overriding theme is the need for greater bandwidth.

“With sensors that are becoming able to collect more and more information, therefore driving greater bandwidth requirements, as well as more specialization—either systems that are becoming more mission-specific or greater specific capabilities on airborne assets—I see in the mid- to long-term the need for bandwidth increasing,” says Andrew Ruszkowski of XTAR, an operator of satellite-based X-band links. “The commercial satellite industry’s ability to support that bandwidth is very much in question.”

One “strong recommendation” from Ruszkowski is a government push beyond Ku-band links for RPAs to “multiple bands” on satellites. Hybrid spacecraft that include Ka-, X- and C-band as well as Ku- would enhance the military’s ability to move into new environments as the focus on the Middle East and Central Asia fades.

“We are seeing more interest, or a lot of growth potential, in parts of Latin America, Africa, elsewhere, where the environment is very different,” says Ruszkowski. “That calls for a new approach. I think you’ll see the demand for other frequencies go up.”

Mark Dale, vice president of product management at Comtech EF Data, a satellite modem vendor, sees a broad trend to open-standard architectures across the industry, with the Digital Video Broadcasting—Satellite—Second-Generation (DVB-S2) a good fit to deliver the streaming-video updates ground commanders want.

“It is used extensively in the broadcast industry,” he says.

Ultimately, the architecture should support a “data-centric” approach to satellite communications, rather than the current stovepiped “network-centric” approach, according to Sonny Marshall, president/CEO of Marshall Communications, which supports military ground terminals in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Marshall sees “data-centric” as the next big thing. “You can keep on adding, adding, adding to these networks, and it gets enormous, but if it’s data-centric you can route it anywhere, send it anywhere to whoever needs it.”

[I]Photo: USAF

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 12:40 PM

IAI Unveils Unmanned ‘Butterfly’

Posted on March 21, 2012 by The Editor

Israel Aerospace Industries has unveiled the prototype of its “Butterfly” unmanned aircraft system, as part of an effort to develop covert miniature equipment for use by Special Forces personnel.

Shown for the first time on the opening day of the AUVSI Conference in Tel Aviv on 20 March, the innovative design imitates the movements of a butterfly’s wings.

Weighing only 12g and with an overall length of 20cm (8in), the mini UAS flies by flapping its four lightweight wings. An IAI source says the prototype vehicle has already been test flown carrying a camera weighing less than 1g.

IAI plans to offer a line of miniature UAS equipped with different payloads. It has also previously unveiled its development activity on vertical take-off and landing unmanned systems named the Ghost and Mini Panther.

Both images © Israel Aerospace Industries

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 12:42 PM

Insitu Gets ScanEagle Contract From The Netherlands

Posted on March 20, 2012 by The Editor

Insitu announced yesterday that it has signed a contract to deliver its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the Netherlands to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the Ministry of Defense (MOD). The Netherlands will use ScanEagle with the MOD both domestically and abroad. “We’re excited to be part of the Netherlands’ ISR solution for the Ministry of Defence,” said Insitu President and CEO Steve Morrow. “ScanEagle provides ISR that is competitive with other larger UAS at a fraction of the price.”

ScanEagle will provide the MOD an ISR capability during the second half of 2012, replacing a program that ended in the middle of 2011. Looking forward, Netherlands MOD and Insitu plan to continue to explore the potential for multi-mission ISR capabilities using a next-generation Insitu UAS that carries multiple ISR sensors and enables rapid, robust payload integration.

ScanEagle is a mature system already established with other international customers. The system is combat-proven, with more than 580,000 combat flight hours since it first deployed with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004. Endurance exceeding 24 hours allows customers to respond to the unexpected.

ScanEagle’s rapid response, expeditionary capabilities are punctuated by the success of dozens of shipboard deployments with the U.S. Navy since 2005. Insitu’s SkyHook retrieval system allows for aircraft recovery without the use of nets or runways—and without the dangers associated with ship overfly: A vertical rope arrests aircraft flight by catching a hook on the wing of the aircraft. In 2009, ScanEagle was noted for the rapid response ISR that it provided during the recovery of merchant marine Captain Richard Phillips, who was being held by Somali pirates.

Personnel from the Joint ISTAR command are now taking courses to begin operating the system later this year.

Source: Presss Release

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 12:44 PM

NextGen UAS Research, Development and Demonstration Roadmap Published

Posted on March 20, 2012 by The Editor

The US Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) has released the NextGen Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Development and Demonstration Roadmap (UAS RD&D Roadmap) Version 1.0.

This report represents a significant effort on the part of the JPDO and its six partner agencies to establish a Roadmap of the research and development (R&D) necessary to enable routine operations of UAS in the NextGen National Airspace System (NAS). Collectively, the JPDO and each partner agency contributed executive and technical leadership as well as funding for this effort.

The full report can be downloaded here.

http://www.jpdo.gov/library/20120315_UAS%20RDandD%20Roadmap.pdf

UAS integration into the NAS is a national priority. In fact, the U.S. Government will spend about $19 billion between 2011 and 2015 on UAS research and acquisitions, and many government agencies are already enabling or planning a range of UAS operations. Ultimately, cost-effective implementation will require multi-agency coordination of investment decisions.

The NextGen Senior Policy Committee addressed UAS operations during meetings in 2009 and 2010, focusing on operational requirements, data, and R&D. However, the genesis of the Roadmap was a request by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the JPDO and its partner agencies. The primary objective was to identify the most critical technology issues involved in establishing a plan for UAS operations.

Although UAS play an increasingly important role in missions—such as border surveillance, wildlife surveys, military training, weather monitoring, and local law enforcement—operations have been hampered by the lack of a common understanding of what is required to safely and routinely operate UAS in the NAS. Challenges (e.g., the lack of an onboard pilot to see and avoid other aircraft, and the wide variation in unmanned aircraft missions and capabilities) must be addressed to fully integrate UAS operations in the NextGen timeframe.

The Roadmap will assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in identifying information needed to enable routine UAS access. Ultimately, it will help the NextGen partner agencies:

■ Share information, so they can make faster progress in addressing critical R&D challenges
■ Capitalize on the research investments of other agencies
■ Consider parallel lines of research that complement one another while avoiding duplication
■ Allow identification of partners positioned to efficiently address specific issues; and
■ Identify opportunities for joint demonstrations that can enhance the value derived from those investments.

The JPDO-led Roadmap has the potential to address a significant portion of the FAA’s research needs for UAS integration more rapidly and at less cost. However, the JPDO found that the technology path for UAS integration into NextGen is not complete, requires further assessment of gaps, and cannot be defined in a piecemeal fashion.

Source: JPDO

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 12:46 PM

US Army Issues RFI for Nano UAS

Posted on March 20, 2012 by The Editor

The US Army has issued an RFI to obtain potential solutions to provide Nano Unmanned Aerial Systems (NUAS) capable of operating in various Army operational environments world-wide.

Experience and information obtained from this request for information will be provided to the Director Rapid Equipping Force who will evaluate the information and feasibility of issuing a procurement action to resolve the stated problem.

The REF has a requirement for a NUAS to be employed by dismounted soldiers in close combat scenarios to aid in threat/target detection in real time. Minimum requirement criteria for the NUAS appear below:

■ Must capture and relay intelligence and imagery of sufficient resolution and stability to inform user of potential threat/target in real time
■ Must be user friendly, easy to operate, and require minimal training for user proficiency
■ Must facilitate automated mission planning inputs as well as dynamic user inputs
■ Must be capable of launch without launching system
■ Total system (to include but not limited to vehicle(s), base station(s), controller(s), etc.) must weigh less than or equal to 5 lbs
■ Must be deployable from storage to launch in less than or equal to 5 minutes
■ Must be storable in less than or equal to 5 minutes
■ Must successfully operate in steady winds of at least 5 kts
■ Must successfully operate in wind gusts of at least10 kts
■ Flight endurance must be greater than or equal to 20 minutes
■ Flight range must be greater than or equal to 500 m
■ Must facilitate nearby operation of multiple NUAS systems without interference
■ Must operate safely in the event of a lost data link
■ Must be able to fly in precipitation

Source: FedBizOpps

buglerbilly

21-03-12, 10:40 PM

Waiting for Watchkeeper

By Craig Hoyle

on March 21, 2012 3:10 PM

A month ago, Flightglobal published an article updating the status of the British Army's Watchkeeper unmanned air system programme. Summarised in one sentence, our report said delayed operational field trials were set to start and that the first equipment would be deployed for use in Afghanistan later this year.

Not so, according to a parliamentary answer given by UK minister for defence equipment and support Peter Luff on 20 March.

"Watchkeeper will be the first unmanned air system to secure all the necessary airworthiness certification to fly in both a civil and a military environment and this process is taking longer than anticipated," he said. "Work continues and, until this is complete, it would be speculative to provide a forecast as to when Watchkeeper will achieve release to service or its in-service date."

The largest UAS programme currently under contract in Europe, Watchkeeper (Rex Features picture above) is the result of a collaboration between Thales UK and Elbit Systems, and has led to a major redevelopment of the latter's Hermes 450 airframe: the same system which is now providing an interim service in support of the British Army in Afghanistan. The WK450-based system was initially expected to enter use in February 2011.

What's strange about Luff's statement is that Watchkeeper was last year threatened with but then spared from inclusion on the UK Ministry of Defence's "Projects of Concern" list, after "demonstrating satisfactory progress".

If that really was the case, it's a shame that a much-needed enhancement to the army's ability to fly intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan is being held up by airspace integration issues in the UK.

buglerbilly

22-03-12, 11:00 AM

UAS Technologies Selects Simlat Training Sytems

Posted on March 22, 2012 by The Editor

UAS 20

Simlat has been selected by UAS Technologies as its primary training systems provider for the UAS20 advanced unmanned platform. This long-term contract includes integration of Simlat’s UAS flight and mission trainer with the UAS20 operational console, as well as customized platform and payload simulation for current and future UAS Technologies customers.

“Choosing Simlat as our key training systems provider seemed the obvious solution for UAS Technologies,” says Amir Snir, UAS Technologies Managing Director. “We can now offer our customers a turnkey training solution for the UAS20, at the highest level of fidelity.”

“We are proud to add such an esteemed company as UAS Technologies to our customer database,” says Yoni Bar On, Customer Relationship Manager at Simlat. “Simlat’s robust platform and mission simulation, customized to the UAS20 and integrated to its control station, has allowed us to offer UAS Technologies a solution tailored to its needs.”

Simlat Ltd.is a provider of next generation training solutions for unmanned vehicle systems and for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). Simlat’s turnkey training solutions include SIGINT, EO/IR and SAR sensors in various operational configurations. Simlat’s systems are available as stand-alone or embedded/integrated to legacy control stations, as well as generic or customized solutions, and are in service in over 20 countries.

UAS Technologies develops, integrates and markets systems and subsystems in the defense and general aviation segments. UAS Technologies’ prime focus is on original core technologies development for the UAS industry. Among the leading technologies offered by UAS Technologies are the UAS20 Advanced UAV and the IcePecker Ice Protection System.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

22-03-12, 11:01 AM

Aurora Skate sUAS Wins Border Security Product Challenge Award

Posted on March 22, 2012 by The Editor

Aurora’s Skate small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) was awarded first place in the 2012 Border Security Technology/Product Challenge at the recently held 2012 Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

The top prize is awarded to a technology or product that best demonstrates innovation in the border security arena.

“Aurora is very proud to have won this prestigious award,” said Carl Schaefer, Director of Small UAS Products at Aurora. “The Skate sUAS is an ideal platform for gathering secure, real-time intelligence and surveillance data to assist the Department of Homeland Security in accomplishing its mission of securing our borders and stemming the flow of contraband.”

The Skate sUAS is an electric-powered, lightweight, portable system that easily fits in a small rucksack. Its modular design enables assembly and launch in less than two minutes. Its unique VTOL capabilities allow it to be launched and recovered from urban areas, confined spaces, and vehicles, with no dedicated launch or recovery equipment. With an endurance of over one hour, speeds from hover to over 50 knots, and a total air vehicle weight of only two pounds, Skate can carry a variety of available payloads to areas of interest up to five kilometers away.

Available payloads include full-motion color video payload pods; Electro Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payload pods with Long Wave IR (LWIR) cameras with resolutions up to 640 lines; and high definition (HD) video payload pods capable of recording video at 1080p and taking still photographs with 5 megapixel resolution. Payload pods are swappable in less than one minute, allowing the operator to tailor the Skate system to rapid ly changing mission needs.

The Skate system uses a Digital Data Link (DDL) to securely transmit both video and data up to 5 km from the ground control station (GCS). AES128/AES256 key encryption and a variety of operational frequencies are available.

Skate’s GCS supports fully autonomous waypoint navigation as well as stabilized, “fly-the-camera” manual flight control. The hand controller included with the system uses a high resolution, daylight viewable, on-screen display that does not require a hood to view video in bright daylight.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

22-03-12, 12:47 PM

AUVSI Israel: Innocon touting tiny trends

22 March 2012 - 9:25 by Beth Stevenson in Tel Aviv

The CEO of Innocon has outlined the struggles faced by specialist Israeli UAV manufacturers in the current competitive market.

Speaking to Shephard during the AUVSI Israel conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on 21 March, Michael Armon said being a small company means potential customers can be sceptical when it comes to purchasing its systems because they worry that the company might not survive the next couple of years.

'The major problem for small companies is how to penetrate the market,' Armon explained. 'For the military arena they want to see big companies in front of them. As for smaller companies, they just don't trust them.'

'There are advantages and disadvantages. On one hand you can offer low prices and good technology, but on the other hand, you're small.'

To deal with this predicament Innocon looks to join with 'good size companies that the government of any given country can depend on', but one that is not too big because that increases the cost.

'We did it in Thailand, Argentina, Finland, and an undisclosed Eastern European country [which Shephard understands is Russia]'.

'This solves the problem as it keeps prices attractive, and it doesn't identify us as an Israeli company.'

Armon also highlighted the growing trend of miniaturisation which sees UAVs becoming smaller in line with payloads.

He said that a 450g payload with a day/night camera is now available, and 'the weight is going down, as is the price, and you need smaller UAVs', which Innocon is concentrating on developing.

Referring to the larger MALE UAVs, he stated: 'They have their place and I believe the next generation of UAVs will be about 25kg but will have the capability of one that is 250kg'.

Armon confirmed that Innocon is looking into developing a MALE system, as well as a VTOL platform because 'this will have a place landing on vessels and between buildings'.

He also said that a tilt-rotor platform, with the capabilities of both rotary and fixed wing platforms, 'is the future for us'.

Armon was optimistic about the cost of UAVs, and said that the commercial market is helping to drive down the cost of components: 'Everything is available to us now. I foresee swarms of UAVs in the sky in the future,' he observed, although he pointed out that the applications for this have not yet been developed.

'You don't just control them from ground, they communicate between themselves too. I believe we are 3-5 years away from this being totally available.'

With regards to the challenges facing an Israeli company Armon said: 'They [the customers] want to know it's Israeli technology, but they don't want it written on the plane.'

He said that the technology war between Israel and 'the other side' is 'escalating', and with regards to a missile attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip last week that was intercepted by the autonomous Iron Dome rocket shield, Armon said: 'I'm sure they are developing a strategy right now.'

'The technology is advancing for this daily challenge [over the Gaza Strip] and the rest of the world is benefiting from this.

'Since some markets are closed for us, on those countries we can bid it is too competitive,' Armon commented. 'It is a struggle to stay ahead in order to satisfy the customer and give more than our Israeli competitor.

'The most important thing is to react on changing situations fast. You're trying to cut corners because everything is a threat. If you don't cut corners somebody else will,' Armon concluded.

buglerbilly

25-03-12, 12:22 PM

The Post’s View

Additional review for drone killings

By Editorial Board, Sunday, March 25, 6:31 AM

DOMESTIC AND international strictures empower the president to use lethal force, including targeted drone strikes, to protect the country against attack. That is so whether the target is a foreign national or a U.S. citizen; and it is true whether the target is located on a traditional battlefield or ensconced in a foreign country that is unwilling or unable to assist in capture.

President Obama was on solid ground in relying on such authorities when he reportedly ordered a drone strike in Yemen last fall that took the life of Anwar al-Aulaqi. Mr. Aulaqi was a U.S. citizen, a radical cleric and, according to the administration, an operational leader of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula. We supported dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Mr. Aulaqi’s father that sought to force the administration to disclose the criteria for placing someone on the “kill list” — a legal gambit that would have invited unprecedented judicial intervention into battlefield decisions in the absence of congressional or legal authorization.

Washington Post Editorials

Editorials represent the views of The Washington Post as an institution, as determined through debate among members of the editorial board. News reporters and editors never contribute to editorial board discussions, and editorial board members don’t have any role in news coverage.

But the legitimacy of such targeted strikes against U.S. citizens would be bolstered by additional review. That’s especially so when the government decides, not in a moment of urgency but with due deliberation, essentially to sentence an American to death. Most Americans may well feel there is something odd about insisting that America’s enemies have rights the instant they are detained, while targets of assassination have no protections at all.

A number of approaches could be considered, each with merits and pitfalls. Congress could establish a special court to assess whether the administration had sufficient intelligence or evidence to prove that the targeted individual was a member of al-Qaeda or an affiliated enemy force; posed an imminent threat to the country; and was unlikely to be captured without significant risks to civilians or U.S. forces. Such a court would be empowered to assess whether the administration has met domestic and international legal requirements to place someone on the target list, not to oversee the timing of a strike. A judicial determination of this sort would provide the most legitimacy, but it also could trigger serious separation-of-powers issues if judges engage in policy or logistical determinations that should remain the domain of the president.

Alternatively, the president could appoint a panel of current or former military and intelligence officials to assess individual targeting designations; this panel, because it would be housed within the executive, could also examine logistical questions, such as whether the administration had exhausted all efforts to seek cooperation from the foreign country for a possible capture. Creation of such a panel would not require congressional action, and it would avoid any separation-of-powers issues, but it would lack the independence of a federal court.

The president’s constitutional authority to act unilaterally to protect the country must not be eroded. His military decisions within recognized battlefields should not be subject to second-guessing by the judicial branch. But in those instances where an American who is located far from a conventional military zone is targeted for death by his own government, an extra level of review of some sort is warranted.

buglerbilly

27-03-12, 10:22 PM

British UAV nears completion

27 March 2012 - 15:52 by Beth Stevenson in London, UK

UAV manufacturer Blue Bear has highlighted the importance of British technology that is aiding the development of its iStart UAV.

Mike Humphreys, military account manager for the company, told Shephard on 27 March at a DSTL technology day in London, UK, that although the product was launched during DSEi in September, the system is still being developed and will be ready for purchase when the company is confident in its maturity.

‘If I’m honest it will be ready when we decide it is in terms of the technology,’ Humphreys explained. ‘In terms of the actual platform it is pretty much there. I’m not saying that it’s perfect or necessarily mature, but it is making the operator’s job intuitive and easy. This is autonomy coming together.’

The system is based on the company’s Blackstart UAV, and the company works with others such as 2D3 and Roke Manor, which deigns the tracking algorithms for the platform, to develop a system that takes the best technology from each supplier. ‘Others can hook their technology on easily,’ Humphreys explained.

‘SMEs in the UK work well together. One of the joys of the SME world is that it’s really agile. SMEs deconflict and integrate so much better because there’s no overlap.’

Humphreys said that the company is concentrating on the technology specifically, and pointed out: ‘There is no point in building another UAV for a market that is saturated with small UAVs. It’s not just a case of making it; it has to fit together [technologically].

‘We’re trying to get this to track in an urban environment with no operator involved,’ he said, and explained that the system calculates the distance from the line of sight to the target using 3D map data.

‘All the operator wants to do is to track the vehicle [on the ground]’, he said, noting that the operator is not interested in the intricate details of how the system tracks.

The ‘simple’ software is written so that it is certifiable for the future, and the company is also interested in the miniaturisation of the camera and the compression of algorithms.

The system contains an EO/IR and gimbal camera payload, weighs some 4.5kg with payload, has a 45 minute endurance and is one-man operated.

buglerbilly

28-03-12, 11:21 AM

Israeli air force to phase out piloted take-offs for UAS

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

2 hours ago

Source:

An Israeli air force requirement to use external pilots during parts of its unmanned air system (UAS) operations will become redundant within the next two to three years, due to the increasing use of automatic take-off and landing (ATOL) systems.

Currently, the air force uses an external pilot who is in charge of the take-off and landing of its medium and heavy UAS. Once airborne, control of the air vehicle is transferred to a ground station.

Some of the UAS operated by the Israeli service already use ATOL systems, while its others are expected to be equipped with the technology by 2015.

Israeli air vehicles are also being fitted with "sense and avoid" equipment such as a traffic collision avoidance system that will allow the air force to fly its UAS in civilian airspace.

Tommy Silberring, general manger of Israel Aerospace Industries' Malat UAS division, says that by 2020 unmanned aircraft will require almost no restricted flight approvals from civilian air traffic controllers.

buglerbilly

28-03-12, 09:32 PM

FIDAE 2012: Spanish Aerospace Technology Institute reveals details of hybrid UAV

28 March 2012 - 14:50 by Tony Osborne in Santiago, Chile

The Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) has revealed details of a hybrid UAV able to land vertically like a helicopter but with fixed-wing aircraft performance.

The HADA UAV has been developed under INTA's Platino Programme. It features a main rotor system and a shrouded tail rotor allowing vertical take-off and rotary-wing flight characteristics, but is then able to deploy variable geometry wings allowing high-performance horizontal flight.

No-one from INTA was available at the FIDAE air show for comment, but information gleaned from INTA's literature shows that complete aircraft have been wind-tunnel tested, although it is not clear if it has taken flight.

INTA says the aircraft will 'allow high efficiency, with takeoff and vertical landing and hover flight at any time of the mission.'

'The autonomy and high cruising speed, will allow the monitoring of large tracts of land, superior to that of a conventional helicopter.'

The company says the configuration is superior to tilt rotors type UAVs and would be ideal for naval operations and border surveillance.

buglerbilly

29-03-12, 02:13 PM

Early Delivery of Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial System

(Source: Australian Department of Defense; issued March 29, 2012)

Australia’s first Shadow 200 UAV system is currently working up in Afghanistan, while delivery of the second, 5-aircraft system has been brought forward to mid-2012. (AUS DoD photo)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that a second Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) will be delivered for use by Australian troops preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, almost one year ahead of schedule.

The first of the two Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial systems was delivered in August 2011 and is currently operational in Afghanistan.

The Shadow 200 system captures full motion video during both day and night operations which can be sent back to a ground control station up to 125 kilometres away. It can recognise targets on the ground while operating at an altitude of up to 8000 feet.

Each Shadow 200 System comprises five aircraft, ground control stations, a launch and recovery element, and associated equipment, logistics and training.

The US Army and Marines first used the system in Iraq and have been using it operationally in Afghanistan. Other nations such as Sweden and Italy are also procuring the Shadow 200 system.

The Shadow 200 system has been purchased through the United States Foreign Military Sales program. Originally scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2013, the United States has now agreed to deliver the second system to Australia in the first half of this year.

The accelerated delivery of the second system will enable Australian troops preparing to deploy to Afghanistan to train with the Shadow 200 system in Australia.

The first Shadow 200 system is currently operating in Afghanistan and will be certified as fully operational in the near future. It has already completed more than 220 hours of successful testing and training.

The two Shadow 200 systems are being acquired through Joint Project 129 (Phase 2) at a total cost of over $90 million.

-ends-

buglerbilly

29-03-12, 10:34 PM

Fuel Cell Doubles BirdEye Endurance

Posted on March 29, 2012 by The Editor

Israel Aerospace Industries has doubled the endurance of its BirdEye-650 unmanned aircraft system to 6 hours through the use of a fuel cell power pack.

The advance was demonstrated during recent test flights, and the company predicts that longer missions will be possible using the new technology.

Tommy Silberring, General Manager of IAI’s Malat UAS division, says that the company has decided to use fuel cells on all its small aircraft designs. The Panther tilt rotor design is also being tested with fuel cells, he adds.

Powered by three electric motors, the vertical takeoff and landing Panther has a 65 kg (143lb) takeoff weight and a previously reported endurance of 6 hours. A Mini Panther derivative weighs 12 kg and can be operated for 2 hours.

Silberring says Malat’s preferred fuel cell system uses highly reactive alkali metals to produce strong reducing agents and convenient sources for hydrogen. This approach is better than an alternative of carrying compressed hydrogen on the air vehicle, he notes.

IAI has a close cooperation with Singapore-based fuel cell developer Horizon Energy Systems.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

29-03-12, 10:36 PM

India’s Rustom 2 MALE First Test Flight Scheduled

Posted on March 29, 2012 by The Editor

India’s state-run Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has announced that the debut flight test of indigenously developed UAS Rustom-2 would take place in February 2014.

The Rustom is being developed exclusively for defence purpose and will have advanced capabilities and additional payloads. ADE is a premier DRDO lab which is designing and developing various UAS including the Rustom as well other combat and solar unmanned aircraft.

According to ADE Director P S Krishnan, the Rustom-2 UAS design has been completed and the purchase orders have been placed. ADE is currently on schedule to fly the Rustom-2 for the first time in February 2014. He added that the entire project of making ten Rustom-2 UAS and spare aircraft at a cost of around $ 342.25 million would be completed by August 2017.

The Rustom-2 will be comparable to the American ‘Predator’ due to its state-of-art capabilities. Rustom-2 weighs 1.8 tonnes and will have a capacity payload of 350 kg, a wing span of 21-odd meters and an endurance of above 24 hours. “Rustom UAS could be deployed for military missions like reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition, target designation, communications relay, battle damage assessment and signal intelligence.

Regarding the indigenous content of the Rustom , ADE has revealed that all parts, except for cameras and sensors, have been developed in the country. ADE officials added that indigenous technology would enable ADE save about 40 per cent cost. ADE has indicated that UAS will be crucial for the armed forces as they can perform missions from reconnaissance to surveillance as well as search & rescue operations. Indian Army pilots have already been trained on simulators and actual test flights of Rustom-1, which was developed earlier last year on a technology demonstration basis.

The Rustom is named after Rustom Damania, who was instrumental in conceptualizing the idea. ADE has acquired about 4200 acres of land in Chitragurga district in Karnataka which is being developed as a test range only for UAS.

Source: Defence Now

buglerbilly

31-03-12, 02:04 AM

Army Wants Flapping Wings to Fly Drones of the Future

By Katie Drummond Email Author March 30, 2012 | 12:00 pm

Uploaded by theworacle on Feb 17, 2011

AeroVironment video of flight tests of its Nano Hummingbird flapping-wing nano air vehicle, developed for DARPA. Battery-powered and remote-controlled, the hummingbird-like prototype uses flapping wings for propulsion and control. Carring a video camera and downlink, the prototype has a wingspan of 16cm (9.5in) and weighs just 19 grams (0.66oz). It can hover for 8 minutes, remaining stable in gusts up to 5mph, and reach up to 11mph in forward flight.

Drones of the future won’t just fly alongside birds. They’ll actually fly a lot like them, thanks to a new Army program that’s looking to mimic avian flight in the development of new unmanned vehicles.

As part of their $2 million budget for technology development in 2013, the Army’s planning to investigate new locomotive strategies for drones. In particular, Inside Defense reports, they’re interested in “flapping-wing” technology that would allow drones to better navigate rugged, unpredictable environments.

This is only the latest in a series of military-backed projects that’d turn to biology for inspiration in the manufacture better airborne machines. Already, the Navy’s funding research into the movements of fish and the “echolocation” abilities of bats. The tiny hairs of insects have inspired another Pentagon project that’d boost the navigational abilities of itty-bitty micro-drones, by allowing the ‘bots to detect and react to wind. And let’s not forget the Great Horned Owl Program, which is trying to render drone flight as silent as, well, owls.

The logic behind flappable wings is simple: They’re more efficient and wind-tolerant than inert wings, which means that drones with flapping wings could fly with more agility, and even stop mid-flight to hover in the air. Right now, the military’s drones are limited in their ability to stop-and-start in the air — a serious barrier to drones offering surveillance of a given area. The issue is even the topic of a crowdsourced challenge from Darpa, the military’s far-out research agency, who last year asked groups of civilians to design drones that could fly to a specific location, then hover and perform surveillance tasks for up to three hours.

One company, Aerovironment, has already designed a winged drone — the Hummingbird — that exemplifies the benefits of flapping-wing technology. Using only its wings for propulsion, the Hummingbird is able to fly forwards and backwards, hover in mid-air (despite gusts of wind) and zip through doorways or other passages. All that, and the tiny drone — weighing 19 ounces — transmits real-time video feeds to human operators.

Very cool, except that the ‘bot is limited by a flight time of eight minutes. Indeed, the problem of battery life is one of the major limiting factors towards the development of winged drones. Because flapping wings sap a ton of power, researchers are still trying to figure out how to make the ‘bots last for more than a few minutes once airborne.

The Army’s research teams have reportedly come up with a few different flapping wing prototypes, however. Next up? Testing those models out in a wind tunnel, which is opening up next year at the military’s Aberdeen Proving Ground.

buglerbilly

31-03-12, 09:24 AM

Marine Corps General Decries Predator Imagery Allure

Posted by George I. Seffers on 3/30/12 • Categorized as Event Coverage

In a fiery and impassioned speech at the TechNet Land Forces conference in Tucson, Arizona, Brig. Gen. David Coffman, USMC, former commander of the 13 Marine Expeditionary Unit, colorfully described what he feels is an addiction to the full-motion video provided by high-value intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, such as the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. Coffman is now assigned to the National Command Center, where he works “in the basement of the Pentagon,” he said.

Gen. Coffman described centralized command and control enabled by “ever more fabulous” command, control, communications, computers, intelligence and surveillance (C4ISR) technologies as a growing trend challenging military commanders, asserting that the trend was as alluring as pornography.

Commanders often confer with one another and try to help each other out, he said, describing one of his fellow commanders who was enamored with full-motion video and enhanced ISR. The other commander felt he needed all of the “bells and whistles” to feel relevant in “this brave new world,” Gen. Coffman suggested.

While they watched the video onboard ship, Coffman asked his peer commander what decisions he would make based on those pictures, but the commander had delegated away all of his authority to lower-ranking officers, and all he had to do was check off a list and call the president when the mission was over.

Meanwhile, people were being tossed from the room “because 50 other people wanted to look at the show.”

The general said he had his own experience on two deployments under national taskings when people crowded into the room. “Why are we all watching the objective area? Because we can. Because we can,” he said.

Now in the Pentagon, he said, he sees the other side of the addiction. “In this unclassified forum, I can’t go into a lot of detail about what we’re doing, but suffice it to say, with [special operations forces] and interagency partners in our counterterrorism fight … you’ve got the privilege of having access to about 10 command centers all with real-time or near real-time full-motion video watching the objective area,” he said. “What does that sucker us into? It suckers us into centralized decision-making and just-in-time decisions. This is a problem.”

In his current position, he said, “I get to be the guy to call the vice chairman at 3:00 in the morning and request approval for such and such and such and such, to get the wheels turning, for him to go across the river—as we say in Washington—to the White House.”
“I have very few perks in my present job down in the basement as the unblinking eye for the chairman reporting all the things that that happen to our seniors. But I’ve got one. And it’s a free shot. Occasionally, we get to take the morning brief up and talk to Secretary Panetta. That’s a big mistake for me,” he said.

Within the last week, he said, he was reporting on national tasking and one of the secretary’s staffers asked, “How late can I get in on this game?”

“I said, ‘Please, Mr. Secretary, stop! You’re looking at it! I’ve given you everything I’ve got! What more do you want? You can get in the F-16 yourself. I’m done! You need to go the other way. You need to get out of the objective area and let warfighters fight the mission based on mission!’”

buglerbilly

02-04-12, 12:42 PM

Harvard Micro Robotic Bees Assembled by Origami

Posted on April 2, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by MicroroboticsLab on Nov 17, 2011

The Harvard Monolithic Bee is a millimeter-scale flapping wing robotic insect produced using Printed Circuit MEMS (PC-MEMS) techniques. This video describes the manufacturing process, including pop-up book inspired assembly. This work was funded by the NSF, the Wyss Institute, and the ASEE. Music: D-Song by Bonobo

See "Monolithic fabrication of millimeter-scale machines" and "Pop-up book MEMS":
https://micro.seas.harvard.edu/publications.html

Harvard University Microrobotics Laboratory engineers have come up with a novel new approach to fabricating their micro robotic bees. The Harvard Monolithic Bee (or Robobee) is a bio-inspired robot, approximately on the scale of an actual bee, that can fly and work autonomously. Research with the bees, however, was stalled by the painstaking effort involved in creating each robot.

Harvard researcher Pratheev Sreetharan describes the previous method of assembling the bees: “You’d take a very fine tungsten wire and dip it in a little bit of superglue. Then, with that tiny ball of glue, you’d go in under a microscope like an arthroscopic surgeon and try to stick it in the right place.” Sounds a little tedious.

But researchers have now developed a technique of fabrication that involves simply stamping out the mini-bees on a multilayer sheet, allowing the bees to be mass-produced in a fraction of the time. The sheet is comprised of 18 different layers, including circuit boards, plastic, adhesive, and carbon fibers. The outline of the bee is laser cut, and then pins then push the skeleton of the bee up, much like a pop-up book. The sheet functions both to form the bee itself and as the scaffolding supporting the bee.

The bee is dunked into liquid solder to secure the wee joints. The scaffolding is then removed, producing a beautiful little robot.

This new technology could be a game-changer for streamlining the production of micro robots.

Source: Motherboard

buglerbilly

03-04-12, 11:46 AM

AeroVironment Unveils ‘Mantis’ Suite of Gimballed Sensor Payloads

Posted on April 3, 2012 by The Editor

AeroVironment, Inc. unveiled a new miniature gimballed sensor payload on the battle-proven RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft system at the Army Aviation Association of America Annual Professional Forum and Exposition yesterday.

The modular payload includes a high-resolution color and an infrared thermal video sensor, as well as a laser illuminator integrated into a multi-axis sphere capable of continuous pan. The new payload will become a standard component of future Raven systems and will be sold as an upgrade for previously fielded units. Upgrading existing digital Raven systems to accommodate the new payload requires only a software update to each air vehicle and ground control station.

The new payload is one of four products offered in AeroVironment’s “Mantis” suite of gimballed sensor payloads now available for commercial applications including unmanned aircraft systems, manned aircraft, ground vehicles and watercraft.

A gimballed sensor payload enhances the Raven system’s capabilities by allowing a higher level of visual fidelity and continuous observation of an item of interest regardless of the air vehicle’s flight direction. The new payload also replaces two separate Raven system payloads previously required for day and night operation, one containing a stationary electro-optical sensor, the other a stationary infrared sensor. Flight algorithms allow the air vehicle to manage its own flight path based on what the user wants to see, rather than requiring the user to control both the air vehicle and the sensor separately.

Tom Herring, AeroVironment Senior Vice-President and General Manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment said, “Operators rely on the portable Raven system to provide critical, live aerial video that gives troops situational awareness, whenever and wherever they need it. Our new mini-gimbal payload significantly increases the Raven system’s capability and can be quickly and easily integrated into the thousands of digitally enabled air vehicles already deployed. The net result is a more capable solution for protecting and serving the warfighter for a fraction of the cost of a new system.”

Integrating the new gimballed sensor payload marks the fourth upgrade to the Raven system since its introduction in 2003 and follows the successful introduction of AeroVironment’s digital data link (DDL) to replace the Raven system’s original analog communication modules.

“By continuously working with customers to understand their needs and desires and improving the Raven system to address them, AeroVironment continues to deliver cost-effective solutions that help them succeed,” said Herring.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

04-04-12, 11:37 AM

QuadA2012: US Army examining re-engining options for RQ-7 Shadow

03 April 2012 - 22:49 by Tony Osborne in Nashville, US

The US Army is examining the potential of re-engining the RQ-7 Shadow UAV.

Officials from the US Army's UAS Project Office said the moves had been prompted by a need to increase the time between overhaul (TBO) on the RQ-7's Wankel rotary engine but also by a series of engine failures during operations in Afghanistan. Officials say heat and stresses had been affecting engine bearings and this has caused several engine failures in theatre.

A recent request for information resulted in 14 vendors offering alternative engine options.

'The response was huge, previously with the uptake from industry, we would have been lucky to get three or four interested parties,' explained Lt Col Scott Anderson, product manager for ground manouver at the UAS Project Office.

Some of the vendors included heavy fuel engines (HFE), but Jason Lucas, one of the technical chiefs involved with the Shadow, said that such an engine was likely to be discounted as the army does not feel the HFE technology is yet advanced enough.

The project office hopes that the new engine will deliver a 500 hour TBO, twice that of the current engine.

Reporters were also told of the continuing US Marine Corps programme to arm the Shadow using a classified weapon. Tests are taking place over the next year and a half and the marines hope to field field two systems in theatre at the end of that 18 months. Army officials said there was some hope that the weapon would soon be declassified allowing this to take place more easily.

In the meantime, the army's first US Army Gray Eagle UAV unit to be integrated into a Combat Aviation Brigade has been deployed to Afghanistan.

Fox Company of the 227th Aviation Regiment at Fort Hood deployed to Afghanistan at the end of March where it will be integrated as part of a combat aviation brigade (CAB). The unit will fly 12 Gray Eagles. It's the first time, a US Army UAV unit is to be fully integrated into the CAB in this manner.

buglerbilly

04-04-12, 11:49 AM

India May Need 6 to 8 Northrop MQ-4C BAMS

Posted on April 4, 2012 by The Editor

To ensure continuous coverage of its oceanic frontiers, the Indian navy would need six to eight Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

This number would allow India to keep a BAMS airborne all day, every day for 365 days a year, says a Northrop Grumman executive who spoke to Flightglobal at India’s Defexpo 2012 in New Delhi.

BAMS would be particularly useful for India because it is optimised to operate in conjunction with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, of which India has ordered eight examples designated as the P-8I Neptune.

New Delhi is increasingly turning to unmanned systems to patrol its vast ocean frontiers, which include the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. In January 2011, the Indian navy stood up its second UAS squadron, which will operate Israel Aerospace Industries-supplied Herons and Searcher IIs over the northern Arabian Sea.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

04-04-12, 10:40 PM

US Army advances 'sense and avoid' for Gray Eagle UAS

By: Dave Majumdar Nashville

5 hours ago

Source:

The US Army is working on a ground-based "sense-and-avoid" capability for its fleet of unmanned aircraft, a senior service official says.

"Right now the army is focused on ground-based sense-and-avoid. We are the lead for that under the OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense] UAS [unmanned aircraft systems] task force," says Viva Austin, army product director for unmanned aircraft airspace integration concepts.

While ground-based sense-and-avoid started as a near-term effort to allow the army's unmanned aircraft to fly inside the US national airspace, it is now apparent that it will be used side-by-side with airborne sense-and-avoid when that technology is eventually developed, she says.

A prototype of the new ground radar-based system was being tested in El Mirage, California, but has since been shut down. But there is still some additional testing under way at the Dugway proving grounds in Utah, Austin says. She adds that the experiment was successful and that funding is now available to install the system on five General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1C Gray Eagles.

© US Army

Those aircraft will start to be fielded in fiscal year 2013, Austin says, and should be complete by the start of fiscal year 2014 to support training.

The army will establish radar-monitored corridors into restricted airspace for the Gray Eagles to transit to their training ranges. But for air-traffic at large, the corridors will be completely transparent, and only army controllers will be aware that such radar-monitored columns exist.

"It's an operational volume," Austin says. "But it doesn't mean anybody else has to stay out of it."

The first Gray Eagle corridor will be set up at Fort Hood in Texas, followed by Fort Riley in Kansas.

While currently the system is using radar to provide traffic separation, it is designed to be an open-architecture construct. In the future, it could pull in data from the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder system for example, Austin says.

Eventually, the army will expand the system to cover a wider geographic area.

For airborne sense-and-avoid, the US Air Force and US Navy have the lead. Work is being done to try to miniaturise the technology for eventual use on the AAI RQ-7 Shadow UAS, she says. The army would use that technology when it is more mature.

The UAS is already slated to use the Ku-band tactical common data-link and the army is looking at potentially adding a new synthetic aperture radar to the Shadow, says Lt Col Scott Anderson, product manager for ground maneouvre. The army's special operations troops also experimented with a signals intelligence package in January, while he says the service is also looking to replace the type's current engine.

buglerbilly

06-04-12, 10:52 AM

ScanEagle Flies with Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell

Posted on April 6, 2012 by The Editor

Insitu Inc. announced that its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) successfully completed its first hydrogen-powered fuel cell flight during a two-and-a-half-hour flight test. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell solution was implemented as a modular upgrade to the runway-independent, expeditionary Group 2 ScanEagle UAS.

The collaboration between Insitu, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and United Technologies (UTC) took UTC’s 1500 Watt (2 HP) fuel cell and integrated it with NRL’s hydrogen fueling solution into a ScanEagle propulsion module. Then, in just three days, that propulsion module was fully integrated into the ScanEagle UAS at Insitu’s facilities in Bingen, Wash.

“Fuel cell technology contributes to Insitu’s goal of increasing reliability and reducing operating costs. Additional benefits of the technology are an increase in ScanEagle’s payload capacity and a simplification in support logistics,” said Insitu President and CEO Steve Morrow.

“We hit all expected performance targets, and data from the flight test will drive further system improvements,” added Insitu Chief Technology Officer Charlie Guthrie.

The approach used in the hydrogen-powered fuel cell solution costs a fraction of the cost of today’s gas and heavy fuel solutions in UAS. The solution also weighs less than traditional engines. Reducing aircraft weight increases payload capacity, so propulsion approaches like this will enable ScanEagle to carry more payload while reducing costs.

“Fuel cell technology will improve significantly in the future,” said Insitu Chief Engineer Jeff Knapp. “Today’s internal combustion engines, especially two-stroke technology, are well optimized. Fuel cell technology has room for growth, and that will provide an opportunity for continued efficiency improvements and weight reduction.”

The Department of Defense recently laid out its vision for the role that fuel cells will play in improving mission capability. The fuel-cell powered flight of ScanEagle, demonstrates Insitu’s continuing commitment to respond to the needs of its customers by introducing new technology into a modular system designed for expansion and growth.

Looking forward, Insitu is collaborating with the Air Force Research Lab to flight test a fuel cell on the Integrator UAS later this year.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

06-04-12, 03:06 PM

Turkey in talks for 10 Anka UAVs

By: Tolga Ozbek Istanbul

4 hours ago

Source:

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in discussions with the nation's defence procurement body over a proposed launch order for its Anka unmanned air vehicle, first flown in late 2010.

"The tests are going well, and Anka is getting ready for production," says undersecretary of defence industries Murad Bayar. "We have started negotiations with the air force to give a 10-UAV order," he adds, with deliveries to be made within two years of a contract signature.

Operational tests involving the indigenous design are due to commence by June, with the type to perform joint missions with Israel Aerospace Industries Heron air vehicles flown from Batman air base.

© Turkish Aerospace Industries

With a maximum take-off weight of 1,500kg (3,300lb) including a 250kg payload, the Anka can fly at an altitude of 30,000ft (9,150m) and has an endurance of 24h.

Meanwhile, TAI is continuing development activities with its Grumman S-2T Tracker testbed to be flown within the next few months carrying an Aselsan-developed synthetic aperture radar payload. This will provide an all-weather surveillance capability.

Turkish Engine Industries is also working to increase the power output of the Anka's Thielert Centurion 2.0 engine, with flight tests to occur using a Cessna 337. TAI is also working on a future turboprop version of the UAV.

buglerbilly

10-04-12, 02:53 PM

Rotax Develops Advanced 4 Cylinder 4 Stroke Engine

Posted on April 10, 2012 by The Editor

Engine manufacturer Rotax will this year begin delivering ASTM and certificated versions of a new four-stroke, four-cylinder piston 912iS engine, with monitoring capabilities typically found only in more advanced turbofan engines.

The advanced technology offerings, developed for Rotax by Rockwell Collins, include an engine control unit (ECU), the functional equivalent of a full-authority digital engine controller (FADEC) for the fuel-injected 100hp (74kW) engine, and engine monitoring unit (EMU) that records data and provides telemetry to the cockpit.

A FADEC for a commercially available Rotax engine has been a long time coming. Starting in the early 1990s, Aurora Flight Sciences began developing digital controllers for Rotax engines for unmanned aircraft using algorithms developed by David Vos, now senior director of UAS and control technologies at Rockwell Collins.

The work later continued with Vos’s start-up company, Athena Technologies, and transferred to Rockwell Collins when it purchased Athena in 2008.

Coupled with an ECU that can cut fuel burn by 21% at cruise power compared with the carburetted version of the 912, the 912iS features a data monitoring function through the EMU that will allow pilots to monitor details of engine performance never before available for small piston engines.

The EMU itself is connected to cockpit displays using a four-wire “CANaerospace” network protocol developed by Germany-based Stock Flight Systems. Company owner Michael Stock says the EMU records engine data at 10Hz and stores the data on an SD card of up to 16Mb size, allowing for 500h of recording. Owners can download an analysis program from Rotax to evaluate the data, or obtain the information via service centres.

In addition to various typical engine performance parameters, the EMU will also record latitude, longitude, airspeed and universal time using a built-in GPS/Galileo receiver built by Swiss company u-blox. Along with giving pilots the means to view flight tracks post-flight, the data could help with engine analysis by linking engine operating parameters with phase of flight, data that could be particularly useful in accident or incident investigations, says Stock.

Rotax expects to finish the internal documentation required for ASTM compliance in June and expects European Aviation Safety Agency certification approval in June or July. Rotax says the engine will cost 10-18% more than the carburetted 912 engine, depending on the aircraft model and installation.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

10-04-12, 10:42 PM

Georgia flies first domestically-built drone

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

7 minutes ago

Source:

The central Asian nation of Georgia has flown its first domestically-produced unmanned air vehicle (UAV) from a military base outside Tbilisi, the national capital. The catapult-launched UAV can achieve up to 10,000ft (3,000m) altitude and 86kt (160kmh), boasting an 8h endurance. It is Georgia's first domestically-produced UAV.

Georgia has purchased a number of Israeli systems, including the Elbit Hermes 450 and Skylark, which were used during Georgia's 2008 conflict with Russia. Reports from Georgia indicate that the aircraft will be equipped with a gimbaled photographic/infrared camera payload, though the manufacturer is not mentioned.

Neither the Georgian Ministry of Defence nor Washington-based embassy immediately responded to questions.

Republic of Georgia

buglerbilly

12-04-12, 05:28 AM

Drones to Increase 45% in Pentagon 30-Year Aviation Plan

By Roxana Tiron - Apr 11, 2012 4:21 AM GMT+0800

QUEUEQ..The Pentagon plans to increase its fleet of armed and long-haul surveillance drones by at least 45 percent over the next 10 years.

The U.S. military’s inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles, will grow to 645 aircraft in fiscal 2022 from about 445 in fiscal 2013, including versions of Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC)’s RQ-4 Global Hawk and General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predators, the Defense Department said in a report required by Congress on its aviation blueprint for the next 30 years.

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper Tech Sgt. Ricky Best/US Army/DVIDS via Bloomberg
Members of the 174th Fighter Wing check out an MQ-9 returning from a training mission at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield in Fort Drum, New York, on Feb. 14, 2012.

Members of the 174th Fighter Wing check out an MQ-9 returning from a training mission at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield in Fort Drum, New York, on Feb. 14, 2012. Photographer: Tech Sgt. Ricky Best/US Army/DVIDS via Bloomberg
Attachment: Pentagon Aviation Report .In addition, the U.S. Army wants to buy 164 Gray Eagle drones from closely held General Atomics of San Diego from 2013 to 2022 “in direct support of ground forces,” the Pentagon said in the report obtained today.

Drones are playing an increasing role as the Pentagon seeks a force that will be “smaller and leaner” and more technologically advanced, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta put it when he introduced a revamped national security strategy in January. Even as the inventory of drones grows, the U.S. military is buying fewer than originally planned because of reduced budgets, a defense official told lawmakers.

“The military departments adjusted their plans to comply with a constrained top line by procuring fewer aircraft than desired,” Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter wrote in a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on April 4.

Budget Cuts

The Pentagon is cutting $487 billion from its spending over the next 10 years and may face an additional $500 billion in cuts if Congress and the Obama administration don’t reach an agreement on reducing the U.S. deficit.

Northrop Grumman of Falls Church, Virginia, fell 30 cents to $59.73 at the close in New York trading and has declined 4.2 percent in the past year.

The Defense Department plans to spend $770 billion on aviation assets from 2013 to 2022. This includes fighter jets, attack helicopters, airlift and cargo aircraft, combat search and rescue aircraft, air refueling planes, bombers, anti-ship and submarine aircraft, drones, training platforms and other aircraft used by Special Operations forces.

Annual funding levels will peak at $80 billion in 2022, according to the Pentagon.

The Air Force “plans to continue aggressive funding” for a new long-range bomber with nuclear capabilities, according to the aviation report. The bomber would reach its initial capability in the mid-2020s, according to the Pentagon. The Defense Department plans to “hold down” the unit cost to “ensure sufficient production” of 80 to 100 bombers, according to the report.

To contact the reporter on this story: Roxana Tiron in Washington at rtiron@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Walcott at jwalcott9@bloomberg.net

buglerbilly

12-04-12, 02:54 PM

AAI, KOR Electronics announce strategic alliance

12 April 2012 - 13:47 by the Shephard News Team

AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with KOR Electronics Defense Solutions that will combine AAI’s expertise as a UAS systems integrator with KOR’s signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment. The announcement was made 11 April, 2012.

According to a joint statement, the two companies intend to integrate KOR’s SIGINT products, focused on expeditionary tactical unmanned aircraft such as AAI’s renowned Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System, as a new addition to AAI’s family of Multi-Mission Payloads (MMP). Each modular MMP pod can be attached quickly to the Shadow aircraft to equip it for the mission at hand.

AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Senior Vice President and General Manager, Steven Reid, said of the alliance, ‘This technology provides warfighters actionable, time-sensitive data on the capabilities and activities of their adversaries. Equipping our Shadow aircraft — a trusted and omnipresent asset for so many US and allied customers — for this collection mission can help deliver intelligence fast, and to a broader array of deployed forces and formations.’

KOR Electronics President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Carnino, said, ‘During the process of evaluating initial alliance partners, KOR recognized that AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems was a market leader in UAS design, development, production and support, and that the Shadow Tactical UAS is ideally suited for KOR’s market-leading SIGINT precision location capability. KOR’s precision location capability, coupled with the Shadow aircraft’s existing electro-optic/infrared sensor, will significantly improve the find, fix and finish timeline and enhance the utility of the Shadow system’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role.’

buglerbilly

13-04-12, 01:08 PM

CAE and Aeronautics Begin Miskam UAS Test Flights

Posted on April 13, 2012 by The Editor

CAE and Aeronautics have announced that the first series of flights of the Miskam unmanned aircraft system (UAS) have been conducted successfully over the past several weeks at the UAS Centre of Excellence (Centre d’excellence des drones) located at Alma airport in Quebec, Canada.

The demonstration flights represent the first phase of a research and development (R&D) project aimed at demonstrating how unmanned systems can be used for civil applications such as remote inspection of pipelines and hydroelectric installations, surveillance of forest fires, observation of critical natural resources, assessing natural disasters and a range of other applications.

CAE and Aeronautics signed a teaming agreement last year to initiate what is now known as Project Miskam. During a series of preparation flights over the past several weeks, Aeronautics operated the Miskam UAS around the Alma airport area. The use of the Miskam UAS in civilian airspace is being conducted under the supervision of Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, and 3 Wing Bagotville. Transport Canada issued Aeronautics and CAE a special flight operating certificate last year to begin demonstration flights at the UAS Centre of Excellence in Alma.

“The successful operation of the first few flights of the Miskam UAS is a milestone for the project, but only the first of what we believe will be many milestones,” said Pietro D’Ulisse, CAE’s Vice President and Business Leader – Canada. “Much like the use of simulation in training, the use of unmanned systems for a range of civil applications has the potential to enhance safety, increase efficiency, and save money. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Aeronautics, regulatory authorities, and potential customers as we demonstrate these capabilities.”

The Miskam UAS is a Canadian version of the Aeronautics Dominator XP. This medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) UAS is based on a Diamond DA-42 twin-engine aircraft that has accumulated more than half a million flying hours, making it one of the most reliable and safe UASs worldwide. The Miskam UAS can cover long ranges, flying up to 24 hours, and can carry a significant payload weight while airborne. Combined with a range of sensors suitable for civil, homeland security, and defence market requirements, the Miskam UAS will be used to demonstrate a range of services.

CAE is leveraging its modeling and simulation technologies as well as in-service support capabilities to develop a comprehensive offering of unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services. The vast amount of information and intelligence that can be gathered by sensors on the Miskam UAS can be collected in a simulation-based synthetic environment and then used to support intelligent decision-making based on integrated information.

“We are very excited to be working closely with CAE and the entire team in Canada to showcase our UAS capabilities as part of Project Miskam,” said Avi Leumi, CEO of Aeronautics. “As potential customers and the general public at large begin to understand the tremendous benefits offered, we expect the use of unmanned systems to become more widespread.”

CAE is a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence. The company employs more than 7,500 people at more than 100 sites and training locations in over 25 countries. Through CAE’s global network of 34 civil aviation, military and helicopter training centres, the company trains more than 80,000 crewmembers yearly. CAE’s business is diversified, ranging from the sale of simulation products to providing comprehensive services such as training and aviation services, professional services and in-service support. The company applies its simulation expertise and operational experience to help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, maintain readiness and solve challenging problems. CAE is now leveraging its simulation capabilities in new markets such as healthcare and mining.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

13-04-12, 01:10 PM

AAI Gets $600M Mid-Endurance UAS Award from US Special Operations Command

Posted on April 13, 2012 by The Editor

AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, announced that it has won the competitive Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MEUAS) II award from the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

The three-year award, valued at just under $600 million, includes support operations using AAI’s Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). Total initial funding for these activities is $20 million.

“The team is galvanized and working closely with our new USSOCOM customer on this critical new activity,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Steven Reid of AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “Our hallmark is a full-service orientation – understanding the mission, equipment, logistics and other factors behind customer requirements in order to create and execute a total solution. Such is our goal for the MEUAS II program.”

The Aerosonde sUAS is a high-performance system that incorporates a heavy-fuel engine for superior endurance. The Aerosonde aircraft’s single electro-optic/infrared payload delivers day-and-night, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while its large payload size, weight and power can accommodate another payload of choice for multi-mission flexibility. It utilizes AAI’s one-piece Launch and Recovery Trailer and the Expeditionary Ground Control Station for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations.

“Features like payload flexibility and efficient, expeditionary operations are important when considering the special operations mission,” says Vice President, SUAS Stephen Flach of AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “Our team focused on those unique requirements to ensure that the Aerosonde system can provide the required performance regardless of operational and environmental constraints.”

Fellow Textron Systems operating unit AAI Logistics & Technical Services will provide worldwide operations and maintenance support for the MEUAS II program. The company’s experienced UAS operators and field service representatives have been deployed successfully around the globe in support of customer requirements.

“There is no better way to understand the mission than working alongside the customer in the field, and we take great pride in those relationships,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Diane Giuliani of AAI Logistics & Technical Services. “Our operators and maintainers stand ready to employ their expertise on behalf of our new USSOCOM customer.”

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

16-04-12, 10:27 PM

DSA12: Turkey turns to indigenous UAV capability

16 April 2012 - 9:59 by Beth Stevenson in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Turkish manufacturer TAI is advancing its HALE UAV design in an effort to replace the air force's Israeli UAV due to political tension between the two countries.

Speaking to Shephard at DSA 2012 in Kuala Lumpur on 16 April, Serdar Olez, VP of UAS for the company said the Turkish Air Force had a requirement for the Anka UAV in order to replace the Heron UAVs that it is currently operating.

'All manufacture and design activity is developed nationally,' Olez explained. 'We used to get parts from Israel, but not any more. It's a must that Turkey has an indigenous UAV.

'Turkey has sensitivity in the Southern region and UAVs are a real necessity in this combat.'

As for the operation of the Heron, Olez said there is a problem in so far as the logistics that would usually be done by the manufacturer now have to be done in Turkey.

The Anka programme began officially in 2005, and manufacture began in 2009, and an RfP from the air force was for ten platforms to replace the ten Herons, for which TAI was the only tender.

'We are now running the flight line of the programme, and have today flown 35 flights,' Olez continued.

'There are a few months to go on flight testing and we hope to deliver to the air force by June/July. We are currently negotiating the price with them. We hope to sign a serial order production by the mid part of this year.'

Other countries of interest include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, and Olez confirmed that TAI has responded to RfPs from these nations, as well as Thailand: 'In this region we have also spoken to Thailand; they released an RfP.'

Olez said that the 30,000ft altitude capability of the Anka makes it a suitable platform for maritime operations, particularly of interest to the Asia-Pacific region, which has a dependence on maritime trade.

The platform has the same engine as the General Atomics-ASI Gray Eagle UAV, the Centurion II developed by German company Thielert.

'This is already a proven engine in UAVs, and we wanted to use a heavy fuel engine because there is an advantage for this in Turkey especially, because we have access to the fuel.'

The company's Simsek target is also due to embark on its maiden flight in June/July, and TAI is hoping to market this 'early next year.

'We are talking with the our air force not to sell it, but to service it,' Olez explained.

TAI is also converting the Mosquito manned helicopter into the unmanned R-iHA platform: 'We converted it into a UAV and now it's capable of carrying hundreds of kilos of payload.

'The test flights are going very well. By the end of the year we will complete autonomous take off and landing. We are also negotiating with the Turkish Navy for a bigger VTOL platform,' he concluded.

buglerbilly

16-04-12, 10:38 PM

Meet Boeing’s New Carrier-Launched Drone Design

Well, it looks like ths might be Boeing’splanned bid for the Navy’s next strike fighter, (after JSF, anyway) known as the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS).

I just took this picture, showing a drawing of an advanced looking-drone under the UCLASS name, at Boeing’s booth at the Navy League’s annual Sea, Air, Space conference in National Harbor, Md. This was the first I’d seen of anything hinting at Boeing’s planned bid for the Navy’s UCLASS effort which hopes to have a fighter-size, air-refuelable, stealthy strike drone flying from carrier decks by the end of the decade. UPDATE: Boeing officials tell me that is is simply a concept drawing and not a final design.

Remember, Northrop Grumman is likely to offer a version of its X-47B for the UCLASS contest while General Atomics is offering a version of its Predator C Avenger, called the Sea Avenger, that’s equipped to handle the strains of catapult launches and arrested landings as well as the salty sea air and Lockheed is apparently going to bid with a yet-to-be revealed design.

Compare the jet above — complete with the doors for an in-flight refueling probe on the nose and the company’s secretive Phantom Works division’s logo on the mid-fuselage — to the company’s stealthy Phantom Ray drone pictured below. Remember, Phantom Ray is derived from the X-45, a jet that lost the contest to serve as a developmental UAV that could prove that it’s possible to operate stealthy, jet-powered drones from aircraft carriers to Northrop’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz1sF3LyK4e
Defense.org

buglerbilly

18-04-12, 11:36 AM

IAI to offer Germany Heron TP systems

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

2 hours ago

Source:

Germany is expected to re-evaluate the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP unmanned air system following Cassidian's decision to halt development work on its Talarion programme.

Will the IAI Heron make the cut for the German military?

The German military already uses a version of IAI's Heron 1 UAS in Afghanistan and its army has previously been briefed on the capabilities of the turboprop-engined Heron TP.

Sources say Berlin's expected competition for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS will be fierce, with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator B another candidate.

EADS company Cassidian stopped work on the Talarion after failing to secure the required state funding from target nations France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey to advance the programme towards building a flying prototype.

buglerbilly

19-04-12, 12:07 PM

DSA12: Insitu signs Malaysian ScanEagle deal

19 April 2012 - 5:30 by Beth Stevenson in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Insitu Pacific has announced that it has signed a contract with Unmanned Systems Technology (UST) for one ScanEagle system for leasing in Malaysia.

UST is a subsidiary of Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), and the contract was signed during DSA 2012 in Kuala Lumpur on 18 April.

The contract is part of an extension of the Malaysian Armed Forces' UAV leasing contract that sees the ScanEagle beinbg added to an existing leasing arrangement that currently operates the CTRM Aludra UAV.

'CTRM is a highly professional company that is leading the way in the aerospace market in the Asia Pacific,' Richard Hutchinson, Boeing International’s VP for South East Asia said at the signing.

'Boeing, through our subsidiary Insitu Pacific, is proud to be a partner with CTRM for this programme and we look forward to further increasing our collaboration with CTRM in the Malaysian marketplace in the near future.'

'We value our relationship with CTRM and we are pleased to provide our proven ScanEagle UAS to support CTRM in meeting emerging operational requirements,' Andrew Duggan, MD of Insitu Pacific added. 'CTRM are absolutely committed to providing highly advanced UAS solutions for their customers in Malaysia and we are committed to supporting them in achieving that.'

The contract is for one system, but Duggan could not disclose how many platforms were included in this.

buglerbilly

19-04-12, 12:16 PM

General Atomics proposes range boost for Predator B

By: Stephen Trimble Washington DC

9 hours ago

Source:

Predator Bs could gain an extra 10-15h endurance under two retrofit options unveiled on 18 April by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

Adding two fuel pods and a previously designed heavy-weight landing gear would allow a Predator B to fly 37h without refueling on an surveillance mission, the company says.

Alternatively, General Atomics could add another 5h of endurance by installing 26.8m (88ft)-long wings, replacing 20.1m wings on the aircraft today.

Both retrofit proposals emerged from an internally funded "endurance enhancement study".

The modifications could be made "without costly depot aircraft modifications", the company says.

The heavier landing gear could increase the maximum takeoff weight of the Predator B from 4,762kg (10,500lb) to 5,307kg.

In February, the US Air Force revealed a new budget request proposing to slash the MQ-9 production budget in half over the next five years. The MQ-9 is the USAF designation for the Predator B, which is also operated by the UK, Italy, NASA and the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.

buglerbilly

19-04-12, 02:38 PM

Lots more detail on this............

GA-ASI Unveils New Enhanced Endurance Designs For Predator B

Posted on April 19, 2012 by The Editor

Option 1

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced the near-term availability of two extended endurance options for its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper fleet.

“We are continually seeking ways to improve our platforms, making them more relevant for our customers’ emerging needs,” said Frank W. Pace, President, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI. “We’ve designed field retrofitable capabilities–lengthened wings, wing-borne fuel pods, and new heavy-weight landing gear–that greatly extend Reaper’s already impressive endurance and range while further increasing its operational flexibility.”

The results of GA-ASI’s recent Endurance Enhancement Study, which was completed on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds, propose two different field installable kits that extend endurance without costly depot aircraft modifications:

■ Option 1 optimizes the aircraft for Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, adding two fuel pods to its existing 66 ft wings and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing endurance from 27 hours to 37 hours.
■ Option 2 optimizes the aircraft for multi-purpose missions, replacing its current 66 ft wings with 88 ft wings, and adding two fuel pods and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing endurance from 27 hours to 42 hours for ISR-only.

Option 2

Earlier this year, GA-ASI announced the availability of a new trailing arm design for the existing main landing gear on Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper. This “heavy-weight” landing gear increases the aircraft’s landing weight capacity by 30 percent and its gross takeoff weight by approximately 12 percent, from 10,500 lb to 11,700 lb. The new landing gear is available as a field retrofit to all existing Predator B customers, with the capability subject to export restrictions.

Predator B is currently operational with the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force as the MQ-9 Reaper and the Italian Air Force as MQ-9, with NASA as Ikhana, and with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Predator B/Guardian. The aircraft is designed to perform multi-mission ISR and “Hunter-Killer missions over land or sea, with more than 120 vehicles delivered since 2001.

Images: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

20-04-12, 01:44 PM

PC-Aero Announces its First Unmanned Electric Aircraft

Posted on April 20, 2012 by The Editor

PC-Aero unveiled four new Electric Aircraft at the Aero 2012 in Friedrichshafen, Germany this week – including the new Elektra One Solar with added solar panels on the wings, and the Elektra Observer LT, the company’s first ever unmanned electric aircraft.

The company also announced a new strategic partnership with Augsberg-based Neowings. This new business partner supports PC-Aero with a large network of investors, strategic partners and supporters. In this process Neowings will get step by step the production, marketing and licence rights, based on an innovative, decentralized marketing concept.

A small series production and the rapid prototyping and certification will be setup in Augsburg and coordinated by Calin Gologan. The large series production will run in different centers on the world based on a license model.

Elektra One Solar

Solar cells on the wing surface provide the 1-seater Aircraft about the half of the energy for flying. The Elektra One Solar is a further development of the Electric Aircraft Elektra One – with completely new wings (a new wing profile and a longer span). The complete structure, including flight controls, is built in carbon composite materials.

What’s new:
•
■ solar cells on the wing surface •
■ 6 square meter on the wing surface provide more than 1 kW power for flying •
■ high energy density Li-Ion-batteries provide the rest of the energy •
■ the Elektra One Solar can fly with 2.5 kW power (in horizontal flight) •
■ less aerodynamic drag using a new laminar wing profile •
■ longer span:
■ 11 meter wing span instead of 8.6 Meter (Elektra One) guarantees a best glide ratio of 30 •
■ higher aspect ratio •
■ weight reduction by 100% carbon construction

Elektra Observer LT

The Elektra Observer LT is an Unmanned Electric Aircraft, based on the Elektra Two – scaled 1:5. A scaled model was on display at the AERO 2012. Elektra Observer LT flies also with solar cells on the wing surface. Applications: civil surveillance.

The Elektra Observer LT flies practically zero noise emission (40 dB) and 8 hours.

Data sheet: weight: up to 24 kg payload: up to 10 kg (camera and datalink) standard: autopilot and stablised gimble cam, real time video (VGA) transmission option: 3 times redundant autopilot and flight control.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

21-04-12, 01:21 AM

Russia to Test Fly First Combat Drone in 2014

08:58 GMT, April 20, 2012 MOSCOW | Russia will test fly its first domestically-produced strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 2014, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Friday, according to RIA Novosti.

In February, Army General Nikolay Makarov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, said the drone would be first test flied in late 2012, a revision of the initial 2015 timeframe.

In early April, Russia’s Defense Ministry issued a technical specification for the development of the drone. The new aircraft is expected to have a modular structure and be able to carry various types of equipment and armament.

The Tranzas company will build the UAV's on-board electronics as well as its navigation and control systems, while the airframe, which will weigh about five tons, will be produced by the Kazan-based Sokol design bureau. Russia’s Defense Ministry sealed contracts with Tranzas and Sokol worth an estimated 3 billion rubles ($101.9 million) in October 2011.

In late March, Russian Air Force commander-in-chief Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, told the Moskovsky Komsomolets tabloid that strike drones would enter service before 2020. He did not specify how many drones will be acquired.

The United States has relied heavily on UAVs including the Predator system to carry out missile attacks on insurgents in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area. (RIA Novosti)

buglerbilly

21-04-12, 01:50 AM

Drone Completes Military Mapping Mission in NW China

(Source: Xinhua; posted April 19, 2012)

Launch of a Chinese military UAV which carried out the Chinese military’s first digital mapping mission flown by a drone. (Xinhua Photo)

YINCHUAN, China --- An unmanned Chinese military drone recently completed its first digital mapping mission near north China's Helan mountain, capturing high-definition imaging data during more than five consecutive hours of aerial photography.

Conducted by the Lanzhou Military Area Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the mission marked the first time for such type of unmanned drone to be used for military mapping purposes, military sources said Wednesday.

The success of the mission marks the Chinese military's creation of a drone-based emergency mapping support mechanism in north China, said Zhang Zhiyuan, the mission's field commander.

-ends-

buglerbilly

21-04-12, 01:58 AM

More Puma AE UAV orders from US military

20 April 2012 - 15:22 by the Shephard News Team

AeroVironment has announced a number of new orders for its Puma AE small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS), including a firm fixed-price order valued at $20,430,433 from the US Army, and a firm fixed-price order valued at $5,558,479 from the US Marine Corps (USMC). The Puma AE systems will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for security, route clearance operations and overall battle space awareness to US forces in Afghanistan.

Delivery for the US Army is scheduled to take place within thirty days. The USMC order, made through an existing US Army contract, is scheduled for delivery within two weeks.

In 2003, the Marine Corps became the first US military service to establish a programme of record for small unmanned aircraft systems with their competitive selection of AeroVironment’s RQ-14 Dragon Eye for the Small Unit Remote Scouting System (SURSS) program. In 2007, the Marines procured AeroVironment Wasp systems and then replaced their Dragon Eye fleet with AeroVironment’s RQ-11B Raven system starting in 2009. With the procurement of Puma systems the Marine Corps is the first service to adopt four different AeroVironment small UAS.

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) selected the Puma UAS in 2008 for its AECV programme after a full and open competition, the fourth US Department of Defense competition for programmes of record involving small UAS and the fourth such competition won by AeroVironment. In 2011 the United States Army assumed management of the AECV programme.

Separately, AeroVironment has announced the production and delivery of its 1,000th Puma AE air vehicle, reflecting strong interest in and demand for the capabilities provided by the Puma AE system. In parallel, the United States Air Force approved the Mission Design Series designation RQ-20A for the Puma AE UAS. This designation establishes the Puma system alongside AeroVironment’s RQ-11B Raven system as a designated military aircraft.

Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicle carries an integrated electro-optical and infrared gimbaled video camera, is designed for enhanced survivability in land and maritime environments, and can operate effectively in foul weather and over rugged terrain. Its quiet operation, stabilised imagery and precision landing capability make Puma systems easy to operate and recover. The Puma air vehicle weighs 13 pounds, is battery powered and has a flight endurance of two hours.

buglerbilly

21-04-12, 02:00 AM

Puma AE UAV ordered for US Air Force

19 April 2012 - 9:40 by the Shephard News Team

And this one was placed earlier.............same overall contract

AeroVironment has announced that it has received a firm fixed-price order from the US Air Force (USAF) for its Puma AE small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as part of an existing US Army contract. AeroVironment made the announcement 18 April 2012.

The Puma AE will join a number of AeroVironment UAVs in service with the USAF, including the RQ-11B Raven and Wasp small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). AeroVironment said that the Puma will bring ‘a more comprehensive set of capabilities for force protection and force multiplication, anywhere and at any time’.

According to AeroVironment, the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) selected the Puma UAS in 2008 for its AECV programme after a full and open competition, the fourth US Department of Defense competition for programmes of record involving small UAS and the fourth such competition won by AeroVironment. In 2011 the US Army assumed management of the AECV programme.

Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicle carries an integrated electro-optical and infrared gimbaled video camera, is designed for enhanced survivability in land and maritime environments, and can operate effectively in foul weather and over rugged terrain. Its quiet operation, stabilised imagery and precision landing capability make Puma systems easy to operate and recover. The Puma air vehicle weighs 13 pounds, is battery powered and has a flight endurance of two hours.

Delivery for the aircraft is scheduled to take place within two weeks. The order is valued at $2,431,440.

buglerbilly

23-04-12, 12:00 PM

US Marines Plan Rigorous K-MAX Tests in Afghanistan

Posted on April 23, 2012 by The Editor

The K-MAX cargo unmanned helicopter has impressed Marine Corps aviation leaders since the aircraft deployed to Afghanistan on Dec. 17, but the Marine Corps is not quite ready to give it the green light.

One would expect that Afghanistan would be the ultimate test for a cargo helicopter considering the heat, altitude and dust. However, Colonel Doug Hardison, a Marine aviation official, said the Corps plans to put it through more testing after it completes its deployment to Afghanistan.

While a combat environment might be seen as the ultimate test, flying “real missions” means the Corps will not test the aircraft’s envelope too rigorously, Hardison said. For example, the K-MAX is restricted to certain flight ceilings to avoid other aircraft flying in theater. When it returns, the Marine Corps plans to test it at different altitudes, Hardison said.

The Army will keep a close eye on those tests as the service has chosen to continue to observe the Marine’s K-MAX testing rather than pursue it individually.

Lockheed Martin sent two K-MAX helicopters to southern Afghanistan that have already flown more than 250 missions. The unmanned helicopters flew over 14,000 pounds of cargo in just one day.

Lockheed Martin controllers fly almost all of the missions, but Marines have learned how they operate by watching, Matthews said. The development of the K-MAX continues, but a formal training program has not yet been developed for Marines to start flying them without the help of contractors.

The Army has not contacted Lockheed Martin to set up an agreement to lease the K-MAX to deliver cargo in Afghanistan for Army units, said Jeanine Matthews, Lockheed Martin’s business development director for Integrated Defense Technologies. Last year, engineers at the Army’s Maneuver Battle Lab held a series of user assessments on the K-MAX at Fort Benning, Ga., in the Annual Expeditionary Warrior Experiment.

Source: DoD Buzz

buglerbilly

24-04-12, 11:35 AM

Northrop contracted to build new Firescout variant

By: Dave Majumdar Washington DC

10 hours ago

Source:

Northrop Grumman has received a new $262.3 million contract to develop and build a new MQ-8C version of the Firescout unmanned rotorcraft, the US Navy announced 23 April.

The aircraft will port all of the avionics and data-links of the existing MQ-8B to the much larger Bell 407 helicopter airframe, says George Vardoulakis, Northrop's tactical unmanned aircraft chief. The new airframe will greatly increase the MQ-8's range and endurance-the on-station time will almost triple.

©Northrop Grumman

The USN contract calls for Northrop to build and test two developmental aircraft over the next 26 months. The company is also contracted to build six low rate production aircraft at the same time.

The USN, which is ordering the aircraft for its special operations forces, wants a total of 28 MQ-8Cs. The service will probably order a follow-on production contract in the fourth quarter of 2012, Vardoulakis says. The number of aircraft in that contract would depend on the USN's budget.

The USN and Northrop are working on weaponizing the MQ-8B. If the service so chooses, those weapons could be integrated on to the C-variant. But the USN has also has the option of simply dropping the older-version airframe in favour of the MQ-8C, which is about twice the size of the B-model, Vardoulakis says.

buglerbilly

26-04-12, 02:53 PM

MQ-1 Predator Gets Custom-Built AVGAS Trucks

Posted on April 26, 2012 by The Editor

Holloman Air Force Base is home to the first two new aviation gasoline trucks in Air Combat Command’s inventory that were specifically designed to support the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft.

“They were uniquely designed, ordered, and built for the MQ-1 mission here,” said MSgt. Jason Bowman, section chief for the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Fuels Information Service Center.

These are the first two AVGAS-specific trucks in Air Combat Command’s inventory, said Master Sgt. Jason Bowman, 49th LRS Fuels Information Service Center section chief.

“JP-8 fuel is primarily for aircraft with a jet or turbine engine, where as smaller prop engine aircraft run off of AVGAS,” Bowman said. “The primary purpose for our AVGAS trucks is to service the wing’s MQ-1 aircraft. They were uniquely designed, ordered and built for the MQ-1 mission here. Our R-11 refueling trucks pump at a much higher flow rate, but these AVGAS trucks service smaller framed aircraft at a much slower dispensing rate.”

Because the wing’s R-11 fuel truck fleet only carries JP-8, MQ-1 fuel operations used to demand additional work hours from fuel distributors, but with their new AVGAS trucks, fuel distributors will save about 1,500 work hours per year, said Senior Master Sgt. Jon Voigt, 49th LRS Fuels Management Flight chief.

“Right now we are filling these aircraft in an archaic method,” Bowman said. “We order barrels of fuel, which come in 55-gallon drums. When those drums come in we have to transfer the fuel to our operating tank, which then leaves an empty drum for us to turn into (Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office) to dispose of. We go through about 36 to 40 of these barrels a month, so with this we are eliminating a hazardous waste stream.”

The AVGAS trucks, Voigt said, will allow fuel distributors to handle the MQ-1′s fuel servicing like they would any other aircraft. ”It gives us complete oversight of what’s going into these planes,” he said. “Instead of dealing with packaged petroleum products, now we have a bulk storage tank so we won’t run the risk of inventory deficiencies.”

The main inventory deficiency, Bowman said, is vapor loss, which occurs when fuel heats up, evaporates into a gas, and boils off. ”Since the trucks were designed for the storage of AVGAS, they will reduce that,” he said. “With the 55- gallon drums as our current storage tank, we lose fuel every month due to evaporation. These trucks will minimize that. Most importantly, the trucks are going to allow us to provide a better quality of fuel to our end user.”

The inventory deficiencies, Bowman said, is what originally motivated the fuels management flight to aggressively find a solution to their problems. ”The Air Force really didn’t choose Holloman to have these trucks; the fuels management flight took the initiative and pursued this,” he said. “We noticed that because of the product loss and fuel quality concerns, we needed to find a better way of doing business. So we took and drafted the initiative, and approached Air Combat Command. Now that we’ve done this, several other bases are following suit.”

Coincidently, Bowman said, some of the short-term and long-term benefits of the AVGAS trucks mirror each other. ”The immediate benefit it gives us is the cost savings,” he said. “We’re going to be saving, depending on the time of year, an estimated $2 to $4 per gallon. Typically we pump 3,000 gallons a month, so on the low end, we’re going to be saving $6,000 per month. The long term benefit will be the better quality of fuel that we’re putting into our aircraft, which will elongate the lifespan of the aircraft’s engine.”

Perhaps the biggest benefit the trucks provide is their versatility. ”When the MQ-1s leave, these trucks can be used to dispense other grades of fuel,” Voigt said. “It has a filter vessel just like the R-11s do, and has a hose that can interface with a fighter aircraft, smaller aircraft, or helicopter. A lot of the training planes and helicopters have an open port fueling receptacle where basically you just stick the fueling nozzle in and issue fuel.”

Source: Air Combat Command

buglerbilly

26-04-12, 10:35 PM

Future nano-UAVs could collect ISR in heavily defended airspace alongside Raptors and F-35s

By: Dave Majumdar Washington DC

2 hours ago

Source:

The US Air Force could eventually develop swarms of nano-unmanned aircraft to conduct penetrating reconnaissance missions inside heavily defended airspace, but the service will rely on its stealthy fifth-generation fighter fleet to gather intelligence inside those areas for now.

"As you think about the A2/AD [anti-access/area denial] environment, I would offer that over the course of the last 10 years we been very good at operating in a permissive environment with airborne capabilities," says USAF intelligence chief Lt Gen Larry James speaking at an Air Force Association sponsored breakfast. "However if you think about the future conflicts that we may face, that is a non-permissive environment Frankly we may not have the ability, especially at the outset, to fly [General Atomics MQ-1] Predators or [MQ-9] Reapers."

That also applies to other non-stealth airborne intelligence collectors like the L-3 Communications RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.

©US Air Force

The USAF's Lockheed Martin F-22s and F-35s are probably going to be the only aircraft capable of gathering intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data inside those hostile environments, James says. Both aircraft have an array of sensors that make them extremely capable intelligence collectors.

The USAF's scientific advisory board and Air Combat Command (ACC) are currently working on how to use the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. That advisory board study should be complete by this summer, James says.

One of the major issues the two USAF organizations will examine is how to download the vast amount of data generated by the two fighters to intelligence analysts.

"Frankly, that is a hard question," James says. "How do you get the data off-board in that environment."

ACC will develop a roadmap based on the advisory board's conclusions on how to proceed with that the task of integrating the fifth-generation fighter fleet into the intelligence architecture, including the distributed common ground stations.

But ACC is already working on developing tactics, techniques and procedures for using the two stealth fighters in the ISR role, James says.

The USAF might also invest in standoff sensors that have the range to collect intelligence data from outside range of enemy defences. Other options include using more space-based collection systems or even cyber-based intelligence gathering efforts. It will probably require a combination of air, space and cyber-based collection to overcome A2/AD challenges though, James says.

But in the future there could be a new generation of penetrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

"Are there places for nano-UAVs that can be survivable or throwaway, networked small UAVs that can perhaps penetrate and operate for some period of time?" James says. "Those are things technologists need to look at."

buglerbilly

27-04-12, 03:05 PM

Machine Gun -Toting Quadrotor

Posted on April 27, 2012 by The Editor

Published on Apr 23, 2012 by FPSRussia

CLICK TO TWEET: http://clicktotweet.com/H73f8
FPSRussia Shirts: http://fpsrussia.spreadshirt.com/-C94489
Twitter: http://twitter.com/THEFPSHOW
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/FPSRUSSIA
Explosive Targets: http://redtargets.com/

Dmitri from FPS Russia’s latest video features a questionable prototype quadrotor with machine gun attached called ‘Charlene’. Charlene’s features include four quadrotors, a sub machine gun, 100-round magazine, top speed of 30 mph with altitudes of 1/2 mile high, 1st person camera and the ability to self destruct.The special effect-spiked video, found over at FPS Russia’s YouTube channel, shows what appears to be an AR. Drone Parrot wrapped in camouflage and loaded up with a heavy machine gun, blowing apart mannequins and then blowing up a car when it self-destructs.

That's NOT a Heavy machine gun, try a 9mm sub-machinegun or similar..........it could equally be a non-gun and only the Pyro makes it look good................I don't see any empty cases cascading to Earth either

FPS Russia is a popular YouTube channel run by Kyle Myers. On the channel Myers portrays Russian Dmitri Potapoff as he shoots things with a variety of weapons on his farm.

At the end of this video, Potapoff says:

‘It looks like the future is going to be fun, but if you can’t wait another 15 years, my friends are telling me that this baby might just be in the next Call of Duty game which would be the shit.”

Of course the whole production is just another viral video to promote the next Call of Duty video game…but it was enough to fool journalists at the UK’s Daily Mail, which ran a headline : “Death from above: Video of drones fitted with machine guns that could transform the battlefields of the future”….

Source: YouTube, and errrr, The Daily Mail

buglerbilly

28-04-12, 12:13 AM

Northrop CEO welcomes FAA regulation of unmanned aircraft

By: Zach Rosenberg Washington DC

2 hours ago

Source:

Northrop Grumman chief executive officer Wes Bush, speaking in Washington, DC, called regulatory participation 'indispensible' for integrating unmanned air vehicles (UAV) into national airspace.

"Nothing, nothing at all could happen on any useful scale absent a legal and regulatory framework that has to be agreed to by our elected leaders. Well, that's happened now," says Bush.

The most recent FAA reauthorization to pass Congress includes language directing the agency to establish six sites for testing UAVs in civil airspace and requests a report about how to incorporate them into all airspace.

"If you turn the clock back five or ten years ago, if I'd been asked to address unmanned systems in civil airspace, I probably wouldn't have much to say," says Bush. "We'd be speculating about regulatory hurdleswe'd be speculating about technology."

©IAI

"We'd also be speculating about, what would we do with these things?" he adds.

The six sites are expected to be operational by February, 2013. UAVs are supposed to be integrated into the national airspace by September, 2015.

Currently, UAVs are restricted to pre-cleared blocks of airspace, clustered around their operating locations, including military airfields and universities with test programmes.

buglerbilly

29-04-12, 05:09 AM

Northrop seeks easing of export controls on drones

Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:43pm EDT

* Northrop CEO Wes Bush draws parallels with restrictions on satellites

* CEO sees new "golden age" of unmannned aircraft

* Global unmanned plane market forecast at $94 billion

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The United States risks losing its current competitive edge in the unmanned aircraft market unless Washington acts soon to ease tough restrictions on their export for commercial use, the chief executive of Northrop Grumman Corp said on Friday.

Wes Bush, chairman and chief executive of the leading U.S. unmanned vehicle maker, lauded the Pentagon's recommendation last week to ease export restrictions on satellite technology, and said similar reforms were needed for unmanned vehicles.

He said U.S. export controls on satellites and components had spurred other countries to develop their own technologies, resulting in significant job and revenues losses in the U.S. industry, while shaving its share of the global satellite market from 75 percent to 25 percent.

U.S. executives have long pressed for relaxation of tough export controls on unmanned vehicles, but their concerns have grown more acute as companies step up international sales efforts to offset sharp declines in U.S. defense spending.

Bush told industry executives at the Aero Club of Washington that a similar situation could develop in the growing global unmanned aircraft market, which some experts have estimated to be worth $94 billion.

"The export restrictions that we are facing today are hurting this industry and America without making us any safer," Bush told the group. "They could cause the U.S. to relinquish its lead in these technologies to other nations based on their ability to meet global demand."

He also urged Congress to act quickly to implement the Pentagon's recommendations on easing export controls on satellites, although he said the long-awaited reforms came long after the "horse left the barn."

Bush, whose company builds the high-altitude, unmanned Global Hawk spy plane, a maritime version called Broad Area Maritime Surveillance or BAMS, and an unmanned helicopter called Fire Scout, said the United States was on the cusp of a new "golden age" of unmanned aircraft.

He said the recent law reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration marked a major milestone for the industry because it mandated the integration of unmanned aerial systems into the U.S. civil airspace no later than September 2015, replacing the current "extraordinarily onerous" restrictions on their use.

But he said there was still hard work ahead to assure the American public about the safety and utility of such aircraft, which could help monitor oil pipelines and railways, aid in natural disasters, and even gauge the moisture level in agricultural fields. Privacy concerns would also have to be addressed, he said.

U.S. companies dominate the current market, which is mainly focused on military aircraft, but it is difficult for them to sell their planes to other countries due to export restrictions, while other countries, unhampered by such rules, are ready and eager to rush in, Bush said.

"Today, the U.S. is struggling to sell unmanned aircraft to our allies while other nations are prepared to jump into this marketplace with both feet," he said. "I don't think we should kid ourselves about that."

More than 50 countries had already purchased surveillance aircraft, and the rush was clearly on to match U.S. capabilities, Bush said, adding, "We don't have a monopoly on good ideas."

Without quick action to ease export restrictions on U.S. companies that make unmanned aircraft systems, other countries would soon have a "clear advantage" in the market, he said.

Bush told defense analysts earlier this week that Northrop still believed there was a "robust" market for unmanned aerial vehicles, adding that he was happy with the breadth and capabilities of the company's portfolio of unmanned aircraft.

buglerbilly

30-04-12, 12:59 PM

Camcopter S-100 UAV completes Italian Navy flight

30 April 2012 - 9:52 by the Shephard News Team

Schiebel has announced that the Camcopter S-100 has become the first UAV to operate from an Italian Navy vessel. The UAV completed a flight from the ITS Bersagliere, a Soldati Class frigate, further consolidating the system’s position within the maritime rotary UAV sector.

The S-100 conducted the 4.5 hour flight from the Italian Navy Base of La Spezia. During the flight it successfully carried out a number of observation missions for observers from the Italian Navy, carrying a Wescam MX-10 camera payload, and transmitting high definition images in real-time.

According to Schiebel, the S-100 performed flawlessly in sea states three to four and with wind speeds of up to 25 kts. Feedback from the Italian Navy was reported to be ‘extremely positive’, and the company said it looks forward to assisting the navy with maritime operation opportunities in the future.

The S-100 has now successfully proved its maritime surveillance capability on 14 different classes of vessels in three oceans. To date, the Camcopter S-100 has operated on both military and civilian vessels at relative wind speeds of up to 40 kts and consequently its maritime capability has been successfully proved to various navies worldwide.

buglerbilly

30-04-12, 01:51 PM

AirMule to Fly with New Hydraulics

Posted on April 30, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by UrbanAero on Feb 13, 2012
No description available.

Urban Aeronautics will soon perform the first flight of an AirMule ducted fan unmanned aircraft system fitted with a double-redundant hydraulic system.

The enhancement will allow for uninterrupted rotor pitch control in the event of a failure to one of the pressure supply lines.

The new design underwent full power tests in mid-March, says company president Rafi Yoeli. These included self-induced failures to verify that the automatic failure detection and switch-over to the standby system was performed correctly by the on-board computers.

Yoeli says that a Controp D-Stamp stabilized electro-optical payload was also recently installed on the programme’s first prototype aircraft.

The sensor provides part of the AirMule’s auto-land system, which will enable the aircraft to guide itself to land over any high contrast marker in a combat zone. Where a landing site cannot be highlighted by placing a physical marker, a laser spot from an airborne designator could be used.

Urban Aeronautics plans to perform an automatic precision landing demonstration before the end of the year using a second prototype AirMule, which is now in production.

Powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2 940shp (700kW) engine, this will have a maximum take-off weight of 1,400kg (3,100lb) and offer an endurance of 5h.

The second prototype will also be used to perform a series of flights in southern Israel which, Yoeli says, will be open to viewing by potential customers.

Source: Flight Global

buglerbilly

30-04-12, 01:56 PM

Cliff Dodging in Iceland

Posted on April 30, 2012 by The Editor

Uploaded by Kickahobo on Jan 3, 2012

Flown with Dragon Link long range system
Dodging cliffs with an rc plane.

GoPro Hd hero2 FPV in Iceland.
Some people asked me to do this so I did.
Maybe next time I will try it do this inverted.. :)
I think it went alright

Plane: Bixler
2.4GHz 1000mw Tx (using 2.35)
Tx antenna:IBcrazy's half wave dipole
Rx antenna: 11dbi Omni from hobbyking
Turnigy Basic FPV goggles
GoPro HD Hero2 recording 60fps at 720p

Music: MTA by Kevin Macleod (Non- Copyrighted)

This scary video shows just what can be done with an amateur COTS system in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The pilot is known as ‘Kichahobo’, an FPV* fan from Iceland and the aircraft was flown with a Dragon Link long-range system  – a UHF** FHSS*** radio system for RC models. It operates over the 433mhz band at 500mW. The manufacturers claim that this band is legal in most countries for radio communication, and that it allows an extremely reliable and long-distance radio link. The Dragon Link system has been tested and flown to a range of 25 KM ( 15 Miles ) in a model airplane with a standard RC transmitter.

The video was shot with a GoPro HD Hero 2 recording 60fps at 720p.

Other Technical details:

■ Plane: Bixler from Hobby King
■ 2.4GHz 1000mw Tx (using 2.35)
■ Tx antenna: IBcrazy’s half wave dipole
■ Rx antenna: 11dbi Omni from Hobby King
■ Turnigy Basic FPV goggles

buglerbilly

30-04-12, 01:59 PM

First Russian Strike UAS Test Flight in 2014

Posted on April 30, 2012 by The Editor

Love the colour scheme.........NOT!

Russia will test fly its first domestically-produced strike unmanned aircraft in 2014, according to First Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Sukhorukov.

In February, Army General Nikolay Makarov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, said the drone would be first test flied in late 2012, a revision of the initial 2015 timeframe.

In early April, Russia’s Defense Ministry issued a technical specification for the development of the drone. The new aircraft is expected to have a modular structure and be able to carry various types of equipment and armament.

The Tranzas company will build the UAS on-board electronics as well as its navigation and control systems, while the airframe, which will weigh about five tons, will be produced by the Kazan-based Sokol design bureau. Russia’s Defense Ministry sealed contracts with Tranzas and Sokol worth an estimated 3 billion rubles ($101.9 million) in October 2011.

In late March, Russian Air Force commander-in-chief Colonel Gen. Alexander Zelin, told the Moskovsky Komsomolets tabloid that unmanned strike aircraft would enter service before 2020. He did not specify how many aircraft will be acquired.

Source: Ria Novosti

buglerbilly

01-05-12, 11:16 AM

Finland picks Orbiter 2 for UAS requirement

By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

20 minutes ago

Source:

Finland's defence ministry has selected Aeronautics Defense Systems' Orbiter 2 unmanned air system (UAS) for its operational needs.

A €23 million ($30 million) contract is in the final approval phase and is expected to be signed soon.

© Aeronautics Defense Systems
Finland will acquire a system from the Orbiter family of air vehicles

According to Finnish sources, the deal will include 55 mini UAS, with the acquisition aimed at giving the nation's armed forces a new surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability.

The final phase of the competition was between two Israeli-made systems - the Orbiter 2 and BlueBird's SpyLite.

The selected design has a 3m (9.8ft) wing span, 1m-long fuselage, and a 3.5h endurance up to an altitude of 18,000ft.

Maximum take-off weight is 9.5kg (20.9lb), with the air vehicle carrying an electro-optical/infrared sensor payload.

buglerbilly

02-05-12, 01:26 PM

Boeing delivers cross-domain technology to GA-ASI

01 May 2012 - 15:31 by the Shephard News Team

Boeing has announced that it has completed the first delivery of its tactical cross-domain technology, eXMeritus HardwareWall, to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI). The systems will be integrated into the Ground Control Station (GCS) of the Predator/Reaper UAV to improve the ability of intelligence analysts and warfighters to securely access videos and imagery from the MQ-1Predator and MQ-9 Reaper.

According to Boeing, the delivery is part of a contract from GA-ASI that includes additional deliveries of HardwareWall and associated information assurance and engineering support. The contract is part of the US Air Force’s GCS Modernisation Programme.

Predator and Reaper provide tactical and strategic intelligence to battle commanders in theatre, and the eXMeritus HardwareWall solution provides the fast, secure transfer of real-time information, enabling greater collaboration and information sharing across multiple secure networks.

The cross-domain capability is based on technology from Boeing eXMeritus HardwareWall that enables the secure transfer of information among networks operating at different security levels. eXMeritus HardwareWall is one of only a select number of technologies listed on the Unified Cross Domain Management Office Baseline, a list of validated solutions already certified and accredited by sponsoring agencies.

buglerbilly

03-05-12, 12:51 PM

Robotic Aircraft Lands Like a Bird

Posted on May 3, 2012 by The Editor

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have duplicated the control functions that allow birds to successfully perform a soft landing—in this case, perching on a human hand – as the video below demonstrates.

“We believe we have the first demonstration of autonomous/robotic flight of a bird-like micro aerial vehicle (MAV) perching on a human hand,” stated Soon-Jo Chung, an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Illinois.   Because the wings of ornithopters—birds or aircraft with flapping wings—are inherently capable of being reoriented, this capability can be used for controlling and manoeuvring the aircraft in a gliding phase, thereby eliminating the need for additional traditional actuators. Gliding is an effective way to conserve energy while soaring, descending, and landing.

“The driving philosophy behind the work is that the manoeuvrability and control efficiency of avian flight can be replicated by applying their actuation and control principles to advanced MAVs designed on the size scale of small birds,” explained Aditya Paranjape, a postdoctoral scholar working on this project. The result is based on his PhD thesis and a series of journal papers with Chung.

“We have developed an articulated-wing-based concept for an agile robotic aircraft inspired by birds,” Paranjape added. “Of all manoeuvres executed by flapping wing aircraft in a gliding phase, a perched landing is arguably the most challenging.”

Perching is routinely used by birds to land on objects such as tree branches, power wires, or building ledges. According to the researchers, there are two factors that make perching challenging to engineer: 1) the manoeuvre’s duration is very short, on the same order as the aircraft dynamics, and 2) a high level of position accuracy is required for a successful perched landing.

“Our aerial robot concept lacks a vertical tail for improved agility, similar to birds, which renders it dynamically unstable and exacerbates both of these factors,” Paranjape said. “We choose a perching manoeuvre to demonstrate the capabilities of our articulated-winged aircraft concept, novel guidance algorithms, and control design. In particular, the ability to perform perched landings on a human hand endows our robot with the ability to operate around humans.”

Published on Apr 21, 2012 by AeroboticsUIUC

Perching on a stationary target http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSctVKEwAGM

The work by Aditya Paranjape, Joseph Kim, and Soon-Jo Chung at the Aerospace Robotics and Control Lab, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Narration by Jenny Roderick at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The technical details of this work can be found in the following papers.
A. Paranjape, J. Kim, and S.-J. Chung, "Closed-Loop Perching of Aerial Robots with Articulated Flapping Wings," IEEE Transactions on Robotics, under review, 2012. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/sjchung/www/Paranjape12_perching_submitted.pdf

A. A. Paranjape, S.-J. Chung, H. H. Hilton, and A. Chakravarthy, "Dynamics and Performance of a Tailless MAV with Flexible Articulated Wings," AIAA Journal, vol. 50, no. 5, May 2012, pp. 1177-1188. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/sjchung/www/AIAAJflexnew.pdf

A. A. Paranjape, S.-J. Chung, and M. S. Selig, "Flight Mechanics of a Tailless Articulated Wing Aircraft," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, vol. 6, 026005, 2011. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/sjchung/www/dihedral_final.pdf

A typical perching manoeuvre consists of two phases—a gliding phase to bring the bird to a suitable position with respect to the landing spot, and a rapid pitch up (usually to a post-stall angle of attack) accompanied by an instantaneous climb and rapid deceleration. The researchers noted that the success of the manoeuvre can be severely impeded by the lateral-directional motion (yaw and roll), particularly when the perched landing has to be accomplished on a small surface such as an electric pole or a human palm. In the absence of a vertical tail, wing articulation is a promising capability that can be used for both longitudinal and lateral-directional control.

Chung, who joined the Illinois’ faculty in 2009, brought with him a vision for developing aircraft that mimic the autonomy and agility of bats. “There’s a lot to learn from bio systems,” Chung said. “Bats can fly with damaged wings. They are so agile and highly manoeuvrable; they can make rapid 180-degree turns autonomously and they can fly indoors without colliding with obstacles. These qualities are desirable for small aircraft that could be used in surveillance, particularly in urban settings where obstacles hamper movement and satellite control is blocked.”

The MAV project was funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Source: Engineering at Illinois

buglerbilly

04-05-12, 05:15 AM

Switzerland Eyes Israeli UAVs

By Robert Wall

Source: Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

May 01 , 2012

LONDON — The Swiss government has narrowed its source selection process for a new unmanned aircraft to the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 and the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron 1.

A flyoff is slated to take place in the second half of this year, with a type selection due in the first half of 2014. The system is to replace the Ruag Aerospace ADS 95 Ranger, which is reaching the end of its service life.

The purchase of the new system is slated to be part of the 2015 armaments spending plan.

Elbit and IAI have until August 2012 to submit detailed offers.

Switzerland is looking to use the system only for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, with no current plans to arm the unmanned aircraft. The system will be operated by the Swiss air force, which will be involved in the type selection along with Swiss armaments agency armasuisse.

buglerbilly

04-05-12, 10:21 AM

Imint Improves UAS Stabilisation with Simlat Synthetic UAS Simulation

Posted on May 4, 2012 by The Editor

Imint demonstrated high level capabilities of video stabilization using their Ihvertsoftware, connected to output of Simlat‘s high fidelity STAR .

Imint commented that by using Simlat’s advanced systems, a highly-realistic payload picture was presented with some extreme conditions, and thus they were able to display the wide range of capabilities of their Ihvert software.

Real-time situational awareness is essential in today’s highly asymmetrical conflicts. To meet this demand, every military force currently invests heavily in manned and unmanned aerial reconnaissance assets, with capabilities to transmit full-motion video around the clock directly to commanders and soldiers to support rapid and more accurate decision making.

Several factors can degrade the visual quality of an airborne surveillance system, such as vibrations, turbulence and bad weather. In the heat of a battle situation, this can lead to incorrect conclusions that could result in lethal action on noncombatants or missed threats leading to casualties. The Ihvert software compensates for the source’s environmental factors on the receiving side, resulting in a more stable picture which enhances video in real time and provides a crisp, stable picture that increases situational awareness – the outcome is improved operational effectiveness and saved lives.

“We were surprised by the impressive ability of Imint’s product in dealing with various difficult synthetic feeds, emphasizing its strength in use in real time situations; we had a very good experience working with Imint professionals’”, says Yuval Peshin, president at Simlat.

Harald Klomp, Managing Director at Imint, commented, “We were proud to work with Simlat Ltd, a renowned leader in the field of simulation and training systems and we are excited to provide an important piece of the puzzle in improving the relevant customers’ situational awareness.”

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

04-05-12, 10:27 AM

Drowning in Video, DoD Looks for High-Tech Help

May 03, 2012

Military.com|by Michael Hoffman

Real time video has become a staple of war. Whether it's the video recorded from a special operator's headset, a sensor mounted to a drone, or a robot disabling a roadside bomb, today's military commanders demand to see operations as they happen.

But the quantity and quality of the video is growing faster than servicemembers can keep pace with.

Right now, the Air Force has an airman assigned to watch every second of full motion video broadcast off its remotely piloted aircraft over Afghanistan. If the service that system after fielding a new sensor that can collect 65 additional angles of action on a battlefield it would run out of airmen. The Air Force would need 117,000 airmen dedicated to motion imagery exploitation, or roughly one-third of available troops, according to an Air Force study.

Computer programmers at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and private firms in Silicon Valley believe they are on the cusp of a series of considerable breakthroughs to solve this puzzle for the military.

U.S. Special Operations Command has already requested an additional $143 million from Congress to fund advances made in full motion video sensors. Air Force Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, vice commander of Special Operations Command, wants all of special operations' full motion video sensors aboard manned and unmanned aircraft to record high definition video.

Clearing up the static

Sean Varah, founder of Motion DSP, has developed video processing technology that can stabilize drone video imagery with a click of a mouse. The process can also clear up any haze allowing analysts to clearly distinguish different people in the picture.

Varah actually started his company to improve the quality of You Tube clips, but, he found that people posting videos of their cats playing the piano weren't eager to pay to improve the video quality. His company took a turn toward the military when the CIA contacted him about using the same technology to salvage video confiscated in intelligence raids.

The Ikena ISR software created by MotionDSP allows analysts to improve the resolution in the video and make it easier to extract intelligence, such as a license plate number or the type of clothing a person is wearing.

Varah said he expects the demand for this type of software to increase as the military moves from standard to HD video collected by sensors found on drones.

"As the video quality improves, so will the expectations for it," he said.

Military commanders want the intelligence in real time, Varah said. Any delay is considered unacceptable.

"They don't want to wait for someone to restructure a video. They just don't have the time. They want it now, if not sooner," Varah said.

Drowning in video

Improved video quality is not the only advancement making its way to the full motion video realm. A deluge of video is about to wash over ground commanders and intelligence agencies with the introduction of Wide-Area Motion Intelligence sensors.

The Air Force has already introduced one of the new sensors, called Gorgon Stare. The sensor has experienced many problems as its deployment to Afghanistan was repeatedly delayed, but it provides a new capability the military has not had. Its successor, the ARGUS, will take WAMI sensors to the next level, imagery experts said.

The WAMI sensors film the ground differently, taking in a large field of view. In fact, the ARGUS can film up to 100 square kilometers at once. From those 100 square kilometers, the cameras film 65 different angles within that frame of view from which airmen and soldiers can pick.

As the Air Force study pointed out, the services can no longer afford to assign a pair of human eyeballs to each feed. DARPA has assigned multiple teams to tackle the problem.

DARPA computer programmers have set forth to develop a "Video and Image Retrieval and Analysis Tool" that would allow intelligence analysts or ground teams to type in what they want the software to find in a real time video, then alert them when it appears. For example, airmen could set it to notify them whenever a person walks out of a targeted compound or someone is digging next to a road.

The program also allows analysts to search a video to find these specific events. An analyst can replay a suspicious activity or quickly find out how often an event is happening; for instance, when and how frequently a truck pulls up to a compound.

The focus is not only video collected by airborne sensors. DARPA is also working on a program to teach a computer to recognize actions seen in video collected by ground sensors set up by Army and Marine Corps scouts.

James Donlon runs the Minds Eye program for DARPA and said the key is teaching a computer to recognize verbs.

"We've come a long way in recognizing objects, but the next challenge is the verb," Donlon said at the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement's Full Motion Video for Defense Summit. "We want it to recognize the verb and then provide an English language descriptive."

Programming teams from universities and the private sector have made major strides forward but challenges still remain. Donlon and his team have set out a list of 7,676 verbs they want the software to recognize -- actions such as "pick up," "dig" and "run." In the program's second year, Donlon wants to see the software recognize the actions with more consistency.

Reliability is one of the largest factors of the Minds Eye program because ground commanders have to trust the software enough to not assign a soldier to watch cameras doing the vital work of protecting the unit's perimeter, Donlon said.

"We want to relieve units of tired eyeballs, but we have to do it the right way and make sure commanders have confidence in what we are doing," he said.

© Copyright 2012 Military.com. All rights reserved.

buglerbilly

05-05-12, 12:57 AM

Video: High-Speed Plunge Transforms Robo-Copter Into a Plane

By David Axe May 4, 2012 | 12:00 pm

Uploaded by theworacle on Aug 15, 2011

Aerovel has released this video of the Aug 11, 2011, transition between vertical and horizontal flight by its Flexrotor vertical take-off and landing small unmanned aircraft. The flight included a hover and vertical recovery. Flexrotor has been designed by the same people who developed the Insitu ScanEagle long-endurance small UAV and is designed for fully automatic vertcial take-off and recovery and an edurance of more than 36 hours. Launch and retrieval is from a portable fold-out rig with widely spaced parallel bars to support the wings.

Very clever! I like this one..........

The U.S. Navy has doubled down on an effort to build a hybrid flying robot that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like an airplane. The Flexrotor, under development by the Office of Naval Research and the Aerovel Corporation in Washington State, represents at least the fourth attempt to duplicate the skills of the crash-prone V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, but without the Osprey’s design flaws.

On April 30, the Navy awarded Aerovel a second development contract to improve the Flexrotor’s engine and remote controls. The ultimate goal is to develop a version of the ‘bot equipped with sensors and capable of operating from small ships. “With Flexrotor, the two biggest benefits to sailors and Marines would be the ability to do extended maritime surveillance from a ship, and to do so with a small footprint,” said ONR’s John Kinzer.

As depicted in the video above, the Flexrotor takes off vertically like a helicopter, propelled by its roughly five-foot, tip-mounted rotor. Once it climbs high enough, small winglets pop out of the robot’s tail end and it tips over and dives, transferring lift from its rotors to its 10-foot-wide wing mounted in the middle of the tube-shaped body. The rotor becomes a propeller, and Flexrotor cruises along like any conventional airplane. The first drone’s first test transition between copter and plane modes took place in August.

What the Flexrotor achieves with its daring transition maneuver, the Bell-Boeing V-22 accomplishes with rotating, wingtip engine nacelles. Pointing the engines up allows the 57-foot-long Osprey to take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Pointing them forward transforms the V-22 into an airplane for high-speed cruising.

But design compromises such as short rotor blades (to allow the Osprey to fit aboard ships) and delicate, high-horsepower engines (to compensate for the short blades), plus the unique aerodynamics of the tiltrotor concept, have plagued the $65-million craft. Thirty-seven people have died in a series of high-profile Osprey mishaps. Despite the dangers, 200 or so V-22s are slated for production on top of the nearly 200 already in service.

The military and industry have made other attempts to match the V-22′s vertical-flying abilities and high speed, but without the Osprey’s liabilities. The Piasecki Speedhawk and Sikorsky X2 are experimental helicopters with rear-mounted pusher rotors to boost their top speeds. The Pentagon is looking at a tiltrotor with wider rotor blades and safer engines as a possible replacement for today’s helicopters. The Flexrotor’s dive-and-transition concept could work for robots, but is unsuitable for a manned aircraft.

Plus, the Flexrotor is not without its own risks, as ONR pointed out. “The propeller needs to be big enough to provide sufficient lift to take off vertically, yet small enough to be efficient while in horizontal flight,” the agency reported. “The flight controls must provide powerful and precise control in vertical takeoffs and landings and efficient, low-drag control in forward flight. Perfecting both the rotor and other flight capabilities requires a constant balancing act among power, efficiency and weight.”

buglerbilly

07-05-12, 12:58 PM

Fraunhofer Institute UAS Swarm in 3D

Posted on May 7, 2012 by The Editor

They can be deployed as additional surveillance resources during major events, or as high-resolution 3D street imaging systems. Intelligent swarms of aerial drones are a universally useful tool for police, crisis managers and urban planners. Special 3D sensors developed by Fraunhofer researchers ensure flawless aerobatics and prevent collisions.

Like a well-rehearsed formation team, a flock of flying robots rises slowly into the air with a loud buzzing noise. A good two dozen in number, they perform an intricate dance in the sky above the seething hordes of soccer fans. Rowdy hooligans have stormed the field and set off flares. Fights are breaking out all over, smoke is hindering visibility, and chaos is the order of the day. Only the swarm of flying drones can maintain an overview of the situation. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a kind of mini-helicopter, with a wingspan of around two meters. They have a propeller on each of their two variable-geometry side wings, which lends them rapid and precise maneuverability. In operation over the playing field, their cameras and sensors capture urgently-needed images and data, and transmit them to the control center. Where are the most seriously injured people? What’s the best way to separate the rival gangs? The information provided by the drones allows the head of operations to make important decions more quickly, while the robots form up to go about their business above the arena autonomously – and without ever colliding with each other, or with any other obstacles.

A CMOS sensor developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg lies at the heart of the anti-collision technology. “The sensor can measure three-dimensional distances very efficiently,” says Werner Brockherde, head of the development department. Just as in a black and white camera, every pixel on the sensor is given a gray value. “But on top of that,” he explains, “each pixel is also assigned a distance value.” This enables the drones to accurately determine their position in relation to other objects around them.

The distance sensor developed by the IMS offers significant advantages over radar, which measures distances using reflected echoes. “The sensor has a much higher local resolution,” says Brockherde. “Given the near-field operating conditions, radar images would be far too coarse.” The flying robots are capable of identifying even small objects measuring 20 by 15 centimeters at ranges of up to 7.5 meters. Moreover, this distance information is then transmitted at the very impressive rate of 12 images per second.

Even when there is interfering light, for example when a drone is flying directly into the sun, the sensor will deliver accurate images. It operates according to the time-of-flight (TOF) process, whereby light sources emit short pulses that are reflected by objects and bounced back to the sensor. In order to prevent over-bright ambient light from masking the signal, the electronic shutter only opens for a few nanoseconds. In addition, the sensor also takes differential measurements, in which the first image is captured using ambient light only, a second is taken using the light pulse as well, and the difference between the two determines the required output signal. “All of this happens in real time,” adds Brockherde.

The 3D distance sensors are built into cameras manufactured by TriDiCam, a spin-off company of Fraunhofer IMS. Jochen Noell, TriDiCam’s managing director, admits: “This research project has presented us with new challenges as regards ambient operating conditions and the safety of the sensor technology.” The work falls under the AVIGLE project, one of the winners of the ‘Hightech.NRW’ cutting-edge technology competition which receives funding from both the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU. The IMS engineers will be presenting their sensor technology at the Fraunhofer CMOS Imaging Workshop in Duisburg on June 12 and 13 this year.

Conducting intelligent aerial surveillance of major events is not the only intended use for flying robots. They could also be of benefit to disaster relief workers, and likewise to urban planners, who could utilize them to produce detailed 3D models of streets or to inspect roofs in order to establish their suitability for solar installations. Whether deployed to create virtual maps of difficult-to-access areas, to monitor construction sites or to measure contamination at nuclear power plants, these mini UAVs could potentially be used in a wide range of applications, obviating the need for expensive aerial photography and/or satellite imaging.

Source: Fraunhofer Institute

buglerbilly

08-05-12, 05:19 AM

Pilotless planes project begins test flights over Irish Sea

Astraea prototypes follow programmed instructions, with the aim that they could fly missions autonomously for days at a time

Dan Milmo, industrial editor guardian.co.uk,

Monday 7 May 2012 16.05 BST
It was last modified at 00.07 BST on Tuesday 8 May 2012.

BAE makes Typhoon jets, which require pilots to fly. Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

BAE Systems has taken a step closer to removing pilots from fighter jets by launching the first major test flights for a new generation of intelligent drone aircraft.

The defence group is assessing software for unmanned aircraft that will operate with an unprecedented level of independence. Defence experts believe pilotless planes are the next progression from manned fighters such as the Typhoon jet, made by BAE.

The project, named Astraea, differs from the current drone models in use in Afghanistan, which are flown remotely by pilots on the ground. Instead the prototypes will follow a set of programmed instructions, with the aim that they could fly difficult missions autonomously for days at a time.

BAE is using a conventional aircraft – an 18-seater Jetstream propeller plane – for the flights over the Irish Sea and will have technicians on board. The Jetstream will fly autonomously during some tests but there will be a pilot at the controls at all times, ready to take over if there is a problem.

The tests will include a collision avoidance trial, using a light aircraft that will gauge the plane's ability to dodge potential hazards. A BAE spokesperson said: "This will demonstrate to regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority and air traffic control service providers the progress made towards achieving safe routine use of UAVs [unmanned air vehicle] in UK airspace."

The test flights started at the beginning of the month and will run until September, and are taking place in controlled airspace. The Astraea programme is run by a consortium whose members include BAE and other UK companies such as Cobham, Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce. Thales, the French defence and security group, is also a member.

Edward Hunt, a senior consultant at IHS Jane's, the defence analysis firm, said the argument for intelligent, unmanned aircraft was compelling. "There are some doubts as to how many more generations of manned aircraft there might be. There could be one or two more, but you can make these planes smaller and more robust without someone onboard. Also, of course, you reduce the likelihood of losing crew."

However, Hunt said technical and legal hurdles remained. "Giving them any autonomy is going to be complicated in terms of technical developments, such as the software, and legally allowing a fighter without a human being in it to launch a weapon and kill someone," he said. BAE executives have already stated that "there has to be a man in the loop" when combat drones operate, ruling out the possibility of a computer deciding whether to take a life.

BAE has already built a number of UAV prototypes including the Mantis, for civilian missions such as rescue searches, and the Taranis, a weaponised cousin. Neither will reach the mass-manufactured stage but are being developed at BAE's Warton facility in Lancashire.

BAE expects to build widely used unmanned aircraft with France's Dassault under an Anglo-French defence pact. The project, dubbed Telemos, aims to produce an eight-tonne, twin-propeller surveillance aircraft by 2016. Underlining the plane's monitoring role, the programme is named after the Cyclops of Greek mythology that warned of an attack by Ulysses.

The drone will be designed to carry laser-guided bombs. Dassault has estimated that the companies will invest €500m (£403m).

buglerbilly

08-05-12, 01:18 PM

Benefits Of Nuclear UAVs

By Bill Sweetman

Source: Defense Technology International

May 01 , 2012

In March, Sandia National Laboratories released a summary of research it had conducted with Northrop Grumman's unmanned systems division concerning an “ultra-persistent propulsion and power system” for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The conclusion was that UAVs could be built with longer endurance and lower operating cost than with hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel, creating “unmatched global capabilities to observe and preempt terrorist and weapon of mass destruction activities.”

An earlier Sandia study concluded that such a UAV could be tested within a decade. It will not be, because it is nuclear-powered, and politics make it impossible. But the technical and operational case is powerful.

Non-solar-powered UAVs, such as Boeing's hydrogen-fueled Phantom Eye and Aurora Flight Sciences' Orion, are expected to deliver multi-day endurance. But they cannot carry large payloads or provide much electrical power, and are slow, so have to be forward-based. They are also restricted to propeller propulsion, which makes stealth unattainable.

The Sandia-Northrop activity is linked to studies of nuclear-powered UAVs in the U.S. Air Force that started in the mid-1990s, not long after the Advanced Airborne Reconnaissance System, a conventionally powered long-endurance stealth drone planned in the 1980s to track Soviet mobile nuclear missiles, was terminated.

Sandia was heavily involved by 2001. A paper from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments noted that Sandia's Special Projects Department had proposed an “extremely long-endurance vehicle (ELEV)” or “air-breathing satellite.” The ELEV could fly at 70,000 ft. and stay on station for six months to a year with up to a 5,000-lb. payload. According to Sandia, building a modern nuclear-turbojet engine “would not be an R&D project,” the CSBA report stated, “but rather an engineering development effort that could culminate in a flight test within a decade.”

Boeing's Phantom Works was involved with the design of the nuclear UAV, a high-subsonic, blended-wing body. Propulsion was based on concepts that emerged from the Airborne Nuclear Power (ANP) program of the 1950s, which was intended to lead to a strategic missile carrier that would remain on continuous airborne alert for a week or more. It combined two turbojet engines with a reactor. ANP looked at two designs: “direct cycle,” in which the engine airflow cooled the reactor; and “indirect cycle,” in which a liquid-metal coolant carried heat from the reactor to the engine.

The 2000-era UAV enjoyed three advantages over ANP, which struggled to reach a performance level where the aircraft could fly. Two stemmed from the fact that it was a UAV, which could take advantage of the propulsion system's endurance. Planners envisioned features such as magnetic engine bearings to eliminate oil. Importantly, more than half the weight of the ANP propulsion system was radiation shielding, which could be reduced in a system that would not run at full power near humans. (In the Sandia studies, the engines burned jet fuel for takeoff and landing.) A USAF study of a Global Hawk with a nuclear engine indicated it might need only 2,700 lb. of shielding.

The third advantage was improved reactor technology. Air Force interest in ELEV coincided with the winding-down of the Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion technology program, in which Sandia was also involved. SNTP started in 1987 as the Strategic Defense Initiative Office's Project Timberwind, aimed at producing a nuclear-thermal rocket (developing thrust by superheating hydrogen) for a missile interceptor, but was canceled after the Cold War. A Timberwind rocket engine would have incorporated a particle bed reactor (PBR), with some designs weighing as little as 2,000 lb., using carbon-carbon and ceramic-matrix composites.

New reactor designs are safer. They “would only hurt you if they fell on you,” it has been suggested, because of specially fabricated and shielded fuel elements and robust “poison” systems to perform an emergency shutdown. It is not known whether a PBR or a different modern reactor technology was the basis for the ELEV concept or the Sandia-Northrop Grumman study, which covered eight heat sources, three power conversion systems, two dual-cycle propulsion systems and an electrical generation system. However, it was stated in 2001 that the propulsion system would power the aircraft while delivering several hundred kilowatts to onboard radar, communications and electronic attack systems. Conventional turbine engines optimized for range and fuel consumption and sized for typical UAVs struggle to deliver 50+ kw at altitude.

Not that any of this matters. Politically speaking, the answer to the Louvin Brothers' musical challenge of the 1950s—“Are you ready for that great atomic power?”—is a resounding “no,” particularly in a UAV.

buglerbilly

09-05-12, 01:02 PM

Electronic Magnetic Interference Test for US Navy’s UCLASS Aircraft 10 Times That of Manned Aircraft

Posted on May 8, 2012 by The Editor

Most aircraft slated to go onto aircraft carriers have to go through an electronic magnetic interference test that bathes the design in about 200 volts per meter.

But the test platform for the Navy’s unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (Uclass) aircraft programme, will have to endure 10 times the electronic stress.

An X-47B test aircraft is being prepared for its move into the anechoic chamber at NAS Patuxent River, Md. It must be able to survive and operate in an environment of a stunning 2,000 volts per meter.

Undoubtedly that means the Navy wants a design for its unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) aircraft program that would be able to fire a permanently installed, rechargeable, anti-electronics weapon. Such a high-power microwave device could be used at close range against enemy systems – such as sophisticated, long-range air defenses – without damaging the UCLASS system’s own electronics.

“We will spend the better part of this spring doing electromagnetic compatibility testing,” says Capt. Jaime Engdahl who represents the unmanned combat air system demonstration (UCAS-D) program. “Does [the future unmanned carrier-launched surveillance and strike system (UCLASS) aircraft] have to be the [X-47B size]?” he says. “It was developed under the JUCAS program and was sized for an internal weapons bay to carry 4,500 lb. of weapons and some electronic warfare weapons.”

Congress is already weighing in on the Navy’s future unmanned strike options. A draft defines authorization bill keeps four major contractors – General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing – alive in the hunt for the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike System (UCLASS) until 2016, stipulating that the program remain in the critical design review phase until that time.

Right now the Navy’s unmanned strike aircraft programme is proceeding with two Northrop Grumman X-47B test aircraft. One (AV-1) is at NAS Patuxent River, Md. being readied for electro-magnetic interference (EMI) testing before beginning an autonomous aircraft carrier landing program. It is to demonstrate the very first carrier-based catapults and arrested landings in 2014.

The other (AV-2) is at Edwards AFB, Calif. in a flight test program and will eventually be used to autonomously find and rendezvous with two tankers, Engdahl says who provided an update on the unmanned combat air system demonstration program. That will be followed by an approach, a plug-in and the receipt of 3,000 lb. of fuel. One tanker will have a Navy probe and drogue refueling system. The other will have an Air Force type boom refueling system.

Source: Aviation Week

buglerbilly

09-05-12, 01:07 PM

US Department of Defense Buys Pixels, Not Planes

Posted on May 9, 2012 by The Editor

Arcturus T-20

The US military can’t buy enough unmanned aircraft systems to suit imagery-hungry combat commanders. Procurement programmes are harder than ever to start in these days of ever-tightening defence budgets. And using a 20thCentury defence acquisition system to buy 21st Century technologies often means getting too little too late too expensively anyway. What is the solution ?

Don’t buy planes, buy pixels — as the U.S. military is doing from companies offering a service best described as “rent-a-drone.” It may be too soon to call rent-a-drone contracts a trend, but they’re a solution both the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) have turned to in recent weeks to get intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability in a hurry. Those involved say it’s a new business model that’s generating considerable interest in the unmanned aircraft industry.

Such contracts aren’t entirely new. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. pioneered the business model, which it calls “pixels by the hour,” flying its ScanEagle UAS for the Marines before and during the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004. Insitu employees deployed with the Marines to fly the missions. SOCOM and NAVAIR have awarded Insitu similar contracts for ScanEagle services once each in the years since. But as the variety and capabilities of UAS proliferate, buying imagery instead of the systems that produce it may be an ever more attractive option for the armed services, and new players are entering the market.

“We’ve been the only ones who’ve been providing this fee-for-service up until this year,” said Ryan Hartman Senior Vice-President for Business Development at Insitu. With ScanEagle approaching 600,000 combat flight hours in such rent-a-drone missions, however, “Other companies have recognized that this must be a viable market and they’re following us.”

Jeff Brody, Vice-President of Business Operations for unmanned aircraft systems at AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, a unit of Textron Inc. which was a winner in both the SOCOM and NAVAIR awards, said Defense Department interest in the fee for services structure is growing.

“Within DoD there is a recognition that you don’t always have to own the system. It doesn’t always have to be a GOCO model — government-owned, contractor-operated,” Brody said. “It can be a COCO – contractor-owned, contractor-operated — so it reduces the operating costs for the military.”

SOCOM awarded AAI a three-year contract April 11 to fly its Australian-built, catapult-launched Aerosonde Mark 4.7 UAS on ISR missions for special operations overseas. The Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems II contract, valued at just under $600 million, resembles a $250 million deal Insitu has had since 2009 to fly missions for SOCOM with its ScanEagle, also catapult-launched.

“They basically give us a mission,” Brody said, “then we’ll go out and perform that and then deliver the required material.” Brody said he wasn’t at liberty to discuss what types or the number of missions AAI might fly for SOCOM, but $600 million clearly would cover more than a few hours of video. “We’re building inventory and we go live with our SOCOM customer June 1,” he said.

Five days after the SOCOM award, NAVAIR included AAI, Insitu and CSC of Falls Church, Va., in a “multiple award contract” worth up to $874 million total over five years, under which the companies will compete to fly ISR missions for the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. AAI offered its Aerosonde, Insitu the ScanEagle and CSC the T-20, another catapult-launched UAS, built by privately held Arcturus UAV of Rohnert Park, California.

“Each new task order that we compete, the companies will be vying for that task order,” explained Mike Shutty, Principal Deputy Program Manager for the NAVAIR programme office in charge of the programme, PMA-263 Navy & Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS.

The companies will provide not only the UAS but also personnel to fly them, shifting the risk for reliability, repairs and replacement of lost aircraft from the military to the contractors. ”People in the past have always used the term ‘leasing,’” Shutty said. “We are not leasing anything here. Leasing implies that you take custody of something. All we’re really doing is buying an imagery product from a vendor.”

Selecting three companies that will compete to fly missions rather giving a long-term award to single company, as in NAVAIR’s earlier fee for services deal with Insitu, was a new wrinkle imposed “from on high within DoD,” Shutty explained. “They want to maximize the amount of competition. The thinking is, if you do a multiple award contract and you compete these various different task orders, you hopefully will get the best value to the government each and every time, versus being locked into a single vendor and a single system.”

The contract gives NAVAIR’s Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force customers three UAS sizes to choose from. The Insitu ScanEagle’s maximum takeoff weight is about 42 lbs., the AAI Aerosonde’s is about 70 lbs. and the CSC/Arcturus T-20′s is about 185 lbs. All three generally carry either a daylight or infrared video camera. The T-20 has hard points under its wings that can carry a variety of other payloads as well, and has been displayed at a trade show with MBDA Inc.’s SABER (Small Air Bomb Extended Range), a 10- to 30-lb. guided bomb, hung under its wing.

“We carry all manner of payload, both internally and externally,” said Arcturus’s senior applications engineer, Steve Smith.

Under the NAVAIR contract, though, the deciding factor on any given task order, won’t be simply size, capability or cost but an assessment of “best value,” Deputy Program Manager Shutty said.

The missions covered by the NAVAIR contract are divided into sea-based and land-based. Insitu and AAI were approved to fly both types while CSC was approved only for land-based task orders. The Arcturus T-20 offered by CSC, Shutty said, is “unproved at this point. They haven’t really flown it or used it in combat in any way, shape or form, but it certainly shows potential.”

As under the existing contract with Insitu, most sea-based missions will likely involve providing ISR for DDGs — guided missile destroyers — which typically operate on their own rather than in battle groups and usually have no helicopter for airborne ISR, Shutty said. DDGs typically use UAS for general sea surveillance and anti-piracy missions and to check out target ships before Visit Board Search and Seizure operations, he added.

The Marines in Afghanistan have been the biggest user of land-based ISR services under NAVAIR’s previous contract with Insitu, Shutty said, and the Air Force has used contractor-flown ScanEagles for base perimeter security there as well. Demand for such services obviously should decline quickly as the Marines withdraw from Afghanistan and U.S. combat operations wind down. The Marines also don’t figure to be major customers for the rent-a-drone program after 2014, when they expect to start fielding their new Small Tactical UAS, or STUAS, known as the RQ-21A Integrator, which Insitu is developing for them.

Shutty said he wasn’t sure if fee-for-services deals for UAS operations are a trend. “It is simply a means of very quickly filling ISR capability gaps anywhere around the world, certainly much faster than trying to do some kind of a program of record,” he said. He also doesn’t know if it’s cheaper for the military to buy and operate their own UAS or to take the COCO route.

“There’s a big argument on that,” Shutty said. “There’s no easy way to do an apples to apples cost comparison between a service and procurement because there are so many different variables there. What we do know is that, in terms of flexibility and very quickly meeting an urgent need, we believe this is the way to go. It takes quite a long time to get through a program of record because you have very strict acquisition policies that you have to follow.”

The uncertainty of the military ISR fee for services market may be one reason Insitu, like AAI, is also now positioning itself to offer UAS services to civilian customers, once the Federal Aviation Administration opens civilian air space to unmanned aircraft, as required by a new law beginning in 2015.

Source: AOL Defense

buglerbilly

10-05-12, 11:06 PM

Israeli Company Leads Development Of Tethered Surveillance UAVs

By David Eshel

Source: Defense Technology International

May 01 , 2012

David Eshel•Tel Aviv

After establishing themselves as leaders in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, Israeli manufacturers are expanding to a new surveillance field—tethered hovering platforms.

These are lightweight, readily deployable devices that provide persistent surveillance on land or at sea. Data can be transmitted down to a nearby ground station or, via integrated data links, farther away.

A new company called Sky Sapience has unveiled HoverMast (see photo, p. 26). Equipped with four thrusters and a central fan for lift and stabilization, HoverMast lands without the need for additional recovery systems and comes in a small container that can be quickly installed on a vehicle.

With the push of a button, the container opens, and HoverMast ascends 50 meters (164 ft.) within 15 sec. Gabriel Shachor, a retired Israeli air force brigadier general, formed Sky Sapience with a group of engineers. It works with another Israeli company called Controp, which manufactures sensors that can be installed on HoverMast for missions. The 10-kg (22-lb.) platform carries 9-kg payloads.

HoverMast is primarily for military surveillance, observation and target acquisition, as well as deployment of communications gear, communications intelligence and other electronic devices. But it is also described as an affordable application for border surveillance, urban security, crowd control and other civil uses.

The platform has a coaxial counterrotating ducted fan for lift, with four thrusters for station keeping, maneuvering and stabilization. The cable tether provides power and a wide-band data link. Payloads consist of electro-optic sensors, laser designators, radar or signals intelligence sensors. Data is transmitted to remote users or through the tether data link to a base station.

HoverMast gets its power from the vehicle it deploys from, and is designed so that personnel who are unfamiliar with such drones can readily operate it.

Sky Sapience developed HoverMast in response to a requirement by Israel's defense ministry for a lightweight tethered hovering platform. The system was one of several concepts evaluated by the ministry's research and development directorate (DDRD), which selected HoverMast as prime developer of the technology. Under a partnership with DRDD, Sky Sapience designed the platform and conducted prototype flight tests.

Sky Sapience also has a strategic partnership with G-Nius Unmanned Ground Systems Ltd., whose Guardium-LS multi-purpose, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle was selected for integration with HoverMast. Other applications include the Zibar light reconnaissance vehicle from IDO off-road industries.

Shachor says HoverMast compares favorably with the telescopic masts mounted on surveillance vehicles, offering faster response, lighter weight and the capability to operate on the move. Moreover, the platform alleviates the need to operate from horizontal surfaces and is less sensitive to wind gusts. In the stowed position HoverMast folds into a compact 72-cm-dia. (28.3-in.) container that can be carried on the bed or roof of manned or unmanned vehicles, or on small naval craft.

The development of HoverMast follows that of another hovering drone: the Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP) from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which is somewhat larger and carries a 20-kg payload.

ETOP also takes off, hovers and lands without special landing and recovery systems. It can be deployed from a static or moving ground vehicle or station. ETOP is the first of a line of hovering platforms being developed by IAI for military and civil applications. It has four ducted rotors in a configuration with enough space for payloads at the center of gravity. These could be IAI's MiniPOP or MicroPOP electro-optical stabilized payloads or lightweight ground-surveillance radars. Electric power for the propulsion system, sensors, flight control and communications are fed from the ground through the tether, which extends 100 meters. Hovering time is limited by the ground platform's energy-storage capability.

Companies outside Israel are working on similar systems. One such is Bertin Technologies of France, which offers the HoverEye vertical-lift drone. This comes in two configurations—light and heavy. The 0.5-meter-dia., 70-cm-high model is 4 kg, and carries 0.3-kg payloads on 10-min. missions as far as 1,000 meters (500 meters beyond line of sight), at 20 kph (12.4 mph.).

The heavy version weighs 10 kg, is 70 cm in diameter and 110 cm high, and lofts 1-kg payloads on 20-min. sorties over 5 km (1 km beyond line of sight). Both use electric propulsion.

HoverEye has automatic and semi-automatic flight modes and auto-pilot, auto-hovering and obstacle avoidance. The system is equipped with day/night imaging sensors and mission-specific payloads such as bio-chemical sniffers, communications gear and improvised explosive device detection sensors.

buglerbilly

12-05-12, 11:39 AM

Pentagon Issues Drone War Talking Points

By Spencer Ackerman, May 11, 2012 | 4:08 pm

A Grey Eagle drone prepares for takeoff at Camp Taji, Iraq, 2010. Photo: U.S. Army

It’s official: the U.S. drone war over Pakistan, Yemen and beyond really does exist. John Brennan, President Obama’s principal counterterrorism adviser, disclosed the government’s worst kept secret in a Washington speech last week. So now the Pentagon has to talk about it. Kind of.

A memorandum for the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s public-affairs shop provides talking points for military mouthpieces to discuss the secretive war in public. Its bottom line: yes, you can say there is a drone war — but don’t say much more about it.

“We are not in a position to comment on specific classified operations or specific areas of the world in which we engage in such operations,” the talking-points memo instructs public-affairs officers to say.

Much of the rest of the memo instructs those officers to recapitulate Brennan’s few disclosures: “the United States Government conducts targeted strikes against specific Al-Qaeda terrorists, sometimes using remotely piloted aircraft, often referred to publicly as drones.” That line is a quote from Brennan’s speech.

There is no advice given to officers who receive questions about precisely what laws govern the undeclared drone war. Nor is there instruction about discussing the standards by which they can target American citizens, like the al-Qaida propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki, killed by a drone strike in Yemen in September, or Awlaki’s 16-year old American-born son, killed in another strike shortly thereafter.

Pose those questions, or similar ones, to the Pentagon, and this is what you’re supposed to hear in response: ” Mr. Brennan discussed why targeted strikes against Al-Qaeda terrorists using remotely piloted aircraft are legal, ethical and wise.” He actually didn’t, though. Brennan simply asserted that the strikes are legal, ethical and wise.

Ask about civilian casualties caused by the drones — something Brennan has denied and/or minimized — and the response will be: “These technologies conform to the laws of war by precisely targeting a military objective while minimizing collateral damage, including the loss of innocent life.” (Source? John Brennan.)

Bizarrely, the public-affairs memo undermines the very purpose of Brennan’s April 30 speech: the disclosure of the drone program. “There is nothing new here,” the memo instructs officers to say. “Attorney General Holder, State Department Legal Advisor Koh and DOD General Counsel Johnson have already described the legal authorities which allow the U.S. to use lethal force against Al-Qaeda.”

Again: sort of. All those officials have indeed asserted that those authorities exist, usually pegged to the September 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force that Congress quickly approved after the 9/11 attacks. But congressional Republicans have (correctly) pointed out that the vague Authorization was written before the targets of many drone strikes even existed, like al-Qaida’s Yemeni offshoot. When they suggested passing a new congressional authorization to update the law, the administration resisted it. And it’s also resisted releasing a key Justice Department document explaining the Obama administration’s legal reasoning behind killing Awlaki.

But get used to the non-explanations embedded in that memo. Even with al-Qaida in rough shape around the world, the U.S.’ global counterterrorism campaign — reliant on drone strikes and commando raids — shows no sign of relenting. “As long as [al-Qaeda] franchises threaten the United States,” Obama’s deputy national security adviser, Denis McDonough, told Danger Room on Friday, “we’re going to stay on the offense.”

buglerbilly

12-05-12, 11:55 AM

S-100 Drones Aboard the Patrol Vessel L’Adroit

(Source: French Navy; issued May 10, 2012)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The Camcopter, seen here with French naval aviation markings during recent trials, will sail aboard the French Navy’s new OPV, L’Adroit, on its first operational cruise. (French MoD photo)

On May 2-3, the reception flights for the S-100 Camcopter drone, also designated Serval, took place aboard the offshore patrol vessel L’Adroit. They confirmed the system’s overall performance, and renewed the operating clearances of the operators from the CEPA/10S squadron.

The first phase of the Serval user trials, which will be carried out by CEPA/10S in cooperation with DGA’s flight test department, will begin on May 10, when L’Adroit will sail on its initial fisheries patrol mission.

During this cruise, evaluation flights will be carried out using the Thales AGILE2 electro-optical sensor ball. They are intended to confirm the performance of the integrated system, to define the flight envelope of the unmanned aircraft, and to validate and refine procedures for drone operations in a shipboard environment.

-ends-

buglerbilly

12-05-12, 12:39 PM

Brazil – Avibras Falcão First Flight Set for July

Posted on May 11, 2012 by The Editor

Brazilian firm Avibras is concluding final assembly of the prototype of the ‘Falcão’ [Falcon], the first domestic aircraft in the 800-kilo class, used for surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, and sensor tasks, among other missions. The Falcão will have its inaugural flight before July.

The Falcão’s frame is made of carbon fibre, guaranteeing a lighter vehicle and increasing the space in which it can carry fuel and sensors. With an autonomous flight capability of over 15 hours, this UAS is configured to carry a package of electro-optical equipment, a ground mobile target detection radar, and a satellite communications link. The aircraft will have an operational range of up to 1,500 kilometers.

Brazil has already invested approximately 60 million reais (31.77 million dollars) in the Falcão, which is supported by the three branches of the Armed Forces and by the Research and Projects Financing Agency (FINEP), a Brazilian government agency that promotes research and development. The electronics on board the UAS, as well as part of the navigation and control systems, the frame, and the aircraft’s mission systems integration are 100-percent domestic.

Avibras expects that the Armed Forces will define the requirements this year for the UAVs they aim to purchase, in order to begin the production phase of the project, compliance testing, and certification. The firm was also informally consulted about the vehicle’s characteristics, estimated investment, and production schedule for the first batch.

The development of these unmanned aircraft is on the list of priorities of the administration’s new national defence policy. The competition for bids to purchase the vehicles by the Armed Forces has not yet been launched, but the intention is to acquire three types of vehicles: mini-UAS weighing three to five kilos and with a range of up to five kilometers for short-range reconnaissance; 800-kilo UAS capable of 15 to 20 hours of operation for reconnaissance, surveillance, and patrols; and strategic UAS weighing over 1.5 tons for long-duration missions of over 20 hours.

The Falcão can also be integrated into the Astros II system (zone saturation rocket launchers), also manufactured by Avibras, by supplying a significant increase in situational awareness for batteries deployed on the terrain, in addition to massively increasing the system’s effectiveness in destroying the designated targets.

Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

buglerbilly

14-05-12, 12:35 PM

UK Robotics Research Gets £16M Boost

Posted on May 14, 2012 by The Editor

UK research to develop smart machines that think for themselves will receive a £16 million boost thanks to a major partnership between the government and industry.

This research includes safe ways of monitoring in dangerous environments such as deep-sea installations and nuclear power plants, ‘nursebots’ that assist patients in hospitals, and aerial vehicles that can monitor national borders or detect pollution.

Speaking at the official opening of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory at the University of the West of England, Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, will announce funding for 22 exciting university-based research projects in the UK. Led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and an eight-strong group of partners, the investment has over £4M in support from industry. This will include access to specialist laboratories, equipment, expertise and advice on commercialisation and industrialisation. The partners are BAE Systems, Schlumberger, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), Sellafield Ltd, Network Rail, SCISYS, DSTL and the UK Space Agency.

Robotics research and the development of intelligent autonomous systems, such as unmanned aircraft, are vital to many major UK companies, emerging industries, and SMEs, from advanced manufacturing to oil and gas exploration, nuclear energy to railways and automotive, healthcare to defence.

Autonomous and intelligent systems are capable of independent action in dynamic, unpredictable environments. They interact with each other and humans, using sensors to learn from their environment, adapting their behaviour and making choices based on their immediate and stored knowledge and experiences.

Mr Willetts said: “Robotics and autonomous intelligent systems are areas of science in which the UK has world class expertise, but to reap the full benefits for the economy and society we need to get better at applying the technology to industry. This £16 million investment will bring together leaders from the research base and business to develop systems for a range of important sectors, from transport to aerospace. In addition, I have asked EPSRC, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Technology Strategy Board to organise a roundtable to discuss the future of UK research in this area.”

Professor David Delpy, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) which is funding the projects, said: “These technologies can help us in many practical ways, for instance, using unmanned air or land vehicles to monitor emergency situations like disasters or to carry out maintenance inspections. But the research will also look at how people and systems interact and help develop further our understanding of how knowledge can be acquired and used independently by machines that learn.”

Commenting on behalf of the six industry partners, James Baker, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Advanced Technology Centre, said: “It is vital for the universities to work with industry to drive these technologies forward as autonomous and intelligent systems are going to be an integral part of our infrastructure and society in the near future. As partners we hold a shared goal to improve the generic technology in the field so that it can transfer and benefit many industries and sectors.

Examples of the project work to be funded:

■ Building vehicles with legs. The University of Bristol will look at how visual information is used to adapt to changing terrain and environment by studying how humans behave via head-mounted cameras. This could speed up the development of vision control for land-based vehicles with wheels or legs.
■ Accessing Hazardous Environments. The University of Oxford will explore how multi-unmanned vehicles can be coordinated to act together to perform different tasks and intelligently navigate without access to aids like GPS. This work can have applications in areas such as remote inspection in hostile environments, autonomous urban driving, defence, logistics, security and space robotics.
■ Improving Human Autonomous Systems interaction.The University of Bath is to test different models of information gathering, communication and decision-making between humans and autonomous systems with the aim of improving reaction speed, safety and reliability.
■ The self-drive submarine. Kings College London plan to demonstrate how Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), performing inspection and investigation missions, can cooperate and pool information to achieve success when communications are intermittent and external control restricted, this could apply to space or other hostile environments. The team will focus on finding ways to address uncertainty and changing conditions, how plans can be modified and how sensor data is perceived and interpreted.
■ Improving Automated, Intelligent maintenance. Cranfield University extends research in novel sensing, e-maintenance systems, and decision-making strategies. The integration of sensor-based in formation in geographically dispersed and less structured environments poses challenges in technology and cost justification which will be addressed for rail, aerospace and industrial applications.
■ Novel Sensing Networks for Intelligent Monitoring.Newcastle University plan to develop a revolutionary autonomous, intelligent condition/structural health monitoring system with specific applications for railways and Non-Destructive Evaluation for nuclear applications.

Photo: BAE Demon

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

15-05-12, 01:00 PM

05-13-2012 18:33

KAI vs KAL

Army officers display the country’s first unmanned aerial vehicle, Songgolmae, in a military display in 2009. The drone was built by Korea Aerospace Industries. / Korea Times file

Army's drone project attracts two bitter rivals

By Kim Tae-gyu

Korea’s two major players in the aerospace industry are pitted against each other for a government order to build unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will accept bids for its UAV program later this month under which the winner will be provided 100 billion won over the next five years.

Korean Air (KAL), the nation’s flagship carrier, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are expected to stage a fierce competition to win the contract, which experts say would involve more than the immediate amount of money announced.

``As people become more wary of human casualties, the military has no choice but to increase its reliance on unmanned operations with UAVs,’’ a source familiar with the issue said.

``In other words, the 100 billion won contract is merely a starting point. Whoever wins is expected to see follow-up deals from the military, predicted to be much bigger.’’

The geographical features of Korea are also seen as one of the major reasons why the war drones are significant here as approximately 70 percent of the country is mountainous.

Both KAI and KAL have strengths to brag of as far as the drones are concerned.

The former came up with the country’s first UAV from its own technology in the early 2000s, called Songgolmae (peregrine falcon), which is currently used by the Army.

This has a range of 200 kilometers and sends real-time data on movements on lands. KAI has claimed that it catapulted Korea to become one of 10 nations to have their own drones.

``We are the only player in Korea with the experiences of developing and operating UAVs. We are ready to add more advanced features to Songgolmae to come up with far better models,’’ a KAI official said.

KAL also has artillery in the fight against KAI as the company developed a surveillance UAV, the KUS-7, in 2007 and upgraded it to the KUS-9 two years later.

The first model’s flying time was only three hours with a range of some 50 kilometers. But the next drone’s capability jumped substantially to an eight-hour flight capacity and real-time data transmission. The 150-kilogram vehicle can fly at a maximum speed of 210 kilometers an hour.

In addition, it beat KAI in 2008 in the bid for a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV project.

Another merit of securing the government deal is the business potential outside Asia’s fourth-largest economy as the world competes to embrace futuristic ideas across the board.

According to global consultancy Teal Group, the world’s UAV market has more than doubled during the first decade of the new millennium from $2.4 billion in 2000 to $5 billion in 2010.

The figure is estimated at $6 billion for this year and is projected to further rocket to top the $11 billion mark in 2020 with the vast majority of the demand coming from the military.

Some expect that around half of all fighter planes will be unmanned in around two decades, providing great growth potential for the aerospace industry that has complained of market saturation.

``From the perspective of aerospace companies, battle drones have emerged as future cash cows to boost their bottom lines for quite a long time,’’ the anonymous source said.

``Neither KAL nor KAI can afford the luxury of losing the UAV project. It is kind of a winner-take-all situation and the two will be desperate to be the victor.’’

voc200@koreatimes.co.kr

buglerbilly

16-05-12, 01:44 PM

Brican TD100 Prepares for Take Off

Posted on May 16, 2012 by The Editor

Brican Flight Systems Inc. is set to reveal the TD100 series of advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Ontario Centres of Excellence’s Discovery 2012 conference held May 14 and 15 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

“Our mission is to deliver superior quality digital information, providing scientists a “unique perspective” into their fields of research through a distinct, safe and affordable aerial platform that can gather a variety of remotely sensed data,” said Brian McLuckie, president of Brican Flight Systems. “This is an exciting time for Brican and the Ontario aerospace industry as we strive to gain market share and establish a new leadership position in global markets for UAS technology.”

The technological advantage of the Brican aircraft lies in its low weight of 35 pounds and useful payload of 20 pounds, while staying within the Transport Canada regulated maximum weight limits of 55 pounds. Sensor payloads are accommodated within the aircraft structure that can include: high resolution digital still imagers, HD video cameras, hyper spectral scanners, infra-red cameras, weather sensors and magnetometers.

Its light weight and advanced aerodynamic design make the Brican TD100 extremely efficient. Powerplant variants include a multi-fuel engine (“M” model) that uses a mere 0.4 liters of fuel per hour, permitting the UAV to fly in excess of 25 uninterrupted hours, exceeding the flight times of traditional research aircraft.

An electrically powered version (“E” model) can currently stay aloft for up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. This electric version will be used to evaluate new fuel cell technologies, potentially extending flight times and resulting in a lighter carbon footprint. Near silent while in operation, the Brican TD100 is able to fly as low as 300 feet, lower than conventional aircraft.

These long endurance, low altitude and quiet operational characteristics combine to allow the Brican TD100 to capture and deliver high resolution data and images, perfectly suited for unobtrusive wildlife surveillance.

“The Brican TD100 team represents over 75 years of combined aviation expertise,” says McLuckie. “Our team has built the TD100 UAV to be very cost competitive while being able to deliver superior mission-critical results.”

The TD100′s first official mission will be conducted in June 2012 when the operations team, working with Dr. David Bird of McGill University and assisted by funding from the Richard Molson Foundation, will conduct wildlife studies on Canadian Military Base Goose Bay, Labrador where they will capture digital images compiling caribou herd counts and helping to establish the welfare of the animals.

Source: Press Release

buglerbilly

19-05-12, 01:01 AM

Predator demonstrates sovereign payload capability

18 May 2012 - 14:04 by the Shephard News Team

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA ASI) has announced that along with Selex Galileo and Cobham, the Predator UAV has carried out a Sovereign Payload Capability Demonstration (SPCD) at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facilities in Palmdale, US. The demonstration is a significant milestone for the company’s operational independence and open payload architecture goals for the Predator UAV.

GA-ASI said that the event included a live flight demonstration over the Pacific Ocean of a GA-ASI Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper UAS fitted with a Selex Galileo Seaspray 7500E surveillance radar and showcased the radar’s ability to track targets on land, in the littoral and maritime environments, and from air-to-air. Officials from the US Air Force, US Department of Homeland Security, and the Ministries of Defence of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands were in attendance for the flight.

GA-ASI and Selex Galileo are conducting the SPCD as a joint Independent Research and Development (IRAD) effort to ‘prove the concept and architecture for a fully certified Predator B incorporating a separate mission management system that supports the independent and cost-effective upgrade of future sovereign payloads’. GA-ASI performed the software and hardware modifications to the Predator B system to implement the open payload architecture, while Selex Galileo delivered the radar and supported the integration work. Cobham provides support to UK airworthiness procedures and through-life support as GA-ASI’s teammate in the UK responsible for whole life support arrangements for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) MQ-9 Reaper UAS.

According to GA-ASI, initial testing of the new architecture was completed in September 2011, demonstrating the ability to host third party-developed payload control software on existing airborne and Ground Control Station (GCS) processors. The SPCD is the first phase in the flight demonstration process, with future phases envisioned to demonstrate systems integration independent of GA-ASI’s involvement.

buglerbilly

19-05-12, 01:04 AM

X-47B UCAS programme gathers pace

17 May 2012 - 15:33 by the Shephard News Team

The US Naval Air Systems Command has revealed that the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) programme is set to reach a number of important milestones this summer, with the first flight scheduled to take place at Pax River Naval Air Station, and the second vehicle due to arrive from Edwards Air Force Base.

The X-47B is the first unmanned vehicle designed to take off and land on an aircraft carrier. As part of the programme’s demonstration, the X-47B will perform arrested landings and catapult launches at Pax to validate its ability to conduct precision approaches to the carrier. The base is one of only a few sites in the world where the Navy can run performance tests on aircraft-carrier catapult operations at a land-based facility with flight test and engineering support resources not available on a ship.

The X-47B aircraft has already performed taxi testing at Pax River to validate the overall reliability of the system; as well as undertaking tests to determine the aircraft's ability to catch an arresting wire on an aircraft carrier.

Like manned aircraft, the air vehicle is scheduled to begin six weeks of electronic vulnerability testing at the Naval Electromagnetic Radio Facility (NERF). This test verifies there are no electrical disturbance, signal, or emission issues that cause an undesired response or malfunction of a subsystem or component.

After completing standard ground tests and system check-outs, the programme anticipates several major milestones, beginning with first flight.

buglerbilly

19-05-12, 02:21 PM

May 18, 2012, 6:15 p.m. ET.

Could We Trust Killer Robots?

A drone may never have a sense of morality, but it might perform better than a human soldier in sparing the innocent.

By TARA MCKELVEY

Northrup Grunmman
The X-47B, the Navy's prototype for an unmanned strike plane. The aircraft may eventually be able to set off on a flight plan, identify targets and fire weapons.

In the year 2015, somewhere over the tribal territories of Pakistan, an American MQ-9 Reaper drone patrols a complex "kill zone"—an area of terrorist activity in which large numbers of civilians are also present. But on this mission, the drone isn't piloted from afar. It's on its own.

The aircraft moves closer to gather information about a potential target. Infrared cameras, heat sensors and other tools of surveillance determine whether the target is indeed a militant, examining, for instance, whether he seems ready to attack. The drone's computer system ranks the suspect on a scale from -1 (a noncombatant) to +1 (a confirmed combatant). Having determined that no children or other civilians are in the vicinity, and that everything else is in order, it chooses a weapon and fires. It then assesses the damage and either fires again or, if the enemy is dead, continues its patrol.

Science fiction? Not according to Ronald Arkin, the director of the Mobile Robot Lab at Georgia Tech.

Since 2006, with support from the U.S. Army Research Office, Dr. Arkin and his colleagues have been working to develop features for a new generation of smart weapons: robot drones that are capable not only of carrying out pinpoint attacks but of deciding on their own when it is permissible to fire on a particular target. Dr. Arkin wants to create "lethal autonomous systems" that operate in strict accord with the laws of war.

The U.S. isn't anywhere close to deploying such self-directed "Terminator"-like robots. "I do not see any program going down that path," says Dyke Weatherington, deputy director of unmanned warfare for the Defense Department. "There are legal and ethical issues," he explains, "and I just don't think either the [Defense] Department or the technology is ready to do that."

Could a machine ever be capable of making the practical and ethical decisions demanded of American troops in the field? Dr. Arkin thinks so. In fact, his work has been motivated in large part by his concerns about the failures of human decision-makers in the heat of battle, especially in attacking targets that aren't a threat. The robots "will not have the full moral reasoning capabilities of humans," he explains, "but I believe they can—and this is a hypothesis—perform better than humans."

Dr. Arkin's killing machine, or at least the imaginary one in a video about his research, looks like an MQ-9 Reaper, the remotely piloted drone aircraft that the U.S. has used to kill terrorists in Pakistan and other countries. But this aircraft would have complete autonomy to hunt down enemies and kill them, restricted by the laws of war as laid out in the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties. If the machine determined that a military strike was permissible, it would attempt to minimize suffering by using the least powerful weapon needed to knock out the target.

Georgia Tech
Hypothetical scenarios, such as one in which a target is located near a medical facility, allow Dr. Arkin's team to test the discernment capabilities of unmanned drones.

In Dr. Arkin's video, the imaginary Reaper zeroes in on a convoy of militants in a kill zone and discovers that they are near a hospital. Its duty is to attack the convoy, but it is not permitted to damage a hospital. It resolves the conflict by using a less powerful weapon than usual—one that will destroy the convoy, as a narrator explains, but leave the hospital "unscathed."

Since Dr. Arkin started his project in 2006, the role of automated weaponry in wartime has expanded dramatically. Assaults by unmanned aerial vehicles in Pakistan have increased from two strikes in 2006 to 70 strikes in 2011, according to the Washington-based New America Foundation. An April article in Aerospace America, a publication of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, reported that military spending on unmanned aerial systems has increased almost 10 times over the past decade.

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The drone searches through its choice of available weapons and weapon release positions for a combination that can satisfy its military obligation while striving to minimize civilian and collateral damage. Above, the inner circle depicts that area that would sustain structural damage if the weapon was released at its center. The second circle shows the area in which striking the target is most likely. The outer circle depicts the area in which non-combatants are in harm's way.

But the term "unmanned aerial vehicle" is a misnomer, since roughly 160 people work on a typical Predator mission. Faced with drastic cuts in the military budget, commanders have been working hard to reduce the number of personnel who are assigned to these missions. Army officials have become particularly intrigued by the development of "optionally manned systems," according to Aerospace America, including one for Blackhawk helicopters.

In some areas of warfare, fully automated systems already exist. The Army's C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar) system, for example, which is used to protect American bases in Afghanistan, can fire on its own, using its six-barrel gun to blow up incoming mortars. For its part, the Navy has a prototype for an unmanned strike plane, the X-47B, which looks like a gigantic matte-gray flying saucer, with a 62-foot wingspan. Developed by engineers at the Northrop Grumman Corporation, it has gone on test flights and may eventually be able to set off on a preprogrammed flight plan, identify enemy targets and fire weapons. As one military official told Popular Mechanics, the aircraft is as "autonomous and as self-sufficient as a naval aviator."

As these weapons have become more sophisticated, the strategic and ethical questions about them have grown more urgent.

Critics fear that fully automated systems would clear the way for more warfare, some of it unnecessary, and would create an environment that is dangerous not only for terrorists and insurgents but also for civilians who happen to be in the way. Wendell Wallach, a scholar at the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, has drafted a proposal for an executive order for President Barack Obama that would set limits: "Machines should not be making 'decisions' that result in the death of humans," he writes.

Other critics insist that the practical questions faced during wartime are simply too complex to be handled by a robot, even one carefully programmed to follow the laws of war. Which may explain why Dr. Arkin's most recent paper on the subject is titled "Overriding Ethical Constraints in Lethal Autonomous Systems." It concerns those instances when it would be necessary to "override" the program of his "lethal autonomous system" in the name of targeting a crucial bad guy—or sparing an innocent.

—Ms. McKelvey, a 2011 Guggenheim fellow, is the author of "Monstering: Inside America's Policy of Secret Interrogations and Torture in the Terror War."