|
Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) are becoming a most
essential element in modern military operations. Under current
'transformation' programs, C4ISR means are being distributed to all
every operational level, beginning in the individual soldier, tank
and aircraft which are being connected via seamless communications
through all command levels. This network centric warfighting
capability is becoming a major advantage derived from 21st century
military modernization and transformation plans, currently evaluated
by the US armed forces (FCS,
Land Warrior), British (FRES /
FIST),
French (BOA/FELIN), and other armies.
Unattended and unmanned sensors as being developed as
part of these futuristic programs. Among these systems are various
robotic and autonomous ground vehicles, unattended ground sensors
and unmanned aerial vehicles. Unmanned systems are are becoming an
essential element of these programs, providing real-time
intelligence at the various levels. At Eurosatory 2004, several new
UAVs were unveiled, especially smaller systems designed for
dismounted low-echelon operations. Among the new systems displayed
here were the Merlin
(by Sagem), Skylark
(RAFAEL), and the
Cybereye,
Bushmaster and
Parasight (Cyberflight),
and Aladin,
Mikado and
BirdEye 500 (IAI).
Other models offer vertical take-off and landing capability, they
can also maintain a position for an extended period of time over a
target area, where continuous watch is required. These systems are
particularly suitable for urban warfare, as they can maintain a
position over a target, street or in front of a window, to provide
valuable intelligence from such scenes. Among the systems on display
here were the US
M-65/85 (TAG)
FanCopter (EMT), and Odin
(Sagem) and HoverEye, dveloped by Bertin. Much larger systems, are
also under development, including Northrop Grumman's and the Bell
Tilt-Rotor XV-15.
Among the unattended ground sensors seen on display
were the Terrain
Commander (Textron), which can also be associated with a
weaponized Spider
weapon system, and various autonomous robots, from the IAI
Guardium and
Robowatch's OFRO, through
the combat proven PackBot
(iRobot), IQBOT (Qinetiq)to
the futuristic unmanned
vehicles considered within the French
BOA program. An
interesting new idea was an autonomous sensor / load carrier,
Vipere, presented as
part of the Thales future systems display.
|
