Aeronautics will also be showing several versions of the Orbiter, an electrically powered Orbiter MUAV measures about one meter in length and sustains an operational endurance of up to 4.5 hours, utilizing enhanced wing extensions. A larger configuration currently in development will have mission endurance of 7 hours, carrying the new T-STAMP multi-sensor payload developed by Controp. The Orbiter is designed for operating at altitudes up to 18,000 feet. The company has recently announced a teaming agreement with US based AAI Corporation, (an operating unit of Textron Systems), to market the Orbiter Mini-UAV (unmanned air vehicle) system jointly to U.S. and select international customers, including Israel, under foreign military sales. Among the smallest Israeli micro UAVs making their debut at the Paris Air Show is the Micro-Falcon I, designed for carrying and operation by a single operator. Weighing 6 kg, MicroFalcon on display here carries the MicroBat 275 electro-optical payload developed by Bental Industries.
Israeli Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Platforms at the paris Air Show
Two Israeli companies are showing MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Platforms) UAVs. Israel Aerospace Industries is displaying the Heron TP, currently being evaluated by a number of European countries for strategic ISR roles. Heron TP is the largest UAV built in Israel to date. With maximum takeoff weight of 4650 kg, the 14 meter long aircraft is designed to operate at altitude of 40,000 ft and carry over 1,000 kg of mission payload sensors. The aircraft is equipped with multiple datalinks, supporting line-of-sight (LOS) and satellite communications. Aeronautics Defense Systems is unveiling the twin-engine ‘Terminator II’ long endurance UAV that can carry payloads up to 400 kg weight, based on an unmanned version of the D42 custom built by the Austrian Diamond Aircraft company. The 1.785 ton twin-engine unmanned aircraft is designed for maximum operational ceiling of +30,000 ft. and mission endurance of 28 hours. It is equipped with triple redundant avionics, line of sight and satellite communications systems. The unmanned D42 is fitted with four different cameras providing remote operators and pilots full situational awareness.
Several companies are unveiling here systems developed for these MALE UAVs – RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems is introducing a new reconnaissance payload designed for UAV, providing highly detailed, wide area coverage in visual and Infra-Red (IR) spectral bands. Carried by MALE UAVs, such as Heron TP, Reaper, Heron or Predator, Rafael’s RECCE-U payload can operate simultaneously and independently of the platform’s other payloads, enabling operators to increase UAV mission utility without increasing sortie rate. The platform is certified for flight under all weather conditions. RADA is unveiling at the airshow a new family of UAV avionic systems, designed for small, medium and large UAVs. The company displays its distributed avionics architecture, comprising engine and payload interface controllers, electrical power management and engine control units, supporting comprehensive and scalable UAV applications. RADA is also introducing the MAVINS, its latest ‘All-in-one Modular Avionics and INS’ (MAVINS) weighing only one kilogram, and designed for small and compact platforms.
Hermse 450B (Watchkeeper) – Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 is the mainstay of Israel’s Defense Forces UAV force. The same model is currently supporting British forces in Afghanistan. The British forces will also employ a modified version known as Watchkeeper, developed in cooperation with Thales UK. A new member of the Hermes family of UAVs is making debut at the exhibition. Hermes 90 is designed for close-range class UAV system, supporting tactical, mobile land forces with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services in day or night as well as under restricted weather conditions. The Hermes 90 uses the new MicroCompass multi-sensor payload developed by Elbit Systems.
Elbit Systems Unveils Hermes-90 at the Paris Airshow
Elbit Systems Ltd. unveiled today its newest UAV,Hermes-90. Among the main features of the Hermes-90 are high survivability, long endurance of up to 18 hours, mission range of up to 100 kilometers, and varied payloads integration capability. Equiped with wheels or sleds, the unmanned aircraft can be launched and recovered using different methods, including launching by an integral launcher for point launch and recovery on non-prepared surfaces without using any dedicated ground equipment. The compact and lightweight system can be carried onboard two tactical utility vehicles and is operated by a two or three-person crew. The system includes an advanced Ground Control Station (GCS) for monitoring and controlling the mission, mounted onboard one of the field class vehicles.
The system enables full integration with any C4I system, for fast imagery dissemination as well as easy coordination among the operational forces in the field. The UAV accommodates the MicroCoMPASS, a new type of lightweight multi-sensor payload, developed at Elbit Systems. It comprises a color CCD day camera, 3rd generation cooled thermal imaging system and a laser marker. Micro CoMPASS electro-optic payload can also include a laser range finder or a laser designator.
U.S. Southern Command Evaluates the role of UAVs in Counter Drug Operations
U.S. agencies operating along with Salvadoran authorities are evaluating the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a SOUTHCOM component based in Key West and charged with overseeing counter illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
In May 2009 the task force evaluated how a UAV can be inserted and utilized for its missions. As part of Operation Monitoreo the task force operated a Heron MALE UAV provided by Israel Aerospace Industries’ subsidiary Stark Aerospace and Raytheon. Other regional UAV trials currently planned, include the use of AeroVironment Aqua Wasp and Puma All Environment water-recoverable small, unmanned aircraft during the upcoming Panamax 2009 multinational exercise. The Navy also intends to deploy the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout shipborne vertical-takeoff-and-landing UAS to the region later this year. US Special Operations Command will deploy Boeing A-160T helicopters equipped with Forester foliage-penetration radar, attempting to locate drug laboratories through the rain forest canopy.
During the recent evaluation the Heron flew 10 sorties accumulating over 100 flight hours. None of the missions that Heron flew resulted in a drug bust, although the UAV did investigate suspected targets. The aircraft and its support crew occasionally worked cooperatively with manned platforms supporting the same mission. Heron was used to investigate suspected targets spotted by E-2C Hawkeyes operating from the CSL, and in one instance, the UAV even handed over a suspected target to Salvadoran Cessna-337 patrol aircraft for further monitoring.
The information recorded during the evaluation will be included in a final assessment and available to SOUTHCOM, Defense Department and other U.S. interagency decision makers, considering the use of UAVs to support future U.S.-led counter drug air operations in the SOUTHCOM area of focus. The Heron employs advanced sensors commonly found in maritime surveillance aircraft including, a multi-mode radar, infrared and electro-optical surveillance payloads, automatic vessel identification system (AIS), and satellite communications datalink. The aircraft can also operate SIGINT equipment to locate and track wireless communications devices. These capabilities are comparable, or even surpass those maintained by the various manned aircraft currently supporting counter drug operations in the region, including the E-2 Hawkeye, P-3 Orion, HC-130 Hercules and E-3 Sentry.
The task force is operating from forward bases in the region, known as ‘cooperative security location’ (CSL) – also known as a forward operating location (FOL) – responsible for overseeing U.S. counter drug air operations in the Central American region. In 2008, working with El Salvador and other regional partners, the CSL directly contributed to the seizure of 80 metric tons of illicit drugs in the Central American region. As of April 24, the CSL has also contributed to 83 metric tons interdiction in 2009 by Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a SOUTHCOM component based in Key West and charged with overseeing counter illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S)
AeroVironment, Inc. has been awarded a $5 million contract to develop a Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S) under a DARPA program. This small, stealthy UAV will be designed for close-range surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The basic platform will also combine the mission-adaptable perch-and-stare observation modes. DARPA has already received five early model SP2S vehicles used for initial military user evaluation (LTE). In the current phase, 10 additional systems will be delivered.
Israel Air Force to Deploy a New Video Recorder & Data Server from RADA
RADA is unveiling the latest mission data recorder model developed by the company and selected to equip the Israel Air Force first line fighters – the Video Recorder & Data Server System (VRDS), introducing cutting edge approach to video and data recording and mass-storage management onboard combat aerial platforms. RADA’s VRDS has been accepted as the sole source for flight recorders for the vast majority of the Israel Air Force aircraft. The systems are currently being integrated on F-15 models A/B/C/D/I, F-16 models C/D/I, C-130, T-6, and more. Production deliveries will begin later this year. The new system has more memory capacity, more processing power, Gigabit Ethernet channels support and enhanced functionality. With more powerful processing supporting highly efficient video compression (MPEG-4/H.264), VRDS also supports a wide range of services beyond mission data recording. These include functions of an avionic Data Server and the traditional Data Transfer Equipment (DTE). The system also supports data encryption provisions, employing a data cassette with autonomous secure erase capabilities.
IAI/Elta has unveiles TASCAN targeting pod
IAI/Elta has unveiled the TASCAN Electro-Optical targeting pod for fighter aircraft, thereby complementing its EL/M-20600 Radar Targeting Pod (RTP) which uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for that purpose. Sofar Elta’s RTP has been offered along with the Litening EO targeting pod produced by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. IAI’s pursuit of an independent program could mark a departure from this cooperation. The TASCAN is slightly longer, compared to the Litening, comprising the new EO outfit provided by IAI/Tamam. According to IAI sources, the new targeting pod employs the latest in EO/IR technology, and uses a gimbaled platform carrying the EO sensors. The TASCAN sibling, RTP comprises SAR/MTI radar design, relying on a radar transceiver operating in the Ku Band. Inter-pod cooperation is possible, in which for wide area search, the RTP is employed in either SAR or Moving Target Indicator (MTI) mode, and as potential targets are spotted, the RTP queues the EO pod for investigation and target acquisition. The SAR can also provide targeting data under no-visibility conditions.
Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S)
AeroVironment, Inc. has been awarded a $5 million contract to develop a Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S) under a DARPA program. This small, stealthy UAV will be designed for close-range surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The basic platform will also combine the mission-adaptable perch-and-stare observation modes. DARPA has already received five early model SP2S vehicles used for initial military user evaluation (LTE). In the current phase, 10 additional systems will be delivered.
Pentagon’s unmanned systems spending Tops $5.4 billion in FY2010
U.S. spending on unmanned systems has steadily increased since 2001. In the next budget request the department of defense is seeking an increase of almost $870 million, more than 18.4 percent over the $4.53 billion spent this year. Last year the Pentagon spent $3.9 on UVS; Spending on unmanned systems has increased 37.5 percent over the past two years.
Among the UVS programs supported in the next budget, the procurement includes: five RQ-4 Global Hawk UAVs ($608 million) and 24 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs ($489 million.) They will be spending $2.13 billion, buying 36 Predators ($651 million), 704 Raven Small UAVs ($79 million) and $609 million will be spent RQ-7 Shadow tactical UAV system modifications. The Army is also planning to spend $125.6 million on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). These are included as part of the Future Combat Systems brigade combat team modernization program, for which the several new robots are being developed – including the iRobot Small UGV and Lockheed , working on the multifunction utility logistics equipment (MULE) UGV.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are buying about $1 billion worth, about 80% is directed for research and development. The procurement budget will total about $180 million, including 11 RQ-7 Shadow UAV systems and 517 Ravens for the Marines, while the Navy will acquire five MQ-8 Fire Scout UAVs for $77.6 million.
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will also receive about $50 million to sustain operations of Reaper, Predator and Small Tactical UAS (STUAS).
Boeing Submits Proposal for USMC Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Demonstration
The U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory is evaluating new means to resupply forward units, among the systems to be evaluated is the A160T Hummingbird developed by Boeing under a DARPA program. “The Marines have identified an urgent need for unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver supplies in lieu of putting trucks and personnel on dangerous roads,” said John Groenenboom, A160T program manager for Boeing. “The A160T was designed from inception, as a Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with significant payload-carrying and high-altitude-operation capabilities, so we are confident in its ability to meet the requirements of this critical mission.” The A160T has a 2,500-pound payload capacity. Under the demonstration, Boeing will demonstrate the Hummingbird capability to deliver 2,500 pounds of cargo per day from one simulated forward-operating base to another, in fewer than six hours per day for three consecutive days. The autonomous unmanned aircraft can cruise at a speed exceeding 140 knots hover , and has demonstration hovering capability at an altitude of 20,000 ft.
The Hummingbird will also be used by the U.S. Special Operations Command plans, for the evaluation of the Forester foliage-penetration radar. The helicopters will be deployed with these radars in two Central American countries, early next year (2010) where they will be used to detect suspected hostile activity, concealed below the forest canopy.
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Horizon Introduces a Lightweight Fuel cell for UAVs
A compact fuel cell power system recently introduced by Singapore based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies offers up to four times the endurance capability of advanced lithium batteries currently in use. The lightweight fuel-cell power source called Aeropak was designed specifically for small UAVs. Storing 900Wh of usable electrical energy Aeropak weighs only 4.4 lbs (2kg). According to Horizon, the new power pack could extend the mission endurance of small, electrically powered UAVs by 300 percent. Horizon intends to offer the new fuel cell as a drop-in replacement for battery packs currently in service, eliminating costly airframe modifications. Aeropak uses refillable dry-fuel cartridges and is designed to sustain high impact and operation at altitude up to 22,000 feet (6500m). The company is planning to begin shipping evaluation models of Aeropak fuel cells this summer (2009).
The new fuel cell has been demonstrated has already been demonstrated in flight with the “Hyfish,” a 1kW fuel cell powered jet-wing UAS integrated by the German Air & Space Agency (DLR) and the “Pterosoar,” which set a new FAI world record for distance in 2007 with the support of NASA. The new AEROPAK will be displayed at the 2009 Paris Air Show (booth B075) alongside several UAS airframes powered by Horizon’s fuel cell power systems.
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Heron MALE UAVs Assume maritime Surveillance Roles
Israel Aerospace Industries is conducting a series of operational demonstrations where potential customers are evaluating the Heron 1 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV operated in maritime surveillance missions. In a recent test conducted in El-Salvador, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and Salvadoran military and civil aviation authorities conducted a month-long evaluation of the Heron, as part of ‘Operation Monitoreo’, assessing the suitability of unmanned aircraft for counter drug missions in the Pacific, Caribbean, Central and South America. Under a similar initiative that took place a few weeks ago, IAI held a joint demonstration for the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Spanish Air Force (SAF), demonstrating the maritime Heron Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in the Spanish Canary Islands. Yair Arbel, Chief of Flight Operations in MALAT, noted: “The demonstration took place partially under unfavorable weather conditions, with heavy cloud cover, pouring rain, strong winds and State 5 Seagoing. We detected small targets, as requested by Guardia Civil, in the designated area”.
The Spanish company reported the locations in real time to the Guardia Civil headquarters in Madrid, using systems which successfully interfaced with the IAI/MALAT Heron control station. The early detection of boats and vessels, some of them very small, carrying smuggled goods or illegal immigrants, is an important need for European Union countries. The Heron demonstrated how an unmanned platform can perform over extended mission duration, for up to 20 hours without the need for aerial refueling when configured for counter illicit trafficking detection missions. Earlier, in 2008 IAI performed a similar demonstration in Australia, where the Heron UAV was operated in support of customs patrols, evaluating its capability to control the northern coast.
Israel expects to begin flying maritime patrol sorties over the Mediterranean Sea with the UAV by mid-2009, gradually replacing its IAI Westwind 1124 business jet-based Seascans.
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Loitering Weapons are making a Comeback
Loitering munitions are making a comeback in recent years. First developed in the early 1980s as autonomous weapons, tasked primarily with Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) missions, hunting down highly mobile air defense missile units such as the SA-8 and SA-11, then considered illusive to almost all other SEAD weapons. Western air forces have realized encountering a capability gap in their ability to find, target and engage land-mobile surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, after failing to destroy Iraqi SCUD missiles fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia, duribg Operation Desert Storm 1991, despite having total air superiority over the entire Iraqi airspace. Initially embarking on several developments of loitering weapons, the Israelis are considered having the first air force to maintain such capability, provided by the IMI Delilah missile. This weapon was developed after the 1973 Yom Kippur War and matured under a joint Israeli-German radar-hunter ‘suicide drone’ in the early 1980s.
An electro-optically guided derivative of this weapon was developed under an Israeli-US program in the early 2000s.
While the Germans did not pursue the lethal drone, opting for the Rheimetall Defense KZO
reconnaissance and target acquisition system version instead, Israel is believed to have followed the lethal direction, completing the development and fielding of the Harpy. This is considered to be among Israel’s leading missile products ever produced, gaining significant export markets, with China, South Korea, India and Turkey among its main international operators. The Germans have followed a similar developmental path with the Taifun killer drone. Recently, the German Armed Forces and the German Ministry of Defense (MOD) have also approved an operational requirement utilizing IAI’s HAROP system as a baseline. The project will be implemented in cooperation with Rheinmetall Defense as the prime contractor. The German MOD has already invested funds for the adaptation of HAROP for its specific requirements. Part of the adaptation was successfully performed by a joint IAI/Rheinmetall Defense team, and a follow on contract is planned later this year (2009).
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IAI Gets $100 Million Contract for HAROP Killer Drones
Officially unveiling the HAROP loitering weapon at the Paris Air Show, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has announced receiving a contract to supply the HAROP Loitering Munition (LM) system to a foreign customer. Foreign sources hint the customer could be India. The contract is estimated to be worth over $100 million. Turkey is believed to be the launch customer for the HAROP, in 2005.
HAROP, a long endurance LM, can be launched from a variety of platforms. The expendable aerial vehicle combines the speed, precision and lethality of a guided missile with persistence, sensors and connectivity of a tactical UAV. HAROP can remain on a mission for six hours, performing area surveillance and reconnaissance, in support of specific area suppression and denial operations. It is fitted with an electro-optical payload, utilizing a high performance FLIR and color CCD, providing an electro-optical seeker, covering 360 degrees hemispherical field of regard. This sensor can search, detect and target, high value re-locateable, time critical, land or sea-based, moving targets, reporting their position with pinpoint accuracy, at long ranges.
When the operator decides to use the Harop for the final attack, the drone converts into an attack mode. The attack can be performed from any direction and at any attack angle, from flat to vertical, which is highly essential in urban area combat. Employing a steep-dive profile will also gain maximum speed and lethality. The 50 lb (23kg) high explosive charge is sufficient to cause significant damage to the target, while limiting collateral damage. The operator monitors the attack until the target is being hit. Another HAROP LM type can observe and send real-time video of Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) to the operator. The operator can command the drone to abort the attack, in order to avoid collateral damage, returning the LM to loitering mode, and restart the attack later. HAROP LMs are launched from transportable platforms and navigate towards the target area, where they loiter and search for designated targets.
A HAROP unit is comprised of LM launchers and a Mission Control Shelter (MCS) that enables missile control with a Man- in the- Loop operation, engagement or abort attack capability in real time, avoiding collateral damage. The HAROP can be applied to a variety of battle scenarios, including low and high-intensity conflicts, urban warfare and counter terror operations.
Related links:
- Israel Unveils Loitering Anti-Missile Drone: Harop
- Israel, Germany Sign Cooperation Agreement for the Development of Loitering Weapons
- Hunter Killer drone target Ballistic Missile Launchers
- Harpy Air Defense Suppression System
- Loitering Weapons are making a Comeback
- Delilah – The IAF Loitering Missile
Diehl’s Sky Sphere set to Defeat UAS, OWA Drones Head-On
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