UAVs and UCAVs

[SHASH2K2]

we should grab this opportunity. I think USA should not have any problem with India .

 

[Patriot]

Unmanned aircraft should be limited to military uses

Enid News - 6/17/2010

We hear a lot about the use of drones or 'unmanned aircraft' in the fields of war, but should these devices be used for other purposes in the United States?

Unmanned aircraft have proved their usefulness and reliability in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, and now the pressure is on to allow them to be used over the skies of the United States.

The FAA has been asked to issue rights for a range of these kinds of aircraft to carry out civilian and law-enforcement functions, but so far has been hesitant to act.

Some of the concerns deal with these devices possibly obstructing airliners or other manned aircraft that fly in U.S. air space. Also, these planes come in a variety of sizes and abilities.

Of course, the number of the crafts possibly flying in the United States is one issue. The other issue, to us, has to do with privacy and stealth surveillance capabilities. That's an area where many people may be uncomfortable with the use of drones for civilian activities.

We would like to see a detailed study and analysis of just how these drones could or should be used for civilian purposes. These drones are simply a different kind of robot, and we use robots all the time instead of humans for jobs that are dirty, dangerous or dull.

The capabilities of unmanned aircraft in civilian airspace may have some necessary uses; but, what makes them so useful in military zones is they lessen the danger of human causalities.

Unless a good case can be made they are as necessary in civilian uses, drones or unmanned aircraft should stay in the realm of being used only as tools of war.




http://news.combataircraft.com/readnews.aspx?i=1361

 

[Patriot]

India's Black Kite Fixed-wing MAV

NAL/ADE Black Kite MAV. Wingspan: 300-mm. Endurance: 30 minutes. Range: 2-km. Payload: Daylight camera.





http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/06/indias-black-kite-fixed-wing-mav.html

 

[plugwater]

First Ever Impressions Of AURA, India's UCAV

What you're looking at here are the first ever manifestations of what India's UCAV, codenamed AURA, could look like. These are images from an official presentation (see slide) by India's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) director PS Krishnan, outlining AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft), a programme that was nameless and obscure in the public domain before it was reported on here on LiveFist and on Headlines Today. As you can see from the slide, the ADE describes the AURA as a "self defending" high speed reconnaisance UAV with a "weapon firing capability", which seems a typically laboured way of describing the obvious. With the programme still in its project definition stage, the images used in the slide above are likely just representative (the tacky flag-on-underbelly routine a-la Lockheed Nighthawk with stars and stripes), though it's a definite indication of how the programme's scientists are thinking. It's all fully in line with what former DRDO chief controller for Aeronautics said in 2007: that India's combat drone would be a stealthy flying-wing concept aircraft with internal weapons and a turbofan engine.

http://www.livefist.blogspot.com/

 

[AJSINGH]

isnt it primary requirment for UCAV for precision GPS for military duties , considering India does not have any GPS to call its own , maybe developing GPS should be priority , this can come second in the list

 

[Rahul Singh]

Yes, indeed it is the first requirement and we are not behind from realization. Soon ISRO will shoot first satellite to formally begin program "Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System", which is expected to be fully operational by 2012 and will have regional coverage. For global reach Bharat may join GLONASS, for which plans are already on card.

 

[SHASH2K2]

isnt it primary requirment for UCAV for precision GPS for military duties , considering India does not have any GPS to call its own , maybe developing GPS should be priority , this can come second in the list

Indian is working on Glonass for global GPS system and for regional we are working on Gagan system.

http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/showthread.php/10861-Glonass

 

[neo29]

Very true , India need a dedicated satellite for UAV and UCAV operations. Currently neither forces have a dedicated satellite. They are in process to acquire it. Dedicated satellites for UAV operations are 5 6 years away.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Indian is working on Glonass for global GPS system and for regional we are working on Gagan system.

http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/showthread.php/10861-
Glonass

GAGAN program is for civilian needs and it will be achieved by using satellite based assets(special payload carried by multipurpose satellite) and eight reference station located at pre-decided points in the country. It is basically a program allowing AAI to provide safe and efficient navigation to civilian air traffic.

In contrast INRSS is an fully space based autonomous satellite navigation system providing accurate(military standard) GPS guidance to cruise missiles, fighter jets, GPS bombs, UAVs, UCAVs and any military hardware which needs GPS signals for guidance. It is supposed to have a coverage of ~2000 Km which covers sub-continent, China, South East asia, middle east and some part of central asia .

GLONASS is not our, its Russian, as per some reports, we will contribute only by launching satellites of its proposed constellation using PSLV. In return Russia will allow us to access signals in areas where IRNASS will not have coverage..

 

[Anshu Attri]

First Ever Impressions Of AURA, India's UCAV

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/06/uav-india-part-1-first-ever-impressions.html

UAV INDIA Part 1: First Ever Impressions Of AURA, India's UCAV///////bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

What you're looking at here are the first ever manifestations of what India's UCAV, codenamed AURA, could look like. These are images from an official presentation (see slide) by India's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) director PS Krishnan, outlining AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft), a programme that was nameless and obscure in the public domain before it was reported on here on LiveFist and on Headlines Today. As you can see from the slide, the ADE describes the AURA as a "self defending" high speed reconnaisance UAV with a "weapon firing capability", which seems a typically laboured way of describing the obvious. With the programme still in its project definition stage, the images used in the slide above are likely just representative (the tacky flag-on-underbelly routine a-la Lockheed Nighthawk with stars and stripes), though it's a definite indication of how the programme's scientists are thinking. It's all fully in line with what former DRDO chief controller for Aeronautics said in 2007: that India's combat drone would be a stealthy flying-wing concept aircraft with internal weapons and a turbofan engine.

 

[Patriot]

Thales displays new mini UAVs, UGV at Eurosatory 2010

Thales displays new unmanned systems at Eurosatory 2010. The Spy Arrow mini-UAV, an autonomous, affordable and surveillance system comprising a delta-winded miniature aircraft, carrying an EO payload and associated avionics to perform a short, autonomous mission over a pre-planned or user guided path.


The Spy Arrow transmits real-time video with geo-location points to provide the warfighter with ad-hoc surveillance and recce of an area of operation. Additional payloads considered for the robot are Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) detectors.

Thales is displaying the μTrooper Unmanned Ground Vehicle - a multi-role six-wheeled platform that can operate independently or as part of a pack. The μTrooper is equipped with radio transmitters capable of sending real time video in an urban environment. It employs an open architecture to easily integrate new payloads or systems.

The μTrooper uses articulated chassis a six-wheel drive moving it on rough terrain, and even climb steps of 18 cm high.


http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=4658&h=Thales%20displays%20new%20mini%20UAVs,%20UGV%20at%20Eurosatory%202010

 

[Patriot]

Alenia Aeronautica starts the Sky-Y Unmanned Aerial System fourth flight campaign

16:10 GMT, June 18, 2010 Rome | The Sky-Y, Alenia Aeronautica's UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) technological demonstrator, has successfully accomplished - at the Italian Air Force's air base in Decimomannu, Sardinia - its first flight with a Flight Control System wholly developed by Alenia Aeronautica in collaboration with Alenia SIA (Alenia Aeronautica's owned company).

During this test campaign Alenia Aeronautica will experiment the new E-FCS (Experimental-FCS), which is a prototype of a system including an avionic computer, several sensors (inertial, air data, GPS) and electrical actuators for the primary and secondary flight controls. The system complies with the recent aeronautical certification rules and with the most advanced technical and industrial directives for this kind of equipments, regarding both hardware and software. As a matter of fact, the control laws introducing the rationale for the remote and automated aircraft's control have been developed entirely by Alenia Aeronautica.

The Sky-Y aircraft is at its fourth flight-test campaign and it is envisaged it will complete its testing programme by the end of July 2010, with 15 long-endurance flights. This is the first flight campaign taking place at the Decimomannu air base in Sardinia, thanks to the precious collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Italian Air Force.

Alenia Aeronautica reaches another important step in pursuing the wider project of the creation of a national industrial capability, able to develop autonomously in Italy the innovative unmanned systems and the related subsystems and technologies: the current frontier of the twenty-first century aeronautical products.

During this flight-test campaign Alenia Aeronautica will assess also the correct integration on the aircraft of systems developed by other Finmeccanica companies such as the EOST45, a high performance passive Electro-Optical Surveillance and Tracking system developed by SELEX Galileo, a new Wide-Band Data-Link developed by SELEX Communications, a powerful and reliable equipment for the satellite data-link of Telespazio, whose use has been granted to Alenia Aeronautica, within a cooperation agreement, by the Civil Protection Agency of the Piedmont Region.

The Sky-Y has been designed and built as a demonstrator of integration capabilities and innovative technologies developed by Alenia Aeronautica in the field of long endurance and autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems, such as:

"¢ systems for autonomous on-board control and for the Ground Control Station, reliable and certifiable for the use of an unmanned air vehicle and with the characteristics of a MALE - Medium Altitude Long Endurance

"¢ low-consumption diesel propulsion, integration of surveillance sensors (capable of detecting and recognising also very small objects from long distances during day and night), high-capacity data-processing systems and the broad-band data-link (including satellite) to manage and distribute information to end-users on the ground.



http://www.defpro.com/news/details/16166/

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2537336/posts

India joins bat-wing large UAV club

India joins bat-wing large UAV club

By

Stephen Trimble

on June 18, 2010 12:20 PM

India aerospace journalist Shiv Aroor's LiveFist blog today brings us the first conceptual renderings of AURA, the stealth UCAV project that India apparently decided to leak into the public domain a few weeks ago.

India's is part of a growing global craze for bat-wing-shaped UAVs. Consider the following list of acknowledged, bat-wing UCAV projects in development across the world:

* BAE Systems Taranis

* Boeing Phantom Ray

* Dassault Neuron

* Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel

* Mikoyan Skat

* Northrop Grumman X-47B

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the last are the omissions. Where is China? What about Israel? Stay tuned ...

 

[nrj]

The Rustom-H MALE UAV Detailed

 

[Armand2REP]

French Tactical Drone DRAC....

 

[Rahul Singh]

I think there is little goof-up or the plans have diversified. What is shown in second pic as Rustom-1 was or still is supposed to be base platform on which ADE's HALE UAV will be based..

 

[nrj]

I think there is little goof-up or the plans have diversified. What is shown in second pic as Rustom-1 was or still is supposed to be base platform on which ADE's HALE UAV will be based..

I think there is some revision in plans. The Rustom-1 crashed in the first flight, which I believe is depicted in first pic. There will be total 10 test flights, possibly everytime including some design refinement. Still things are not very clear yet, next 6-9 months might clear the picture.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3851377,00.html

IDF welcomes 'super-drone'

New unmanned aircraft can fly higher, stay in air longer than other drones

Hanan Greenberg
Published: 02.18.10, 18:49 / Israel News

The IDF is about to receive what is considered the world's best unmanned aircraft – the Eitan.

On Sunday, the Air Force will be receiving the Israeli-made drone, which had already been tested on several occasions, including during operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip.

For the time being, Air Force officials only have praise for the new aircraft.

"The Eitan can stay in the air for more than 20 hours; it can carry very large cargo and fly very far, much further than any other unmanned drone in Israel," said Air Force Lt. Col. A. "Only few aircraft in the world approach such capabilities."

The Eitan is physically larger than any other drone and can fly at higher altitudes. It can also carry more weight – several hundred kilos, compared to the 250-kilogram maximum currently carried by Israel's most advanced drone.

In addition, the new drone is equipped with more advanced technological systems than its predecessors. Until recently, these systems were tested by the Israel Aircraft Industry, yet as of Sunday Air Force personnel will be taking over.

The Air Force's drone fleet has experienced a leap in recent years, and has been taking over increasingly more missions traditionally performed by manned aircraft – especially in the areas of intelligence gathering, escorting and protecting forces, and creating the Air Force's "target bank."

In 2004, unmanned drones accumulated 16,600 flight hours, yet in 2009 the total stood at 36,548 hours.

The Eitan's role would be to operate in the highest altitudes, along with other aircraft flying at lower altitudes. The new drone will be providing an effective means at all theaters, with an emphasis on distant ones – including Iran.

"The Eitan gives us very broad intelligence capabilities," Lt. Col. A. said. "It is the world's most advanced unmanned aircraft and it was especially adapted to missions which the Air Force needs."

However, the high quality comes with a price, a senior Air Force official says.


"This aircraft has become much more expensive compared to its predecessors," he said. "For that reason, we prepared a suitable 'protective vest' for it, so that it can cope with threats."

If all goes well, a new Eitan squadron will be officially inaugurated within a year. However, the Air Force doesn't plan to wait that long to start using the aircraft operationally.


"It will be involved in any activity where it's needed," the senior source said. "There is no reason why the world's best unmanned drone won't take part in any confrontation, even if it takes place before the squadron's formation."

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/23/343522/israel-opens-doors-at-eitan-uav-squadron.html

Israel opens doors at Eitan UAV squadron

Israel has for the first time opened the doors at its newest unmanned air vehicle unit, offering Flight International the chance to see its strategic Heron TP, or "Eitan" system on the frontline.

Designed as a multi-mission platform to answer the requirements of the nation's air force, the Heron TP is the largest UAV manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries' Malat division.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A 1,200hp (895kW) turboprop engine, the medium-altitude, long-endurance type can fly above 40,000ft (12,200m) and has a 36h endurance.

With a 26m wing span and a maximum take-off weight of 4,650kg (10,200lb), the UAV's twin tail-boom design provides a large internal volume to accommodate multiple payloads, typically weighing a combined 1,000kg.

For the Israeli air force, the Eitan carries a multi-sensor payload beneath its nose. The service is reluctant to even hint about the specifications of the additional equipment that it could carry, but says the design could eventually replace four or five of its manned surveillance types.

Unlike other Israeli UAV squadrons, the Eitan unit is located at Tel-Nof air base, alongside manned fighters and helicopters. The fact that the types are all required to use the same runways means that air force personnel are learning to coexist.

"The process is under way and is moving ahead very positively," says one of the UAV's operators.

"This is the best proof that UAVs are becoming an integral part of our force," says the officer responsible for preparing Israel's first heavy UAV squadron for full operational capability, identified only as Major "O".

His team is writing everything from scratch, from equipment numbers and operational procedures to maintenance manuals.

Maj O's team has gained vast experience in operating other UAVs with the Israeli air force. But he comments: "This is different. This big UAV is a real aircraft: its dimensions and capabilities are a different story, and we learn as we move forward."

Despite its large size, the Eitan is described as being very easy to operate and fly. "Four clicks on the computer mouse and it starts the engine, taxis, stops on the runway threshold and takes off," Maj O says.

A fully-loaded air vehicle rotates after a take-off run of only 200-300m. "It is very impressive, and it will be reflected in our capabilities," he says.

Maj O singles out the performance of the PT-6A as a particular strong point of the system design. "This engine was adapted for use on UAVs and is over-powered, so we see a potential to carry even heavier payloads as we gain experience."

Another feature that is mentioned in every conversation with squadron personnel is the use of triple redundancy in all the Eitan's crucial systems.

"No more back-to-base mode as a result of each malfunction," says one operator. "This bird can really perform long missions in time and range."

Israel has yet to decide on the eventual size of its Eitan squadron. "The endurance will determine the number of platforms we will eventually operate," says Maj O. "With a 36h endurance no doubt the number will be much smaller than of manned aircraft squadrons."

IAI is already offering the Heron TP to international users, for example under a teaming agreement with Rheinmetall Defence in pursuit of the German air force's long-term "Saateg" MALE UAV requirement.

 

[EagleOne]

Uav road map