Mini-UAVs for Convoy Protection - HLJones

Special Report: Coping with IEDsDimensionsWeightRangeDurationSpeedVideo SensorsStill SensorsOperationOperators6.0 x 4.7 x 2.0 feet16.0 to 19.0 lb200 Miles (Fuel Limit)6 Hours Maximum30-60 mphSony Blockcam EO, Indigo Omega IRCanon Digital EO (2.5" per Pixel Resolution at 500')Fully Autonomous Vehicle FollowingOneTable B: MLB Bat Specifications.Figure FP: Photo showing the small ops footprint of the Bat.A 3-axis gimbal camera system with EO and IR sensors isautomatically steered to the specified aim point by the UAV’sflight computer throughout the entire mission, thus eliminating theneed for a full-time sensor operator. The UAV focus point is thencontrolled by the convoy commander’s vehicle direction and velocity,effectively making the ground vehicle’s steering wheel the UAVoperator interface. From launch through landing, the UAV requiresno input from the operator and thus achieves a large amount ofutility in a fully autonomous manner.A dial or keypad could be added to change the offset distance whilethe UAV is in flight without requiring a full operator control station.The experiments to this point have proven very successful, withsignificant increases in ease of use and situational awareness for theconvoy commander.What Next?Pending further experimentation with organic deployments,centralized operations are likely to be the norm for UAVs inthe field. The route patrol mission, rather than close supportof individual convoys, appears to be the best fit for currentUAV capabilities.Mini-UAVs will be a part of this mix, though they will have to findtheir place among the larger UAV platforms and manned aircraft.Organic deployments are a new paradigm for UAV operations inconvoy operations, and more proof of the concept will be requiredbefore they are sent into the field.The low cost of mini-UAVs and potential for ubiquitouscoverage makes this paradigm attractive, but requirementsfor low maintenance, very low operator involvement, and safelaunch/recovery operations must all be addressed. The goal for allsystems is to make the convoy personnel feel safer and be safer.According to Dr. Cerny, the Army is working the problem to closethe gap between possibilities and capabilities. “Small UAVs havegreat potential to provide an eye in the sky over our transportationlines with reliability and persistence in a small footprint and at acost that is acceptable. We are beginning toexperiment to determine the best methodof employment,” he says.A draft Operational RequirementsDocument (ORD) would be the nextstep, but that is months if not years away.For the troops on the road — fielding ofmini-UAVs designed to locate and neutralizeIEDs and other roadside threats — wouldbe a welcome sight indeed.Hank Jones works for MLB Company. He canbe reached at hjones@spyplanes.com.To learn more about the Bat mini-UAV,click on www.spyplanes.com.MLB Bat ready for launch.16 Unmanned Systems — MAY/JUNE 2004