Feature 3
UAV trialled from small craft
A Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is launched from a US Navy Mk V
naval special warfare boat off the coast of San Clemente Island.
This was the first time a Scan Eagle, which is used for various applications such
as intelligence gathering and battle damage assessment, had been launched
from this kind of platform.
The USV Capability Concept Demonstrator
programme saw four different USVs put
through their paces. These included two
QinetiQ vehicles – a remote controlled Pacific
22 and the Sentry mini-USV (shown here) – and
the BAE Systems Talisman vehicle.
on speed, swell, and course to steer? And
what about the problems encountered with
sensor stabilisation in rough conditions?’
The four USVs were individually ‘scored’
against a range of mission performance
metrics. ‘There is no single “right” option,’
said Mr Patel. ‘Each USV has its own unique
attributes and shortfalls, trading off stability,
speed, and payload in different measures.
The Sentry (which is based on a jet ski-type
vehicle) is small, fast, and agile, but carries a
limited payload, is limited in high sea states,
> � > � � � � � � � � � � � � �
and experiences significant vibration at
L � > � i � � � � � i � �
higher speeds.
‘The SASS vehicle does not have the
same outright performance but it offers a
very stable platform, while Talisman has
the advantage that it can transit submerged
and retain a very low profile even when
surfaced, making it ideal for covert ISTAR.
A RIB solution clearly provides for a larger
payload, but its footprint has a greater
impact on launch, recovery, and stowage
aboard the host vessel.’
A further phase of USV trials, to run later
in 2008, is now being scoped. ‘The thinking
i > � � � i � \
is that this next phase will look more at
U � � � > � � V � � � V � � > � i
how USVs can contribute to situational
U � / � � � � � } � i � � V i
awareness,’ Mr Patel explained. ‘For example,
U � � V � � � } � i � � V i
i � V � � � � i � � � � v �
� - � � � i � �
how will they perform in terms of detecting,
U � - � � V � � * � � � v
* � V � � �
identifying, and tracking targets of interest?
i � � � i � � � > � i � � � � � � L V � � � � > V � � � � � � � , � � � � � , � � V i �
v � � � � � i � / � � i � { x � * � � } � > � � i
‘In this next series we may only look to
run one vehicle, possibly a RIB-type craft
� � � � ` i � � � i � � L � > � i � � V � �
with more equipment and payload. We have
i � � � i � � � > � i � � ] � - � � v > � � � � B } i � � � ] � -
� � � � � � � � 1 ] � - 7
gone out to UK and international suppliers
* � � � i \ � � { � � � � � � n � � � � x � ] � > � \ � � { � � � � � � � � � � � � �
� � > � � \ � � � v � J ` i � � � i � � L � > � i � � V � �
for expressions of interest.’ WT
Warship Technology March 2008 17
WT Mar - p16+
17.indd 17 03/03/2008 15:55:52
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40