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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 MARKET SURVEY: UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES IN EUROPE by Stefan Marx and Karl Schwarz Usually the expressions drone, RPV (remotely piloted vehicle) or UAV (unmanned air vehicle) are used to describe a remote controlled reconnaissance vehicle. Still, such a definition is much too limited for today's equipment since the operational capabilities of drones have become very versatile in the past few years. What's still valid is that these vehicles are principally used for reconnaissance missions. Furthermore, special drones for ECM (electronic countermeasures) and attack drones for use against hard targets or tanks have been developed. Target drones for the training of aircrews or air defence personnel fit into the UAV category. The scale of RPVs reaches from small drones, comparable to remote controlled model aircraft, up to the QF-4B Phantoms of the US Navy. Most systems have only a small to medium range for tactical employments. Still, the Russian Jastreb flew reconnaissance missions in the sixties from White Russia up to the British and Spanish coast. Most of the drones are powered by piston engines, supplying a long endurance in the target area. However, all other configurations from ramjets to small helicopters can also be found. In principle, all RPVs are designed to be reusable, the "kamikaze" attack drone of the German Army being an exception to the rule. The development of drones was mainly based on the assumption of having a force multiplier that would increase the power of the forces in a simple way. Another advantage was that no personnel would have to be endangered for missions over hostile territory. The supposition was also, that these systems would be cheap to procure, allowing a reduction of the forces at the same time. This idea was particularly appealing with the disarmament euphoria in mind. However, reality looks different. Due to the employment situation in Central Europe, requiring longer ranges, facing difficult weather conditions and a highly complex battle scenario, the operational requirements increased, inevitably leading to higher costs. This situation resulted in the development of a few mission capable but expensive systems and of several cheap and compromising systems which are unsatisfactory for the user. So far, the high market expectations have been only partially fulfilled. Still, the conflict in Bosnia has given a push. Due to the political price of their own losses and the need for information of the UN (later IFOR) forces some procurements of drones were inevitable. Canadair CL 289 Existing equipment was employed for the first time under real conditions in Bosnia. The French Army used its CL-289 Piver which is also on stock in the German Army. 22 Systems (launchers) and 176 rockets were procured. The system is earmarked for an update which will mainly effect the sensors, reducing the reaction and evaluation times. Matra/STN Atlas Elektronik Brevel The "Kleinfluggerät Zielortung" (KZO) of the German forces, internationally known as the Brevel drone, has been under consideration for some time now. The development, which is done in a German-French cooperation, is almost finished. The system accomplished a successful first test flight in June of 1996 at the Meppen range in Germany. The transfer data for the pictures is supposedly of a very high quality. The operational trials are to begin in the third quarter of 1998. The German forces are planning to acquire seven systems per reconnaissance regiment. However, it looks as if France has currently restrained from the system a little bit. LUNA The LUNA system is in consideration for reconnaissance tasks on the commander level. Thomson-CSF, for example, is offering the Vigilant F 2000C for this category, a very small helicopter which is packed with sensors. It was introduced, together with five other systems, at the end of August of 1996 in Wildflecken, Germany. LUNA is to become a very small drone for the tank reconnaissance forces. It is supposed to feature all-weather capability and real-time data transfer, having a range of up to ten kilometers and 16 minutes flight time. Taifun (Army attack drone) Taifun is another system that's on the wish list of the German Army. The system is to be employed on corps level against key targets in the depth of hostile territory. A millimeter-wave seekerhead is earmarked as the sensor. The development contract is presently under preparation. EloGM drone Mücke The EloGM drone Mücke was defined by the German Army to jam hostile VHF/UHF troop communications. It's based on the Brevel fuselage fitted with a new electronic payload. An extensive field trial will be required before a decision can be made about the intended introduction into the Army in 2005. The French are much more active in this field than the Germans. The company CAC Systems, in particular, stands out with its FOX series, which is offered in a variety of versions, ranging from the lower cost FOX AT1 reconnaissance system up to FOX TX which is a special ECM version. CAC Systems is also offering the HELIOT reconnaissance system in cooperation with the Italian company Dragon Fly which is contributing its small helicopter DF 333. It has an operational range of approximately 50 kilometers and, if necessary, a pilot can fly the system. Matra is currently developing a command guidance system in cooperation with the American company Freewing Aerial Robotics for use in the French Navy. The British defence ministry has finally, after long delays and drastic cost oversteppings, accepted the Phoenix system for its artillery forces. GEC-Marconi was not able to eliminate the problems that arose during data transfer and the parachute landings repeatedly led to damages to the expensive electronics. The described programs are only a small selection of approximately 70 systems which are currently in use or under development in Europe. This is due to the fact that each force is continuously developing new requirements which make the whole system useless as soon as the scenarios change just a bit. Economical considerations and the will to participate their own industry lead to complicated offset contracts which reduce the anyway tight profit margins. Due to this fact a medium-term consolidation can be expected. The USA has recognized this situation: The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Joint Project Office has been coordinating the country's works in this area since mid 1993. From page 48 of FLUG REVUE 2/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated January 10, 1997