Interesting tidbit on Canadian tests of Altair UAV (Predator-B)

[Cdn Blackshirt]

See Link:  http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-uav8.htm

I would prefer Global Hawk as Australia is looking to use as part of Coast Watch, but it's still a move in the right direction.




Matthew. 

 

[Inch]

The guy in that picture is actually an AESOp ( I know him), the pilot is sitting to his left. I saw it on the news and they said it was a pretty big success.

Cheers

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

You guys might have to make room in the hangar for a UAV complement before long Inch.

 

[Inch]

Sweet deal, maybe then we'll get new hangars! 

Cheers

 

[canuck101]

Come on now they were only built between the first and second world war, and replaced in the earlier fifties.  They are only ten years older than the helicopters you fly. ;D  This is shearwater you are talking about right.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

No actually I was referring to the hangars on a ship.

 

[canuck101]

Sorry my mistake.  ;D

 

[Inch]

You're right about the hangars in Shearwater, I too thought we were talking about the hangars in Shearwater.

Cheers

 

[canuck101]

Getting back to the testing of the Altair UAV.  If the Canadian government is going to use a UAV to patrol the Canadian coast then why did they not chose the Mariner as the test UAV.  It can stay in the air for more than 50 hrs.

here is the website of the manufacture. http://www.uav.com/products/mariner.html

One other though; how many would we have to buy to cover all the coastal air space. I know they bought the Silver Fox mini UAV system.  what kind of missions would they use the silver fox for?. can they be launched for ship?. I know that the larger uav would have to have a airfield to launch from. ;D

 

[Kirkhill]

The reason for the Altair vice the Predator or the Mariner could be as simple as being a question of what was available in the time frame available.  It seems that the capabilitiies of the three platforms, as far as this test is concerned are broadly similar.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

LOL I should have clarified when I think hangars I think if those on a ship first. You have to get into the naval mind

 

[Inch]

I'm working on it. 

Canuck, to answer your question. The whole purpose of the trials was to determine how many UAVs would be required to do the job, that info hasn't been released yet nor any conclusions made.

 

[canuck101]

Thanks for the info did not know that. Well i hope they make a good choice to which one they want and get enough of them to do the job. We really need to keep an eye on those countries over fishing on the east coast.

cheers

 

[Cdn Blackshirt]

Getting back to the testing of the Altair UAV.   If the Canadian government is going to use a UAV to patrol the Canadian coast then why did they not chose the Mariner as the test UAV.   It can stay in the air for more than 50 hrs.

CASR asked the same question at the very bottom of the attached page:

Link:   http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-uav4.htm

....it's got me scratching my head too.



Matthew.   ???