Mini and Small UAV - The Army's UAVs

[Kirkhill]

By the way - if you don't know about it  - I may be late to the game, I just found out about it yesterday - go to Google Earth and download their free software. It uses images from satellites to create a "photo-map" of the globe.

Type in your postal code - zoom in - then take a look at the Lat-Long coordinates in the lower left hand corner, and this is PUBLIC domain.  I was told it was from Keyhole platforms, which could make it 20 year old technology.

 

[KevinB]

There are pay sites (the French notably) that offer a LOT more detail than google earth does.

 

[armyvern]

By the way - if you don't know about it   - I may be late to the game, I just found out about it yesterday - go to Google Earth and download their free software. It uses images from satellites to create a "photo-map" of the globe.

Type in your postal code - zoom in - then take a look at the Lat-Long coordinates in the lower left hand corner, and this is PUBLIC domain.   I was told it was from Keyhole platforms, which could make it 20 year old technology.

Kirkhill...
How did you manage to miss this thread??? 

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/34845.0.html

 

[Kirkhill]

Kirkhill...
How did you manage to miss this thread??? 

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/34845.0.html

Blind, deaf and dumb I guess...... :-[ ;D

Oops, NeVuhmind.

 

[Kirkhill]

In an effort to refurbish my tarnished image   (OK so its past all hope of redemption)

Elbit Systems to Deliver Skylark mini-UAVs to the Australian Ground Forces Command
 
 
(Source: Elbit Systems Ltd.; issued Nov. 6, 2005)
 
 
HAIFA, Israel --- Elbit Systems Ltd. reported today that its Skylark mini-UAV has been selected for rapid deployment by the Australian Army. Elbit Systems will deliver six systems to the Australian Ground Forces. 

The Skylark system includes three Air Vehicles, a Ground Control Station and the day and night payloads. The system is carried in two back packs and operated in mission by two soldiers. The 4.5 kg air vehicle is exceptionally quiet due to its unique electric propulsion and provides 1.5 hours of autonomous flight, with advanced modes. 

The Skylark has gimbaled and stabilized payloads for day and night observation. It enables continuous data collection "over the next hill" up to distances of 10 km. .The miniaturized Ground Control Station features enhanced capabilities which draw from the Hermes family heritage. 

Last year Elbit Systems was selected by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to supply Skylark mini-UAV systems for the IDF Ground Forces Command. The Skylark systems are delivered to the IDF and are currently in operation. 
Elbit has already sold the Skylark system to several countries worldwide. 

Elbit's ability to offer a short delivery time will enable the Australian forces to rapidly deploy the Skylark UAV systems. 


Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world, in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), advanced electro-optic and space technologies. The Company focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense and homeland security applications. 

-ends- 

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34

 

[scm77]

Mini UAV used by the United States Marine Corps.

U.S. Marines prepare a hand-launched Dragon Eye unmanned aerial vehicle along the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq, in the first hours of Operation Al Fajr on Nov. 8. These Marines are assigned to 3-5 Marines. Photo credit:  Cpl. James J. Vooris, USMC, presented by US Department of Defense

This photo is a Dragon Eye shot of a section of Fallujah, presented by strategypage,com. This kind of image would be in the hands of a battalion in real time, and was used to direct ground forces in the neighborhood to their targets, brief them on the situation, tell them where their targets were and how they might be armed, and was also used to call in artillery and air strikes.

Found here: http://www.talkingproud.us/Military042805A.html

 

[tomahawk6]

Canada has ordered 2 Skylark II's for use in Afghanistan.

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Elbit_Systems_Adds_New_UAV_System_To_Skylark_Family.html

 

[GAP]

What's the link for confirmation? I want to post this info on Sandbox articles thread, but need confirmation that we have ordered it.

thanks

 

[Kirkhill]

Perhaps this will help GAP.  Interesting news Tomahawk 6.  IIRC they were considering the similarly sized and performing Silver Fox for inclusion in the Recce Squadrons. But perhaps the Silver Fox is complementary to this.

Canada to buy Elbit Systems UAV
The Canadian Army will use the Skylark 2 UAV for operations in Afghanistan.
Amnon Barzilai 26 Jun 06   13:07

The Canadian Army will procure Elbit Systems Ltd.’s (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) Skylark 2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for operations in Afghanistan. Three key US allies the UK, Canada, and Australia - are now using Israeli tactical UAVs.

The Canadian Army is procuring the Skylark 2 UAV as part of a program to expand its UAV capabilities. The Skylark 2 is a tactical UAV designed for brigade-level operations. It is easy to deploy, and provides visual tactical intelligence for military and homeland security missions. It has day and night intelligence gathering capabilities, can operate is severe weather conditions, and has a 50-km range.

The Skylark 2 is operated from a ground vehicle, which includes a launcher and double command and control station. The UAV is fully autonomous, and can take high-quality pictures under cloud cover, and has a night camera, third-general thermal imaging, and laser marker.

The Skylark 2 is a development of the Skylark 1, which is in operational use. Both versions have an especially quiet electric engine. [color=yellow[b]]“Jane’s International Defence Review” quotes Royal Canadian Air Force Lt.-Col. Gord Smith as saying that the Skylark 2 would meet the demands of the Canadian Army for a man-packed hand-launched UAV. The Canadian Army has already bought five Skylark systems, and is expected to buy five more. [/b] [/color]

The Skylark’s small size means that it costs less than larger UAVs. The deal is worth several million dollars, and because of its low costs, Elbit Systems expects the order to grow.

The IDF Land Forces Command is testing similar tactical mini-UAVs built by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.. Although the testing is not yet completed, the IDF decided to procure additional Skylark 2s. The Skylark is currently in us with eight NATO armies.

With the procurement of the Skylark 2, three close US allies now use Israeli tactical UAVs. The British Army bought Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 for its Watchkeeper program. The Australian Army has bought IAI’s Eye View 250, and is considering placing another order. The US Army has IAI’s Hunter attack UAV, which is equipped with anti-tank missiles, but decided not to buy the more advanced IAI Heron UAV, which is operational use with the IDF. However, the US Army bought the RQ7 Shadow 200 UAV, built by AAI Corp., a US company in which IAI has a stake.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on June 26, 2006

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2006

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000106124&fid=942

Also this:

In contrast to Skylark I's 2.4-meter wingspan, 2-hour flight endurance and 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) range, its new big brother has a 4.2-meter wingspan, 6 hours of endurance and a range up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) or more, making it appropriate for use at battalion and brigade levels. Both air vehicles are battery-powered, but the Skylark II features a cutting-edge, extremely quiet electric motor, according to Ely Itzhak, Elbit's vice president for business development and marketing. He said Skylark II is inaudible at a distance of 130 meters (142 yards).

http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_netdefense_story.jsp?id=news/ELB06156.xml

Silver Fox Data:

http://www.onr.navy.mil/media/extra/fact_sheets/silver_fox.pdf

The thing that fascinated me about the Silver Fox was the ability of a single Ground Control Station to control up to 10 UAVs at the same time.  That would seem to be similar to putting 10 pairs of binoculars in the hands of the Recce Troop/Platoon commander without having to risk 10 vehicles and 20 to 30 crewmen.  It will be interesting to find out if the Skylark II is capable of doing the same (assuming it actually replaces the Silver Fox and doesn't complement it).

http://www.acrtucson.com/UAV/silverfox/index.htm

 

[GAP]

Thanks alot !! posted in the media thread

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

The thing I got out that article was that janes does not know the RCAF is no more....

 

[aesop081]

The thing I got out that article was that janes does not know the RCAF is no more....

armymatters must have written that one for them

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

oh snap

 

[TCBF]

- If any "Model Airplane Club" (SUAV) folks are reading this on MAPLE GUARDIAN 0802, come and get your laundry from the Budget 1 Ton in front of the CQMS' tent.  I have to load that truck tomorrow and I need the space.

8)

 

[The Bread Guy]

Mods - if this works better elsewhere, feel free to move.

Some further movements in expansion of, in the words of someone far wiser than me, the "model airplane club"....
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/81068/post-775261.html#msg775261

with a bit of previous discussion of small UAV's here:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/16428.0.html