UAVs, Drones, UCAVs and AI

This week a letter appeared in the Tivy Side Advertiser referring to the testing of UAVs (Unmanned Aeriel Vehicles), commonly known as Drones, at the former Ministry of Defence Base in Aberporth (now run by QinetiQ since privatisation). As far as I know the letter talks about the fact that these Drones are being used by the Israeli armed forces in their attacks on Lebanon and is critical of the use of Drones as part of the terrible killing of civilians, particularly Children. This is an interesting letter in that it establishes a direct link between rural West Wales and the Middle East that few people who live here have considered before. In this posting I would like to extrapolate a bit further about what the current role of unmanned war machines are and what they may become. Where does this line of military development take us? QinetiQ and other companies such as EADS, Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL), Thales and BAE Systems are shortly going to based in the new science and technology centre at ParcAberporth as part of the National Assembly funded ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment)programme. according to the Welsh Assembly Government this "programme focuses on the technologies, systems, facilities and procedures that will allow autonomous vehicles to operate safely and routinely in the UK. Autonomous systems will bring real economical, environmental and security benefits in many areas and ASTRAEA will position the UK at the forefront of these opportunitites. It involves representatives from the UK Government, industry, academia and regional bodies." and the WAG press release goes on "Together with the leading edge of UK industry, the Department of Trade and Industry and four other UK regions – Scotland and SE, SW and NW England - Wales is pioneering development in a new industry sector, autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems, UAVs." This press relelease proudly boasts that the Assembly is investing three million pounds over the next 3 years in this project. Is there anything sinister here? Well let's delve a little deeper into world of UAVs.

These are some of the new fangled uses for UAVs:-

Firstly this little number from the Israel Defence Force, in use since 2005


The Casper 200 miniature UAV was designed to meet an Israel defense Forces requirement for backpackable aerial surveillance, operated by a single soldier, in support of infantry operations. The 1.3 meter long MAV weighs 2.3 kg, and is constructed of composite materials. The Casper 200 is assembled in the field without any tools. The 2m' span wing is optimized for low speed, and a 1:15 glide ratio. A larger version, Caster 250 was displayed at the Paris Airshow. This MAV is equipped with an improved LEV-2 payload with daylight CCD or IIR optronics, x3 stabilization and x25 zoom.he ground component comprises an antennae group and a compact ground control station. The gimbaled payload is snapped on to the fore section. Casper 200 uses a lightweight (240gr.) payload, specially designed for small platforms, it accommodates a high resolution video camera with a x2 zoom or other sensors as required.

The mini UAV demonstrated excellent handling and mission performance in open area as well as in urban reconnaissance, where it's autopilot uses special obstacle avoidance algorithm. TopiVision claims the new system has superior performance compared to most of the mini UAVs of its class, due to the use of specific design, construction, particularly in the efficient aerodynamic design and telescopic, collapsible tail which effectively absorbs the landing impact. An innovative landing concept uses a wing flap to perform rapid but soft descent. Other features include improved communications, which contribute to significant power savings and cleaner aerodynamics, leaving more capacity for batteries and payload.

But wait on, things get much more interesting and I will continue on in the next posting.....