Defence

US Air Force Batmav micro UAV details unveiled

The US Air Force is touting its planned special operations battlefield air targeting micro air vehicle (Batmav) as a potential new node in the Pentagon's global information grid. The system is expected to pass real-time imagery to the cockpits of strike and close air- support aircraft, writes Peter La Franchi.

The new capability is predicated on sensor imagery from Batmav aircraft being able to be forwarded to other assets via a tactical radio linked to the UAV ground control station. Batmav is the first major micro air vehicle acquisition competition run by a Western defence force, with its outcome expected to have a major influence on similar requirements being planned by other US service arms as well as among NATO forces. Tenders for the project close 30 August.

Solicitation documents released on 31 July say data from the mini UAV will be able to be "injected into command and control centres, airborne mission aircraft or artillery via digital links in a special tactics machine-to-machine targeting process to greatly reduce the targeting time". Each individual system is to comprise two air vehicles, a ground control station, interchangeable payloads, a carry case and field operators support kit.