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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 1562.PDF
DEFENCE SURVEILLANCE GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES Dragon Eye UAV to be improved Aerovironment backpackable air vehicle to get longer endurance, new batteries, infrared sensor and a zoom camera The US Marine Corps is moving ahead with plans for a comprehen sive, four-stage block upgrade of the Dragon Eye unmanned air vehicle following its limited intro duction into surveillance opera tions in Iraq. The baseline production version of the Aerovironment-built back packable UAV reached initial oper ational capability last May, provid ing "over-the-hill" reconnaissance and surveillance imagery to tactical marine units. Around 14 systems, each comprising three UAVs and a ground-control laptop computer, have been delivered and a total of 35 systems are due in service by year-end, says USMC Dragon Eye programme manager Don Bruce. The five-year plan calls for pro curement of 342 systems, or 1,026 UAVs. "We had about 300 flights in its first month of fielding. The com manders like it, I know that because I can't supply enough batteries," says Bruce. The UAVs are being used in urban environments to "see what's happening before they send out a patrol and put a marine in harm's way", he says. The system, which has interchangeable nose assemblies carrying either colour daylight electro-optical or low-light monochrome cameras, is doing "much better from a maintenance perspective". Around "84% are fly ing right now, which is pretty good considering the way they're being used", he says. Block 1 improvements sched uled for development by Aerovironment and the Marine Corps' Warfighting Laboratory in fiscal year 2004-5 include tests of a larger-span X-63 variant with dou ble the 45min endurance of the current UAV. The larger version will have a wing span of 1.6m (5.2ft), versus the 1.14m of the in-service UAV, and will have more-efficient propellers and electric motors. Improved batteries are also planned as part of an "effort that is ongoing to increase flight time to 100-plus minutes", says Bruce. To counter early in-service weak nesses such as poor video images and inadequate night-time perfor mance, the upgrade will also include an infrared (IR) sensor, integrated communications system (ICS) and a zoom camera capabil ity. Several IR systems will be tested, including sensors developed by BAE Systems, DRS Nytech, FLIR Systems, Irvine Sensors and Raytheon. All are being tested for "capability and cost" says Bruce, who adds that the L-3 Com munications-developed ICS will enable the Dragon Eye to share imagery with other tactical UAVs. Longer term, Bruce says Block 2 "and beyond" will investigate areas such as chemical, biological, acoustic, multi-spectral and digital sensors as well as further advances in propulsion/battery, guidance and digital connectivity technology. TRAINING BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE Singapore seeks data on light helicopters Singapore is seeking information on single-engined light turbine helicopters to meet its requirement for a new training fleet of about 10 aircraft to replace its current 10 Eurocopter AS550 Fennecs. Manufacturers have until 30 September to respond to a request for information (RFI) issued by Singapore's Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA). Singa pore plans to test-fly candidate air craft in October and November and is expected to hand a formal tender to shortlisted manufacturers in December. The new aircraft should be operational in early 2006. The competition will probably pit the Bell 206 against the Eurocopter EC120. Enstrom and Schweizer are also reviewing the programme, but industry sources say their turbine products - the 480B and 333, respectively - may prove too small for the requirement. Sources say Singapore's require ment for new helicopter trainers has leapfrogged over an earlier requirement for new fixed-wing trainers. Singapore issued an RFI in early 2002 for basic fixed-wing trainers, but the programme has since been delayed (Flight International, 16-22 March). Sources now expect Singapore to select replacements for 30 Aer- macchi S211 basic trainers and, subsequently, almost 20 McDonnell Douglas TA-4SU advanced jet train ers, after its helicopter'training fleet is replaced. Singapore has not yet indicated how many new fixed- wing trainers it will acquire. The new helicopter will be used for basic training, instructor train ing and contingency operations. It must have a cruising speed of at least HOkt (200km/h) and operate up to 10,000ft (3,000m) in all weather conditions, says the DSTA. Other requirements include 3h endurance, 460km (250nm) range and a dual-control cockpit with a multifunction display. Singapore is also running a com petition to acquire six new naval helicopters, with Eurocopter's AS532C Cougar, NH Industries' NH90 and Sikorsky's S-92 under consideration. Advanced countermeasures will equip special operations EC-130Js COUNTERMEASURES USAF in rush to protect its EC-130E/Js from missiles The US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is to install advanced coun termeasures equipment on the US Air Force's fleet of Lockheed Martin EC-130E/J s, which are responsible for broadcasting propaganda radio and television messages in combat zones. There is an "immediate need" to install Northrop Grumman's large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) equip ment on EC-130 Commando Solo aircraft operated by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing, says the command. A solici tation posted on 17 August only describes a need for the unit's EC-130Js, but it is believed the requirement also extends to the EC-130E fleet. SOCOM will formally accept its first EC-130J on 10 September. The LAIRCM laser-based directional countermeasures system will protect the aircraft from infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles. SOCOM intends to issue a request for proposal and negotiate solely with Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego. www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 24-30 AUGUST 2004 19
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