Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
Encyclopedia
An unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) or combat drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) that is designed to deliver weapons (attack targets) without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and target details. Cruise missile
s are usually considered weapons rather than armed aircraft, as they are destroyed on impact.
The elimination of the need for an onboard human crew in a combat aircraft that may be shot down over enemy territory has obvious advantages for personnel safety. In addition, much equipment necessary for a human pilot (such as the cockpit
, flight controls, oxygen and ejection seat) can be omitted from an unmanned vehicle, resulting in a decrease in weight possibly allowing greater payloads, range and maneuverability.
an early inventor of radio devices and who had a PH.D in radio technology and U.A. Sanabria
an TV engineer. They presented their idea in an article in a 1940 publication.
In the 1980s, Iran used a simple UAV capable of holding six RPG-7 rounds in combat in the Iran-Iraq War
. This was the world's first combat application of an UCAV.
For countries with armed drones under development, see the list in the section "Concepts" below.
(such as the Geneva Conventions
). These laws govern the conduct of participants in war (and also defines combatants). These laws place a burden upon participants to limit collateral damage
through proper identification of targets and distinction between combatants and non-combatants. The use of completely autonomous weapon systems is problematic, however, because of the difficulty in assigning accountability to a person. Therefore, current designs still incorporate an element of human control (a "man in the loop") – meaning that a ground controller must authorize weapons release.
Concerns also include the human controller's role, because if he is a civilian and not a member of the military
(which is quite possible with developmental and highly sophisticated weapons systems) he would be considered a combatant under international law which carries a distinct set of responsibilities and consequences. It is for this reason that the "man in the loop" should ideally be a member of the military that understands and accepts his role as combatant.
On 28 October 2009, United Nations
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston
, presented a report to the Third Committee (social, humanitarian and cultural) of the General Assembly
arguing that the use of unmanned combat air vehicles for targeted killing
s should be regarded as a breach of international law
unless the United States can demonstrate appropriate precautions and accountability mechanisms are in place.
The Missile Technology Control Regime
applies to UCAVs.
Note: Some of these are not aircraft prototypes but technology demonstrators (TD) that are not expected to enter service.
Taranis is a British demonstrator programme for unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) technology. It is part of the UK's Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) programme (SUAV[E]). BAE describes Taranis's role in this context as following: "This £124m four year programme is part of the UK Government’s Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle Experiment (SUAVE) and will result in a UCAV demonstrator with fully integrated autonomous systems and low observable features." The Taranis demonstrator will have an MTOW of about 8000 kilograms and be of a similar size to the BAE Hawk
- making it one of the world's largest UAVs – that will be stealthy, fast and be able to deploy a range of munitions over a number of targets and be able to defend itself against manned and other unmanned enemy aircraft. The first steel was cut in September 2007 and ground testing started in early 2009. The first flight of the Taranis is planned for the first quarter of 2012. The demonstrator will have two internal weapons bays. With the inclusion of "full autonomy" the intention is thus for this platform to be able to "think for itself" for a large part of the mission,Taranis will be one of the most advanced UCAV'S available.
Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems, or J-UCAS, was the name for the joint U.S. Navy
/U.S. Air Force
unmanned combat air vehicle procurement project. J-UCAS was managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
. In the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review
, the J-UCAS program was terminated. The program was revitalized into UCAS-D. It would have used stealth technologies and carry precision-guided weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition
(JDAM) or precision miniature munitions, such as the Small-Diameter Bomb to suppress enemy air defenses.
Controllers could have used real-time data sources, including satellites, to plan for and respond to changes on and around the battlefield.
are the U.S. Navy-only successors to the J-UCAS, which was cancelled in 2006. Boeing is also working on the X-45N in this sector.
In a New Year 2011 editorial titled "China's Naval Ambitions," The New York Times said "[t]he Pentagon must accelerate efforts to make American naval forces in Asia less vulnerable to Chinese missile threats by giving them the means to project their deterrent power from further offshore. Cutting back purchases of the Navy’s DDG-1000 destroyer
(with its deficient missile defense system) was a first step. A bigger one would be to reduce the Navy’s reliance on short-range manned strike aircraft like the F-18 and the F-35, in favor of the carrier-launched N-UCAS ...."
On 6 January 2011, the DOD announced that this would be one area of additional investment in the 2012 budget request.
The United States Air Force
has shifted its UCAV program from medium-range tactical
strike aircraft to long-range strategic bomber
s. The technology of the Long Range Strike program is based on the Lockheed Martin Polecat demonstrator.
The Sagem Sperwer B is a long endurance tactical UAV. The Sperwer can carry two Rafael-made Spike
LR missiles for 12 hours (can be extended to 20) with a range of 200 km. All ground facilities of the Sperwer SDT (used by France, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, Canada and Denmark) are compatible with the Sperwer B.
, which operates a squadron of Hermes 450s out of Palmachim Airbase
south of Tel Aviv
, has adapted the Hermes 450 for use as an assault UAV, reportedly equipping it with two Hellfire
missiles or, according to various sources, two Rafael
-made missiles. According to Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese and independent reports, the Israeli assault UAV has seen extensive service in the Gaza Strip
and was used intensively in the Second Lebanon War
. Israel has not denied this capability, but to date, its policy has been not to officially confirm it either.
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
(UAV) that is designed to deliver weapons (attack targets) without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and target details. Cruise missile
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
s are usually considered weapons rather than armed aircraft, as they are destroyed on impact.
The elimination of the need for an onboard human crew in a combat aircraft that may be shot down over enemy territory has obvious advantages for personnel safety. In addition, much equipment necessary for a human pilot (such as the cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
, flight controls, oxygen and ejection seat) can be omitted from an unmanned vehicle, resulting in a decrease in weight possibly allowing greater payloads, range and maneuverability.
History
One of the earliest exploration of the concept of UCAV was by Dr. Lee De ForestLee De Forest
Lee De Forest was an American inventor with over 180 patents to his credit. De Forest invented the Audion, a vacuum tube that takes relatively weak electrical signals and amplifies them. De Forest is one of the fathers of the "electronic age", as the Audion helped to usher in the widespread use...
an early inventor of radio devices and who had a PH.D in radio technology and U.A. Sanabria
Ulises Armand Sanabria
Ulises Armand Sanabria was born in southern Chicago of Puerto Rican and French-American parents.-Career:...
an TV engineer. They presented their idea in an article in a 1940 publication.
In the 1980s, Iran used a simple UAV capable of holding six RPG-7 rounds in combat in the Iran-Iraq War
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
. This was the world's first combat application of an UCAV.
Proliferation
Countries with known operational armed drones:- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper - IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
- IAI HeronIAI HeronThe IAI Heron is a Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries. It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance operations of up to 52 hours' duration at up to 35,000 feet... - GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- IAI Heron from Israel - ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
- MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper from the U.S. - United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper from the U.S. - PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
- MQ-1 Predator from the U.S. - ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
- Aviation Industry Corp Yilong - TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
- Modified IAI HeronIAI HeronThe IAI Heron is a Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries. It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance operations of up to 52 hours' duration at up to 35,000 feet...
from Israel and General Atomics MQ-1 Predator from USA
For countries with armed drones under development, see the list in the section "Concepts" below.
Laws of war
Most countries are bound to international laws of warLaws of war
The law of war is a body of law concerning acceptable justifications to engage in war and the limits to acceptable wartime conduct...
(such as the Geneva Conventions
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties, and three additional protocols, that establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of the victims of war...
). These laws govern the conduct of participants in war (and also defines combatants). These laws place a burden upon participants to limit collateral damage
Collateral damage
Collateral damage is damage to people or property that is unintended or incidental to the intended outcome. The phrase is prevalently used as an euphemism for civilian casualties of a military action.-Etymology:...
through proper identification of targets and distinction between combatants and non-combatants. The use of completely autonomous weapon systems is problematic, however, because of the difficulty in assigning accountability to a person. Therefore, current designs still incorporate an element of human control (a "man in the loop") – meaning that a ground controller must authorize weapons release.
Concerns also include the human controller's role, because if he is a civilian and not a member of the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
(which is quite possible with developmental and highly sophisticated weapons systems) he would be considered a combatant under international law which carries a distinct set of responsibilities and consequences. It is for this reason that the "man in the loop" should ideally be a member of the military that understands and accepts his role as combatant.
On 28 October 2009, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston
Philip Alston
Philip G. Alston is an international law scholar and human rights practitioner. He is John Norton Pomeroy Professor of Law at New York University School of Law, and co-Chair of the law school's Center for Human Rights and Global Justice...
, presented a report to the Third Committee (social, humanitarian and cultural) of the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
arguing that the use of unmanned combat air vehicles for targeted killing
Targeted killing
Targeted killing is the deliberate, specific targeting and killing, by a government or its agents, of a supposed terrorist or of a supposed "unlawful combatant" who is not in that government's custody...
s should be regarded as a breach of international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
unless the United States can demonstrate appropriate precautions and accountability mechanisms are in place.
The Missile Technology Control Regime
Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime is an informal and voluntary partnership between 34 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500 kg payload at least 300 km....
applies to UCAVs.
Current concepts
- Alenia AeronauticaAlenia AeronauticaAlenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, is a European aerospace company from Italy. Its subsidiaries include Alenia Aermacchi and Alenia Aeronavali...
, Sky-xAlenia Aeronautica Sky-x-External links:*...
(TD) - BAE TaranisBAE TaranisThe BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle technology. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets...
intercontinental stealth UCAV (TD) - Dassault nEUROnDassault NeuronThe Dassault nEUROn is an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle being developed with international cooperation, led by the French company Dassault Aviation.-Description:...
stealth UCAV (TD) - Defence Research and Development OrganisationDefence Research and Development OrganisationThe Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
, DRDO Rustom - Denel Dynamics : UCAV-TD such as Bateleur (TD)
- EADS Germany & EADS SpainEADSThe European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
, EADS BarracudaEADS Barracuda|- See also :- External links :* *...
stealth UAV/UCAV (TD) - Elbit SystemsElbit SystemsElbit Systems Ltd. is one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit employs 11,000 people worldwide....
Hermes 450Elbit Hermes 450-Operators: *In June 2008, Azerbaijan ordered ten Hermes 450, choosing it over other drone models because of its "'invisibility' for the enemy's anti-aircraft defense." On September 12, 2011, a UAV was reportedly shot down by the air defense arm of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army over the...
(see below) - Israel Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007...
, EitanIAI Eitan|-See also:... - Israel Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007...
, HaropIAI HaropThe IAI Harop is an unmanned combat air vehicle developed by the MBT division of Israel Aerospace Industries. Rather than holding a separate high-explosive warhead, the drone itself is the main munition. This hunter-killer is designed to loiter the battlefield and attack targets by... - NESCOM Burraq
- Northrop GrummanNorthrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
, X-47 (TD) - MiG SkatMiG SkatDesigned by the Russian firm Mikoyan, the Skat is one of two concept strike UCAV currently being developed for the Russian Defense Ministry....
- AURA UAVAURA UAVIndia is developing an Unmanned combat Air Vehicle for the Indian Air Force. Named the AURA the design work on the UCAV is carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency ....
- Various Chinese UCAV concepts have also materialized. WZ-2000, UCAV versions of the Xianglong high altitude are long endurance UAV. Also, dedicated UCAV's Shenyang's Dark Sword (Anjian), and also revealed at Zhuhai 2008 was a model of a stealth strike UCAV with forward swept wings, filling a similar niche to US X-45 called the Warrior Eagle.
- General Atomics AvengerGeneral Atomics Avenger-External links:* *...
– long-endurance UCAV, surveillance/reconnaissance/attack, low-observables, first flight 4 April 2009. - Turkish Aerospace IndustriesTurkish Aerospace IndustriesTurkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. is the center of technology in design, development, manufacturing, integration of aerospace systems, modernization and after sales support in Turkey....
, Anka: Anka was publicized in 16.07.2010. - Iran has at least 3 UCAV types in production or in development. These are the KarrarKarrar (UCAV)-External links:* *...
, Ra'd and the stealth Sofreh Mahi. - Armstechno Dulo
Note: Some of these are not aircraft prototypes but technology demonstrators (TD) that are not expected to enter service.
BAE Taranis
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft...
- making it one of the world's largest UAVs – that will be stealthy, fast and be able to deploy a range of munitions over a number of targets and be able to defend itself against manned and other unmanned enemy aircraft. The first steel was cut in September 2007 and ground testing started in early 2009. The first flight of the Taranis is planned for the first quarter of 2012. The demonstrator will have two internal weapons bays. With the inclusion of "full autonomy" the intention is thus for this platform to be able to "think for itself" for a large part of the mission,Taranis will be one of the most advanced UCAV'S available.
J-UCAS
- Boeing X-45Boeing X-45The Boeing X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle is a concept demonstrator for a next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft, developed by Boeing's Phantom Works. Manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, the X-45 was a part of DARPA's J-UCAS project.-Development:Boeing developed...
UCAV (TD) - Northrop-Grumman X-47 Pegasus
Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems, or J-UCAS, was the name for the joint U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
/U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unmanned combat air vehicle procurement project. J-UCAS was managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military...
. In the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review
Quadrennial Defense Review
The Quadrennial Defense Review is a study by the United States Department of Defense that analyzes strategic objectives and potential military threats. The Quadrennial Defense Review Report is the main public document describing the United States's military doctrine.As stipulated in the 1997...
, the J-UCAS program was terminated. The program was revitalized into UCAS-D. It would have used stealth technologies and carry precision-guided weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition
Joint Direct Attack Munition
The Joint Direct Attack Munition is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs" into all-weather "smart" munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System receiver, giving them a published range of up to...
(JDAM) or precision miniature munitions, such as the Small-Diameter Bomb to suppress enemy air defenses.
Controllers could have used real-time data sources, including satellites, to plan for and respond to changes on and around the battlefield.
N-UCAS
UCAS-D and Northrop Grumman X-47BNorthrop Grumman X-47B
|-See also:-External links:* and * * * * - TFOT magazine**...
are the U.S. Navy-only successors to the J-UCAS, which was cancelled in 2006. Boeing is also working on the X-45N in this sector.
In a New Year 2011 editorial titled "China's Naval Ambitions," The New York Times said "[t]he Pentagon must accelerate efforts to make American naval forces in Asia less vulnerable to Chinese missile threats by giving them the means to project their deterrent power from further offshore. Cutting back purchases of the Navy’s DDG-1000 destroyer
Zumwalt class destroyer
The Zumwalt class destroyer is a planned class of United States Navy destroyers, designed as multi-mission ships with a focus on land attack. The class is a scaled-back project that emerged after funding cuts to the larger DD-21 vessel program. The program was previously known as the "DD"...
(with its deficient missile defense system) was a first step. A bigger one would be to reduce the Navy’s reliance on short-range manned strike aircraft like the F-18 and the F-35, in favor of the carrier-launched N-UCAS ...."
On 6 January 2011, the DOD announced that this would be one area of additional investment in the 2012 budget request.
USAF Hunter-Killer
- Scaled Composites Model 395Scaled Composites Model 395The Scaled Composites Model 395 is an unmanned air vehicle which is currently under development. It is a derivative of the Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus aircraft, and is being developed jointly with Northrop Grumman, who is funding the project....
- Scaled Composites Model 396Scaled Composites Model 396The Scaled Composites Model 396 is a derivative of the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The Model 396 will be an unmanned combat air vehicle, and thus will differ from the Global Hawk in carrying a weapons load underneath the fuselage. It will also be about half the size and cost, but...
- General AtomicsGeneral AtomicsGeneral Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. General Atomics’ research into fission and fusion matured into competencies in related technologies, allowing the company to expand into other fields of research...
MQ-9 ReaperMQ-9 ReaperThe General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
(originally the Predator B) - Aurora Flight Sciences/Israel Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007...
Eagle/Heron 2 - Unnamed Lockheed MartinLockheed MartinLockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
entry
The United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
has shifted its UCAV program from medium-range tactical
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
strike aircraft to long-range strategic bomber
Strategic bomber
A strategic bomber is a heavy bomber aircraft designed to drop large amounts of ordnance onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating an enemy's capacity to wage war. Unlike tactical bombers, which are used in the battle zone to attack troops and military equipment, strategic bombers are...
s. The technology of the Long Range Strike program is based on the Lockheed Martin Polecat demonstrator.
Sagem Sperwer
The Sagem Sperwer B is a long endurance tactical UAV. The Sperwer can carry two Rafael-made Spike
Spike (missile)
Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations....
LR missiles for 12 hours (can be extended to 20) with a range of 200 km. All ground facilities of the Sperwer SDT (used by France, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, Canada and Denmark) are compatible with the Sperwer B.
Elbit Hermes 450
The Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
, which operates a squadron of Hermes 450s out of Palmachim Airbase
Palmachim Airbase
Palmachim Air Force Base is an Israeli military facility and spaceport located near the cities of Rishon LeZion and Yavne on the Mediterranean Sea. It is named after nearby Kibbutz Palmachim on the Mediterranean shore....
south of Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, has adapted the Hermes 450 for use as an assault UAV, reportedly equipping it with two Hellfire
AGM-114 Hellfire
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile developed primarily for anti-armor use. It has multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is the primary 100 lb-class air-to-ground precision...
missiles or, according to various sources, two Rafael
RAFAEL Armament Development Authority
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. , known as RAFAEL or Rafael, is an Israeli defense technology company...
-made missiles. According to Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese and independent reports, the Israeli assault UAV has seen extensive service in the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
and was used intensively in the Second Lebanon War
2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
The 2006 Lebanon War, also called the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War and known in Lebanon as the July War #Other uses|Tammūz]]) and in Israel as the Second Lebanon War , was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon, northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories. The principal parties were Hezbollah...
. Israel has not denied this capability, but to date, its policy has been not to officially confirm it either.
Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System (LMAMS)
The LMAMS is a man carried missile with many UAV characteristics such as loitering time and a hand-held ground station.See also
- History of unmanned aerial vehiclesHistory of unmanned aerial vehiclesUnmanned aerial vehicles, known variously as UAVs, drones, and remotely piloted vehicles , have been a feature of aviation for much of its history, though often overlooked. For the purposes of this article, and to distinguish UAVs from missiles, a UAV is defined as being capable of controlled,...
- History of Unmanned Combat Air VehiclesHistory of Unmanned Combat Air VehiclesThe history of unmanned combat air vehicles is closely tied to the general history of unmanned aerial vehicles .-Cold War era 1945-1990:...
- UXV CombatantUXV CombatantThe UXV Combatant is a concept warship designed by BVT Surface Fleet , which was displayed at the Defence Security and Equipment International in 2007...
– A proposal for a ship dedicated to UCAVs being designed for the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... - List of unmanned aerial vehicles
- Drone attacks in PakistanDrone attacks in PakistanThe United States government, led by the Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Division, has made a series of attacks on targets in northwest Pakistan since 2004 using drones . These attacks are part of the US' War on Terrorism campaign, seeking to defeat Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants...
External links
- Wired for War: The Future of Military Robots by P. W. Singer
- Current Unmanned Vehicles and Systems
- Article on Sperwer system
- Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS)
- Saab UAV/UCAV info page
- Unmanned Aerial Systems, Mini UAV
- UCAVs – Panacea or Pipe Dream?
- Chinese UCAV-converted J-5,J-6,J-7
- Israel sets combat drones against missile launchers in Gaza, World Tribune, May 8, 2007
- Israel Starts Reexamining Military Missions and Technology, Aviation Week, August 20, 2006
- UAVs and UCAVs: developments in the European Union A briefing paper for the European ParliamentEuropean ParliamentThe European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
's Subcommittee on Security and DefenceSubcommittee on Security and DefenceThe Subcommittee on Security and Defence is a subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. It concerns Defence, and Security....
.