I S R SYSTEMS
craft is a medium-to-high altitude hunterkiller system, providing real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists via a sophisticated sensor suite. Imagery is provided by an infrared sensor, a colour / monochrome daylight TV and an image-intensified TV, viewable individually or as a fused stream via the IR sensor. The laser rangefinder/designator provides the capability to precisely designate targets for laser-guided munitions, and synthetic aperture radar enables Joint Direct Attack Munitions targeting. The Reaper is being extensively used by US forces in Afghanistan and Central Intelligence Agency-operated aircraft are also believed to be in operation in Pakistan’s border areas. The performance of the system has led to enquiries by several Asian nations about its potential availability. However, General Atomics has yet to find any Asian customer that the US government is willing to release the sensitive technology to. India, South Korea and Singapore are all believed to have expressed some interest in the UAV. The Elbit Systems Hermes 450 is a versatile long-endurance UAV, and is widely accepted as the leading long-endurance tactical UAV in its class. With a multi-payload capability of up to 150kg and endurance of up to 20 hours, the Hermes 450 is a sophisticated ISTAR platform, designed to be integrated with existing and future capabilities.
Armed forces are increasingly looking for technology that can be deployed quickly by company-level or below ground forces
Onboard sensors are comprised of EO/IR, synthetic aperture radar and electronic surveillance and communications equipment. Information is transmitted via line-of-sight datalink to the ground station and rapidly processed, providing intelligence for armed forces in a range of environments. The UAV is being offered to fulfil an outstanding Australian requirement, while several other nations in Asia have procured the aircraft.
Next-generation capabilities
These systems, among others, have contributed greatly to the changing nature of modern warfare in traditional battle zones. However, the difficulties of effective operation in urban environments are forcing ISTAR technology to advance in new directions. Armed forces are increasingly looking for technology that can be deployed quickly by company-level or below ground forces within urban areas to tackle the evolving threats faced there, such as identifying marksmen,
The CamCopter S-100 VTOL UAV has had procurement success in a number of countries Š Schiebel
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ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
roadside bombs, and armed militia. However, while these systems remain the safest way for armed forces to gain intelligence on enemy targets, their large size, and associated equipment required for operation (such as launch and recovery systems) mean that they are not as well suited for use within urban areas as various other systems currently being developed. One area which is being explored by defence companies is vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs. As a result of the relatively low technology levels required in order to enter the UAV market, there are numerous technologies being developed and marketed to armed forces in the region. These UAVs are designed to be light and small enough to be deployed by ground troops to establish situational awareness in dense urban environments. Within a range of hostile situations these systems provide intelligence and reconnaissance information gathering, target detection and surveillance, battle damage assessment, sending real-time video of target to command and control via satellite, giving battle commanders real-time knowledge of the battle ground. A major leader in the VTOL field is the Schiebel CamCopter. The CamCopter S-100 medium-range, medium-endurance VTOL UAV is a highly versatile and autonomous compact helicopter aerial vehicle, designed to be fitted with a variety of payloads in accordance with diverse user requirements.