UAV’s:UAV’s:Planes of the New Planes of the New

MillenniumMillennium

Cdt. Jonathan KimCdt. Jonathan Kim

UCIUCI

October 18, 2003October 18, 2003

ContentsContents

• Introduction / HistoryIntroduction / History

• PurposePurpose

• Advantages vs. DisadvantagesAdvantages vs. Disadvantages

• The PredatorThe Predator

• ConclusionConclusion

IntroductionIntroduction• What is a UAV?What is a UAV?

– Unmanned Air Vehicle (Unmanned Air Vehicle (designed for observationdesigned for observation))• Remote-controlled aircraft (by pre-programmed computers)Remote-controlled aircraft (by pre-programmed computers)• Used by all branches of militaryUsed by all branches of military

– Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (designed for attacking designed for attacking enemy targets)enemy targets)

• Fully Operational SystemFully Operational System– AircraftAircraft– Ground Control System (GCS)Ground Control System (GCS)– Satellite Link (communication)Satellite Link (communication)– 50+ personnel for continuous 24-hour operations50+ personnel for continuous 24-hour operations

• First returnable and reusable UAV was flown on First returnable and reusable UAV was flown on September 1932September 1932– Britain’s “Fairey Queen”; as a target drone for military’s anti-Britain’s “Fairey Queen”; as a target drone for military’s anti-

aircraft weaponsaircraft weapons

• Used for reconnaissance, intelligence, Used for reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillancesurveillance– Can attain a speed of Mach-4Can attain a speed of Mach-4– Long extended aerial coverageLong extended aerial coverage

• Some 50 universities, companies, and Some 50 universities, companies, and government organizations involvedgovernment organizations involved– Over 155 different designsOver 155 different designs

• US Military alone operates more than 510 UAV’s US Military alone operates more than 510 UAV’s todaytoday

Purpose ( WHY? )Purpose ( WHY? )

• AF needed a more cost-effective way to AF needed a more cost-effective way to utilize their Hellfire missiles utilize their Hellfire missiles – Cost for manned aircraft was expensiveCost for manned aircraft was expensive

• Without pilots, it opened up more optionsWithout pilots, it opened up more options

– More capabilitiesMore capabilities• Technology: Lighter, faster, etc.Technology: Lighter, faster, etc.

– Requirements for pilots not neededRequirements for pilots not needed

• InexpensiveInexpensive

Advantages vs. Advantages vs. DisadvantagesDisadvantages• AdvantagesAdvantages

• Light-weightLight-weight– 2,500 lbs compared to an 2,500 lbs compared to an

F-16 (27,000 lbs)F-16 (27,000 lbs)• InexpensiveInexpensive

– 50% less for production50% less for production– 50% less to maintain and 50% less to maintain and

operateoperate– Up to $14 mill. While Up to $14 mill. While

manned aircraft costs up manned aircraft costs up to $500 millto $500 mill

• Unmanned – no life at riskUnmanned – no life at risk• Can fly for 20 hoursCan fly for 20 hours• Fuel-efficientFuel-efficient

– Allows them to stay in the Allows them to stay in the air for 20 hoursair for 20 hours

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• ManeuverabilityManeuverability• Environmental restrictions Environmental restrictions

to flightto flight

Types of UAV’sTypes of UAV’s

The PredatorThe Predator

The PredatorThe Predator• Primary FunctionPrimary Function

– Surveillance, Intelligence, ReconnaissanceSurveillance, Intelligence, Reconnaissance• EngineEngine

– 4-cylinder; 81hp4-cylinder; 81hp• WeightWeight

– 1,130 lbs1,130 lbs• Deployed:Deployed:

– First flew in 1994First flew in 1994– Operations over BosniaOperations over Bosnia

• Over 600 missions for NATO, UN, USOver 600 missions for NATO, UN, US– Operation Iraqi FreedomOperation Iraqi Freedom

• Equipped with:Equipped with:– Color nose camera (generally used for flight control)Color nose camera (generally used for flight control)– Infrared camera for low light/nightInfrared camera for low light/night– Synthetic aperture radar for looking through smoke, Synthetic aperture radar for looking through smoke,

clouds, or hazeclouds, or haze

ConclusionConclusion

• IntroductionIntroduction– UVA’s have proven to be a major advancement UVA’s have proven to be a major advancement

in air powerin air power• Does not put pilots lives at riskDoes not put pilots lives at risk• More capable than manned aircraftMore capable than manned aircraft• InexpensiveInexpensive

• Why were UAV’s wanted/used?Why were UAV’s wanted/used?• What are some of the advantages and What are some of the advantages and

disadvantages?disadvantages?• What is the Predator? What is the Predator?

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?