Chapter 12

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This chapter provides the basic characteristics of selected unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs) either in use or readily available to the OPFOR. Therefore, the UAVs discussed in this
chapter are those likely to be encountered by U.S. forces in varying levels of conflict. The selec-
tion of UAVs is not intended to be all-inclusive, rather a representative sampling of various mili-
tary capabilities.

UAVs come in various types, sizes, and levels of complexity, each having their own
niche over the battlefield. For example, fixed-wing, propeller-driven platforms excel in endur-
ance and range; jet-propelled UAV’s trade endurance for speed; and rotary-wing UAVs can
carry relatively large payloads.

UAVs are also referred to as drones or remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) depending on
their flight control. An on-board computer with the flight plan programmed into it prior to the
mission controls drones. RPVs use a data link to a ground control station where the pi-
lot/operator controls the flight manually. Many modern UAVs are capable of operating in either
manner.

Questions and comments on data listed in this chapter should be addressed to:

Mr. Walter L. Williams

DSN: 552-7923 Commercial (913) 684-7923
e-mail address: williamw@leavenworth.army.mil

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French Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fox AT1 __________________________________

SYSTEM Launch Method: Hydraulic or sandow ramp.

Alternative Designations: ASPIC AT Recovery Method: Parachute
Date of Introduction: 1988 Landing Method: skid
Proliferation: France, United Nations, and civilian customers Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: INA

Description: Survivability/Countermeasures: INA

Engines: 1 x Limbach 22 hp L 275 E two-cylinder, two-stroke, air-
cooled SENSOR/OPTICS
Propulsion: 2-blade push propeller Payload Type: CCD color video or infrared cameras, thermal ana-
Weight (kg): lyzers, high definition line scanners, NBC and meteorological
Takeoff: 90 sensors.
Fuel and Payload (combined): 30 Television field of view: INA
Speed (km/h): IR Linescan:
Maximum (level): 216 Length: INA
Cruise: 145 Resolution: INA
Ceiling (m):
Maximum: 3,000 VARIANTS:
Minimum: 30 Fox AT2 UAV
Fuel (liters): INA Fox TX Electronic Warfare UAV
Endurance (hr): 1.5 Fox TS1 Target Drone
Range (km): Fox TS3 Target Drone
RPV Mode: 50 Mini-Fox Target Drone
Relay/Programmed Mode: 100
Dimensions (m):
Wing Span: 3.6
Length (fuselage): 2.75
Height: 0.25

NOTES
The Fox AT1 UAV is one of a family of low-cost UAVs designed by the French firm CAC SYSTEMES. Each UAV system is composed of a
transportation and launching system, a ground control station (GCS) mounted on a 4x4 truck frame, and four UAVs. The Fox AT1 is launched
from a mobile launching catapult (transportation and launching system) that is mounted on a trailer with transportation compartments for 4 UAVs.
Normally two of the four UAVs are equipped with CCD cameras for daytime missions and the remaining two are FLIR equipped for nighttime
missions. Upon mission completion the UAV can be reserviced and available for another mission in less than 30 minutes. The Fox AT1 is capa-
ble of carrying 15 kilograms of various payloads. Additionally, two underwing pods allow for four loads to be carried and dropped. Normally
the GCS consist of a crew of three personnel: pilot, observer, and a technician. However, two people can deploy the UAV system and have it
available for operation in less than 20 minutes. The guidance and control consists of an UHF data link with four proportional and eight numeric
channels, of which four control the autopilot. Telemetry is through a 12-channel data link.

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French Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fox AT2 __________________________________

SYSTEM Dimensions (m):

Alternative Designations: None Wing Span: 4.0
Date of Introduction: 1988 Length (fuselage): 2.75
Proliferation: France, United Nations, and civilian customers Height: 0.25
Launch Method: Hydraulic or sandow ramp.
Description: Recovery Method: Parachute
Engines: 1 x Limbach 22 hp L 275 E two-cylinder, two-stroke, air- Landing Method: Airbag
cooled Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: INA
Propulsion: 2-blade push propeller
Weight (kg): Survivability/Countermeasures: INA
Takeoff: 135
Fuel and Payload (combined): 60 SENSOR/OPTICS
Speed (km/h): Payload Type: Panoramic CCD color Camera, Low Light Televi-
Maximum (level): 216 sion (with zoom), IR linescan CAMELIA camera, SAR camera,
Cruise: 145 FLIR, multi-sensor gimball platform (IR and visible), etc.
Ceiling (m): Television field of view: INA
Maximum: 3,000 IR Linescan:
Minimum: 30 Length: INA
Fuel (liters): INA Resolution: INA
Endurance (hr): 5
Range (km): VARIANTS: None
RPV Mode: 50, 100, 150 (200 as an option)
Relay/Programmed Mode: 350

NOTES
The Fox AT2 UAV is one of a family of low-cost UAVs designed by the French firm CAC SYSTEMES. Each UAV system is composed of a
transportation and launching system, a ground control station (GCS) mounted on a 4x4 truck frame, and four UAVs. The Fox AT2 (like the Fox
AT1) is launched from a mobile launching catapult (transportation and launching system) that is mounted on a trailer with transportation com-
partments for 4 UAVs. Normally two of the four UAVs are equipped with CCD cameras for daytime missions and the remaining two are FLIR
equipped for nighttime missions. Upon mission completion the UAV can be reserviced and available for another mission in less than 30 minutes.
The Fox AT2 is capable of carrying 30 kilograms of various payloads. Additionally, two underwing pods allow for two loads to be carried and
dropped. Normally the GCS consist of a crew of three personnel: pilot, observer, and a technician. However, two people can deploy the UAV
system and have it available for operation in less than 20 minutes. The guidance and control consists of an UHF data link with four proportional
and eight numeric channels, of which four control the autopilot. Telemetry is through a 12-channel data link.

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Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle D-4 _____________________________________

D-4 UAV with reusable solid rocket booster prior to jettison after take off

SYSTEM Dimensions (m):

Alternative Designations: ASN-104/105 Wing Span: 4.3
Date of Introduction: 1985 Length (fuselage): 3.3
Proliferation: At least 1 country Height: 0.9 (excluding skids)
Launch Method: Solid rocket booster on a zero length launcher.
Description: Recovery Method: Parachute (nonsteerable)
Engines: 1x –30 hp HS-510 four-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline air- Landing Method: 2 spring loaded skids
cooled piston Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: INA
Propulsion: 2-blade wooden push propeller
Weight (kg): Survivability/Countermeasures: INA
Takeoff: 140
Fuel and Payload (combined): INA SENSOR/OPTICS
Speed (km/h): Payload Type: Panoramic Camera, Low Light Television (with
Maximum (level): 205 zoom) and IR linescan
Cruise: 150 Television field of view: INA
Ceiling (m): IR Linescan:
Maximum: 3,200 Length: INA
Minimum: 100 Resolution: INA
Fuel (liters): INA
Endurance (hr): 2 VARIANTS: None
Range (km):
RPV Mode: 60
Relay/Programmed Mode: 100 (est.)

NOTES
The D-4 UAV is launched from a zero-length launcher using a solid rocket booster that is jettisoned after take-off.

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Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Shmel-1 _________________________________

SYSTEM Launch Method: Rocket-assisted catapult LAUNCH VEHICLE

Alternative Designations: Bumblebee Recovery Method: Parachute (nonsteerable) Designation: BTR-D
Date of Introduction: 1991 Landing Method: 4 spring loaded landing legs Alternative Designations: BMD M1979
Proliferation: At least 2 countries Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: 10 to 20 Description:
Crew: 2
Description: Survivability/Countermeasures: Combat Weight (mt): 6.7
Engines: 1x 32-hp Samara/Trud (Kuznetsov The engine and propeller are enclosed in a Chassis Length Overall (m): 5.88
) P-032 two-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline shrouded ring that serves the purpose of Height w/o Launch unit (m): 1.67
Propulsion: 3-blade shrouded pusher pro- reducing noise as well as reducing the Width Overall (m): 2.63
peller surface reflection and heat signature.
Weight (kg): Automotive Performance:
Takeoff: 130 SENSOR/OPTICS Engine Type: 240-hp Diesel
Fuel and Payload (combined): 70 Payload Type: Television and IR linescan Cruising Range (km): 500
Speed (km/h): Television Field of View: 3º to 30º (zoom) Speed (km/h):
Maximum (level): 180 IR Linescan: Max Road: 61 (est.)
Cruise: 140 Length: 3 to 4 times aircraft altitude Max Off-Road: 35 (est)
Ceiling (m): Resolution: 3 milliradians Average Cross-Country: INA
Maximum: 3,000 Max Swim: 10 (est.)
Minimum: 50 VARIANTS: None Fording Depth (m): Amphibious
Fuel (liters): INA
Endurance (hr): 2 Radio: R-123
Range (km):
RPV Mode: 60 Protection:
Relay/Programmed Mode: 120 (est.) Armor, Turret Front (mm): "Antibullet"
Dimensions (m): (7.62-mm)
Wing Span: 3.25 NBC Protection System: Yes
Length (fuselage): 2.78 Smoke Equipment: None
Height: 1.10

NOTES
The Shmel-1 is part of a complex called the STERKH, which is probably an acronym of unknown expansion. The STERKH complex consists of
a launcher, a support/maintenance vehicle, and at least one (probably as many as three) aircraft. The Yakolev Design Bureau designed the
STERKH.

The transporter-launcher-controller (TLC) has positions for two UAV operators and is capable of controlling two Shmel-1’s simultaneously.
Automatic pre-launch monitoring, launch, flight control, and displaying of the received data is conducted from the TLC. The display in the TLC
indicates aircraft position overlaid onto the television image. Given the system’s digital downlink, the IR image could also be recorded on mag-
netic tape or displayed on a video monitor. However, the data is almost certainly recorded on electronic medium for playback. The description of
the system may indicate a problem involving the inability of the operator to translate aircraft coordinates to those of the targets being located. A
laser rangefinder or designator could easily accomplish this, but such a capability is not indicated for the Shmel-1. The current system requires
coordinate conversion from map association or photographic interpretation with a laser capability to be added later.

The area coverage of the sensor payload is excellent. Analysis indicates that the camera, at an altitude of 1500 meters and a field of view of 30º,
can image an area of approximately 500,000 m2 or a circle with a radius of 400 meters. The IR linescan at the same altitude would see a strip
approximately 5,100 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. Ground resolution would decrease significantly at the ends of the scan. At a nominal
speed of 120 km/h and flying the maximum altitude, the aircraft could observe a maximum of 192 km2/h with the television system or 1,200
km2/h with the IR linescan.

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Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle TU-143 Reys _____________________________

SYSTEM Launch Method: Solid rocket booster on a mobile transporter-

Alternative Designations: DR-3 erector-launcher (TEL)
Date of Introduction: 1973 Recovery Method: Parachute (nonsteerable)
Proliferation: At least 7 countries Landing Method: 3 retractable skids (tricycle gear)
Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: 10
Description:
Engines: 1x – TRD TR3-117 turbojet Survivability/Countermeasures: INA
Propulsion: Jet
Weight (kg): SENSOR/OPTICS
Takeoff: 1,600 Payload Type: Panoramic Camera, Low Light Television and
Fuel and Payload (combined): 1,540 radiation detection equipment
Speed (km/h): Television field of view: INA
Maximum (level): 940 IR Linescan:
Cruise: 850 Length: INA
Ceiling (m): Resolution: INA
Maximum: 5,000
Minimum: 50 VARIANTS: None
Fuel (liters): 190
Endurance (minutes): 25
Range (km):
RPV Mode: N/A
Relay/Programmed Mode: 360
Dimensions (m):
Wing Span: 2.24
Length (fuselage): 8.06
Height: 1.54 (excluding skids)

NOTES
The DR-3 normally operates at a reconnaissance depth of 150 km and is preprogrammed prior to each mission. It is launched from a mobile TEL
using a solid rocket booster (that is jettisoned after take-off) in tandem with the turbojet engine. The DR-3 uses its onboard navigation and guid-
ance control to cruise at preset altitudes (four total) between 50 to 2,000 meters. Prior to landing, a drogue chute is deployed to slow the speed of
the DR-3 prior to deployment of the main recovery parachute. A braking rocket engine (located in the fuselage) is activated at an altitude of
approximately 1.8 meters to soften the landing on the “tricycle landing gear”. The DR-3 reconnaissance payload normally consists of two ver-
sions (besides the radiation detection version). The first version consists of an AP-402M aerial camera with Zima-M IR-reconnaissance equip-
ment. The second payload consists of an AP-402M aerial camera with an Aist-M TV system. The camera film is removed and processed in a
data processing station upon completion of the mission. However, data from both the TV and radiation detection equipment is downlinked in
real-time to the ground control station.

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Israeli Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Hermes 450S_______________________________

SYSTEM Survivability/Countermeasures: VARIANTS: None

Alternative Designations: INA Light composite structure, low radar signature
Date of Introduction: INA FLIGHT CONTROL
Proliferation: At least 1 country, selected SENSOR/OPTICS Control System:
for testing by another Payload Type: Four stabilized sensor pods Ground Control Station (GCS) vehicle
Description: Sensor Pod: MOSP, high end
Engines: 52 hp gasoline UEL Television day/night, autotracker, auto-scan Flight control Method:
AR-80-1010 rotary engine Sensor Pod: FSP-1 mid-high end Pre-programmed or in-flight re-program
Propulsion: 2-blade pusher propeller FLIR with 3-FOV telescope
Weight (kg): Sensor Pod: POP, low-mid-range
Takeoff: 450 CCD Television day and/or night
Payload (combined): 150 Sensor Pod: ESP-600C, low end
Speed (km/h): Television, color, day only
Maximum (level): 175
Cruise: 130 Other options: MTI radar and SAR
Ceiling (m):
Maximum: 7,000
Minimum: INA
Fuel (liters): INA
Endurance (hr): 20
Range (km):
RPV Mode: 200
Relay/Programmed Mode: INA
Dimensions (m):
Wing Span: 10.5
Length (fuselage): 6.1
Height: 2.36, body diameter 1.7
Launch Method: Wheeled take-off
Recovery Method: Conventional landing
Landing Method: 3-wheeled, w/arrest cable
Maximum Flights Per Aircraft: INA

NOTES
An available option is DGPS automatic take-off and landing. Recommend that this option is played in simulations.

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