Journal of the JAPCC

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www.alenia-aeronautica.it Above and Beyond. 2 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Editorial

As the process of NATO Transformation moves forward, it is clear that a number of key capability areas are now being tackled, including a wide range of air power related topics. However, perhaps one area that has yet to be addressed fully is that of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Undoubtedly, the technology in this area has made rapid advances in recent years and, whilst individual NATO nations have developed a range of UAS related programmes, we have yet to develop any detailed NATO policy and doctrine to guide the future development of UAS and fully integrate them into future combined operations. This needs early resolution if NATO is to make best use of UAS within its force structure and also reap maximum operational benefit from this exciting new technology.

To try and take this work forward, the JAPCC has made the UAS topic its top priority theme for 2006. Our intention is to engage with all UAS stakeholders, including NATO staff, industry and academia to identify what NATO needs to do to exploit the UAS potential properly. We plan to do this through a variety of different fora, including meetings and conferences. This JAPCC Journal is a further major strand in this approach. Based upon all these different discussions and feedback, our aim is to develop a NATO UAS “Flightplan”, setting out what topics need to be tackled in order to transform the NATO UAS capability.

Reflecting the growing importance of UAS, this issue of the JAPCC Journal offers a range of viewpoints, beginning with an article from our new Director, General Tom Hobbins. Also included are inputs from a cross-section of NATO Chiefs of Air Staff summarizing their current UAS operations and their future national plans in this area. Beyond that, articles are also provided on the UAS experience in current operations, including that from an Israeli perspective, together with academic and industry views. Taken as a whole, I believe this provides a comprehensive insight into all aspects of UAS operation, which I hope will serve to stimulate debate across the NATO air community.

The Journal of the JAPCC welcomes Following on from the last edition, I am grateful to the new Chief of Air unsolicited manuscripts of up to 1000 Staff, RAF, for his personal interview that gives us all a good insight into words in length. Please e-mail your future RAF plans within the NATO context. I am also pleased to have manuscript as an electronic file in MS received an unsolicited article from Dr Andrea Nativi, which I hope may Word to [email protected] be the first of many from our elite readership.

We encourage comments on the I hope you enjoy this edition of the JAPCC Journal. articles in order to promote discussion concerning Air and Space Power inside NATO’s Joint Air community. All comments should be sent to [email protected] Hans-Joachim Schubert

The Journal of the JAPCC, Lieutenant General, DEU A Roemerstrasse 140, D-47546 Kalkar Germany Executive Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre

3 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transforming Joint Air Power: The Journal of the JAPCC

Director Joint Air Power Competence Centre Gen Tom Hobbins

Executive Director Joint Air Power Competence Centre Lt Gen Hans-Joachim Schubert

Editor Transformation & Capabilities Air Cdre Dai Williams 6 Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Deputy Editor Refocusing the Integration of Wg Cdr Richard Duance Air & Space Power Editorial Board Col Valentino Savoldi Lt Col Terje Fagerli Lt Col Kenneth Kerr 10 The Evolving Capability of Wg Cdr Peter York UAV Systems Maj Gert-Jan Wolkers Maj Panagiotis Akinosoglou Maj Patrick Piana MSgt Richard Bago

Sponsor Manager 14 Integrating UAVs with Other Maj Frank Weißkirchen Airspace Users

Production Manager Mr Simon Ingram

Design and Art Production SSgt Duane White

Distribution SMSgt Edgar Hersemeyer

The Journal of the JAPCC is the professional publication of NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre aiming to serve as a forum for the presentation and stimulation of innovative © Crown Copyright/MOD thinking on NATO air power related issues such as doctrine, strategy, force structure and readiness. The views and opinions expressed or implied in The Journal of the JAPCC are those of the authors and should not be construed as carrying the official sanction of NATO. 18 Exploiting a New High Ground All articles within this issue not bearing a copyright notice may be reproduced in whole or in part without further permission. Articles bearing a copyright notice may be reproduced for any NATO purpose without permission. If any article is being reproduced, The Journal of the JAPCC requests a courtesy line. To obtain permission for the 22 Beyond Technology: reproduction of material bearing a copyright notice Successful Unmanned Aircraft for other than NATO purposes, contact the author System Employment of the material rather than The Journal of the JAPCC.

4 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 CONTENTS

View Points Out of the Box

26 An Interview with Chief of 48 Airbase Defence in the Air Staff, Royal Air Force Expeditionary Operations

Photo NATO

30 30 Years of Israeli UAV Experience: 52 News Interoperability and Commonality

34 Manned Unmanned Missions: 54 JAPCC Conference 2005 Chance or Challenge?

38 Manned Vs Unmanned: Regulars Aerial Systems - False Expectations, Real Opportunities & Future Challenges 56 Bios

42 Lessons Learned from Predator Operations 58 Book Review

44 Unmanned Air Vehicles: Some National Perspectives Cover page: Boeing Copyright

5 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Refocusing the Integration of

By General Tom Hobbins, USA A Air & Space Power Director of the JAPCC

nmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) of all types and sizes Uare proving their worth everyday in operations around the world. From hurricane relief in New Orleans to combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are extremely flexible. They can be designed and built for small reconnaissance ground-teams, for strategic level commanders and any level between. Besides being flexible, they are also cost effective. Compared to other assets, UAS can complete their missions at relatively lower costs. The tremendous advances in technology and the exploding numbers of UAS offer even greater opportunities for aerospace power. But, unless these systems are properly integrated into a comprehensive command and control system, UAS will not meet their full potential. Northrop Grumman Copyright Global Hawk UAS Boom

Joint air and space power is in the a wingspan of approximately 30 Hawk and Euro Hawk that weigh midst of a proliferation of UAS. centimeters.2 It has a ceiling of 1,200 more than 14,500 kilograms, are As recently reported by the US feet, a range of less than 5 nautical over 15 meters long and have a Department of Defense, over 32 miles and an endurance that is wingspan of 40 meters.4 The nations are developing or measured in minutes.3 At the other Global Hawk capabilities include a manufacturing more than 250 end of the spectrum, there are long- ceiling of 65,000 feet, an different models, and 41 countries endurance systems like Global intercontinental range of 5,400 are operating over 80 types of UAS.1 By the latest count, the US alone is operating over 1,000 The US Department of Defense adopted the unmanned systems. Added to this UAS terminology rather than unmanned aerial explosion in the number of systems, vehicle (UAV) to more clearly emphasize that there has been a similar expansion in the diversity of UAS’ size and the aircraft is only one component of the system, capabilities. At the low-end of the and is in line with the Federal Aviation Administrations spectrum there are micro unmanned decision to treat UAVs as systems like the Wasp. This mico- UAV weighs less than 225 grams, is aircraft for regulatory purposes. just over 20 centimeters long with

6 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 nautical miles and an endurance of 32 hours.5 By 2015, the number of UAS will increase by more than 3,000.6 The introduction of new UAS will continue for many years to come. When unmanned balloons and near-space systems with ceilings of over 120,000 feet are added to the mix, endurance can be measured in months and the diversity of capabilities and options available to commanders are incalculable.7

Segregation

Currently, however, this proliferation and diversity of UAS have led to developments that are segregating airspace and aircraft and Mission Technologies Copyright The BUSTER hampering the application of aerospace power. Even more troubling is that this is happening launched by soldiers and reach Commander of US Central counter to the transformational altitudes up to 10,000 feet. The Command Air Forces, has stated efforts of NATO nations to system provides soldiers with “What I worry about is the day integrate their forces better and extraordinary capabilities. This when I have a C-130 down low with make them more interoperable for example can be repeated in many a cargo-load full of soldiers and a both joint and combined operations. other Services of the NATO UAV, it won’t have to be a big one, Two “pressures” are driving the nations. Each Service and the comes right through the cockpit segregation. The first is the “bottom- industries that support them are windshield”.9 These problems have up” tactical development of UAS scrambling to field UAS to tackle led to increased procedural airspace without an overall strategic vision the many difficult problems each control measures in an attempt to or concept of operations and second face. deconflict aircraft and increase is the corresponding lack of safety. Although procedural procedures to integrate these diverse However, little is being done to airspace control measures provide systems into a network of systems. establish the means to integrate these some increased level of safety for It is not surprising that each nation unmanned systems with other forces aircraft over what is provided by and its independent services are and systems, be it between manned uncontrolled airspace, it is far from focused on fielding unmanned and unmanned, interservice, or optimal and does little to optimize systems to provide new capabilities international systems. The high support to the joint fight. Airmen to meet their own very specific demand for current and planned from all Services and nations must needs. For example, the US Army UAS, the diversity in their address this and other issues has acquired a small tactical UAS capabilities and the lack of an segregating airpower and develop known as BUSTER (Backpack integrating concept of operations, solutions to improve the integration Unmanned Surveillance Targeting across all these systems, is putting of all its assets. We must also ensure and Enhanced Reconnaissance), to pressure on command and control our army and navy forces are meet its requirement for a system measures to operate these systems involved in the solution to this issue. to provide warfighters with critical, safely in crowded airspace. real-time battlefield information in According to the USAF Joint Air- Joint Integration high-risk areas such as Iraq and Ground Operations Center, there Afghanistan. The purpose of this have been three midair collisions Although current and future system is to increase the warfighters’ between small unmanned aircraft unmanned systems may be quick situational awareness and provide and helicopters during current to solve individual Service and them with force protection. These combat operations making airspace tactical problems, more must be systems weigh only 4.5 kilograms control and deconfliction serious done to develop the means to and can be carried in a backpack, issues.8 Lt Gen Walter Buchanan, integrate these systems beyond

7 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

Photo NATO

The networking of systems will improve situational awareness and battlespace knowledge at all levels of command.

their stove-pipe functions into the aircraft and the components. The Concepts of Operation joint and combined force team. proliferation of unmanned systems Optimization of UAS as part of only highlights existing problems in It is time for airmen to take the lead joint/combined forces requires a attempting to apply existing linear and aggressively develop the wider perspective. It is incumbent battlefield doctrine to non-linear concepts of operation where UAS upon each nation and the Alliance situations, like urban operations, are integrated into the joint force in to develop the doctrine, concept of which joint forces face today. In an “value-added” roles. UAS can add operations, standards, and tactics, attempt to employ various joint value by increasing military techniques and procedures (TTP) forces safely in the tight and difficult capability, decreasing cost, or necessary to integrate UAS and confines of urban operations, reducing risk. If systems do not add other systems into our force commanders are forced to increase value to a particular mission, nations structure. NATO should take the procedural deconfliction measures. should not pursue them until they lead to standardize national efforts When unmanned systems are added would add value. Generally, UAS to the maximum extent possible. to the dense concentration of show great promise as a tool for different assets, the situation is missions that are dull, dirty, or Doctrine further exacerbated, leading to more dangerous. Regardless of the roles restrictive procedural measures. they serve, and to the maximum At the doctrinal level there are a Although this provides increased extent possible, UAS must be number of issues that must be safety to those assets in the air, it interconnected with other systems addressed. A major doctrinal only further limits the application and forces throughout the challenge centres on how to integrate of aerospace power, handicapping battlespace to exchange information these systems into the airspace that is its many strengths and ultimately and help correlate this information typically above what is controlled by decreasing the air support available more quickly, precisely, and the ground component commander. to those who need it most. Joint efficiently. The networking of Some examples of this type of doctrine must move away from systems will improve situational procedural control include procedures that only serve to awareness and battlespace segregating airspace into restricted deconflict joint forces. New joint knowledge. The networking of areas and coordination zones as well doctrine must allow and provide the systems and appropriate sharing of as providing altitude blocks for positive means necessary to allow knowledge must occur at all levels different types of aircraft. Currently, airmen to integrate air assets in from the tactical: for the company procedural airspace control measures order to meet the Joint Force fighting the 3-block urban war; to are being employed to deconflict Commander’s priorities. the operational: for commanders

8 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 who must allocate limited resources and monitor, adjust and communicate their operational intent; to the strategic: for our political masters who must provide political guidance and civilian control.

Force Development

High-level doctrine and concepts of operations are simply not enough to bring UAS integrated capabilities to the joint fight. A cadre of professionals must be trained to maintain and operate these systems as part of an interconnected joint/combined team. For each concept of operation, TTP must be developed. Currently, due to a lack of resources and out of necessity, development of UAS TTP has been left primarily to the warfighters engaged in operations. Although this has produced results, just as in other aerial platforms, it is preferable to have the resources Mission Technologies Copyright necessary to develop, test and refine The system provides soldiers with extraordinary capabilities. TTP, and train personnel prior to their employment on the battlefield. This will require nations and space power’s contribution to to provide solutions to the to not only purchase relatively joint and combined operations. problems that have driven the rapid inexpensive unmanned systems but They must judiciously review development of unmanned aircraft also to secure the necessary standing air and joint doctrine in systems of all shapes, sizes and manpower and other resources to the context of today’s strategic capabilities. serve as the cadre that will nurture, environment and push necessary develop and refine the application changes forward. Concepts of 1 Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), -The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap: 2005-2030, of airpower through UAS. Operations and the TTPs to 20 July 2005, p. 38, http://www.acq.osd.mil/usd/ support them must be established Roadmap%20Final2.pdf. Conclusion for the missions where UAS can 2 Ibid., 29. 3 Ibid. add value. Finally, additional 4 Ibid., 6. The efficient and effective resources, beyond merely 5 Ibid. 6 Frost and Sullivan research study findings for the integration and interoperability of acquiring equipment, to include European and Asian markets, combined with air and space forces into joint and investments in personnel, JAPCC research on US UAS acquisition programs. Frost and Sullivan data was presented at the Future combined operations is the organizational structure, training of Unmanned Vehicles conference held in London keystone of aerospace and facilities, among others, are in November 2005. 7 OSD Roadmap, 35. transformation. The integration of necessary to develop UAS’ 8 Rebecca Grant, “The Clash of UAV Tribes”, Air unmanned aerial systems is a contribution to joint/combined Force Magazine Online, Vol. 88, no. 9 (September 2005): http://www.afa.org/magazine/sept2005/ microcosm of the effort that must forces. As airmen develop the road 0905UAV.asp. be made to improve joint forces forward for unmanned systems in 9 Lt Gen Walter Buchanan, presentation at Defense News Media Group’s Joint Warfare Conference interconnectedness. Airmen must particular, and aerospace power as on 26 Oct 2005, reported by Glenn W. Goodman critically challenge the status quo a whole, they must remember to Jr., “Congested Airspace: Hand launched UAVs Create Hazards for Manned Aircraft”, C4ISR: The and provide comprehensive think jointly and work with the Journal of Net-Centric Warfare, 9 January 2006, recommendations to improve air ground and maritime components http://www.isrjournal.com/story.php?F=1379999

9 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

The Evolving Capability of

UAV Systems By Professor Ian Poll OBE FREng FCGI FAIAA FRAeS

he uninhabited air vehicle (UAV) proposing the use of radio signals However, these were unsuccessful Tis a concept whose origins can to guide vehicles and some with largely due to the primitive radio be traced back over 100 years. military interests were proposing the control technology and were not Professor Samuel Langley, the concept of aerial torpedoes. By the pursued because the rapidly Secretary of the Smithsonian beginning of WW1, Elmer Sperry developing manned aviation was Institution in Washington DC, began had demonstrated gyro-stabilization carrying all before it. Between the a serious scientific study of the issues in flight, paving the way for flight wars, the principal driver for UAV relating to heavier than air flying technology was the requirement for machines in 1886 and between 1890 low cost, but realistic, target practice and 1896, he built a number of for anti-aircraft gunners. experimental, steam powered air Nevertheless, the key enabling vehicles, which he called technologies continued to be “aerodromes”. The culmination of developed for reasons that had very his work was Aerodrome Number little to do with unmanned aviation. 5. This had two wings, each with a span of 4.2 m, arranged in tandem Coming of Age and it had a mass of 11 kg, including the mass of the 0.75 kW steam During WW2 the aerial torpedo engine. On the 6th of May 1896, concept was used by Germany in following a catapult launch, Number the form of the V1 “flying bomb” 5 covered a distance of over 1 km, and many of the UAV enabling at a height of 35 m and a speed of technologies received a terrific over 20mph. The event was boost; notably propulsion, witnessed, and photographed, by Professor Samuel Langley guidance, navigation, electronics and Alexander Graham Bell and it was computation. Post WW2, in parallel the first sustained flight of an un- with the rapid development of piloted, powered, stable, heavier- control systems that did not rely on manned aviation, it was recognized than-air machine of substantial size. human senses, or skill, and which that the UAV could be used to could be pre-programmed to extend military operational Ground Breaking Flight eliminate the need for human capability. UAVs began to be intervention. During WW1, there considered for reconnaissance, Even before this ground breaking were a number of experimental decoying, suppression of enemy air flight, visionaries (and cranks) were aerial torpedo programmes. defences (SEAD) and long range

10 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 The aerial torpedo concept was used by Germany in the form of the V1 Flying Bomb.

delivery of weapons (stand-off became a major user and developer and the internet have driven bombs). However, progress was of UAV systems and their developments in information still hampered by the lack of associated technologies. processing, imaging, simulation, maturity of some of the key encryption, and data management, technologies. This was especially true Enabling Technologies analysis and compression. Arguably, in the areas of guidance and the most significant development of navigation. The past 20 years have seen all has been the establishment of the tremendous progress in the global positioning system (GPS). It is generally acknowledged that enabling technologies, largely thanks the UAV “came of age” during the to growth in non-aerospace Aviation Development Vietnam conflict. This was the first markets. The mobile phone boom time that UAVs were used in action has driven communications, display From the beginning of aviation, the and a very large number of missions and energy storage technology. The navigation task has been performed were flown. UAVs were used to personal computer market has by humans. The availability of gather images and electronic and driven processing power and data secure GPS is revolutionizing communications intelligence. They storage capacity to ever increasing navigation and it allows the were also used for SEAD. In the levels, whilst power consumption, complete removal of the human 1980s, as a result of repeated size and cost have been dramatically from the cockpit. Over the past one conflicts in the Middle East, Israel reduced. The video games market hundred years, there have been

Photo US DoD

Military options can be constrained by the potential cost in lives.

11 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

tremendous developments in With no humans in the cockpit, a no operational value. In technology military, manned aviation. However, great many things change. terms, there are serious gaps in in many ways, the potential of propulsion and actuation aviation to deliver military benefit System Development technology for small vehicles. UAVs and advantage is severely limited by in the Tactical Class offer the the human in the cockpit. Air After a century of manned military greatest number of new operational vehicles are subjected to very severe aviation, we have the opportunity opportunities, but without robust biological limitations. The human to open a completely new line of and reliable sub-systems the puts clear limits on the size, speed, development for airborne systems. potential cannot be released. altitude, manoeuvrability, endurance, However, progress is being configuration, complexity and inhibited by a number of pressing Challenges methods of launch and recovery. issues that need to be addressed and When these limits are removed a solved quickly. Arguably, the most Beyond these teething problems, whole new spectrum of operational serious problem is that of the principal challenge is the capability is released. Added to this airworthiness and certification. development of new concepts of is the fact that human life has Military and civil regulations have operation. At this early evolutionary become a huge political issue. been developed to cover manned stage, the operational emphasis is on Military options can be constrained systems and manned operations and intelligence gathering, mirroring by the potential cost in lives. In a the regulators have not yet provided almost perfectly the initial stages in world where news travels in all a framework that will allow UAV the development of manned directions at the speed of light, even operators to “file and fly” in all aircraft. However, as awareness of the loss of a single life can have a types of airspace. UAV systems that the potential grows so will the major impact on public opinion. can only operate on ranges are of demand for other capability. At present, unmanned systems are being used to complement and augment legacy manned systems, whose service lives are measured in decades and which are sometimes ill-suited to the tasks that they are required to perform. UAVs offer more capability, less risk, lower cost, shorter service lives and faster and more frequent upgrades. This means that UAV equipment can be matched to the existing threats and, with greater flexibility than manned systems, be able to adapt more readily to changes in the nature of the threats or to completely new threats.

Whole military strategies can be built around new UAV system capability, in much the same way as happened with manned aircraft in the last century and, although there may be some reluctance to accept the view that UAV systems will revolutionize military thinking in the 21 st century, it can be argued that manned aircraft systems are now in the same position as battleships were in the early years of the 20th century and we know what (ST Aero) FanTail Singapore Technologies Aerospace Copyright happened to them!

12 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 ).$5342)

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6$$(8$9B-$$3&LQGG Transformation & Capabilities

Integrating UAVs With Other Airspace Users

By Wing Commander Mike Strong, RAF, EUROCONTROL Military Unit

Background

The concept of an aircraft without a pilot in the cockpit mixing with other airspace users is an anathema to many people and a challenge to regulators. Nevertheless, this is exactly what EUROCONTROL is seeking to address with regard to UAVs.

EUROCONTROL is the European organization for the safety of air navigation. Although predominantly civil-staffed, it includes a Military Unit, is based in Brussels, comprises 35 member states and is responsible inter alia for developing a seamless, pan-European air traffic management (ATM) system.

14 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Photo by SAAB AD

15 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

Dassault Aviation / Infographie nEUROn artistic-drawing

The Need to develop EUROCONTROL recognized this and were, specifications for the use of accordingly, extremely supportive. At present, most military UAVs in military UAVs as Operational Air Europe are restricted to airspace Traffic (OAT) outside segregated Principles that is segregated for the purpose airspace, was undertaken by a from other aircraft or they are specially formed task force (the The TF followed three basic flown over the sea using special UAV-OAT TF) comprising military principles. Firstly, UAV operations arrangements. Where operations are and civilian members with should not increase the risk to other permitted outside segregated experience in the ATM practicalities airspace users; secondly, ATM airspace, numerous restrictions to of UAV operations. NATO also procedures should mirror those ensure the safety of other airspace participated. applicable to manned aircraft; and users normally apply. This is thirdly, the provision of air traffic extremely limiting. To exploit fully Why Specifications? services to UAVs should be the unique operational capabilities transparent to ATC controllers. The of current and future UAV Early on, the TF opted for TF also sought to be innovative by platforms and to undertake the Specifications as the most not accepting any constraint training necessary for the safe appropriate category from the imposed by limitations in current conduct of UAV operations, EUROCONTROL regulatory and UAV capability. Instead, it took the European military authorities advisory framework, rather than view that technical issues were require UAVs to be able to access Rules or Guidelines. Specifications had something for industry to address. all classes of airspace and to be able voluntary status; individual states Notwithstanding, the TF paid to operate across national borders. would therefore be free to decide particular attention to collision whether or not to incorporate the avoidance, sense and avoid, and This need was articulated during EUROCONTROL specifications separation minima, since these are the autumn 2003 session of the into their own national regulations. areas of understandable concern to European Air Chief Conference, other airspace users. which suggested an investigation The TF sought to avoid should be made into the possible reinventing the wheel by identifying Specifications harmonization of ATM procedures best practice and building upon for the use of military UAVs outside existing material. That said, in The TF initially identified 26 draft segregated airspace in peacetime. reality, there were no extant national EUROCONTROL specifications, EUROCONTROL was invited to procedures just waiting to be covering areas such as: undertake the work required adopted and adapted for because of its pre-eminence in implementation throughout · Categorization of UAV ATM in Europe and the task was Europe. Instead, the TF had to start operations. then assigned to the Military Unit with something very close to a · Mode of operation. within the Agency. The work itself, clean sheet of paper. Nations · Flight rules.

16 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 · Separation from other they envisage a primary mode of service provided to UAVs should airspace users. operation that entails oversight by accord with that provided to · Sense and avoid. a pilot-in-command and a back-up manned aircraft, and UAVs should · Separation minima. mode that enables a UAV to revert carry similar equipment for flight, · Airfield operations. to autonomous flight in the event navigation and communication as · Emergency procedures. of loss of data-link. A similar required for manned aircraft when · Interface with ATC. hierarchy is followed with regard to flying VFR and IFR except for Anti- · Equipment requirements. separation provision and collision Collision Avoidance System, which avoidance. Thus, where ATC is not is currently predicated on having a These were then subjected to a available to separate a UAV from pilot in the cockpit. safety assurance process by an external contractor, intended to In short, if UAVs require support the argument that, by The specifications are integration with other airspace users, application of the draft high-level, generic and they must fit in with those other specifications, military UAV users and with current procedures, OAT operations in non- standalone, so they can be rather than existing ATM having to segregated airspace will be understood without adjust to accommodate UAVs. acceptably safe. The approach supporting detail and The Way Ahead taken was to demonstrate that thereby be more amenable the risks to other airspace users from UAV operations would be to incorporation into The draft specifications are presently no greater than for manned national regulations. being progressed through the military OAT in non-segregated EUROCONTROL consultative airspace and would be reduced and approval process, with the aim as far as reasonably possible. of presenting them to the Recommendations arising from this other airspace users, the pilot-in- Provisional Council (a process were then incorporated command will assume this EUROCONTROL governing into the specification document, responsibility using available body) by the end of 2006. The TF resulting in an increase in the surveillance information and has maintained links with other number of specifications to 33. technical assistance in the form of agencies, helped by the fact that most a sense-and-avoid system. The TF members were at the heart of The specifications are high-level, latter will also initiate last-ditch their own nations’ policy-making on generic and standalone, so they can autonomous collision avoidance UAVs. In addition, the TF be understood without supporting should circumstances warrant. Chairman participates in the NATO detail and thereby be more UAV FINAS (Flight in Non- amenable to incorporation into Other specifications are even more Segregated Airspace) Military national regulations. For example, pragmatic. Thus, the air traffic Working Group, which is likely to adopt the EUROCONTROL specifications for the ATM aspect of its work.

There is no doubting the collective wish for a successful outcome to the work of the UAV-OAT TF. However, because this is focussed on ATM, it is just one part of the bigger jig-saw that must fit together before military UAVs will be allowed to fly routinely outside segregated airspace. Other agencies working on airworthiness, security, operator training and other such aspects must all perforce play their part. SAAB Aerosystems Copyright

17 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

Exploiting a New High Ground Using the Airspace Above Flight Level 650

By Colonel (S) Dan Lewandowski, USA A, JAPCC

18 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 In some circles, it’s called ‘Near Space’. Others call it ‘Very High Altitude’. Whatever you call it, the airspace from 65,000 feet to 325,000 feet AMSL (20 to 100 km) is a part of the Earth’s atmosphere that almost no one uses. With technological advances, particularly in the area of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), exploitation of the Stratosphere and Mesosphere is now becoming affordable and a real possibility for military operations. Why So High?

The desire to go above flight level 650 (above 20 km) is driven by security, weather avoidance, cost, and persistence. Security at such high flight levels is increased because of the almost non-existence of threat weapons that can operate at such high altitudes. Security is further enhanced by the fact that from such a height, most adversaries won’t even know the collection platform is in the area. As for weather, once the UAS passes through the Troposphere, it is above all normal weather considerations. Temperatures are, relatively speaking, rather constant. The new environmental consideration is that of exposure to the Sun’s radiation. This is not difficult or costly to deal with, especially when no human is in the vehicle. Very high altitude UAS are expected to have the additional advantage of being much less expensive when compared to satellites.

Exosphere 400 km Thermosphere 100 km Mesophere 50 km Stratosphere 10 km Troposphere

Image courtesy of NASA

19 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

and flight path of the satellite over Image courtesy of NASA the location being viewed. With UAS advances, the limitation of the human is gone and the advantage of persistence remains for extended periods of time. The Euro Hawk, for example, is expected to have an endurance of 32 hours. Although not at an altitude above 65,000 feet, this demonstrates the advances already made in high altitude persistence. Going into the Stratosphere is where Very High Altitude platforms really could earn their place in the military Order of Battle. For example, Lockheed Martin is currently developing a test model High Altitude Airship (HAA) that is scheduled for launch in 2011. If successful, the HAA will remain in Satellites have normally provided collection capabilities over the battlespace. flight for 90 to 180 days, with a 4,000 pound (1,800 kg) payload. Persistence is the single most greatly increased over time. These important benefit of operating in aircraft are now only limited by the What Would We Use At the Stratosphere. A commander endurance of the human in the Very High Altitudes? desires persistence so that he or she cockpit. Satellites have the advantage can maximize situational awareness, of no over-flight restrictions which The missions and capabilities of collect information and increase enables collection over otherwise UAS range from the smallest micro knowledge. As an example, imagine denied airspace. And from systems, weighing less than half of the power of being able to track geostationary orbit, satellites can one pound, to the large Global every moving ground vehicle in a ‘stare’ at a location for years at a Hawk that has a wingspan 1.3 theatre from a single very high time. Satellites have their limits metres wider than an Airbus 320, altitude UAS utilizing a ground though. From geostationary orbit and 6 feet wider than that of a moving target indicator radar. approximately 22,240 statute miles Boeing 757. What this wide array Combine that radar with change of UAS lack though, is the ability detection software and computer to go to the highest levels of flight. computation capabilities that can A commander desires Only airships and vehicles equipped provide speed of vehicles, persistence so that he or with rocket-type engines can go to groupings of vehicles and tracking flight levels of 70,000 feet and of individual high visibility vehicles, she can maximize higher. The ‘explosion’ of UAS then a single asset can enable situational awareness, capabilities is fuelling efforts to go information dominance on the collect information and even higher, to go regularly through battlefield. the Tropopause and into the increase knowledge. Stratosphere. The hope is that Very Aircraft or satellites have High Altitude UAS could one day normally provided collection even fly into the Mesosphere. From capabilities over the battlespace. (35,786 km) above the Earth’s these altitudes, the main missions The persistence of aircraft over a surface, it is difficult to see small of UAS would be Intelligence, location has been mostly limited by objects, because the resolution of Surveillance & Reconnaissance the pilot. Due to long mean times various sensors is poor. From (ISR) by an array of electro-optical, between mechanical failures, and lower orbiting satellites, you get electronic emission, synthetic the development of air-to-air much better resolution, but the time aperture, infra-red and weather refuelling, the ability of collection- over target is reduced to 15 minutes sensors, and communication relay type aircraft to stay on station has or less, depending on the exact orbit or broadcast.

20 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Why Is An Easy Concept Image courtesy of NASA So Difficult To Achieve?

Probably the most asked question is why are we trying to use an Airship? Why not just make an aeroplane to fly that high, or a satellite to fly that low? The basic reason we can’t use aeroplanes is because we can’t get the lifting force needed. Given that below the Tropopause, air density decreases by half every 20,000 feet (6 km) and above the Tropopause it decreases by half every 15,000 feet (4.5 km), Copyright Lockheed Martin it is easy to see that over 90% of The High Altitude Airship is one glimpse into the future. the Earth’s air mass is below 10 km in altitude. When you reach an altitude of 75,000 feet, the surface atmosphere is just not possible. The Future of Very High area of the wing needs to be 16 Airships are the only viable option Altitude times larger than at sea level. At an with today’s technology, but even altitude of 150,000 feet, the surface they have their limitations. In the The High Altitude Airship is one area would need to be over 500 Stratosphere and beyond, there are glimpse into the future. With an times greater, in order to achieve the generally increasing temperatures as interior volume of about 5.2 million same lifting force. These numbers the altitude increases and this causes cubic feet, it will be about 16 times are just not possible for an aircraft. problems for electronics as well as larger than the Goodyear blimp the expansion of gases. A lack of and seems huge by today’s Spacecraft have a minimum air cooling capability due to the standards. Mankind has built such altitude requirement or they are reduced air density is another large airships in the past though; forced to re-enter the Earth’s limitation. Finally, the problem of the Hindenburg was an amazing 7.1 atmosphere. Once a satellite falls flying through weather and the jet million cubic feet in volume. If below an altitude of 100 km stream, in order to get to the desired successful, this UAS could carry (325,000 feet), the drag of the altitude, must be dealt with. There traditional payloads such as sensors atmosphere is so great that the are challenges for the very high and communications equipment. satellite will return to Earth in a altitude ‘High Ground’ but they With a bit of innovation, matter of a few days. Thus, putting are not so great that they should exploitation of this new high satellites into this part of the prevent us from addressing them. ground could also include the use of small directional mirrors, which would redirect lasers from ground stations onto targets at very great Image courtesy of NASA distances. Armed with solar panels on such an Airship, energy could be produced for years providing the operational commander a robust persistent ISR and communication relay platform that would most likely reduce his demand for satellite and aircraft assets. Flight level 650 and beyond is ready for us to exploit.

Are we ready to make it happen?

Spacecraft have a minimum altitude requirement.

21 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities BEYONDBEYOND TECHNOLOGY:TECHNOLOGY: Successful Unmanned Aircraft System Employment

By Colonel Stephen P. Luxion, USA A, JAPCC

requently, there are stories The major focus on technology facilities and integration published that advocate and cost comes at the expense of (DOTMLPFI). Some level of F unmanned aircraft systems these other factors that are at least transformation is necessary across (UAS) as the way of the future. as important. The current emphasis all these areas to maximize the These stories espouse how much on issues such as computer military advantage UAS represent. cheaper and safer these unpiloted processing speed, levels of UAS The focus of this article is on drones are for conducting military autonomy, sensor technology, and transformation supported by missions over their manned communications architectures can personnel and organizational counterparts. Most visionary and diminish the importance of other change. conceptional work focuses on critical issues including the manning technology. However, based on and organizational structure In his work, Innovation and the Modern my two-year experience as a required to support and advance Military: Winning the Next War, Predator squadron commander, “unmanned” systems. Stephen Rosen, backs the position the success of these “unmanned” that there are many important systems depends more on the men Technological innovation is only drivers and aspects to military and women that provide the one part of the transformation innovation. One of his many leadership, testing, training, process. Transformation involves conclusions is that it is not money operation, and maintenance of improvements in the areas of that is the key to innovation but these systems, than the technology doctrine, organization, training, talented military personnel.1 More itself. materiel, logistics, personnel, importantly, he concludes that a

22 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Copyright

“failure to redirect human resources But, the Predator UAS was a this vision met resistance until the resulted in the abortion of several component of the US Air Force for USAF made the decision to employ promising innovations”.2 History years, with minimal operational more aggressive fighter, attack, shows talented manpower is critical success, until senior leadership saw bomber and special operations’ to innovation. Our current the potential and provided the pilots with experience in weapons’ experience with UAS demonstrates vision and a way ahead. employment. It was these officers similar results. trained in the employment of air- Predator, from the beginning, had to-ground weapons and large force Predator the endurance and sensor capability packages that were able to fulfill the necessary to provide commanders vision of senior officers. Clearly, the integration of various persistent near real-time full- technologies is important to the motion video of the battlespace. Most military professionals have development of UAS. Advances in What was lacking was the ability heard the stories of how a laser was computing power, communications to do something quickly with the added to the reconnaissance pod to bandwidth, composite material information Predator provided on “buddy-guide” laser-guided bombs manufacturing, sensor technologies time sensitive and high-value targets. delivered from other fighter aircraft as well as numerous other The vision was to have in one UAS, onto targets. Also well known is technological developments all the means to find, fix, target, track, the fact that the Hellfire missile was combined to provide a military engage and assess targets. modified for employment from the application in the Predator aircraft. However, the implementation of Predator and how radios were

23 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Transformation & Capabilities

Photo by USAF

MQ-1B Predator

added to provide communications Concurrently, Predator pilots enough; training and the full between the Predator and other with forward air controller (FAC) integration with manned aircraft aircraft in its vicinity. The integration expertise, advanced current close air were also necessary. These Predator of all these new technologies into support (CAS) TTP to integrate experts acquired the assets the UAS was truly remarkable and the Predator with other weapons’ necessary to train manned aircraft tends to be the focus of many road pilots and Predator crews together ahead and visionary documents on the procedures. They built pushing the virtues of unmanned The new breed of Predator leadership confidence through the systems. However, it was the pilot, with their air-to- development and enforcement of efforts of experienced aircrews, ground expertise, worked training and performance standards maintainers, and weapons experts and convinced senior staff to that were at least as important to with engineers to develop allocate valuable resources such as the successful integration of the procedures, displays, range airspace and manned tactical technology into the Predator and and checklists necessary assets for training and further the development of the concepts of for the successful development. Following the events operation and tactics, techniques, of September 11, this initial cadre and procedures (TTP) that made it employment of weapons of innovative Predator aircrews all work on the battlefield. from the aircraft. played an important role in convincing wartime commanders The new breed of Predator pilot, to employ and to continue to with their air-to-ground expertise, systems. The Predator had proven improve these new capabilities in worked with engineers to develop its worth at finding targets, but combat when lives were at stake. the procedures, displays, and more was needed to effectively checklists necessary for the engage the targets. These pilots Organizational Change successful employment of weapons developed the procedures to safely from the aircraft. This was no operate UAS in the same airspace Although the Predator capability easy task. Developing reliable as manned aircraft, in order to has been validated through procedures and displays that would effectively identify and engage operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, work, despite the distance between targets as a Hunter-Killer team. more must be done. Predator and aircraft and pilot and the time delay Global Hawk assignments, caused by satellite communications, Developing these procedures and historically, have been two to three- was fraught with challenge. technical solutions was simply not year assignments for pilots away

24 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 from their primary weapon system. Following their UAS assignment, these experienced aircrew return to their previous aircraft. The USAF has now determined that this is not sufficient for the long-term development of unmanned systems. It is now in the process of implementing the organizational changes that Rosen documented as necessary for successful innovation. The USAF has committed to the development of a career path for young officers to learn and practise the new ways of unmanned aerial Photo by USAF 3 warfare. Rosen states that such Predator being prepared for operations changes are “necessary to ensure that the new skills are not relegated to professional oblivion”.4 By are premature. Even if this becomes awareness, will remain critical. providing a UAS career path, the technically feasible, it is unlikely UAS, even those with an USAF will ensure a pool of that it will be politically acceptable autonomous capability, will still unmanned aircraft experts to work to remove the human from the require a pilot to be responsible for all levels and aspects of UAS command and control of the the aircraft or flight of multiple development are maintained. mission. Although it is likely that aircraft, the implementation of rules technology will make pilots’ stick of engagement and overall mission Conclusion and rudder skills less important, management. More importantly, their skills as professional aviators, UAS operations and the continued The ability of pilots to conduct accompanied by their situation innovation required needs more operations remotely from halfway around the world is truly a technological marvel. Still, these By providing a UAS career path, the USAF systems and the TTP to employ them are being developed, tested, will ensure a pool of unmanned aircraft and flown by skilled airmen. experts to work all levels and aspects of UAS Discussions of drones operating development are maintained. autonomously throughout the world, without a man-in-the-loop,

than technological solutions. Doctrine, organization, the training of highly proficient aircrew/ operators, materiel, logistics and the integration with other joint systems will all play an important role. Some may ask what then makes UAS so different than manned systems.

Very little and that is the point!

1 Stephen Peter Rosen, Innovation and the Modern Military: Winning the Next War, (Ithaca: Cornell Press, 1991), 252. 2 Ibid., 252-253. Photo by USAF 3 Ibid., 20. The new breed of Predator pilot 4 Ibid., 20-21.

25 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

An Interview with Chief of the Air Staff Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, KCB, CBE, DSO, BSc(Eng), FRAeS, RAF

the overall security environment. Conducted by Wing Commander Richard Duance, GBR A, We need to keep pace with that and Wing Commander Pete York, GBR A, of the JAPCC. change, intellectually and doctrinally, and our equipment needs to have the embedded flexibility to be capable of adapting to new demands. As a consequence, single role platforms will, I believe, become increasingly something of the past; from both a financial and operational perspective, multi-role must be the way forward. We must also make sure that we have the right people to support the frontline and ensure that they are just as agile and adaptable as our equipment.

In terms of priorities, further development of our expeditionary capability must lie at the top of the list, especially in the areas of Command and Control (C2) and expeditionary logistics. Secondly, I want to reduce operating costs. HQs need to be smaller and more agile and fit more closely with the reduced size of our frontline; this is already underway with the collocation of HQ Strike Command and HQ Personnel and Training Command. But we also have to streamline our processes. © Crown Copyright/MOD Here I believe we can draw on the lessons from operations where we have small, relatively flat, HQ Sir, Congratulations on your recent force structure, more suited to structures in which responsibility appointment as Chief of the Air today’s security environment. The is genuinely delegated; we need to Staff, Royal Air Force. On taking shift from a Cold War orientated translate that experience into our up this post, what do you see as Main Operating Base culture has peacetime HQs, rigorously the key challenges facing the not been easy but I genuinely shedding tasks that are no longer Service and what are your key believe that we now have a balanced relevant. On the equipment front, priorities? Air Force, which is structured and Typhoon has to be our main orientated towards expeditionary equipment priority; it will be the I see myself building on the operations. Agility is at the heart backbone of our fast jet force for foundations set by Sir Jock Stirrup of our capability. Our aim is to the future. We also need to develop and his predecessors. We’ve made achieve rapid effect across the our UAV and UCAV capability, excellent progress towards battlespace, but we also need to be both of which offer significant generating an agile and adaptable able to adapt swiftly to changes in capabilities for the future. That said,

26 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 we need to gain a better understanding of how these platforms can contribute most effectively, and the associated costs. I also believe greater priority should be given to integrated air- land operations. Op DESERT STORM and Op ALLIED FORCE involved distinct air campaigns followed by discrete land campaigns. On the other hand, Op ENDURING FREEDOM and Op IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) demonstrated the need for, and value of, truly integrated operations, with the Air Component providing significant support to the Land Component. This must continue in the future. To support that, more realistic © Crown Copyright/MOD training is required, particularly Greater priority should be given to integrated air-land operations. through the use of synthetics and distributed mission training. This will help to reduce costs but, more therefore, will be of the essence. places appropriate emphasis on importantly, as we move into an The other thing we have seen very enabling capabilities – such as AT increasingly networked clearly in Iraq and Afghanistan is and SH - as the most important environment, it will be the only that the military - during many task. Both of these capabilities are way to deliver effective, joined-up phases of an operation – will be being fully utilised in current training. playing a supporting role. operations, but C2 and ISTAR are Although there may be periods of also absolutely fundamental to the Would you care to comment at this high intensity warfare, Other way we conduct business. It would stage on the Lessons Learnt from Government Departments and be too easy – and convenient – to Iraq and Afghanistan? Non-Governmental Organisations reshape our force structure to suit will have a vital role to play from the environments we are dealing Yes, I think one of the main lessons the very start, not least in delivering with today in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have learnt is the need to be able humanitarian relief and to the detriment of being able to to respond quickly to reconstruction. This makes life cope with the unpredictable. More unpredictable events, often over more complex and increases the to the point, our fast-jets – like strategic distances. Balanced forces, need for a fully integrated Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR7 – held at high readiness, with robust campaign plan, which draws are playing a vital role in delivering strategic mobility and appropriate together all the levers of CAS and ISR to Coalition ground C2, are essential for today’s security government. The task is made all forces. It’s worth noting that environment. As an example, the more challenging when the during OIF, 80% of the air effort during Op TELIC we established efforts of other Coalition partners went to the Land Component and 8 Forward Operating Bases and have to be integrated into the plan. I see this trend continuing in the associated C2 – in 7 different future. The other significant lesson countries – in just 6 weeks; this was In that respect, do you see a need to come out of operations in Iraq a significant achievement. to shift away from combat aircraft and Afghanistan is the need for Air Additionally, Iraq and Afghanistan like Typhoon more towards Dominance. The Coalition’s have both emphasised the complex, support platforms like Support complete control of the air ambiguous and non-linear nature Helicopters (SH) and Strategic provided freedom of manoeuvre of the modern battlespace, in which Air Transport (AT)? and action to each of the asymmetric threats feature heavily Components; this allowed the and engagement opportunities may No, I don’t. I see maintaining a Coalition to use relatively light be brief and unpredictable. Speed, coherent force structure, which ground forces – because firepower

27 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Typhoon has to be our main equipment priority; it will be the backbone of our fast jet force for the future.

was available from the air – and airborne for many hours or even balanced force structure, including meant that key enabling capabilities, days without rearming. Having a high-end capabilities like Typhoon. such as tankers, ISTAR and C2 persistent ISTAR and striking platforms, could operate well capability offers significant Surely a challenge for today is how forward in order to maximize their opportunities for increasing the we get the right capabilities to the effectiveness. Another area that speed and tempo of operations and, front-line, on time and within requires further investment is our of course, our ability to engage budget. What is the RAF doing ability to generate and maintain a small, fleeting targets. But going to make sure this occurs? shared picture of the battlespace; back to your original question, I without that we will not be able to firmly believe that we must remain You are absolutely correct. Central effectively conduct collaborative postured for the unexpected, which to achieving this objective is the planning and deliver truly joint means maintaining a coherent and development of an agile effects. At the moment, we still rely too much on the procedural separation of activities and forces – in time and space – in order to prevent fratricide.

Recent operations have confirmed the need for precision. But what we lack is persistence over the battlespace – both in terms of ISTAR and a striking capability. This is where UAV and UCAV are likely to play a crucial role, particularly as more sophisticated weapons - like directed energy weapons - become available. This will allow platforms to remain © Crown Copyright/MOD

28 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 procurement process, which is able to keep pace with changes in the operational environment and, importantly, exploit the rapid advances in technology that we see today. The recent announcement of the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which proposes a closer partnership between the MOD and Industry, will, I hope, be one of the mechanisms for delivering this agility. If you look back over the past 15 years, the UK’s Armed © Crown Copyright/MOD Forces have been committed almost We also need to be able to adapt swiftly to changes in the overall security environment. continuously on operations, and we owe it to our servicemen and women to provide them with the appropriate, the early introduction I can understand why Gen Gaviard best possible capability from the of possibly immature technology takes that view. From both a resources of the Defence Budget. which, in the hands of the war training and execution perspective, A better partnership will allow fighter, can be incrementally drawing from one nation is the industry to focus their resources, developed. The introduction of simplest solution. That said, I think especially in areas such as Research Predator by the USAF is a classic it’s probably a bit of a tall order to and Development, and create an example of how this can work and expect a single nation to take on the environment where industry is the enormous benefits that result, complete task, especially with the much more involved in the both in delivering an early number of other commitments we through-life support of platforms. operational capability and steering face. At the moment, the US, UK Incorporating the potential for future development. and France are probably the only growth and incremental capability nations that have the complete enhancements need to be key The NATO Response Force range of capabilities required to features of this strategy. (NRF) is one of the drivers for fulfil this role singly. I believe, NATO’s military transformation. therefore, that a more likely option On the military front, we need In the last edition of the JAPCC could be, perhaps, 2 or 3 nations to be a lot more rigorous in setting Journal, Lt Gen Gaviard, Chief of in conjunction with NATO, requirements – we need to say Air Defence and Air Operations, getting together to fill a particular what we need, rather than what we French Air Force suggested that NRF period – or back-to-back would like. Regrettably, national air components should periods - with one leading as the technology is seductive, and we are increasingly take responsibility for framework nation. This worked all prone to asking for the moon!! providing the complete ACC, air well for NRF 5 and 6, and provides We also need to make more use of forces and support. What is your a useful framework to improve experimentation and, where view? interoperability and burden share.

I’m sure it will be a highly competitive match!

Sir, thank you for your time.

Further development of our expeditionary capability must lie at the top of the list.

29 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points 30 Years of Israeli UAV Experience

Interoperability and Commonality

By Yair Dubester – Israel Aircraft Industries(IAI)/MALAT General Manager Ido Pickel (IAF Capt. Res.) – IAI/MALAT UAV Operator

This article presents a brief overview of the Israeli experience in the domain of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) based on numerous operational challenges from 1973 to the present day. The various UAV solutions, which were conceived over the years, are presented below detailing the operational requirements, technologies and design principles used.

Over these 33 years, we have seen an evolution from simple, proof-of- concept Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs) to a multiplicity of advanced, fully operational UAV systems responding to the demands of practically all military forces and echelons. The 1973 Yom Kippur War was the impetus for raising the operational level of the UAV by incorporating real-time video assets capable of tracking mobile SAM batteries in threatened areas. The R&D matured even further resulting in the “Scout” UAV system which first saw operational use with the Israeli forces during the “Peace for Galilee” campaign in the early 1980’s. Since then, the operational mission use of UAV has only intensified with a continuous and significant increase in flight hours around the world.

30 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 The Combat in the Bekaa Valley

The Scout UAV were used with unparalleled success during the 1982 “Peace for Galilee” campaign. The strikes against Syrian missile batteries in the Bekaa Valley are excellent examples of effective UAV use in combat, both in a SEAD scenario and as close support to ground forces. The UAVs were used to detect, identify, and perform target acquisition for strike aircraft followed by immediate real-time BDA.

The results were impressive. Most of the SAM batteries in the Bekaa Valley were destroyed, and a large number of fighters defending the SAMs shot down. Israel had achieved air supremacy of the region in but a single afternoon.

The Scout UAV was removed from service in 2004 after almost 25 years of successful operations. During that period this tactical UAV system saw numerous upgrades, improvements and adaptations, in order to respond to continuously sophisticated operational requirements.

All images Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. (IAI) SCOUT 25 years of Operational Service

31 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Enlarging The Envelope and dedicated capabilities for Smaller, Lower, Affordable specific missions on the edge of A direct consequence of the that envelope. To state just a few Now that the tactical UAVs had successful UAV operation in the examples: the ability to operate proven themselves worthy at the 1982 campaign supporting SEAD division level and higher, the need operations was the US Navy’s arose towards providing the UAV interest in adapting the Israeli UAV asset to all forces. Independent real- to their requirements. The result of time ISR capability was now to this effort was the highly successful come to the lower echelons such as and still operational (with the US the brigade, company or Special Marines) Pioneer UAV, a direct Forces. This was especially needed derivative of the Scout. The for missions such as urban warfare Pioneer UAV was originally adapted and homeland security which for Navy operations by became ever more common. implementing point rocket launch and point recovery by means of a Searcher UAV with SAR Capability This requirement generated the net set up on the ship’s deck. Several development of two new Pioneer systems saw extensive use “families” of UAVs, the small during the 1991 “Desert Storm” around-the-clock without landing Tactical UAV (TUAV) and the mini campaign in Iraq, once again and with combined Colour Electro UAV. In fact, this family approach proving its capabilities and reliability Optical/Infra Red payloads, in was chosen in order to provide each

Pioneer The Sea Master Ranger Features skid-landing on grass I-View TUAV performing pinpoint landing and snow with parafoil

with great success. In accordance adverse weather conditions with UAV level with its own optimal with the US UAV Roadmap, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground solution while maintaining operation of the Pioneer with the Moving Target Indicator payloads, maximum commonality and US Marines is planned to extend up interoperability within the various to 2015. systems with a minimum logistics effort. The most important lesson Bigger, Longer, Higher learned over the years regarding TUAV was the importance of After proving itself operationally in pinpoint landing in any terrain and SEAD, Targeting and general ISR a parafoil for controlled landing. missions, the evolving requirements The parafoil was tested along with led to the gradual fielding of UAV the parachute and was selected due systems with enlarged operational to its ability to allow the TUAV to envelopes. That meant growing not Hunter - The most reliable tactical UAV in the US land safely at a predefined point. only from a mission perspective, The I-View Small TUAV was from which also evolved new and to perform SIGINT missions, designed according to that lesson. payloads and concepts of such as ELINT and COMINT. The The small TUAV offers tactical operation, but also from other increase in requirements and intelligence at the battalion and perspectives, such as flight missions led to the fielding of the brigade levels. The focus here is to performance, around-the-clock/ even larger systems, e.g. Hunter, offer a low-footprint, all weather/ all-weather operational availability Searcher and Ranger UAV systems. all terrain operating capability with

32 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 dedicated functions, such as Control Station that enables direct operational outcome for each pinpoint automatic recovery. system operation from the ship fire UAV operator. Nevertheless, an control centre. Once a de-icing Air Traffic qualification is When analyzing the requirements system was integrated on the required. for optimized over-the-hill “Eagle/Heron” the operational observation and all terrain envelope was enlarged even further · A “UAV Family” approach operation, the most important to include flights in icing conditions. should be adopted in order to requirement is a 360° day or night offer each level of operation under the belly payload installation, Where Are We Going? with its optimal solution, at the in order to have a steady, with no same time maintaining limits, real time ISR image at all The use and application of UAV is maximum commonality and times. The other requirement is to spreading throughout the world, interoperability. protect the payload in rough terrain mainly on military missions. Based by allowing the Mini UAV to land on IAI’s experience this includes 27 · For short-term operational on its back. The Bird-Eye Mini different customers and over requirements or when a fast UAV offers a modular solution for 270,000 flight hours. The general response is needed, UAV services tactical intelligence gathering at the direction of development has been like System Lease or Power by battalion, company and Special based on integrating maturing the Hour should be offered for Forces levels. It enables offset technologies with continuously all UAV platform sizes and observation patterns for maximum evolving user requirements. payloads. operating force flexibility.

All In One

Alternatively, the demand arose for UAV capable of longer flights capable of carrying multiple sensors at extended range. For example, Maritime Patrol missions require heavier payloads, greater electrical power capacity, higher flight altitude, longer endurance and Bird-Eye Mini UAV greater system reliability. The required system should include a platform, which will be the best · The basics of effective ISR · Integration of the UAV “Truck” to carry several sensors collection are similar for large, capability into the C4I system is simultaneously, that are not sensitive as well as small, UAV platforms. essential in order to link the to electromagnetic interference “Sensor to the shooter” (or (EMI) and have full interoperability. · The Safety level of UAV should user) in real time. meet and even exceed General This concept was implemented in Aviation safety levels. · All systems regardless of their the Eagle/Heron UAV that was size must meet all airworthiness conceived as a multi-payload, multi- · Automatic Taxi, Take-Off and criteria in order to operate not mission UAV. The classical twin- Landing, mission planning and only in military airspace but also boom design enabled the re- execution capabilities are critical in civil airspace. positioning of multiple and to enhance safety. separately placed antennas away There should be two principles for from the engine for minimal or no · Human Machine Interface and Airspace management. Flying to and EMI. The retractable landing gears system operations tailored to the from the mission area should be were put inside the booms freeing level of the enlisted soldier are monitored on general aviation flight up considerable space for various essential. Simple training and a paths after all means of ensuring payloads in or under the fuselage. qualification process is achieved safety, such as IFF, have been taken. Accordingly, the Navy requirement (not requiring certified aircraft Flying in the mission area should be for offshore maritime ISR gathering pilots) with significant gains in in a defined flight segment in a resulted in the Advanced Ship cost and with an optimized closed military airspace.

33 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Manned-UnmannedManned-Unmanned Missions:Missions: Chance or Challenge?

By Prof. Dr. Axel Schulte Flight Mechanics, Guidance & Control Institute of System Dynamics and Flight Mechanics, Munich University of the German Armed Forces.

Aeronautics Defense Systems

When thinking of the co-existence Todays UAV Guidance selection and demand value setting of humans and unmanned combat Approach as the observable outcome of robots furnished with technologies planning, decision-making, human such as artificial intelligence, The required automation deliberation and anticipation of the machine learning and emergent technology for UAV flight level of mission management. behaviours, our Hollywood- management, guidance, navigation Thereby, a hierarchically organised work movie-conditioned minds are likely and control has been rapidly system is established, which may fail to dwell on visions of developed in the last decade. The due to human or machine error, but uncontrollable, super-intelligent general principle of integrating man it can be assumed that the killing machines, turning against automation will never intentionally their human creators. With this act against the human operator’s mental picture in mind, the What are current goals. No one would seriously following questions might be worth technologies truly capable speak of such an automated UAV considering: What are current of? Can human/machine being smart or intelligent. The technologies truly capable of? Can “intelligence” as a result of mental, human/machine co-agency be achieved? co-agency be achieved? i.e. cognitive performance, is solely Would it be a concept to benefit that provided by the human NATO war fighters? While trying operator. to answer these questions, I wish to and such machinery is known as focus on the airborne application, supervisory control. While the on- The inadequacy of this approach one of the most developing board automation typically becomes obvious when the domains in this field as the performs fast inner control loops supervision of multiple vehicles by battlefield deployment of so called (e.g. stabilization and trajectory a single operator is required. Such Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) guidance), the ground-based human ideas are currently being discussed is commonplace today. operator is responsible for mode in various NATO fora under the

34 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Figure 1: NCW approach with centrally controlled UAVs (left) and MUM-T approach with decentralized UAV operator (right) term Manned-unmanned Teaming Autonomy, Co-agency or environment of a MUM scenario, (MUM-T). This is an approach to Both? incorporating teamwork is control multiple UAVs and their compulsory, the basis of which is payloads simultaneously from a The question remains how to build the appreciation of the behaviour manned aircraft, in order to increase enough cognition into a MUM-T of teammates, humans and the effectiveness of the manned setup. From a purely technology- machines alike. Establishing the system in performing its mission. driven stance, the simple answer capability of teaming between However, while this concept could probably be to make the humans and machines will be appears clever, there is a likelihood UAVs autonomous! So, what are referred to as co-operative control, as of the human operator reaching the requirements of an appropriate opposed to the classical paradigm cognitive overload whilst controlling autonomous system and what are its of supervisory control. Interaction multiple platforms. Inevitably, this differences to the aforementioned shall no longer occur at the level of would lead to errors and automated system? Commonly, an mode selection and demand value performance decline. autonomous system would be settings but through the negotiation expected to pursue the overall goals of requests and commitments at the How to bring in more of the considered mission, be task level. This will be based upon cognition reactive to perceived external a common current situational situational dynamics, generate understanding by both humans and How then do we bring in sufficient machines. Although the final cognitive capacity to cope with the decision authority (e.g. for weapon task of supervising and steering deployment) stays with the human more than one unmanned remote Obviously, making the operating element, there will be platform in a co-ordinated manner UAVs autonomous in established a peer team of the while maintaining control of the this limited sense is not human and several artificial cognitive parent (manned) aircraft? The the solution! units on-board each UAV and an obvious answer is to increase intelligent operator assistant system on- manpower by providing at least 1 board the manned aircraft (see operator per UAV and placing him Figure 2 for the architecture). somewhere central, e.g. in an solutions by means of anticipation, Therefore, various machine AWACS. Task each operator deliberation and planning and capabilities have to be centrally and make the output results execute them without human implemented, for instance: attainable via “Internet” for intervention; in short to be an download. This aspect of Network artificial cognitive system. But, what use · Mission accomplishment to Centric Warfare (NCW) is currently might such a system be, performing autonomously comply with the being investigated in conjunction completely detached from human mission objective. with multiple decentralized options, input? Imagine a member of a MUM-T being one of them, purely human team who is · Operator assistance to direct the (Figure 1). The advanced unapproachable to his teammates human’s attention, by technical technology involved in the NCW and you have the answer! means, to the most urgent task solution is mainly in the field of Obviously, making the UAVs and to balance his workload information technology whereas autonomous in this limited sense is whenever demanded by the MUM-T highlights human factors not the solution! situation. research and autonomous flight guidance issues, the latter being the In order to embed the UAVs into · Human-machine and machine- focus of this article. the highly interactive work machine co-operation in order to

35 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Soar (State Operator and Result), an object-oriented layer has been designed with Cognitive Programming Language (CPL). Currently, further work is planned to advance the system for future operation on embedded real-time computing platforms.

Applied Research

Researchers at the Bundeswehr University have been working on Figure 2: MUM-T architecture with intelligent operator assistant system co-operative automation and artificial cognition on-board the UAVs technology in the field of aircraft guidance for almost 20 years. Early approaches were on knowledge- achieve common top-level explicit, central representation of based systems assisting airline pilots goals, such as team building and static a-priori knowledge and in IFR flight. The Cockpit Assistant the co-ordinated pursuit of a dynamic situational knowledge. System (CASSY) was successfully common mission objective. The a-priori knowledge will be flight tested in 1994; it was the first implemented by a knowledge prototype of its kind. The Crew Approaching Artificial engineer on the abstract level of so Assistant Military Aircraft (CAMA) Cognition called mental notions, whereby the followed in the late 1990s, modelling of e.g. goals to be incorporating technology capable In order to implement such pursued or action alternatives and of autonomously performing functionalities there are several their related behaviour will be mission tasks (e.g. tactical situation approaches available. Artificial possible. analysis, tactical re-planning) on the intelligence, expert systems, soft basis of goal-oriented behaviours, computing, machine learning and On the basis of the CP, an while keeping up a situation adapted genetic algorithms are just a few up- engineering framework for dialogue with the pilot, in order to to-date keywords, predominantly implementing artificial cognitive balance his workload. More recent denoting methodological approaches units in an efficient manner has been work focuses on the co-agency of to process knowledge. Most are developed, the so-called Cognitive autonomously co-operating poor from an architectural System Architecture (COSA). On the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles viewpoint. The theory of agents basis of the rule-based architecture (UCAVs) in a Suppression of offers such a conceptual perspective, though mostly leaving out the method aspect. One promising approach combining both has been developed at the Bundeswehr University located in Munich, the so-called Cognitive Process (CP). The CP comprises a layered architecture of capabilities, all of which are structured according to the CP blueprint of the sub-processes, namely, situation gathering and interpretation, goal determination and planning and plan execution (see Figure 3). It is strictly structured along the line of a knowledge-based architecture, separating an application-independent inference (i.e. processing) engine from the Figure 3: The Cognitive Process

36 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Bundeswehr University

Rotorcraft UAV Demonstrator

Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) unmanned teaming for airborne army scenario. The scope of this research Researchers at the missions, both of which involve is on the co-ordination of machine Bundeswehr University technologies of cognitive automation agents, i.e. the UCAVs, on the basis have been working on and human-machine as well as of goal-driven dialogues co-operative automation machine-machine co-operation and negotiating for task allocation. co-agency. The technologies will be Upcoming activities will cover technology in the field of field tested on the Bundeswehr adaptive automation, to provide aircraft guidance for University UAV demonstrator intelligent crew assistance in military almost 20 years. platforms, currently under helicopter guidance and manned- construction.

Bundeswehr University s Fixed-Wing UAV Demonstrator

37 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Photo USAF

MANNEDMANNED

VsVs

UNMANNEDUNMANNED Aerial Systems - False Expectations, Real Opportunities & Future Challenges.

By Dr Andrea Nativi

38 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 he United States currently the pros and cons of unmanned systems. While a pilot may need to has around 250 Unmanned aerial systems in the military fly his aircraft for a minimum of TAerial Vehicles (UAVs)/ context with a view to predicting 150 hours per year to remain current, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles the likely future development of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) (UCAVs) in service. By 2015, that this technology. can remain stored in its hangar for number will rise to 1,400 excluding most of that time, with the vast the smaller types. Before 2011, the While a pilot may need to majority of UAS controller training US also plans to spend US$13 conducted on flight simulators. Billion1 developing unmanned aerial fly his aircraft for a Furthermore, UAS can be designed system technology. From these minimum of 150 hours per to operate in extreme conditions; figures alone, we could conclude year to remain current, flight envelopes can be stretched that the days of the manned aircraft, without risk to human life and UAS both fixed and rotary wing, are a UAS can remain stored can be sent to places where it would numbered. However, we should in its hangar for most of be too dangerous to send a live crew. not forget the number and variety that time, with the vast This is particularly advantageous in of manned aircraft currently in use, majority of UAS controller combat zones and for intelligence which yet have extensive flying lives gathering. Yet, although UAS have remaining. Neither should we training conducted been widely used since the Vietnam ignore the fact that much more on flight simulators. War, they have all too often been money than that stated above is quickly put aside. Why is this? being invested in a variety of major manned aircraft programmes, There are, of course, numerous Firstly, many UAS currently in some of which will be in service advantages in operating without the service are little more than for the next 25-35 years. The pilot. Flight endurance is no longer conventional aircraft without a demise of the pilot, therefore, may limited by the capabilities of the pilot. Although some UAS are not be such an imminent issue. In human being and weight and making possible missions that were this article I will investigate this volume savings accrue from the never considered before1 e.g. very discussion by examining some of omission of crew related support long and dangerous Intelligence,

Photo USAF

The demise of the pilot, therefore, may not be such an imminent issue.

39 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) flights over unfriendly terrain, or attack missions against heavily defended enemy assets into which it would be too dangerous to risk a manned aircraft, no UCAV currently in development or design is offering capabilities that a conventional aircraft or anti- aircraft SAM or air-to-air missile cannot match. In short, UAS have yet to bring any new capabilities to the Air Commander.

Secondly, UAS were touted as a much cheaper alternative to Northrop Grumman Copyright piloted aircraft. Instead, R&D UAS are still in their infancy. costs, IT development limitations and technical advances have brought with them costs, which absorb the cost of an UAV crash higher loads or extreme are as high, if not higher, than the but other countries could perhaps temperatures. New engines can be costs of operating conventional more readily face the political cost developed that are conceived to aircraft. of the loss of a pilot than the operate for days in the most perceived waste of money in demanding ambient conditions, as Thirdly, experience with UAS crashing a valuable unmanned can more advanced aircraft systems has shown an unwelcome vehicle. and new sets of control laws that tendency of increased levels of allow UAVs to operate in a much operational failure, much of it The Future different way to conventional associated to technical and aircraft3. It is conceivable that controller error mishaps2. Such We must not forget that UAS are future UAVs will be able to sortie loss, failure and UAS still in their infancy and their outperform every “traditional” attrition rates may be acceptable growth rate is much faster than is aircraft or missile in combat, for small and inexpensive tactical the case for manned aircraft, so a facing perhaps a threat only from systems but this is not so for the far brighter future is probably directed energy weapons. bigger, more complex and costly within reach. However, users models. Training controllers to should not sit and wait for truly In summary, promoting the UAS operate UAS, including mission reliable UAS that can simply revolution to achieve economies control systems, is more complex duplicate what manned aircraft can simply by eliminating human and expensive than envisioned. In do now. Already, accumulated cockpits does not seem a sound addition, parallel advances in flight experience with UAS has shown approach. In order to achieve or simulator technology and their that there is no magical economic at least to explore the limits and resultant economies in pilot advantage in retiring current the viability of a realistic future training plus a very real need aircraft just because an UAS can UAS concept, there is a need for regularly to integrate UAS sorties perform the same mission with the vision, a willingness to take risk with manned aircraft missions in same results. UAS need to become and to invest. busy airspace, have soaked up much better in every single much of the expected financial respect. savings from omitting pilots from the cockpit. Finally, there are Engineers have long complained 1 US Dept. of Defence, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap political difficulties. Less wealthy that the human body is limiting 2005 – 2030, July 2005, Washington DC. countries cannot afford the R & the performance of aircraft. UAV 2 US DAB Study, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and D costs associated with developing development presents an Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicles, February UAS, nor can they afford to buy opportunity to explore new 2004, Washington DC. the tested technology. However, materials and much stronger 3 As demonstrated by many research programs, such a wealthy nation may be able to structures that can withstand as HIMAT, X-29, X-31.

40 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 www.ila-berlin.com

T E W A AY YOUR G TO NEW MARKETS. Berlin Air Show

41 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 German Aerospace Industries Association View Points LessonsLessons LearnedLearned fromfrom PredatorPredator OperationsOperations

By AIR COMPONENT COMMANDER – UAV “PREDATOR”

Photo ITAF Colonel Ludovico Chianese, ITAF

he Italian Air Force (IAF) a Ground Control Station (GCS), on the flow of information, how T currently has 4 RQ-1A a datalink system, Line Of Sight you use that flow of information Predator UAVs in service. They (LOS) or Beyond LOS (BLOS) and how quickly you are able to were bought from General antennas, an exploitation cell and the make decisions based upon it. The Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA- aircraft themselves. If any one of achievement of this different system ASI) and assembled by METEOR these components fails, the entire could well be considered the first (Italy). The system was deployed asset would be useless. This simple step towards a net centric system, in Tallil (Iraq) in January 2005, in consisting of a decision maker, support of the Italian Joint Task sensors and shooters net, including Force in the Dhi Qar province. A The staffs job is made the various sub-systems. This is one few days after deployment, the the more difficult by the of the goals being pursued by the system was ready to fly its first UAVs relatively new Italian Defence Strategic Concept. mission. Just 1 year later, the aircraft concept of operations and This is not an easy process and it is have accumulated over 1000 flying still undergoing strategic analysis by hours, achieving Initial Operational because few countries have our Headquarters. Capability in a very short time. The UAV experience on which aim of this article is to highlight we can rely. The staff ’s job is made the more some of the lessons the IAF has difficult by the UAVs’ relatively new learned from its early experience concept of operations and because with the Predator. few countries have UAV experience statement can be considered one on which we can rely. Similarly, the System of the most important “lessons jointness of the programme is a learned” that implied a change of challenge in itself since all users, Air The word “system” has been mentality. There was a need to Force, Navy, Army and police intentionally used to underline that, switch from a traditional system, forces, have different needs and unlike “manned” aircraft, UAVs where the aircraft is the core business, expectations. State of the Art need an integrated combination of to a different system, which focuses technological requirements, such as

42 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Ku Band Satellites, sophisticated limitations are arising from recce Sqn operating the F-104, Optic, IR and radar sensors, all manning, due to high training then the AMX, the Sqn has been require highly trained and costs and the small numbers of converted to UAVs through specialized operating and servicing qualified personnel. Moreover, pilot and payloader training in personnel. Last but not least, very intense operational the US. Mission Monitors are universal reductions in national workloads during on-shift recruited from officers with an defence budgets will really challenge periods limit duty times for those Intel background after a system Military HQs to find the best way personnel who are qualified. The software course. Exploitation cell to allow these programmes to spare part logistic cycle also needs personnel are recruited from survive. to be improved to reduce photo interpreter and intelligence Estimate Time Replaceable courses. Personnel are drawn Programme Development Operatives. from Army, Navy and Air Force Branches. Pilots keep their flying Programme development must also Weather limitations are also a currency on the aircraft they used integrate civilian companies working significant factor. Moderate to to fly before joining UAVs in within the Defence environment and severe precipitation, crosswinds order to retain their currency and take into consideration their over 14 kts, surface winds over 29 motivation. capabilities, interests, know-how kts, ceilings below 800 ft, visibility and so on. L3 COM, GA-ASI below 3200 m, moderate to severe Complex New World subcontractor for satellite aspects, icing or turbulence, lightning closer is working to provide fine-tuning than 18 km or ground temperatures In conclusion, UAVs are a complex to the chosen satellite for BLOS over 40°C are all limitations, some new world and their operation has capability, which will be needed to of which will be overcome by the brought considerable success but reach Full Operational Capability system upgrade. also some unexpected challenges. (FOC). TELESPAZIO, the Italian Technological developments and the contractor with the Armed Forces Moreover, the pre-take-off need to work closely with industry for satellite services, is providing the procedures for each flight take up have been unfamiliar areas. Trained appropriate channels and to 90 minutes. In tactical manpower requirements and the bandwidth on the satellite situations, where UAVs may be intense workload on operators have constellation. SELEX, another needed for short notice tasking, it also been higher than expected. Italian company, is the actual is necessary to fly the UAVs either Surprisingly restrictive weather provider for the aircraft spare parts. on Combat Air Patrol or hold limitations have also hampered them on the ground on Quick operations, as have the respective If we now look to the future, the Readiness Alert, either of which times taken for planning and situation is even more complicated. is expensive in terms of flying preparing the UAVs for flight. The Predator will receive a system hours and/or personnel effort. The Italian Air Force has made upgrade to improve its considerable progress with the performance. All these upgrades The Unit that operates Italian RQ-1A Predator during their are intended to support the interests Predators is the 28th UAV Sqn, early operation and we continue to of the Italian Armed Forces to based in Amendola. A former move forward towards FOC. exploit the full potential of UAVs. That is to improve our ability to use Photo ITAF UAVs to replace high value assets in routine or even dangerous jobs and to save human lives.

From an operational point of view, LOS only enables less than optimum utilization of the UAV system. When BLOS is implemented, there will be virtually no range limitations due to high endurance (about 30 flying hours) and wide satellite area coverage. However, RQ-1A Predator on final approach.

43 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points Unmanned Air Vehicles: Some National Perspectives

The JAPCC is promoting 2006 as the year of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The UAV is recognized as a major contributor to transformation in our nations’ Services and NATO as a whole. In March 2006, the JAPCC hosted a UAV Forum at CC-Air Ramstein; the theme of this edition of the JAPCC Journal is but another example of the importance of this fast developing area of joint air power. NATO has much work to do to properly exploit this capability. Therefore, Lt Gen Schubert, Executive Director of the JAPCC, invited the Air Chiefs of the JAPCC sponsoring nations to provide an insight into their nation’s experience with UAVs, both now and for the future.

The extracts here illustrate the broad nature of UAV experience.

Canada has found UAVs to be highly significant in reorienting our ideas and the architecture of a truly joint C4ISR system. Instead of considering these machines as individual aviation assets with unique functions, they are more critically viewed as specialized components of a larger information grid. This simple observation suggests that our lessons learned in this new capability area will rapidly accumulate; our emerging UAV doctrine will undergo significant modification as a result.

For its future UAV development programme, the French Air Force favours a step-by-step approach based on the lessons learned operating the HUNTER and the commissioning of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) system. Today, the EUROMALE programme is underway through a European cooperation programme, which should permit France to reach its fundamental capability by 2015. For offensive missions, the NEURON European Demonstrator Programme will allow the French Air Force to evaluate the UCAV concept within the scope of the renewal of its combat fleet by 2025.

44 By 2009, Germany plans to introduce MALE UAV to provide all- weather reconnaissance; by 2010, we will add EUROHAWK to provide SIGINT and, by 2013, we intend to procure the GLOBAL HAWK IMINT UAV within NATO’s AGS concept. We are also monitoring closely R&D into UCAVs.

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is currently in the development-production phase of a MALE UAV “PEGASUS”, destined for tactical and operational needs. Even though the programme started for Tactical Reconnaissance, other possible applications are being examined including area and installation surveillance, communications relay, IMINT-SIGINT intelligence collection and support of special operations. In parallel, the Hellenic Air Industry has declared participation in the French “NEURON” UCAV initiative. The main problem concerning the use of the above systems lies in the absence of air traffic regulations, both nationally and internationally, making flight trials and missions, such as sea surveillance and border control, difficult. In the medium term, the HAF is planning the acquisition of more MALE UAVs, MINI UAVs and UCAV, while, at the same time, monitoring international trends.

The Hungarian Air Force NATO/EU contribution is modular and there is no UAV planned in their Table of Establishment, although in some cases small platforms could be useful for force protection. If the ongoing development projects of the MoD Technology Agency and the National Defence University produce available assets, we will consider their operational use.

The Italian experience gathered in Iraq confirmed that UAV have great potential. Predator’s surveillance capabilities have been used to enhance Force Protection and to increase precision engagement, both on the ground and from the air, while improving overall awareness. The full implementation of Beyond Line of Sight Operations is expanding the field of view. Glancing into future operations, multi- role UAV will provide the best combination of effectiveness and flexibility to unravel the uncertainty of modern scenarios.

45 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 View Points

The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces aim for a nationally owned air-ground surveillance capability with the procurement of MALE UAV systems. Initial operational capability is expected in 2011. With this AGS capability, the Netherlands Armed Forces can offer a meaningful contribution both within NATO or coalition alliances. The MALE UAV missions can vary from homeland defence, disaster relief to ISR data-gathering in warfighting mission types.

Norway is acquiring a tactical UAV capability. The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) will declare their UAV squadron operational in 2009. The UAV capability is designated for the support of ground operations, primarily as an ISTAR-asset. UAVs establish a capacity enabling a true situational awareness for ground forces manoeuvring in future areas of operations. The upcoming Defence Study will consider increased utilization of UAV in the full spectrum of future tasks for the Norwegian Defence Organisation.

By 2012, Poland plans to equip her Air Force with at least two MALE UAV. In the intervening years, we will work on the safe exploitation of non-segregated airspace, a national communication system to distribute data collected and compatibility with the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance programme.

The Portugese Air Force aims to operate, in the future, one UAV MALE System, composed of three to four air platforms, associated set of sensors, one Ground Control Station and support personnel. The main objective is to obtain the capability to provide long-range strategic Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition for the full range of NATO missions, using UAV’s.

46 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Romania started to operate UAVs 8 years ago. Presently, there are 2 Shadow 600 systems in use by the Romanian Armed Forces. One of them is used for domestic purposes and training, the other is deployed with Coalition Forces in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During these years of operation, the UAV systems have proved their capabilities in the service of the Romanian Army, so that we plan to enlarge the Romanian military UAV family, in order to have a good response to the new kind of threats against democratic values.

The Spanish Air Force is involved in several programmes related to the development of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with the objective of improving some already existing ISTAR capabilities. The procurement of MALE type UAS is the fourth phase of a programme that will cater for all national requirements. In addition to the value support to the traditional warfare areas, UAS are considered to improve the ability to adequately face new challenges in many other fields, like deployments and peacekeeping, control of illegal immigration and drug traffic, anti-terrorism, environmental activities, SAR/CSAR and ISTAR.

The RAF’s operation of Predator A has offered a unique insight into the complexities of operating a persistent, armed UAV, thereby elevating the RAF to the forefront of high-tech UAV operations. This is exemplified further by our UAV experimentation programme - integrating the wide-area surveillance capability of the RAPTOR sensor with the impressive performance of the Predator B. We now aim to set the conditions for UAV operations outside of UK segregated airspace. From simple beginnings, the UAV is fast carving a core role in the future force and sensor mix, which will ensure Air Power’s continued relevance across the whole spectrum of future offensive and support operations.

Attributes such as persistence and versatility contribute to highly capable systems improving the way we currently operate and allow us to do things previously impossible or impractical. The Air Force will integrate unmanned aviation with existing and future air and space systems to provide a more capable force, implement Human Systems Integration, and continue to lead and innovate Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and UAV development and employment. As RPAs and UAVs prove their worth, lessons learned will be applied to enhancing the next generation of unmanned systems.

47 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Out of the Box Airbase Defence In Expeditionary Operations

By Wing Commander Andy Ingham GBR A, JAPCC Photo Defensiekrant

“WHO IS GUARDING THE BACK DOOR”?

The vulnerability of air power Photo NATO component’s AO. Their size and when on the ground has been relative concentration of personnel, recognized as long as combat air aircraft and other materiel, make operations have been conducted them attractive targets for our and is encapsulated by General adversaries, particularly through Douhet’s observation in 1921 that stand-off indirect fire or the use of ‘it is easier and more effective to MANPADs against aircraft taking destroy the enemy’s aerial power off or landing. by destroying his nests and eggs on the ground than to hunt his flying In principle, the key to providing birds in the air’1. In current NATO effective air base defence against the operations, the reality of facing the asymmetric threat, both current asymmetric threat in a non-linear and emerging, is to include elements battlespace is that there is no front of defence in depth and a layered line. Airbases supporting NATO defence, together with the close stability and security operations, defence of our vital assets. such as ISAF in Afghanistan, may Additionally, we need to mount a be in the midst of the land NRF Demonstration - 2003 number of patrols (both foot and

48 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 vehicle), provide a Quick Response (and MANPADS) are most likely contributes to a delay in an effective Force (QRF) and ideally have a to be launched or fired from. To response to incidents. mobile reserve on-call. Moreover, effectively dominate this area we when the need arises, we need to would need to be able to project Of course, as part of his risk possess the ability to fight back, our FP forces up to 10 km out from assessment, the commander may projecting our force into our the base perimeter. To successfully decide that this sort of attack is Ground Defence Area (GDA) achieve this, we require a dedicated, unlikely and therefore allocate his using a variety of support weapons. well-trained, lightly equipped and FP resources to other, higher highly mobile force. Additionally, priority tasks. Historically however, Whilst many European nations national caveats often restrict the the statistics show us that the risk and the US possess dedicated and deployment of FP forces off-base, of a stand-off weapon attack against well trained personnel to carry out an air base has never been higher. air base defence, recent experience In the mid 1980s, on behalf of the has shown that when deployed, we We require a dedicated, USAF, the Rand Corporation are particularly vulnerable to the well-trained, undertook a study to examine the stand-off weapon attack and, more vulnerabilities of air bases. When recently, the use of MANPADS. lightly equipped and published the study concluded that We tend to be very good at highly mobile force. since WWII, over 75% of all ground providing the close defence of our attacks against air bases were in the assets, control of entry and form of a stand-off attack. Most maintaining a highly visible relying on other coalition forces or, recently, in late 2005, the Royal Air patrolling profile within the base, in some cases, the host nation (HN) Force suffered damage to two GR7 or within the base perimeter forces to carry out this essential Harriers at Kandahar in Afghanistan. defences. However, where we tend task. Inevitably, co-ordination and Open news sources reported that to let ourselves down is in the command and control can then these losses were directly attributed domination of the immediate area become very difficult, lines of to ground fire; clearly some form of tactical importance just outside communication tenuous and a of mortar or artillery shell was used the base, where stand-off weapons breakdown in language often against the Harriers.

The vulnerability of air power when on the ground has been recognized as long as combat air operations have been conducted.

49 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Out of the Box

Photo NATO

We need to mount a number of patrols.

So, stand-off weapons pose a covertly into position. If available on the black market, major threat to deployed air bases. required they can be cached if the price is right. Why then do they? Because they close to the firing point for ease are simple to use and are widely of use at a later date. In most So what can the defender do to available at relatively low cost on cases, a two-man team is all that combat this threat? Firstly, the the international armaments black is required to operate them. commander must conduct his risk market. Furthermore, they are ideal assessment based on the most weapons of choice for insurgents · Readiness. During a window of accurate and up-to-date intelligence, and terrorists who, apart from the opportunity, only a few minutes suicide bombers, prefer not to be are required to make these caught. They can blend in with the weapons combat ready. local population and probably have The provision of sufficient · very good knowledge of the local Ease of Employment. Often, Force Protection assets area. Furthermore, they can pick unlimited firing points are the time and place of the attack, available, such as the roof of a needs to be assessed most likely using the “shoot and building, a clearing in a wood at the outset and the scoot” technique. Stand-off or even from a pre-positioned threat from stand-off weapons characteristics include: static vehicle; the IRA achieved weapons should a huge propaganda success when · Ease of use. Personnel can be they targeted Downing Street in not be overlooked. quickly trained on these systems London in 1991 with this type – most are low tech, some are of device. fire and forget. Systems can come pre-loaded or can be easily · Availability. Unclassified sources and if the threat from stand-off assembled. estimate that there are thousands weapons exists, allocate sufficient of stand-off weapons and priority to provide forces to counter · Small size. These weapons can MANPADS around the world the threat. The FP Commander be easily stored and moved with a considerable number must be in tactical command of all

50 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 forces allocated to Active Defence, AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis and in cases where this is not possible, due to HN or National constraints, establish effective Liaison Officers with the other supporting forces. Moreover, the Active Defence forces need to project their presence out into the stand-off weapon footprint by adopting a proactive patrolling posture throughout the GDA. Furthermore, modern technical resources such as infantry ground radars and sensors, need to be procured to provide the FP Commander with timely warnings, so that a counter-attack with We are particularly vulnerable to the stand-off weapon attack. support weapons (if local ROE permit their use) or the needs to be assessed at the outset deployment of the QRF, as and the threat from stand-off Interested in appropriate, to follow up the weapons should not be overlooked. Force Protection (FP)? attack. Local intelligence sources This threat needs to be countered should not be overlooked. by the provision of robust forces, Check out the FP Courses familiar with air operations and run at the NATO School, In conclusion, during capable of dominating the GDA. Oberammergau. expeditionary operations, air assets and in particular aircraft, provide The FP Orientation Course and a target rich environment for any 1 Guilio Douhet, The Command of the Air, opposing force. The provision of Washington DC, Office of Air Force History 1983 The FP Officers Course. (orginally published in 1921, pp 53-54). sufficient Force Protection assets

Photo USAF

Stand-off weapons pose a major threat to deployed air bases.

51 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Inside the JAPCC NEWS By Air Commodore Dai Williams, GBR A, JAPCC

Overview

In 2006, the priority for the JAPCC is to deliver a range of important projects that will aid the transformation of NATO air and space power. These projects, in support of HQ SACT, have been formalized into an agreed Programme of Work (POW), © Crown Copyright/MOD which sets out the JAPCC deliverables and timescales. In The JAPCC is enhancing interoperability through the development of AAR doctrine. addition, JAPCC is developing projects for a number of other NATO customers that includes NATO Air Defence also contributing to the NATO HQ, SHAPE, CC-Air HQ development of the ‘Concept for Izmir and CC-Air HQ Ramstein. The JAPCC has been asked by Future E-3A NATO Mid-Term We believe the overall 2006 POW NATO HQ to lead a study group Employment’ that incorporates an will make a major contribution to to examine future NATO Air assessment of the likely expanded NATO’s transformation agenda. Defence (AD) requirements and roles and missions such as Time capabilities. This project, looking Sensitive Targeting, Airborne Unmanned Air System to the year 2020, will analyze the Command Element, UAS (UAS) Development future capability requirements for operations and overall Air Battle NATO AD in a holistic manner Management. The JAPCC has made the UAV/ to identify any capability gaps and UAS its top priority theme for 2006. to develop a roadmap to address Air to Air Refuelling The subject of UAS will feature them. This project should be prominently in our JAPCC completed by Autumn 2006. The JAPCC supports the sponsored workshops and fora transformation of the AAR throughout the year, including the C4ISTAR capability, by developing 2006 JAPCC Conference. Our interoperability and promoting a intention is to bring together all UAS The JAPCC is supporting HQ more coherent management, by the stakeholders such as NATO staff, SACT to develop a Joint ISR Alliance, of AAR assets. The nations, industry and academia to (JISR) concept, a transformational JAPCC is also leading to develop a identify what NATO needs to do project that will ensure NATO is long term NATO vision for this to fully exploit the airpower able to meet its aspirations across critical capability. capabilities offered by UAS the full range of effects based technologies. Issues relating to operations. The JAPCC is also The JAPCC is enhancing airspace management, command playing a significant role on behalf interoperability through the and control, integration and of ACO in the NATO Alliance development of AAR doctrine, interoperability are challenges faced Ground Surveillance project. procedures, STANAGs and by all NATO nations. Working closely with the NAEW planning methodologies. This community, including Force project has resulted in 2 significant To meet these challenges, the Command and NAPMA, JAPCC improvements: JAPCC aims to develop a has helped to develop a CONOP “flightplan” that identifies what and to provide specialist assessment · The production of a new NATO needs to do, as an Alliance, for the Main Operating Base Alliance Joint AAR manual that to exploit the UAS potential. decision process. The JAPCC is harmonizes and standardizes

52 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 procedures currently found in SMART Steering Group and the Air Logistics more than 20 different manuals. Operations and Training Group. The JAPCC continues to provide · The drafting of an updated With the initial scoping effort strong support to the SACT NATO AAR concept that complete, the JAPCC is now Integrated Capability Teams on provides a coherent structure working with HQ SACT to logistics transformation issues. This for planning and directing provide a Phase 1 report to the HQ work includes the further Alliance AAR. SACT Management Board. The development of the Deployable next steps involve gaining formal Airfield Activation Wing (DAAW) Looking longer term, the JAPCC commitment of national and NCS concept described in JAPCC is developing a future NATO AAR assets for a SMART exercise event, Journal Edition 1. The JAPCC has concept. This work, with a 15-year which has been scheduled for 2008. been asked to develop a NATO time horizon, seeks to identify force proposal to cover the DAAW future AAR requirements, Future Air Exercises capability and to lead on the resources and technologies and to assessment of the DAAW concept establish future operating and The JAPCC is currently as part of the Defence employment concepts for AAR. developing a project to identify a Requirements Review 07 process. This project incorporates the future NRF Air training and HQ SACT has also been requested integration of AAR into network exercise concept. The aim of the to support an exercise in 2007 to test centric operations and new project will be to examine the value the DAAW concept. concepts, such as unmanned air and relevance of current air training refuellers. This work should be programmes to support the broad Force Protection complete by the end of 2006. range of missions and threats that the NRF faces. Recent SHAPE TACEVALS have Simulated Mission And highlighted nations are increasingly Rehearsal Training The detailed objectives and adopting different approaches to (SMART) milestones of this study are currently deployed operations in a chemical, being identified. The JAPCC aims biological, radiological and nuclear NATO SMART is a distributed to complete the project by the end (CBRN) environment. With the simulation project involving JAPCC of 2006, working closely with the advent of the NRF, and the focus in collaboration with HQ SACT. main stakeholders in the JFC’s and on multinational operations within The JAPCC chairs both the ACC’s. the same deployed airbase, current NATO policy and doctrine in this area needs to be reviewed.

The JAPCC is leading with this work in consultation with SHAPE, the ACC’s and the NATO AEW&C Force Command. The aim is to develop a new Concept of Operations for NRF air operations in a CBRN environment to be complete by June 2006.

JAPCC Website

If you want to know more about any of the JAPCC’s projects, please visit our new website at www.japcc.de The website gives you the opportunity to add your own comments and suggestions, including any ideas on new projects that could be undertaken www.japcc.de by the JAPCC.

53 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Inside the JAPCC JAPCC CONFERENCE 2005

By Air Commodore Dai Williams, GBR A, JAPCC

The JAPCC held its first air power conference in Kleve, Germany in November 2005. The theme of the Conference was to question, “How do we ensure that NATO joint air and space power remains relevant?”. Over 180 delegates including high- ranking NATO military officers, academics and Defence Industrialists attended. The Conference was opened by General Henault, Chairman of the Military Committee, who addressed the issue of air power within the context of NATO’s transformation process and the part played by Centres of General Henault emphasized the vital role of airpower. Excellence like the JAPCC.

Key Note Address will continue to require a JAPCC was vital to the Alliance’s substantial and diverse set of air overall capabilities, not least Gen Henault emphasized the vital and space power capabilities. He because air power would remain role of airpower in today’s military argued that efforts needed to be a key element for the future operations, particularly the focused, emphasizing that the success of NATO. determining contribution it can play challenge to the air community in the early part of a campaign. He was to go on improving air Panel Discussions highlighted the great changes in the power capabilities with continued way air power is now applied with development of new ideas and The remainder of the Conference the focus on Joint and Combined concepts. consisted of a series of operations and the differing scale presentations and panel discussions and types of interventions. The Gen Henault concluded by paying with full involvement of the General stressed the importance of tribute to the work done by SACT delegates. These discussions the NATO Transformation initiative in leading the Transformation concluded that air and space power and the value of the NRF concept process, but he also emphasised the has much to offer in tackling as the catalyst for delivering the major role to be played by the new terrorist and insurgent threats, where necessary changes. Although NATO Centres of Excellence, which he there are no front lines and where faces many challenges in making the saw as vital for the development of ground units cannot control the best possible use of air power, new ideas and concepts. He said ground with any degree of Gen Henault believes the Alliance that the work done by the permanence. Air platforms have

54 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 the perspectives of height and · Recognizing a harmonized requirements for the NRF. endurance and, due to their speed, evolution versus a revolutionary This must include a stronger they also have the necessary approach as a pragmatic way joint approach, less focused at flexibility for dynamic re-tasking. forward – focusing on role the Component level, and with New technology now also offers specialization and national niche more priority to enabling the potential for air power to capabilities. activities such as airlift, logistics operate with an increased degree and CIS. of “sensitivity” when interacting · Improving interoperability with the ground environment. through broader NATO · Releasing the potential of Developing new technologies will common funding, which should modelling and simulation to further enable air power by be viewed as an important tool allow NATO to conduct realistic assuming an increasingly prominent for Transformation. and cost effective training. role in missions that require non- kinetic and non-lethal effects. · NATO working to develop · Promoting an effects-based greater capability within space or mindset with the formulation of The panels, looking at the future, near-space and to be less reliant NATO policy on EBAO. identified a range of areas where on purely national sensors. NATO air power needs to continue · Development of air land to evolve and to transform. These · Exploiting the potential of integration procedures to meet include: UAVs. There is a pressing need the operational challenges. for policy and doctrine relating · Avoiding a dual class military to airspace control, the Conclusion Alliance in which specific nations integration of UAVs and the can only operate with the ones associated command and The first JAPCC Conference that have similar capabilities. control issues. identified the continued need to persuade others, especially national · Introducing new platforms and · Introducing a new concept for decision-makers, about the command and control systems future exercises, by moving importance and utility of air and not based on system centric or away from the old legacy style space power. Despite prominence a Service centric approach, but of counting missions and of late, air power is not generally with a holistic capability based airframes towards evaluating well understood outside the air approach. the operational and tactical community; therefore we must be ready and able to demonstrate its value if air power is to remain relevant and properly resourced.

In closing the 2005 Conference, Lt Gen Schubert, the JAPCC Executive Director, expressed his gratitude for the open exchange of information and knowledge that had stimulated all the discussions. The Conference had been invaluable in helping determine the JAPCC 2006 programme of work, where the JAPCC could address the most pressing issues identified by the NATO air community, together with tasks that would contribute most to the transformation of joint air and space power.

55 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Regulars Bios

General Tom Colonel(S) Dan Air Chief Hobbins, Lewandowski, Marshal Sir Glenn USA A, is Director USA A, is the Torpy, KCB, CBE, JAPCC Kalkar JAPCC Combat DSO, BSc(Eng), Germany, Air Branch Head. FRAeS, RAF, has Commander, U.S. He was one of the flown the Jaguar Air Forces in first career space and Tornado Europe; operations officers GR1A aircraft in Commander, in the USAF. He the reconnaissance Allied Component Command - Air was the Branch Chief for space and role. He commanded No 13 Sqn during Ramstein; and Air Component C4ISR programs for the Deputy Under the 1991 Gulf War where he was Commander, U.S. European Secretary of the Air Force for awarded the Distinguished Service Command, Ramstein Air Base, International Affairs. In 2002, he took Order. He has served as the Station Germany. Gen Hobbins entered the command of the 50th Operations Commander RAF Bruggen, Germany, Air Force in Dec 1969 as a graduate of Support Squadron, responsible for 130 and has attended both Royal College of Officer Training School. He has personnel and the combat readiness Defence Studies and the Higher commanded two tactical fighter wings training of over 530 crew personnel, Command and Staff Course. He has held and a composite air group. He has operating over 140 satellites. He has four a number of senior national staff served as the Director of Plans and masters degrees in Strategic Studies, positions including Director Air Operations for U.S. Forces Japan, Military Operational Art and Science, Operations in the MOD and Assistant Director of Plans and Policy for U.S. Space Systems and Business Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations). Atlantic Command, and Director of Administration. In 2001 he became Air Officer Operations for U.S. Air Forces in Commanding No 1 Gp and during this Europe. As the USAFE Director of Wing period, he was the UK Air Contingent Operations, Gen Hobbins was Commander Commander for Operation IRAQI responsible for the planning, beddown Mike Strong, FREEDOM, for which he was awarded and execution of combat forces in RAF, joined the the US Legion of Merit. Following a Europe for Operation ALLIED RAF in 1966 as a tour as Deputy Commander in Chief FORCE. As 12th Air Force military air traffic Strike Command, he was posted as Commander, Gen Hobbins deployed controller. He Chief of Joint Operations in the the 12th Air Force’s AOC to Southwest has served at RAF Permanent Joint Headquarters. In Jan Asia as Operations ENDURING and RN airfields 2005, he was made a Knight Commander FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM’s worldwide and at joint civil/military and on 13 Apr 2006 took up his current alternate AOC. A command pilot, Gen ATC centres. He has broad experience appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. Hobbins has flown more than 4,275 in a variety of air traffic management flying hrs, primarily in fighter aircraft. posts in military and civilian HQs. Since 2003, he has been on secondment to EUROCONTROL as a military Professor Ian expert, specializing in airspace and air Poll, OBE traffic management matters. FREng, FCGI FAIAA , FRAeS, Colonel Stephen Wing is Professor of P. Luxion, USA A, Commander Aerospace is the Director of Richard Duance, Engineering and Staff at the GBR A, joined the Business JAPCC. A 1984 RAF in 1982 as a Development and USAF Academy Fighter Controller. Technical Director of Cranfield graduate, Col Within 3 yrs, he Aerospace Limited. A graduate of Luxion spent 10 transferred to the Imperial College, London, he has 30 yrs flying the F- Navigator Branch yrs experience in aerospace and 111 and 2 yrs flying the F-14A and EA- and qualified on the Tornado F3 in 1987. aviation gained in both the academic 6B . He flew the MQ-1B Predator for 3 He has flown over 2000 flying hrs, and commercial domains. A Fellow yrs and commanded the 17th primarily in the Tornado F3, and is a of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Reconnaissance Sqn. He has 2,500 hrs graduate of the Advanced Command The City and Guilds Institute, the flying time with 700 hrs combat time. and Staff Course at JSCSC Shrivenham. American Institute of Aeronautics and Col Luxion is a distinguished graduate In 2005, he joined JAPCC from a tour Astronautics and the Royal of the USAF Fighter Weapons School as Commanding Officer Falkland Aeronautical Society, he was awarded and Air Command and Staff College. Islands Air Wing. He works in the the OBE in 2002 in recognition of his He is also a graduate of the School of Policy, Concepts & Co-ordination contribution to the Cranfield College Advanced Airpower Studies and the branch responsible for Interoperability, of Aeronautics. National War College. Doctrine and Integration.

56 56 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Wing Professor Colonel Ludovico Commander Pete Dr.-Ing. Axel Chianese, ITAF, is York, OBE, Schulte, is the Air GBR A, is a VIP Professor of Component Transport Flight Mechanics Commander of navigator who and Flight the “Predator” arrived at JAPCC Guidance at the UAV in Tallil, in 2005 from CC- Institute of System Iraq. He is Air Izmir, Turkey Dynamics and responsible for the where he was the Director of Staff. Prior Flight Mechanics, Munich University Air Task Order of the Italian UAV to that, he was CC-Air Izmir’s CJFACC of the German Armed Forces, Squadron as Tactical Commander. The Planning Chief and responsible for the Aerospace Engineering Department. Squadron conducts ISR missions in implementation of NATO’s CJFACC His research focus is on automation in support of the Italian Joint Task Force and NRF Concepts. He has experience vehicle guidance, human-automation in the Dhi-Qar area. Col Chianese in planning and execution of the flying interaction in aviation and intelligent entered the Air Force in 1984, graduating schedules for RAF AT, AAR and VIP systems based on cognitive models of from the Academy in 1988. He has Transport fleets during peacetime human operators. In teaching, he covers served as a helicopter pilot in the SAR routine and crisis operations. Pete has the aeronautical disciplines of flight and CSAR role and is a flight instructor also been a tutor in the Muharraq Al- mechanics, guidance and control. and examiner. Abdullah Command and Staff College in Kuwait. Dr Andrea Air Commodore Nativi, acquired a Dai Williams, degree in GBR A, joined the Financial Law, RAF as a Supply Summa cum Officer in 1980. He Mr. Yair lauda, in Genoa has an MA in Dubester, is the University in 1984 Defence Studies General Manager and served as a and was awarded of MALAT, the Reserve an OBE in 1996. UAV division of Lieutenant in the Guardia Di Finanza He has been a Military Assistant to Air Israel Aircraft from 1985-86. He became a professional Officer Maintenance and COS in the Industries (IAI). journalist in 1985 and joined the Rivista Tri-service HQ Defence Supply Chain. He completed his Italiana Difesa in 1987; he became their In 2002 he commanded the UK’s largest BSc. in Electrical Editor in Chief in 2000. He is a member supply depot where he merged the Engineering at the Technion, Israel of the Italian MoD sponsored Strategic former air depot at Stafford with the Institute of Technology, Israel in 1975. Studies Centre and Military Research Army depot at Donnington to create a In that year he joined IAI as a design Centre and a respected Air Power unified tri-Service depot. He was posted engineer on Israel’s first UAV, the Lecturer at the Italian MoD Joint and to the JAPCC in Jan 2005 as Branch “Scout”. Air Force War Colleges. Head, Combat Service Support. Promoted to Air Commodore in January 2006, he assumed the role of Assistant Director Transformation. He Wing left JAPCC in Apr 2006 to be Director Commander (Supply Chain) within the UK Defence Andy Ingham, Logistics Organisation. GBR A, transferred Mr. Ido Pickel, is to the Combat Lt Col Jens C the marketing Service Support Fehler, DEU L, manager in the Branch at JAPCC joined the German MALAT division from the Reaction Army Artillery of Israel Aircraft Force Air Staff. He branch in 1978. He Industries Ltd for is an RAF Regiment officer with a is a qualified UAV Southern Europe. background in Survive-to-Operate and operations officer He is a senior Force Protection. He has commanded a and graduated qualified UAV UK SHORAD sqn in Germany, served from Hamburg operator and mission commander with as a GBAD/SHORAD staff officer and Military University and German Forces service in the Israel Air Force UAV Sqn. as the air force member of a joint service Staff Academy. In the beginning of 2006, He holds a Bachelor Degree in Business communications project team. He has he joined JAPCC from a post as the UAV Administration (B.A.) specializing in also served as an Exchange Officer with flight safety advisor at the German Information Technology from the the USAF at the USAF Security Forces Artillery School. Working in the C4ISTAR Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Israel. Academy as an airbase defence instructor. Branch, he is responsible for UAS.

57 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 Regulars Book Review

Soviet/Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Yefim Gordon, original translation by Dmitriy Kommissarov Midland Publishing, Hinckley, England, 2005, 127 pages Available as ISBN 1-85780-193-8

In the past, Soviet Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were barely recognized by the West. However, a great number of flying target decoys and reconnaissance drone systems have been produced, and today Russian industry develops many Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV).

The author provides an extensive overview of research and development Courtesy of Midland Counties Publications as well as operations from the beginning to the present. Starting with an assessment of the Soviet Airspace Industry after World War II, individual chapters deal with the UAS of the four development bureaus. The chapters contain detailed descriptions and construction plans augmented by technical data sheets and photographs of the systems. The concluding chapter presents the current status of Russian UAS Technology and gives a detailed forecast of planned projects.

Reviewer: Jens Fehler, Lt Col, DEU L

Attack of the Drones – A History of Unmanned Aerial Combat by Bill Yenne Zenith Press, MBI Publishing Company, St. Paul MN USA, 2004, 127 pages Photo Unavailable Available as ISBN 0-7603-1825-5

Research and development of UAV in the USA started at the beginning of the 20th century. The first tangible steps towards the new technology were “aircraft models”, unmanned target aircraft and reconnaissance drones. The progress in technology fields like wireless communication, miniaturization and materiel, facilitated control systems for precise navigation and secure recovery. Meanwhile, many applications for UAS operations could be identified and the significance of air based sensor platforms increased. The use of satellites to enable beyond line of sight communication between a ground control station and the UAV facilitated the development of the new concept of an UCAV. Air to surface attack has been revolutionized, and this technology has led to USA superiority in the field.

The author gives a description of development, performance and specialities of the different techniques as well as future development programmes accompanied by many impressive photographs.

Reviewer: Jens Fehler, Lt Col, DEU L

58 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 59 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006 BIFSBOFKDB@ROFQVCLOQEBRQROB

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60 JAPCC Journal Edition 3, 2006