Current Capabilities

There are currently over 50 companies world-wide developing 150 different UAV prototypes, 115 of which have flown successfully. Drones vary greatly in size both size and capability. The smallest micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) are six inches long and can be carried in a soldier's backpack. The largest have wing-spans over 115 feet. MAVs currently provide "over the hill" reconnaissance abilities; the largest Global Hawk drone can fly over 3000 nautical miles to collect data in all weather conditions.

Modern military UAV applications center on ISR roles: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. ISR drones such as the Predator and Global Hawk can loiter high aloft an area of interest, collecting electro-optical (EO), infrared, and radar images. The sensors onboard can also passively gather electromagnetic intelligence. All this data can be relayed in near-real time (NRT) to ground controllers and planners. ISR drones have recently taken the next logical step: armed battlefield reconnaissance.

Predator Drone

The RQ-1 "Predator" Drone is the most capable UAV currently operational. Made by General Atomics, the cost of each aircraft is $3.2 million. The Predator can remain aloft for over 40 hours and has a top speed of 110 knots. This gives the UAV a 500 mile range with 24 hours on station. Reducing the time on station increases the range. The aircraft is capable of flying as high as 25,000 feet.

The drone is capable of transmitting full color or infrared video. It is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) - a radar system that allows the operator to distinguish ship/type based on radar returns.) SAR also allows for precise ground mapping at night or during inclement weather. The Predator also carries a  multispecteral targeting system and up to 2 AGM-114 "Hellfire" laser guided missiles.

Communication with the aircraft controller is done via two electronic channels. For line of sight control, a C-band data link carries commands. Beyond line of sight signals are sent via a Ku-band satellite link. The satellite link also allows multi-agency video sharing.

The Predator System actually consists of four aircraft, a ground control station (GCS), and the Predator Primary Satellite link. The entire system is easily transported worldwide. The cost of the entire system is $40 million. The mission is flown from the GCS by one pilot and 2 sensor operators.

Predator drones have seen extensive use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Predator-B will be a turbine powered variant. It will have significantly greater range and payload capabilities.

Global Hawk

Though still in testing, the Global Hawk will soon represent the ultimate in high altitude, long-endurance ISR capabilities. The Global Hawk is jet powered and will fly at 60,000 feet. It will have a 3000+ nautical mile range and a 24 hour on station time. It's onboard cameras will be able to deliver 0.3 meter resolution near real time images via satellite to a global command and control system. Global Hawk is being designed to integrate with the expanding C4I (command, control, communication, computer, intelligence) networks.

Unmanned rotary vehicles

Bombardier has completed testing on the CL-327 Sentinel drone. It is designed to operate as an airborne sensor platform launched from small naval vessels. The Sentinel is a relatively low-priced alternative to manned helicopter flight. Other potential uses include border security and anti-drug surveillance.

The United States Coast Guard has recently contracted with Bell Textron to produce 69 Eagle Eye UAV tilt rotor aircraft. Similar in design to the Osprey, the Eagle Eye would be employed in long range maritime reconnaissance.

Northrop Grumman developed the VTUAV Fire Scout for use by the US Navy and Marine Corps. The helicopter is based on a Schweizer manned helicopter design. The Fire Scout will launch autonomously from small deck ships or unprepared landing areas. The aircraft will have a range of 110 nautical miles and will remain on station for up to three hours. The Fire Scout will carry a full suite of electro-optical intelligence equipment and will also be fitted with a laser designator for third party targeting.