Supplementary memorandum from the Ministry
of Defence
In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
systems[3]
have emerged as an important means of collecting Intelligence,
Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaisance (ISTAR) information.
They have become increasingly capable and, compared to manned
platforms, are well suited to missions that are, for example,
dangerous, monotonous or require very long endurance (the four
Ds—dangerous, dirty, dull and deep). They are therefore
often seen, when equipped with Full Motion Video (FMV) and in
some cases radar and other sensors, as the right solution to ISTAR
collection requirements at the Theatre/Operational, Formation/Higher
Tactical, and Lower Tactical levels. The MoD Equipment Capability
Customer is sponsoring a UAV capability investigation in collaboration
with industry which will seek to establish the military requirement
for UAVs out to the early 2020s and define how this could best
be delivered. Additionally, this work will identify strategies
in key areas such as spectrum management and airspace access to
ensure that the equipment delivered can be fielded in the UK and
on operations.
It is important to remember that UAV systems
are one possible solution to the collection part of the ISTAR
capability construct explained in the MOD Memorandum submitted
in February 2008. To recap, the collection side aims to provide
capabilities that can gather accurate and timely information across
the environments and can detect, track, and identify enemy, neutral
and friendly entities within a defined area, day and night, and
in all weathers. The direction, processing and dissemination side
aims to provide capabilities that can direct collection effort
and then process and disseminate derived information and intelligence
to all levels in national and coalition operations. As noted in
the previous Memorandum, the emphasis of current and future ISTAR
development is on improving the way the collection of information
and intelligence is directed and the resulting data processed
and disseminated.
UAV SYSTEMS CURRENTLY
OPERATED BY
THE ARMED
FORCES[4]
The following UAV systems are being operated
at present:
Reaper (formerly Predator B)
This Theatre/Operational level UAV system came
into service in autumn 2007 to meet an Urgent Operational Requirement
(UOR) for persistent ISTAR in Afghanistan. Reaper is a large UAV
weighing about 4,500 kg and with a wingspan of 20 metres. It carries
a FMV sensor and a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with Ground
Moving Target Indication (GMTI) capability. It also carries a
laser range finder and designator. It has an operational endurance
of approximately 16 hours,[5]
and can fly at up to about 240 knots. UK military personnel[6]
fly the mission using beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications
operating from a Ground Control Station (GCS) at Creech Air Force
Base, Nevada USA. Take-off and landing of the UAVs in theatre
is accomplished by a launch and recovery element manned by a mix
of US and UK military personnel using line-of-sight communications.
A total of two air vehicles and one GCS have been deployed to
Afghanistan. A third UAV is due to be delivered in mid 2008 and
a second GCS later in 2008. Planned enhancements include electronic
surveillance and weaponisation of the UAV with multiple Hellfire
missiles and GBU 12 precision guided bombs to improve prosecution
of time-sensitive targets.
Combined Joint PREDATOR Task Force (CJTPF)
The UK also supports the operation of US-owned
Predator-A UAVs by providing military operators and ground engineers
to the US-led CJTPF. Most of the personnel are from the RAF. The
commitment of personnel to the CJPTF is being progressively wound
down during 2008 in agreement with the US as the UK focus shifts
to the operation of the UK Reaper systems.
Hermes 450
A Formation/Higher Tactical level UAV capability
was procured as a UOR and entered service from July 2007. The
capability is provided as a service by Thales UK using the Hermes
450 UAV system. The air vehicle is launched by a contractor-provided
external pilot and operated throughout the mission phase by Royal
Artillery personnel, with control handed back to the contractor
for the recovery and landing. Servicing and support are the contractor's
responsibility. Hermes 450 is a medium-sized UAV that weighs about
450 kg and has a wingspan of about 10.5 metres. It has an endurance
of around 14 hours, but must remain in radio line-of-sight of
the GCS. It operates at slower speeds and lower altitudes than
Reaper. Up to 10 air vehicles and 6 GCS are being used, providing
FMV ISTAR support in Iraq and Afghanistan with two concurrent
missions possible in both theatres.
Desert Hawk 3
DH3 is a Lower Tactical level UAV system procured
under UOR procedures in 2007. It is a hand-launched system that
has an endurance of around 60 minutes. A total of 18 systems (144
air vehicles and 18 GCS) have been deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan
providing FMV ISTAR support to Battlegroup operations and below.
The capability is operated by Royal Artillery personnel embedded
in Battlegroups. A further five systems are being procured.
Buster
Buster was initially acquired for trials during
early MoD investigation of mini-UAVs. The system did not meet
operational requirements but after an upgrade was deemed satisfactory
to support pre-deployment training. While less capable as an ISTAR
platform than operational systems, Buster provides a limited UAV
FMV capability, essentially simulating Hermes 450 and Desert Hawk
systems on exercises.
As noted in the opening paragraph of this memorandum,
UAV operations involve a degree of risk to the air vehicle and
while operational procedures are aimed at minimising the loss
rate, some losses can be expected. For example, on 9 April 2008
Reaper air vehicle made a forced landing whilst on an operation
over a remote unpopulated area of southern Afghanistan. Sensitive
items were recovered and the remaining wreckage was destroyed.
The reason for the forced landing is under investigation but mechanical
issues are suspected. The Department is seeking to replace the
UAV. In Iraq, a Hermes 450 air vehicle crashed during an attempted
landing in difficult weather conditions in January 2008. As at
the end of February 2008, some 27 hand-launched mini-UAVs (Desert
Hawk) had been lost over the previous 12 months.The Department
is drawing the lessons from such incidents to add to its growing
knowledge about UAV operations.
UAVS CURRENTLY
IN THE
PROCESS OF
BEING ACQUIRED
WATCHKEEPER
The only Defence funded programme to field an
operational UAV capability is for the WATCHKEEPER tactical UAV
system. Main Gate approval was given in mid-2005. WATCHKEEPER
is currently expected to reach Initial Operating Capability in
the second half of 2010 and to reach Full Operating Capability
in 2013. The system is being developed from the Hermes 450 system
currently operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The programme is
due to deliver (including attrition stock) 54 air vehicles and
15 GCS and will provide the capacity to conduct up to 12 concurrent
missions (or "lines of tasking"). It will be operated
by 32 Regiment Royal Artillery. WATCHKEEPER is intended to support
Land operations and is capable of carrying simultaneously three
types of sensor: electro optical/infra-red FMV; SAR; and GMTI.
In addition, it will carry a laser rangefinder/target marker.
It will have UK-specific data links, have an automatic take off
and landing capability and be able to use tactical landing strips.
Overall, WATCHKEEPER provides greater capability compared to Hermes
450 and, subject to operational circumstances at the time, the
intention is that it will start to take over from Hermes 450 from
2010.
As noted in the previous Memorandum, the DABINETT
programme includes provision to improve deep and persistent ISTAR
collection capability. The deep and persistent capability is likely
to be a system-of-systems incorporating UAVs. However, the programme
is pre-main gate and is currently exploring several ways of meeting
the requirement. No decisions have been made on platform type.
DIRECTION, PROCESSING
AND DISSEMINATION
OF INFORMATION
AND INTELLIGENCE
FROM CURRENT
UAVS.
At the Theatre/Operational level in Afghanistan
where Reaper operates, overall command is vested in Commander
Joint Operations (CJO) at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ)
at Northwood, with control delegated to the coalition Combined
Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Al Udeid, Qatar. Reaper capability
is made available to International Security and Assistance Force
(ISAF) as a coalition asset in support of both UK and Coalition
forces with tasking coordinated through coalition HQ in Kabul
based on PJHQ/CENTCOM guidance. Reaper FMV imagery is down-linked
to UK troops on the ground using Remote Viewing Terminals (RVT)
such as ROVER to provide them with immediate situational awareness.
FMV and radar data is down-linked to in-theatre forces and image
analysts in the GCS who conduct an initial analysis and provide
immediate intelligence support to troops on the ground and to
the tasking headquarters. Subsequent imagery analysis can be conducted
by personnel at the GCS post-flight or in the coalition Intelligence
Fusion Centre.
At the Formation/Higher Tactical level, where
Hermes 450 provides an organic ISTAR asset supporting UK forces,
overall command is vested in CJO at PJHQ, with control delegated
to in-theatre Brigade Commanders. Tasking is coordinated through
the Brigade or Battlegroup ISTAR cell and UAV tactical groups,
with airspace co-ordination through the CAOC. The information
and intelligence collected by Hermes 450 is currently being used
in direct and immediate support of ground operations so there
is only a limited requirement for processing and dissemination.
Real-time FMV imagery is down-linked to the GCS and to RVT to
provide immediate situational awareness. Initial analysis of the
FMV is conducted by image analysts in the GCS and at Brigade Headquarters.
Time critical intelligence derived from the FMV is distributed
by voice to users without RVT access. Secondary exploitation of
the FMV is conducted at the GCS or Brigade Headquarters and is
distributed as required using the existing in-theatre communications
infrastructure. Each Hermes 450 mission FMV is archived on DVD
providing a limited capability to retrieve imagery for subsequent
in-depth analysis.
At the Lower Tactical level, Desert Hawk is
an organic ISTAR asset that provides dedicated support to UK forces.
Like Hermes 450, overall command is vested in CJO at PJHQ, with
control delegated to in-theatre Brigade Commanders, who may delegate
to lower levels. Tasking of these assets is coordinated through
the Brigade or Battlegroup ISTAR cell and UAV tactical groups.
The information and intelligence collected by Desert Hawk is being
used in direct and immediate support of ground operations so there
is only a limited requirement for processing and dissemination.
FMV imagery is down-linked to the mobile GCS and RVT, with initial
analysis conducted by the operators or by Battlegroup intelligence
staff at the GCS. The opportunities to store and retrieve Desert
Hawk FMV for subsequent in depth analysis are very limited and
is currently reliant on the transfer of data by CD to in-theatre
image analysts.
EXPLOITING THE
INFORMATION AND
INTELLIGENCE COLLECTED
BY UAVS
Current UAV capability is all procured under
UOR arrangements and is proving very effective at providing troops
on the ground in current operations with the real time imagery
and enhanced situational awareness they need. Each system currently
relies on dedicated GCS, communications and availability of compatible
RVTs. The Department is looking to build on the successful, delivered
capability and improve the exploitation of the information and
intelligence collected by UAVs on current operations by improving
connectivity between separate systems. This would optimise collection
time and enable maximum analyst and end user access to information
and intelligence, so improving timely exploitation of actionable
intelligence and operational effectiveness. We are pursuing measures
to provide a capability that specifically seeks to improve the
processing and dissemination of all imagery (including FMV) gathered
in support of operations, including that collected by UAVs. In
addition, the Equipment Capability Customer is sponsoring a capability
investigation into FMV coherence. This is seeking to identify
improvements across all Defence Lines of Development in the direction,
processing and dissemination of FMV products that can be quickly
implemented on current operations.
For the longer term the Equipment Capability
Customer has challenged UK industry to develop a common RVT that
is able to accept an FMV feed from any UAV system. Work is also
in hand to ensure that WATCHKEEPER is compatible with other UAV
systems. The DABINETT programme is aiming to develop the coherence
and networking of ISTAR assets across Defence, including UAVs.
The planned delivery of an updated above Secret communications
network will improve both the ability to exploit ISTAR capabilities
and the subsequent dissemination of the derived intelligence.
We need to improve our ability to tag, store
and retrieve data and to conduct more detailed secondary and tertiary
analysis of the imagery. Such a capability would increase our
ability to conduct pattern of life analysis, employ change detection
techniques and provide imagery for evidential purposes. We are
aiming to develop an archival, retrieval and dissemination architecture
for the Afghanistan theatre that will address some of the immediate
issues. In the longer term, the DABINETT programme will also address
the issue.
The significant growth in coalition use of FMV
and SAR/GMTI both by UAVs and other air platforms is placing an
increasing strain on communications bearers as the bandwidth requirements
increase and as the electromagnetic spectrum becomes increasingly
crowded. As part of wider work on future requirements for UAVs,
spectrum management issues will be addressed to ensure that the
equipment delivered can be fielded in the UK and on operations.
The increase in FMV collection assets in theatre
has generated increased demand for imagery exploitation. This
is being addressed through the provision of analysis training
for FMV operators, which is expected to ameliorate this problem
significantly.
AIRSPACE AND
AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL
Current national and international regulations
require UAVs to comply with exactly the same "ules of the
Air"as manned aircraft. In practice the requirement to see
and avoid other air users cannot currently be satisfied by any
unmanned platform and for this reason all UAV operations in the
UK (civil and military) are restricted to segregated airspace;
in practice this constrains MOD UAV flying to military danger
areas. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the airspace is under coalition
military control so UAVs can operate more freely, although their
operations need to be carefully organised, for example through
restricted operating zones and air traffic management. Defence
is part of a wider initiative to review regulations for UAV flying.
Under arrangements led by the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff,
the MOD is closely involved with the development of procedures
and regulations to allow UAVs to operate in national and NATO
airspace. These collaborative efforts involve engagement with
NATO, European Defence Agency and Civil Aviation Authority and
are intended to form the basis for agreement to support global
solutions for UAV systems.
The following are the main current actions by
the Department to address the regulatory, technical and cultural
challenges for training and operational employment:
— The MoD is engaging with a number
of national and international organisations that are developing
the "Sense and Avoid" regulatory framework that will,
in time, allow industry to develop technology that could allow
UAVs to operate in non-segregated airspace.
— A small number of proposals
to adjust current airspace arrangements are being taken forward
through the civil authorities. The main one relates to an Airspace
Change Proposal (ACP) to increase the airspace available to UAVs
around the Salisbury Plain Training Areas.
25 April 2008
3 A UAV system consists of an air vehicle and associated
payload (eg, sensors), communications, a control element often
referred to as a Ground Control Station (GCS), support equipment
and the human component which may include personnel such as the
UAV-pilot, sensor operator, mission commander, maintainer and
image analyst. Back
4
The Phoenix tactical level UAV system operated by 32 Regiment
Royal Artillery, the UK's first operational UAV, was taken out
of service as planned on 31 March 2008. Back
5
With crosswind limits and the lack of diversion ability of UAVs,
operational flying is limited to around 11 hours so that 5 hours
of fuel is kept in reserve in order to keep the UAV airborne if
necessary. Back
6
39 Squadron RAF, working closely with Joint Force personnel in
theatre. Back
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