Japan is Looking to Buy Three Global Hawk UAVs

The Defense Ministry is looking to buy three Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft from the United States to deal with China's militarization and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Self-Defense Force and ministry sources said Sunday.

The ministry hopes to insert the plan for buying the unmanned high-altitude aircraft into its new Mid-Term Defense Program for fiscal 2011-2015. The program will be based on a new National Defense Program Outline the government is poised to adopt at the end of this year.

Equipped with sophisticated cameras and highly sensitive communications-receiving abilities, the Global Hawk can fly at an altitude of roughly 18,000 meters — about twice as high as commercial aircraft can — for just over 30 hours on autopilot.

The data it gathers can be sent almost simultaneously to command facilities on the ground. Its ability to fly at high altitudes also allows it to peer more deeply into the territory of such prickly adversaries as North Korea and China.

The plan is expected to get a boost from the diplomatic friction triggered last month when a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard cutters bumped each other near disputed islands in the East China Sea, the sources said.

The Global Hawk costs about $50 million (roughly ¥4.15 billion), including equipment, so the sum for three aircraft would come to more than ¥12 billion. The ministry estimates it would cost tens of billions of yen more to build ground facilities to control the drones, the sources said.

The ministry has been researching unmanned surveillance aircraft since fiscal 2003 and was even thinking of producing a Japan-made aircraft. Given the Global Hawk's advantages in performance and costs, however, the ministry is now looking to import them, the sources said.

The U.S. government has been sounding out Japan about acquisition possibilities through multiple channels, they said.

Together with its ability to fly longer than its manned counterparts, the Global Hawk is likely to boost Japan's ability to gather intelligence and monitor its neighbors. The ministry hopes to use the aircraft, which does not have offensive capability, to help defend remote islands and counter suspicious ships in or near Japanese waters. It is also looking at the possibility of using them as part of its missile defense shield, the sources said.

The ministry has yet to decide which section should be put in charge of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, partly because officials are concerned that money will be cut from existing programs if the new program comes under their authority, they said.

The midterm defense buildup plan says, that from the standpoint of strengthening Japan's intelligence-gathering capabilities, the ministry will take "necessary measures after considering" acquiring unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

If the ministry has trouble sorting out which section will be in charge, there is a possibility that any plans for unmanned reconnaissance aircraft will remain hazy in the new midterm defense buildup plan, the sources said.

Global Hawk UAV Arrives in Guam

Airmen here celebrated the arrival of the RQ-4 Global Hawk to Guam during a ceremony Sept. 20.

The Global Hawk brings significant capabilities to the Pacific theater, which will benefit the 36th Wing, Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Command, and regional partners, said Gen. Gary North, the PACAF commander.

"Having an (intelligence, surveillence and reconnaissance) capability within the Pacific greatly enhances Air Force operational intelligence capabilities to meet mission requirements," General North said. "In addition, the Global Hawk will enhance the U.S. and its partners' ability to effectively address regional challenges, such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, terrorism and piracy."

The Global Hawk is capable of providing government and military decision makers near real-time, high-altitude, long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery that can support a full spectrum of operations. Flying above ordinary commercial traffic, the aircraft can survey large geographic areas with pinpoint accuracy, without impacting civilian aircraft routes. The imagery provides the most current information available during contingency or crisis situations.

"This is a technology that saves lives," said Lt. Col. Brandon Baker, the Air Combat Command Det. 3 commander. "The RQ-4 has been used in contingency operations and humanitarian missions before. During wildfires in California, the Global Hawk provided firefighters with a near real-time view of the crisis and helped firefighters and rescue personnel direct their efforts."

In January, the Global Hawk also provided imagery to coordinators of the international disaster relief and humanitarian mission in Haiti's earthquake.

"Basing the RQ-4 at Andersen will support ongoing regional partnerships and reaffirm to U.S. friends, allies and partner nations of our commitment to continue modernization efforts and force structure beddown to support maintaining peace and stability in the region," General North said.

So far, one of three planned Global Hawks has arrived here. The remaining two are scheduled to arrive later this year and at the beginning of 2011. Local crews will launch and land the aircraft from here, while crews at Beale AFB, Calif., will control the bulk of the mission, once out of the local area.

"We'll be flying missions in support of U.S. Pacific Command priorities," Colonel Baker said. "We also intend to share with our allies information pertaining to common regional challenges like humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and piracy."

The Global Hawk has flown more than 45,000 hours worldwide since becoming operational in 1995. The remotely piloted aircraft is flown using a variety of communications protocols, complete with built-in safety measures in the event that communication between the mission control and the aircraft is lost.

In the event that all communication with the aircraft is lost or it encounters an in-flight emergency, the Global Hawk is programmed to continue its flight to its original destination or return to its point of origin and land. During this time, the pilot may be able to reestablish a link to the aircraft. If that is impossible, the Global Hawk is capable of landing on its own.

"The aircraft is flown by fully qualified, certified U.S. Air Force pilots -- a fact which contributes to the RQ-4's unparalleled safety record," Colonel Baker said. "The RQ-4 negotiates pre-programmed flight plans and the pilots communicate with air traffic controllers in a similar manner as pilots in manned aircraft."

Israel Reveals Panther Tiltrotor UAV

Israel’s new Panther vertical takeoff and landing unmanned tiltrotor aircraft is one of the latest products emerging from the classified projects section of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The UAV was developed by IAI’s Malat division, which has been looking at new designs to fill some of the operational gaps between the company’s largest, longest-range Heron TP UAV — now in operation with the Israeli Air Force — and its smallest 0.5-kg. (1.1-lb.) Mosquito UAV with a 30-40 min. flight time.

“In between we have something very new — a [design that] can take off and land on grass, ice or desert,” says Tommy Silberring, general manager of Malat’s military aircraft group. “The idea is to take off and land without a parachute or crash cushion.”

The principal features of the aircraft are tiltrotor engines that allow pinpoint takeoffs and landings or, if desired, conventional landing and takeoff operations. It also has automatic navigation to targets of interest and day/night cameras.

An intriguing option is the Panther’s ability to hover or land quietly in enemy territory, conduct surveillance like a ground sensor and then take off again. It also could be operated from ships that need a tactical UAV.

“It is all-electric and we are looking at higher-technology materials and power generation,” says Israel Shemer, assistant general manager for military projects. “We’re minimizing the noise and you will not hear it at its mission altitude.”

The Panther’s wingspan can vary from 2-8 meters (4.5-17.5 ft.) depending on the required mission endurance and the number of motors used. The current six-meter version has two electric motors and fuel cells that provide a 60-km. range and a top speed of 70 kt. It can carry an 8-kg. payload at an altitude of 10,000 ft. for up to 6 hr. It has a two-man, ground-based flight crew and can be assembled and operated in the field.

“We want to replace manned aircraft so we need to make all the mission and maintenance systems automatic so that it only requires one or two people for the whole mission,” Shemer says. “IAI has today a full capability for integrating intelligence gathering, sensors and the platform.

That includes the fusion of intelligence, sensor use and exploitation of data. We are closing the loop and we are the main intelligence provider for the [Israel Defense Forces].

“We can provide a full sensor suite,” Shemer continues. “Users can ask for the vehicle to identify particular types of target, to get data to specific organizations and to provide analyses of certain data. We can put it all together with this vehicle.”

Singapore Deploys Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit to Afghanistan

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed a 52-man Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group to Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Uruzgan, and a team of four institutional trainers to Kabul as part of Singapore's overall contribution to the multinational stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

The UAV Task Group, which commences operations today, will be deployed for three months, from August to November 2010. The four institutional trainers, who started their operations a week earlier, will be deployed till December 2010. They will then hand over to a second rotation of institutional trainers who will be deployed for four months till April 2011.

This is the first time that the SAF is deploying a UAV Task Group and institutional trainers to Afghanistan.

During its deployment, the UAV Task Group will operate out of Multinational Base Tarin Kowt to augment the International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF's) surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in Uruzgan. The Task Group will be carrying out assigned tasks such as the surveillance of key roads, to enhance the security of Afghan locals and the international forces.

The four SAF institutional trainers are deployed in an artillery school in Kabul to assist in the ISAF's efforts to train the Afghan National Army (ANA). They will advise the ANA on artillery training and doctrine development, assist in the design of Train-the-Trainer programmes for ANA instructors, and advise the school on the effective administration and conduct of artillery courses.

The SAF has been making deployments to Afghanistan since May 2007. The SAF currently has a six-man construction engineering team in Bamiyan province supervising the construction of a comprehensive health clinic, as well as a 21-man Weapon Locating Radar team at the Tarin Kowt base since September 2009 to provide early warning of rocket attacks and enhance force protection measures for ISAF personnel.

Earlier this year, an eight-man SAF surgical team was deployed to a field hospital at the same base to provide surgical and medical support to the ISAF personnel deployed there, as well as emergency medical care for the Afghan locals.

New Taranis Combat Aircraft Thunders into View

A prototype unmanned combat aircraft of the future, Taranis, has been unveiled by the MOD for the first time today.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous, stealth Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent.

Should such systems enter into service, they will at all times be under the control of highly trained military crews on the ground.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth said : "Taranis is a truly trailblazing project. The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nation's advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage."

Representing the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design, Taranis is an informal partnership of the MOD and industry talents including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of the industry team, Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems' Programmes and Support business, said : "Taranis has been three-and-a-half years in the making and is the product of more than a million man-hours.

"It represents a significant step forward in this country's fast-jet capability. This technology is key to sustaining a strong industrial base and to maintain the UK's leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation."

The Taranis prototype will provide the MOD with critical knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems. Flight trials are due in 2011.

Indonesian Air Force to Buy 4 UAVs

Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Marshal Imam Sufa'at said the Indonesian Military planned to buy four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for border surveillance.

"The four UAVs, among others, will be stationed at Suryadarma Air Force Base in Subang, West Java and Supadio Air Force Base in Pontianak, West Kalimantan," Imam said.

He said the country had never operated any UAVs but that they would be strategic additions to the military's air force fleet.

The aircraft could be used to monitor illegal activities that occur in border areas, such as illegal logging and fishing.Apart from the UAVs, the air force also plans to develop a radar plant in Merauke, Papua, which is expected to be operational in November.

BAE to Display UAVs and Eurofighter at Bahrain International Air Show 2010

Visitors to the inaugural Bahrain International Air Show, to be held from 21-23 January 2010, will be able to see at first hand BAE Systems’ innovative technology in the form of MANTIS and HERTI, its unmanned air systems, and a full size replica of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the world’s most advanced multi-role/swing role combat aircraft. Through the Royal Bahraini Air Force and the Bahrain Defence Force, BAE Systems’ Hawk and Avro RJ100 in VIP configuration will also be represented.

“As one of the first companies to sign up, BAE Systems is delighted to be participating in the inaugural Bahrain International Airshow, particularly as the VIP nature will make it different to other air shows,“ commented Simon Keith, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific for BAE Systems.
“Bahrain is an important market for us and we have a strong relationship with both Royal Bahraini Air Force with the Hawk Trainer and the Bahrain Defence Force and their Avro RJ aircraft. We are looking forward to forging stronger bonds with Bahrain and to fully supporting them in protecting the nation and its people,” he continued.

As the premier global defence, security and aerospace company, BAE Systems is well known for its leading fighter aircraft and is now leading the way in the UK’s unmanned autonomous air capability.MANTIS and HERTI are next-generation autonomous air systems, with emphasis placed on the levels of autonomy designed into the system and the concept of operations developed for effective deployment and operation.

MANTIS, the UK’S largest fully autonomous unmanned aircraft, completed its maiden flight in Woomera, South Australia in Autumn 2009 and, during subsequent flights it successfully completed a series of trials demonstrating the capability of the system and the potential of large unmanned systems to support future UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) operational needs. The MANTIS programme is jointly funded by UK MOD and UK Industry.

With its ability to take off, complete a full mission and land – all at the click of a computer mouse – HERTI has been designed to meet a wide variety of operational needs, both cost effectively and with extremely high levels of reliability while removing the need for an operator or pilot to control the aircraft from the ground. When coupled with BAE Systems’ Imagery Collection & Exploitation (ICE) system, the aircraft offers real potential in the fields of maritime, coastline, border and military surveillance as well as showing broader potential for areas such as pipeline, plant and infrastructure surveillance, and insurgent detection.

Eurofighter Typhoon, Europe’s newest high-performance multi-role fighter, is capable of deployment in a wide range of roles, including air policing, air defence as well as ground attack. The Typhoon is a multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft that is in service with the four partner nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK as well as export customers, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.