Raven keeps a lookout over Iraq

[SO19]

Raven keeps a lookout over Iraq
27 Sep 06


Eye in the Sky: the Raven Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle keeping watch over southern Iraq [Picture: RAF]

British military personnel in southern Iraq have teamed up with the US Army to gain access to a cutting edge new surveillance device which it is hoped will greatly assist their efforts to reconstruct the country.

Raven, a sophisticated airborne "eye in the sky", is a Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MUAV) capable of flying up to 10 km from the operator, utilising GPS, and can fly at altitudes of up to 1,000 feet (305 m). Weighing only 1.8 kg and measuring 1.2 m in length, Raven will be integrated into the force protection for troops in theatre and used in the support of patrols on the ground.

The aircraft helps foot patrols detect improvised explosive devices and insurgent firing points. TV images are fed back to both the operator on the ground and if needed, to a remote unit held by the patrol. Its infrared, thermal imaging and video cameras can operate during night or day and broadcast astonishingly clear pictures in real-time.

The robust device has a range of front and side-mounted cameras for different views, and the Kevlar coating ensures rugged performance; on one occasion a drone suffered four AK-47 bullet holes that the operator had not detected until the craft landed.

Due to its work with patrols in the field, the aircraft needs to be man-portable. It packs away into three containers, so the Ground Control Unit and monitors can be deployed to the most remote locations. With a range of four frequencies several can be used in the same theatre, and each small battery powers the electric motor for an hour.

One handy facility is the ability of the aircraft to return to its point of launch at a fixed height in the event it gets 'lost', ensuring that the planes do not fall into enemy hands.

An American invention, the MUAV has been heavily utilised by the US Army in southern Iraq for a year and the loan to the British Forces of manpower and equipment will see its deployment throughout the theatre. The air vehicles are operated by the US Army but Officer Commanding 3 Sqn RAF Regiment, Squadron Leader Rich Langley, the UK officer responsible for the integration of the Raven into theatre, is clearly delighted with the aircraft:

"Once we have deconflicted the airspace between helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, the UAVs and mortar fire, it is proven to have a massive utility. It provides commanders with a real time 'look over the hill', that can be exploited at every level from small patrols to the Battle Group level."

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... erIraq.htm

[Tab]

I can't see where the elastic band goes.

[thundersafety]

SO19

Thanks for putting these reports up it's great, do you find 'The Times' and 'Telegraph' are best I read the BBC news webpage but there appears to be less on defence issues than from these papers

Whats your opinion?

[Tab]

What can I say as I regularly put articles on here from the Telegraph

[Boondocksaint375]

its amazing how times have changed. If only we all had these years ago

[SO19]

thundersafety, I get very little from the BBC as it's coverage is pretty mediocre and generally just stick to the online newspapers instead. The majority of articles come from the Telegraph, Times and Mail.

[thundersafety]

SO19

Thanks very much I appreciate the reply, I guess it was sort of an unnecessary question but im excited about joining so i want to be as prepared as I can!!

Thanks again