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 Among
the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) shown at AUSA 06 was the ducted
fan Micro Air
Vehicle (MAV), selected in 2006 to provide the basis for
Class I UAV (man portable) for the FCS program, it is designed
to closely support warfighters in both urban and open terrain.
Honeywell also displayed a larger model, designed for DARPA's
Organic Air
Vehicle II program (which also corresponds to the Class
II UAVs under evaluation for the FCS program). It will be powered
by a 40 hp heavy fuel engine, and carry 16 pounds (7.25 kg)
of mission equipment package, on two hour missions at ranges
up to 10 miles (16 km). It will incorporate an active collision
avoidance system.
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The Israeli Skylite
mini UAV developed by RAFAEL was displayed here. During
the exhibition, the company reported the successful completion
of a demonstration of an integration of the mini UAV, operated
within a shared command, control and communications system with
SPIKE ER multi-purpose
guided missile, providing real-time targeting facilitating ultra-rapid
kill chain. Teledyne Brown Engineering displayed a derivative
of the German KZO UAV,
fitted with a heavy fuel (JP8) engine. The company is proposing
this vehicle for the US Army FCS Class III UAV program. Designated
Prospector A1, the UAV is proposed of ISR, targeting, ECM/ESM
and communications relay missions. The requirement for all-terrain
operation is addressed by rocket assisted or catapult launch
takeoff and parachute plus airbag retrieval system. The UAV
weighs 355lbs (161 kg), flying missions of 6 hours at a loiter
speed of 65 knots (120km/h). It can carry payload systems at
a total weight 110lbs (50kg).
 Small
UAVs are generally lacking persistence and payload carrying
capacity for extended missions. A new concept of UAV is Micro
LEAPP, based on
the Altair's "Parafoil" system. It weighs about 75lbs
(34kg) and will be able to lift up to 30lbs (13.6kg) of payload
for missions of four hours. A different concept for persistent
presence is the Finder
- an expendable UAV deployable from aerial vehicles such as
the MQ-1 Predator
was developed by SAIC. Finder is a low cost, (optionally expendable)
vehicle autonomously navigating following pre-loaded waypoints,
(can also receive new directions while on a mission). It can
be launched from a runway, catapult or by air insertion from
another aerial. Finder will be able to enhance the mission flexibility
and effectiveness of the Predator UAV, by pursuing low level
missions into high threat area. At a total weight of 60lbs (27.2kg),
Finder can carry an EO
payload of 11lbs (5 kg), has 100 watts of available power,
and endurance of seven hours.
 Other
expendable payloads carried by UAVs were displayed here. A lightweight
weapon designed for UAVs is the Spike laser guided missile,
carried by the Sentry HP UAV, developed by DRS. A different
payload is the U-ADD
payload carrier, which can be used as a weapon carrier deploying
the Clean Area Weapon System (CLAWS), an augmented area effect
weapon developed by Textron Systems. U-ADD can also be used
for urgent delivery of critically needed supplies - packed with
supplies and a parachute, to deliver urgently needed supplies
to isolated ground forces. A similar concept called QuickMEDS
was developed by Dynetics, responding to an urgent U.S. Army
requirement. When delivering heavier supplies, a GPS based parafoil/parachute
combination can be utilized for precision delivery. Systems
such as the Onyx, developed by
Altair, enable precision drops from high altitude (35,000 ft)
well above the reach of enemy air defenses.
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