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Lower echelons are supported by other systems, including
Short Range and Tactical UAVs (TUAV). The short range category
includes the IAI/Malat Searcher,
Elbit Systems Hermes 450,
General
Atomics Predator, Northrop Grumman/IAIHunter
and Sagem Sperwer while
Tactical versions includes AAI Shadow, IAI/Malat Pioneer and the new
IAI/Malt I-View. These unmanned aircraft are built to operate with the
forward troops, operating at lower altitudes of up to 15,000 feet, and
ranges of 125 – 250 km. Systems are designed to be self sustained in
the field, deployable by lightweight vehicles and C-130 transports,
equipped with the logistical support required for extended operations.
Mission endurance is relatively short, around 7 – 20 hours. Short
range tactical systems can utilize low-cost day only or night only
sensors, but field experience has demonstrated that the use of
multi-sensor payloads (EO/IR) provide more flexibility and better
performance far beyond the cost saving of single sensor systems.
One of the biggest challenges of the tactical and short range UAVs is
the weather. During OIF 60% of the missions were cancelled due to
weather conditions. UAVs require relatively calm weather for takeoff
and landing, and are adversely affected by turbulence. Operating at
various altitudes, different sensors, from diverse locations in
flexible concepts could improve mission success and overall system
availability. Another issue EO payload operators is the limited field
of view of the typical EO/IR payload. To gain situational awareness,
operators must switch back and forth between narrow and wide fields of
view, risking missing important details or losing tracks of moving
targets. A functional solution for this problem is offered by "photo
navigation" - building wide area mosaic of the area from individual
video frames, or individual views taken in a special "stepping" mode.
These images are geo-referenced to a standard grid and can also embed
intelligence data and 'blue force' locations to provide optimal
situational awareness. Stepping images can be obtained by standard or
special payloads.
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