UAS developments and/or issues

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Depends on what you want it for. If you want endurance & altitude, an MQ-9B would be preferable. Put a half-decent radar aboard & I think you could have some rather useful AEW.
In the RN’s case, both would be useful, funds permitting of course.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
A new Polish anti-UAV system from Zaklady Mechaniczne Tarnów S.A. The core pf the system is a four-barrel 12,7 mm gatling gun. I don't lnow the origin of it, but it can be a copy of the Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12,7 mm used in the Mi-24.
Anyway, this system is absolutely more than enough to take down every UAV/camera drone up to 2000 m.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Now also African countries, including the smaller ones with a very small defence budget, can get advanced UCAVs.
Djibouti has revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2, parading two of the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at its independence day celebrations on 27 June, one aircraft carried two underwing Roketsan MAM-L smart micro munitions, while the second was unarmed.

 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Now also African countries, including the smaller ones with a very small defence budget, can get advanced UCAVs.
Djibouti has revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2, parading two of the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at its independence day celebrations on 27 June, one aircraft carried two underwing Roketsan MAM-L smart micro munitions, while the second was unarmed.

Yes the Bayraktar is turning out to be a very effective weapons system. Just ask the Russians.
 

Big_Zucchini

Well-Known Member

Al Jarida (I don't know how reliable it is) reports about a jet engine derivative of the Shahed-136, which itself resembles the Israeli IAI Harop.


Seems to be using the same launcher as the Shahed-136 as well, which indicates a swarm attack design. Reported range is 2,000km for the Shahed-136, and this one is said to be even longer.

I don't understand much about engines and aviation so can anyone tell me how is a 2,000km range achievable? Is it some sort of regular switching between boost and glide?
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
The Bayraktar drone is is stated as operating in day and night ,do U.A.V,s of this type have the infra red sensors for detection of material and personnel at night? and would the targets of such technology be more susceptible at night in the open than during the day where the use of camouflage may disguise the presence of targets?
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
The Bayraktar drone is is stated as operating in day and night ,do U.A.V,s of this type have the infra red sensors for detection of material and personnel at night? and would the targets of such technology be more susceptible at night in the open than during the day where the use of camouflage may disguise the presence of targets?
Infrared (IR) works by detecting / measuring differences in heat and is very accurate. It has to do with heat energy emitted in the infrared waveband of the electromagnetic spectrum. On the planetary surface it is more effective at night because because the background temperature is cooler than during the day especially in rural areas. Urban areas retain heat more during the night because of the materials used in their construction, these being concrete and asphalt which retain a lot of heat. In cities this creates a climatic effect known as an Urban Heat Island (UHI) where air temperatures within a city centre can be 3°C - 5°C higher than the surrounding rural area. Some UHI in cities like Atlanta, Georgia in the US and Shanghai in the PRC can create their own weather. Normal camouflage techniques generally don't counter IR so some form of thermal (heat) shielding has to be used in order to fool the IR sensors. This can be and is done.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Thai firm Aero Technology Industry Company Limited (ATIL) unveiled the DP-20/A medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on 29 August at the opening day of the Defense & Security 2022 show in Bangkok.

According to ATIL the development of the UAV is complete and flight trials for achieving airworthiness certification are under way and that the local industry has manufactured 80% of the DP-20/A and its systems.
This is really impressive, and ill be not surprised if the DP-20/A will have its first flight before the Elang Hitam.


 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
India's acquisition of 30 MQ-9Bs (likely 10 for each branch of the armed forces) has a proposed price of USD3 billion in what is a government-to-government deal.

If India's plan becomes reality, it will directly becomes the largest MQ-9B customer ever.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
India's acquisition of 30 MQ-9Bs (likely 10 for each branch of the armed forces) has a proposed price of USD3 billion in what is a government-to-government deal.

If India's plan becomes reality, it will directly becomes the largest MQ-9B customer ever.
Certainly will be interesting to see “if “ this happens and “when”. Indian military procurement, like Canadian procurement, isn’t known for rapidity. I am sure GA is hoping it happens.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Decide to post in here, even though it is talk about Turkish TB2 performance under Ukrainian Force, however I believe the topic is more appropriate in this thread.

The war in Ukraine perhaps shown some 'hip' on Drones in Today's War, however despite business insiders using a western thus pro Ukrainian source, it is also shown one thing. Drones is not a big game changer as being thought a year ago when the war start.

Electronic Warfare is still the dominant factor in modern drones war. Facing opponent that able to adjust on Electronic Warfare effectively (as Russian did), then the drones effectiveness decrease significantly.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

Decide to post in here, even though it is talk about Turkish TB2 performance under Ukrainian Force, however I believe the topic is more appropriate in this thread.

The war in Ukraine perhaps shown some 'hip' on Drones in Today's War, however despite business insiders using a western thus pro Ukrainian source, it is also shown one thing. Drones is not a big game changer as being thought a year ago when the war start.

Electronic Warfare is still the dominant factor in modern drones war. Facing opponent that able to adjust on Electronic Warfare effectively (as Russian did), then the drones effectiveness decrease significantly.
This is also in big contrast with the "First UAV-war" during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Armenia did not have decent countermeasures against Azerbaijan's new equipment.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Another business insiders article that elaborate RUSI findings on effectiveness on sophisticated EW set that Russia build to handle Ukrainian drones swarm. Again I don't put it in Ukrainian-Russian thread, cause this is more to shown the 'hip' on drones warfare is really can be handle by proper EW defense and off course followed by effective Air Defense support.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
I cant access the article but does it distinguish between civilian and military drones in losses ? it seems anything that can fly is used
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
seems anything that can fly is used
No they don't specify on the type of UAV. However seems RUSI emphasis more on the need to build strong EW first as the current anti air systems is not enough.

The report did not specify which models comprised the claimed losses or in what proportion, but James Patton Rogers, a University of Southern Denmark war-studies professor and drone expert, told Insider the majority of those being lost were relatively cheap, small commercial drones used for surveillance.
Patton Rogers said that while the figures were likely overestimated, they underlined just how effective Russia's electronic warfare had become at countering Ukraine's extensive use of drones.

The RUSI report said that along the roughly 750 miles of the conflict's front line, Russia maintained a major electronic-warfare system roughly every 6 miles. These are set back about 4 miles from the front and focused mainly on neutralizing drones, the report said.
The way I read it, basically RUSI point out on the need for EW grid that focus as barrier first. Ironically with Russia focusing their EW on Ukraine's fronts, perhaps they left gap on their other borders (which perhaps) shown how Ukrainian able to use those gaps on other border area.

Point is from RUSI report seems emphasis on the need to invest on EW grids.
 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
A new UCAV has been presented at Le Bourget Airshow.
The Aarok is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) combat drone, designed and made in France by Turgis & Gaillard and has a slightly larger wingspan than the MQ-9 Reaper. It seems to be capable to be armed with the SAGEM AASM.


 
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