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IN THE AIR: An artists’ impression of a UAV working with a patrol boat. |
| IN A NUTSHELL |
HMAS Pirie is going to be involved in a trial that includes a long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
The aim of the trial is to test the feasibility of using a mix of platforms to provide an enhanced layer of security in Australia’s north.
The trial will test the feasibility of using UAVs to detect and deter illegal fishing.
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Volume 49, No. 16 , September 07, 2006
By Michael Brooke
A long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will provide the eyes in the sky for an Armidale Class patrol boat during a Defence trial over the next few months.
The aim of the trial is to test the feasibility of using a mix of plaltforms to provide an enhanced layer of security in Australia’s northern approaches.
The North West Shelf Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Trial is an Australian Defence activity being conducted by the RAN, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and other ADF stakeholders including the RAAF.
The UAS trial will run up until October and will assess the maritime surveillance potential of UAVs to conduct sustained surveillance and provide RAN platforms such as ACPBs with real-time intelligence.
The trial will test the feasibility of using UAVs to detect and deter illegal fishing and people-smuggling activities in the northern approaches of Australia and if successful will greatly enhance the RAN’s contribution to Operation Resolute.
HMAS Pirie is the ACPB being used in the trial.
A DSTO spokesperson said ACPBs would benefit from working in tandem with a long-range UAV which is capable of providing sustained surveillance over an extensive area such as the North West Shelf.
Dr Ian Sare told Navy News the UAV can be operated remotely from a land-based control centre, which can coordinate Navy and ADF response actions that need to be taken against FFVs or people-smuggling vessels.
“The trial will also assess the procedures and practices for sharing surveillance information among government agencies to develop a whole-of-government response to Australia’s national security needs,” he said.
Dr Sare said by employing a multi-mode maritime radar and electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensor, the UAV will be able to undertake a range of surveillance missions and collect data on vessels operating in, or passing through, Australia’s north-west maritime approaches.
“It will also exchange information with an ACPB that has been specially equipped to receive data directly from the UAV. Data collected by the UAV will be transmitted to a ground station at RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia for analysis,” he said.
“The crew at RAAF Edinburgh will coordinate the UAV operations with the patrol boat to assess how well the two can operate together to provide an effective maritime surveillance capability.”
Dr Sare said the trial is expected to provide several benefits for the government, including useful data to assist Defence in developing its requirements to acquire a long-endurance, multi-mission unmanned aerial system under Project AIR 7000 Phase 1.
The trial is being conducted in collaboration with US aerospace company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), using a GA-ASI Mariner Demonstrator UAV) as the multi-role aerial platform for the trial.
A modelling and simulation exercise in October will complement the North West Shelf trial activities.
