December 1, 2007: Although the
British Army is now buying the U.S. Raven micro (4.3 pound) UAV for the
infantry, it is still buying the seven pound Desert Hawk mini-UAV, which it has
been using for some time. Battery powered, the Desert Hawk can stay in the air
for up tp 90 minutes, flying a route specified by the operator and using
onboard GPS and flight software for guidance. The recent $5 million order for
more Desert Hawk III UAVs was for use in base security.
The Desert Hawk III UAV can be
equipped with daylight or night (heat imaging) cameras. Everything seen on each
flight is recorded, and simultaneously transmitted back to the operator, who
views the video on a laptop computer. The UAV cruises at about 80 kilometers an
hour and at an altitude of 300-500 feet. The UAV can operate up to 15
kilometers from its base station. The UAV is launched using a large elastic
rope (a bungee cord, basically) and lands by just coming in low and turning off
its motor. The UAV is made of plastic. The operators do not fly the Desert
Hawk, but they can change its flight pattern while it's flying a mission, or
command it to just circle a location. An onboard computer handles all the
details of flying correctly and not spinning out of control. After one mission,
the operator can put in a fresh set of batteries and launch it again. A Desert
Hawk "detachment" consists of two sergeants and 520 pounds of
waterproof carrying cases containing six UAVs, a laptop computer,
communications equipment and a spare parts and repair kit. The UAV, once the
parts are snapped together, has a 54 inch wingspan and is 36 inches long. New
operators can be trained, on the job, in about a week. With about a dozen
personnel, the six UAVs in one detachment can provide 24/7 coverage for a base.
The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, is also selling Desert Hawk to police
departments (for stakeouts and general security) and utility companies (for
checking pipelines and electrical transmission lines.)
