Electronic Weapons: UAVs Go Listening

Archives

April 30,
2008:
The U.S. Air Force is equipping some Predator (MQ-1) and Reaper (MQ-9)
UAVs with signals intelligence (or SIGINT) sensor (electronic eavesdropping)
capabilities. The ASIP-1C (Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload 1C) will go on
the Predator, while the ASIP-2C will go
on the larger Reaper. Both will use technology already used by signals
intelligence equipment that equips the U-2 (a manned recon aircraft) and Global
Hawk (the largest UAV in service). The MQ-1 only can carry (and supply power
to) about 200 pounds worth of signals intelligence electronics. The Reaper can
handle over 500 pounds worth. The more electronic monitoring gear a UAV can
carry, the more frequencies it can monitor. A UAV has an advantage in that it
can spend a lot of time in the air, providing "persistence," which is very
valuable for electronic eavesdropping. You never know when the bad guys will
turn on their cell phone, walkie-talkie or satellite phone. When they do, you
want to be there to capture the conversation. Currently, such monitoring is
largely done by a small number of U.S. Air Force (RC-135) and Navy (EP-3)
aircraft. The U.S. Army also mounts SIGINT equipment on some helicopters. The
new SIGINT gear for the UAVs will be ready for service in two years.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close