Umanned Aearial Vehicles
The MQ-8B Fire Scout is a specific example of a rotary-propelled type UAV. The Fire Scout’s “Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL-UAV) system is designed to operate from air-capable ships.” (U.S. Navy) This type of system is often found on guided missile frigates, or simply a Navy battleship, as well as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), which are specifically Navy ships close to shore lines used for immediate combat. (U.S. Navy) The reason the Fire Scout is found on LCS’s is due to its range, which is 110 miles with a flight time of 12 hours. The primary purposes of the Fire Scout are to provide “critical situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting data to forward [to] deployed war fighters.” (U.S. Navy) The Fire Scout has a series of sensors on board to achieve such tasks including electro-optical/infrared sensors as well as a laser designator that enables the VTOL UAV system to track and designate targets and to assess battle situations. According to the U.S. Navy, the Fire Scout weighs 2,073 pounds with no fuel while capable of takeoff at 3,150 pounds, a speed of 110 knots, a ceiling factor (max height) of 20,000 feet, a payload (carrying capacity) of 600 pounds including all its sensors, and has a height of 9.8 feet with a length of 31.7 feet.
The MQ-1B Predator is a specific example of a fixed winged type UAV for both ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and combat missions. Unlike the Fire Scout’s limited intelligence and reconnaissance roles, the Predator has a wide range of capabilities and uses. “The MQ-1 Predator is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long endurance remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) that is employed primarily in a killer/scout role.” (U.S. Air Force) The Predator is part of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) which consists of four sensor/weapons, a ground control station (GCS), a Predator Primary Satellite Link (PPSL), and maintenance crews according to
The MQ-1B Predator is a specific example of a fixed winged type UAV for both ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and combat missions. Unlike the Fire Scout’s limited intelligence and reconnaissance roles, the Predator has a wide range of capabilities and uses. “The MQ-1 Predator is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long endurance remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) that is employed primarily in a killer/scout role.” (U.S. Air Force) The Predator is part of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) which consists of four sensor/weapons, a ground control station (GCS), a Predator Primary Satellite Link (PPSL), and maintenance crews according to
Cited: U.S. Navy. MQ-8B Fire Scout. Naval Air Systems Command. Accessed: 4.25.2013. http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=8250AFBA-DF2B-4999-9EF3-0B0E46144D03 U.S. Air Force. MQ-1B Predator. The official web site of the U.S. Air Force. Accessed: 4/25/2013. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=122 U.S. Air Force. RQ-4 Global Hawk. The official web site of the U.S. Air Force. Accessed : 4/25/2013. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=13225 Honeywell. T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle. Honeywell Aerospace. Accessed: 4/25/13. http://aerospace.honeywell.com/markets/defense/unmanned-systems/2012/07-July/t-hawk Whittle, Richard. The UAV Revolution: Rotorcraft UAVs. Rotor & Wing. Accessed 4/28/13. http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/services/other/The-UAV-Revolution-Rotorcraft-UAVs_33910.html#.UX2prLWsiSp