Perspectivas de Emprego Operacional de

Sistemas de Aeronaves Não Tripuladas

AFCEA ETP SAPR

15OUT13, Sintra

Objective

To provide a clear view of the Portuguese Air Force’s strategic vision for the operational use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the near future.

Key drivers

• World’s second largest oceanic FIR/SRR

• Territorial distribution (archipelagos, EEZ)

• Portuguese-speaking communities (CPLP)

• Other alliances and organizations (NATO/EU)

• Institutional posture of the PtAF: to serve the country – a leader and a provider of air power and other public missions

Santa Maria / Lisboa FIR/SRR

Açores

Madeira

3DC – Base concepts

•Dull

•Dirty

•Dangerous

•Cheap

To complement conventional /

manned systems

To make full use of autonomous

technologies (AI)

To develop modular, versatile,

deployable capabilities

To operate in an integrated

manner - wide system architecture

Challenges

• Operational doctrine vs technology – Solutions before problems

– Autonomous execution and decision-making

• Airspace integration/segregation – IFR/VFR paradigm

– Effort on Sense & Avoid

• Industrialization and certification – Industry/Armed Forces roles and relationship

• Personnel and funds – Both are always scarce

Dual scope, dual route

Scope Civilian and Military

Military

Build-up Development

(short/medium term)

Acquisition

(medium/long term)

Platform Class II UAV

Class III UAV

Missions •Tactical ISR

•Close Maritime Surveillance

•Other public missions

•Stategic ISR/ISTAR

•Extended Maritime Surveillance

•Combined/joint ops

UAS Classes/Levels

AUW Altitude Range Examples

Class I

Micro < 2 kg 200’ 5 km Black Widow

Mini 2-20 kg 3.000’ 25 km Scan Eagle

Small 20-150 kg 5.000’ 50 km Luna

Class II Tactical 150-600 kg 10.000’ 200 km Shadow 200, Hermes 90

Class III

MALE > 600 kg 45.000’ unlimited Heron TP, Predator A

HALE > 600 kg 65.000’ unlimited Global Hawk

Strike/Combat > 600 kg 65.000’ unlimited Reaper

AUW Altitude Speed

Level 0 < 2 lbs (< 1 kg) < 1.200’

< 250 kts Level 1 2-20 lbs (1-10 kg) < 3.000’

Level 2 20-1320 lbs (10-600 kg)

< 18.000’ Level 3 1320-12.500 lbs (600-6.000 kg)

Level 4 < 12.500 lbs (< 6.000 kg) > 250 kts

Level 5 > 12.500 lbs (> 6.000 kg) > 18.000’ any

Operational employment Class II

• Tactical ISR

• Close maritime surveillance

• Other public missions

Search and Rescue

Forward Air Control

Special Operations

Battle Damage Assessment

Economic Exclusive Zone

High-value infrastructure surveillance

Fishing activities control

Natural catastrofes

Forest fire detection

Maritime situational awareness

Maritime pollution

Scientific research

Security Operations

Priority coverage

Operational employment Class III

• Strategic ISR/ISTAR

• Extended maritime surveillance

• Combined/joint operations

Search and Rescue

United Nations Organisation

CPLP

Signal Intelligence

Continental Platform Extension

European Union

NATO Joint Ops

ISTAR

Maritime situational awareness

ISR

Strategic space of temporary national interest

Strategic space of permanent national interest

Operational Requirements UAS Classe II (to develop)

UAS Classe III (to acquire)

Cruise speed > 60 kts > 90 kts

Operating altitude 5.000’ - 15.000’ 10.000’ – 35.000’

Endurance 9 hours 30 hours

Control Link Range 90 nm

ELOS (radio) Unlimited

BLOS (satellite)

Permanent payload (priority 1)

Navigation/comms RT link EO visible/IR medium resolution

Secure nav/comms RT link EO visible/IR high resolution

Configurable payload (priority 2)

Short range synthetic aperture radar AIS receiver

Long range synthetic aperture radar AIS receiver

Laser designator/rangefinder

Desirable payload (priority 3)

Laser designator/rangefinder Multi-range radio TX/RX/relay

SIGINT/ELINT equipment

Future provisions (priority 4)

Transportable and operatable by conventional aircraft

Guided precision weaponry Stealth capability

Weather envelope 25 kts wind, 15 kts cross-wind, light precipitation,

turbulence and icing conditions 35 kts wind, 20 kts cross-wind, moderate precipitation, turbulence and icing conditions

Conclusion

UAS Class II

Develop

C

I

A

F

A

UAS Class III

Acquire

L

P

M

Extended Maritime Surveillance

Combined/Joint Operations

Close Maritime Surveillance

Other public missions

CA Explore

Tactical ISR

Employ

U A O

Strategic ISR/ISTAR

Employ

U A O

DISSEMINATE

Perspectivas de Emprego Operacional de

Sistemas de Aeronaves Não Tripuladas

AFCEA ETP SAPR

15OUT13, Sintra