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UAV for the new OPV's?

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  • #16
    Its certainly an idea but not really feasible for this size of UAV. Remember that the UAVs payload must also contain its fuel and EO/IR payload. Therefore if you have a 60lb liferaft and a 20lb EO/IR payload in the machine then its only got 20lbs of fuel. Not sure what its RoA with 20lbs of fuel would be but its likely the vessel itself wouldn't be to far away.
    Also of concern is the actual bulk of the liferaft. It wont fit under the aircraft unless the legs are extended, possibly effecting its landing characteristics. Mounting on either side would cause huge CoG issues.

    The smallest raft I have seen was a canister packed air droppable 2 person liferaft designed for mounting on the wing of the Cessna 337. Not sure if they are still in production but this system would certainly work but it really is in the domain of full scale aircraft sized machines.

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    • #17
      Given the above mentioned factors if a Naval vessel is not within range of dropping a Rhib and people are in the water without immersion gear in reasonably rough weather, its too late any way.

      Anything greater thatn about 10 or fifteen miuntes and people won't even have the strenght to climb in to rafts.

      How would UAVs be effected by weather condition, wind rain, poor vis etc.?
      Covid 19 is not over ....it's still very real..Hand Hygiene, Social Distancing and Masks.. keep safe

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      • #18


        Saab this time.


        Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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        • #19
          whatever they buy - i reckon they'll need to buy quite a few extra as i can't see them always returning back to ship safely.
          RGJ

          ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

          The Rifles

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          • #20
            Don't go there


            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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            • #21
              Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
              Don't go there
              A pity the UAV's in Chad were not told the same in relation to the Curragh...

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
                Don't go there
                Originally posted by Jetjock View Post
                A pity the UAV's in Chad were not told the same in relation to the Curragh...
                to be fair - it happens to the best of them:

                RGJ

                ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

                The Rifles

                Comment


                • #23
                  whatever they buy - i reckon they'll need to buy quite a few extra as i can't see them always returning back to ship safely.
                  Its a reality , ever why RC model fliers operate from big fields as opposed to back gardens????

                  Concept doesn't differ much!!!
                  Covid 19 is not over ....it's still very real..Hand Hygiene, Social Distancing and Masks.. keep safe

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    A first step?

                    Contract in Detail: -
                    Refurbishment & Refit of Naval Service Rotary Wing Aerial Targets

                    3.1 Introduction

                    In 2003 the Naval Service procured a small fleet of remote control rotary wing aerial targets (Ornith S2500). Recreational model aircraft enthusiasts usually fly this type of aircraft, however the Naval Service intended to employ these relatively inexpensive aircraft for target tracking drills and deploy them as disposable targets. The program met with limited success because pilots found the aircraft’s lack of stability interfered with tactical objectives. Moreover, since few personnel attained competency, upkeep of an operational pilot corps proved burdensome.

                    Remote control helicopter technology has progressed significantly since 2003. Autopilots reduce the complexities of unit operation. Systems can be retrofitted and when accompanied by ground control software, transform recreational model helicopters into autonomous platforms. Advances in wireless network technology and camera technology have led to widespread availability of telemetry and audio-video transceiver devices.

                    3.2 Concept
                    The Naval Service, as an initial step towards developing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) knowledge base, is interested in retro-fitting its existing rotary wing target fleet with commercial off-the-shelf autopilot systems and associated ground station, in order to produce a scale model UAV fleet. These will have NO operational role in the NS but will be used as a platform for the NS to explore the utility of operational rotary wing UAVs in future. They will also resume their role in NS gunnery training.

                    This concept incorporates a desire to preserve and re-utilise the existing NS assets (the rotary wing targets and and ancillary equipments) and simultaneously progress the in-house knowledge base for UAV operations. Consequently it is a requirement of the project that the successful tender utilises the existing assets in the manner described insofar as current technology and budgets allows and avoids the purchase of additional airframes.

                    3.3 Desired applications
                    The retrofitted rotary wing targets will be capable of:
                    a. The revival of the original gunnery support program. The autopilot equipped targets, used in conjunction with ground station software, will circumvent the difficulties that handicapped the original project and permit operation by Operational Training Centre personnel for Anti Aircraft training drills and demonstrations in the area of the Operational Training Centre on the Naval Base Haulbowline.
                    b. Sensor development. The retro fitted helicopters will perform as a test-bed for sensor development or sensor evaluation allowing Naval Service to provide a practical support to partners in IMERC.
                    c. Informing any future training program for future UAV developments in the NS.

                    3.4 Proposal
                    The successful tender will deliver a program that will:
                    a. Provide the ideal autopilot system, parameters to include cost, performance, the potential for systems to be adapted for a range of roles, and technical support.
                    b. Retro-fit TWO rotary wing targets with hardware and commission as scale model UAVs including ground-station.
                    c. Provide the software and hardware required to achieve the objectives.
                    d. Provide an initial basic payload day-light TV sensor allowing recording, and ideally, transmission of images from the helo (feasibility, budget and technology may be discussed further with POC)
                    e. Conduct a flight test program in order to establish the scale model UAV’s limitations and determine its suitability for the proposed roles.
                    f. Deliver a basic operator training and maintenance programme to a class of not less than three NS operators, the proposed training syllabus to be submitted as part of the tender. Tenderers should specify the maximum number of places available on the training course.
                    g. Document the all above work in the form of a detailed project file to be handed over on completion of the project to the NS point of contact.

                    3.5 Further Specific Requirements
                    a. Selected autopilot equipment should be transferable between airframes giving a redundancy capability.
                    b. Repair & retrofit element of this project should not take longer than four (4) months.
                    c. Some minor repairs will be required to re-commission the existing fleet for this purpose. The successful tender will include the repair of the existing fleet and will undertake to preserve and if necessary repair the assets during the course of the project. The fleet may be viewed at the Naval Base Haulbowline Operational Training Centre by appointment.
                    d. Alterations to the existing equipment to retro fit will be permitted with approval of NS POC.

                    3.6 Supplied by the Naval Service
                    The NS will supply the following:
                    a. Ornith model helos x 5 and ancillary equipment, tools and spares
                    b. Secure equipment storage location
                    c. Work space (subject to permission from NS authorities and security clearance of contractor)
                    d. Briefing/conference facilities
                    e. Classroom facilities for delivery of contracted training
                    f. Point of Contact

                    3.7 Timescale
                    Various elements of this tender will be delivered in 2012 & 2013. The following is the expected delivery timescale. As specified in Section 3.5b above, the crucial elements of the project should NOT take longer than four (4) months:
                    2012:
                    a. Provide the ideal autopilot system, parameters to include cost, performance, the potential for systems to be adapted for a range of roles, and technical support.
                    b. Retro-fit TWO NS rotary wing targets with hardware and commission as scale model UAVs including ground-station.
                    c. Repair of the existing fleet and preservation/ repair of the assets during the project.
                    d. Provision of all software and hardware required to achieve the objectives.
                    e. Provision of an initial basic payload day-light TV sensor allowing recording, and ideally, transmission of images from the helo (feasibility, budget and technology may be discussed further with POC).
                    f. Conduct of a flight test program in order to establish the scale model UAV’s limitations and determine its suitability for the proposed roles.
                    g. Conduct of a flight test program in order to establish the scale model UAV’s limitations and determine its suitability for the proposed roles.
                    2013:
                    a. Provision of syllabus and delivery of a basic operator training and maintenance programme to a class of not less than three NS operators.
                    b. Documentation of all work in the form of a detailed project file to be handed over on completion of the project to the NS point of contact.
                    From etenders.


                    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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                    • #25
                      seems to be similar to one of these.

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                      • #26
                        I don't think the R/c heli is the important bit, it's the creation of a suitable auto-pilot operating system, for ease of use.


                        Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Interesting that the platform doesn't appear to be in production any more, although many similar ones are. Might have been more prudent to build on a similar low cost COTS platform to give some future proofing. No point building on a COTS platform that's no longer COTS. After all, a new platform of similar style will be minimal cost versus the autopilot etc that is being bought anyway.

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                          • #28
                            I'm sure that an autopilot for one could easily be adapted for use in another. It's just a matter of having the right input channels surely?
                            Pitch/yaw/drag/lift etc...


                            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              There are a lot of low cost autopilot systems coming on stream now for RC aircraft - like the ArduPilot/Arduino set up.

                              They can be easily adapted for different RC aircraft so there's no problem developing a system for this out of production platform - you're promptly going to be blowing them out of the sky anyway and the same systems and knowledge can be adapted for more recent platforms.

                              This seems like an ideal project for college teams to work on & gain experience.

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                              • #30
                                right up MERC3's alley.
                                "He is an enemy officer taken in battle and entitled to fair treatment."
                                "No, sir. He's a sergeant, and they don't deserve no respect at all, sir. I should know. They're cunning and artful, if they're any good. I wouldn't mind if he was an officer, sir. But sergeants are clever."

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