Evaluation of Mini UAVs

[SousaTeuszii]

Hi all,
Sorry if this topic has already been covered, if so maybe you could steer me in the right direction. It is just that I find UAVs and the prospect of them operating in Ireland a bit exciting, maybe its the big child in me!
Anyway back to the point. I have recently heard that the Irish Army has requested and received propsals for the provision of UAVs to the Irish Defence Forces. I believe these are to be mini UAVs but I know little else.
I wonder would anybody on the board have any info on what types have been suggested, who will operate them ( Army or Air Corps) and what roles they will be used in. For my tupence worth I think that any mini or even tactical UAVs should be operated by the Army as with other nations but I dont know how this is likely to be set up in the Defence Forces. What do you all think?

[FMolloy]

http://www.irishmilitaryonline.com/b...&highlight=UAV

[Goldie fish]

I would be willing to stick my neck out and suggest that they will be operated by Cav, who have recce as their primary role.

[SousaTeuszii]

Thanks FMolloy,
I had a look thriugh that thread but I think the tender mentioned was for the hire of charter business aircraft "non piloted aircraft" i.e non Air Corps piloted aircraft. With this in mind I wonder if there was any up to date info. I had heard that the Army may have received these proposals as early as last month!

[FMolloy]

You're wrong, it's for UAV's. No government aircraft, whether leased or purchased, can be flown by non-AC pilots. The tender mentions nothing about business aircraft either.

[SousaTeuszii]

FMolloy,
As a watcher of Etenders I believe that this tender has closed and the winner was Gold Air. A UK company that provides Ad Hoc charter of business aircraft. I belive that the tender was for wet lease aircraft i.e aircraft and crew and nothing to do with the Air Corps. My point is that the Army have received proposals for mini UAVs only last month and wondered if there was any info on them?

[FMolloy]

If it's nothing to do with the Air Corp how come the department of defence is listed as the contracting authority?

[SousaTeuszii]

Sorry for being obtuse. The DoD hire aircraft for various purposes i.e troop and equipment movements. This is done on a case by case basis for large movements, such as troop rotations. As I said these have nothing to do with the Air Corps but have a lot to do with the DoD. Likewise from time to time the DoD requires charter aircraft to fill in when Air Corps aircraft are unavailable or unable to provide a required service. It is my understanding that as these services are generally required at short notice a tender is run to chose a service provider, if required, for a set period of time. Thats why this tender was submitted by the DoD. Unfortunatly this does not answer the question as to wether or not the Irish Army are evaluating mini UAVs and if so is there any info out there?

[Goldie fish]

I see the problem now. hmmm