This month, the Future Combat System’s (FCS) Class 1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), produced by Honeywell [HON] takes another step forward–with the addition of gimbaled sensors, according to Army officials.
Right now, the UAV has fixed electro-optical and infrared cameras. To change the view, the vehicle must be maneuvered. With gimbaled sensors, the vehicle can hover while sensors move, soldiers from the 5th Brigade 1st Armor (Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF)) at Ft. Bliss, Texas, told visiting reporters recently.
The Class 1 is part of the Army’s major modernization program, FCS, to improve the effectiveness of soldiers by increasing their awareness of, and ability to share information about what’s happening around them. Several technologies are being evaluated by the AETF to see if they are ready and appropriate to field to the current force.
The Class 1 UAV is a platoon asset current soldiers do not have. AETF soldiers can use the vertical take-off and landing vehicle for reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, target acquisition and laser designation. The whole system, including the vehicle, controller and other equipment, weighs less than 50 pounds.
The UAV can hover, stare, and provide video or still pictures.
For Spec. Daniel Flanigan, the Class 1 is easy to run: “Point and click.”
Platoon Leader Lt. Randy Pace said everyone in the platoon has taken the 40-hour course on the Class 1, so there’s no one dedicated controller.
This means Pace has his choice of any soldier in the unit to run the Class 1, and can, for example, can choose a soldier who is not essential to a particular mission to fly it.
With the UAV, the platoon knows exactly where its soldiers and vehicles are, Pace said. Pace was interested in its ability to look at the “dead space,” areas soldiers can’t see, which frees up a soldier who would otherwise have to go and watch the area.
The Class 1 can check the way ahead and look for suspicious activity, Pace said, watch over the unit, or even hovering after the unit leaves to see what happens.
The UAV can fly automatically, via pre-determined way points, or be guided by the controller.
Tied to the evolving FCS network, division and corps will receive the same UAV feed in real time. In Iraq today, computers and e-mail move pictures and video.
Improved situational awareness provides flexibility in applying combat power at the platoon level, as Pace can make more informed decisions.
Soldiers are preparing to take the Class 1 into a Limited User Test later this month.
The Army has accelerated the Class 1 evaluation by the AETF. The evaluations conclude this fall, when FCS and Army officials will make recommendations on whether platform fielding is appropriate or if the system should continue development.