Royal Australian Navy tests ScanEagle
A team from the Royal Australian Navy’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) unit has been deployed to Christmas Island to test the limits of the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle UAS, the navy announced on 3 October.
The six-member detachment is operating from the island’s aerodrome to test its ability to conduct long term UAS operations without support. The deployment and location have enabled offshore flights of up to ten hours duration.
ScanEagle has been equipped with a Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) payload, an airborne wide area maritime search and surveillance sensor.
Developed by Sentient Vision Systems, ViDAR uses a camera to scan and record a 180-degree view and identify anomalies through a complex software programme. Operators are alerted to potential targets in real time, to allow closer inspection to be undertaken using the ScanEagle’s more powerful electro-optical camera.
The deployment has helped the navy consolidate operator training and gather test data and experience in an operational-like environment. The trial represents the first time an all-navy UAS crew has conducted all aspects of the set-up, testing and validation flights without support of the manufacturer.
The team had achieved around 82 flight hours, with over 12 hours of specific ViDAR operation, by the fourth week of the three month deployment. The trial is scheduled to end in November and will help inform the use of ViDAR at sea early in 2017.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
