An Cosantóir

MUAS | 17 Airframe on launcher Chad Launch Prep Chad ture at night or in poor visibility during the day," Capt McElroy said. "We can literally pick up everything - person- nel, vehicles, thermal shadows, small animals: it's very, very effective." After they receive their mission it takes the Orbiter teams no more than 20 and up to four hours endurance; pro- viding the commander with real-time surveillance." The Orbiter has been deployed on exercises at home and on operations overseas, although the troops involved in these operations would generally have been unaware of the Orbiter's presence because it is unlikely to be heard from the ground unless operat- ing at very low altitudes. The Orbiter can be fitted with a D- STAMP (Daytime STAbilized Miniature Payload) daytime camera with a x10 zoom lens. It also has the ability to be fitted with a U-STAMP (Uncooled STAbilized Miniature Payload) night- time camera equipped with forward- looking infra red (FLIR). "With this we can see anything with a heat signa- Recovery Chad it airborne. The number in an Orbiter team is mission specific but generally consists of four to six: the operator, known as DUO1 (Designated UAV Op- erator 1), the co-operator (DUO2) and two to four dedicated ground person- nel, termed crew members. Local se- curity, battlespace management, and communications requirements will vary according to mission specifics. "The operators of the MUAS have pre-flight checklist, and get out a strict minutes to assemble the system, carry the same responsibility as the crew of a manned aircraft," said Sgt Wayne Floyd (MUAS Instructor, Arty Sch). "The DUO1 flies the MUAS; the DUO2 monitors the pre-flight checklist, the control screen, reports and telem- etry; and the other team members are ground crew, who are generally either waiting to recover the airframe or getting another one ready. (The Orbiter's recovery is facilitated by parachute and airbag, allowing it to be used over and over again.) The Orbiter detachment personnel are highly trained and regularly com- plete currency training to test and develop their skills." The Orbiter has already proven itself with the Defence Forces on overseas operations with EUFOR Chad/CAR and was found particu- to the ISTAR suite is invaluable, Arty School instructors are now testing them for other tasks. "With the overall picture of the battlefield that can be gained from the Orbiter at higher al- titudes, we have developed the ability to direct artillery fire and we are also exploring how it can be used to assist search operations to counter IEDs," says Sgt Floyd. There are limits to the Orbiter's use, nal facility that allows battalion staff, company and platoon commanders to see exactly what the operator sees on his screen. This means a commander can monitor and assess a situation as it unfolds. Unknown to the troops on the ground there may be hostile activ- ity just around the corner but with an MUAS in the air that real-time infor- mation can be picked up." While the Orbiter's contribution just as there are to any other asset a commander has at his disposal. It cannot operate in bad weather and its range is limited to 15kms, so commanders have to remember that it doesn't have the ability to fly the length and breadth of the country. Also, there is a trade-off between picture quality and detection. While flying at low level may provide a bet- ter picture it increases the likelihood of detection. Generally the Orbiter operates around 1,000ft for optimum picture quality. As Sgt Floyd explained, it's just a larly effective on the EU Nordic Battle- group exercises in 2010. "In Chad the Orbiter gave commanders multiple capabilities," Capt McElroy said. "For example, it was deployed with patrols to make sure their route was clear. In other instances it was used to send back real-time pictures of platoons patrolling in built-up areas. "There is also a Remote Video Termi- question of unit commanders getting used to the MUAS and its capabilities. "If you're having an exercise and are requesting an MUAS," he says, "come down and talk to us and we'll take you through what we can and can't do." www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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