View Full Version : Flying UAVs
CirrusF
7th Jun 2008, 18:32
I'm curious to know (within limits of opsec!) how easy or difficult it is to fly a UAV? I would imagine that given that there must be a finite communications delay between the remote pilot in Arizona and control surface over Afghanistan that is the order of human reaction time, that there must be a lot of scope for pilot-induced oscillation. Probably not a big problem in cruise, but I can imagine that landings must be rather difficult? Are landings carried out remotely? Or is there a local system or operator that takes over on finals?
taxydual
7th Jun 2008, 18:38
Must be easy, or else they wouldn't let females do it.
Which way is it to the bunker.......................
;);)
BlackadderIA
7th Jun 2008, 18:58
Take-off and landing is handled by the Launch/Recovery Element, a team of operators located out in the theatre of operations.
They use line-of-sight comms with the UAV rather than the satcomm system.
soddim
7th Jun 2008, 19:15
Seems like the first pre-requisite is to find your way from Arizona to Nevada!
taxydual
7th Jun 2008, 19:17
No doubt that gen is out 'in the public domain'. Still, I am the only one to think BEADWINDOW.
Urshtnme
7th Jun 2008, 19:22
My thoughts exactly!
Topofclimb
7th Jun 2008, 19:45
The Americans do it so it must be easy, sorry, I meant to say VERY easy.:uhoh:
BlackadderIA
7th Jun 2008, 19:57
ahem...
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/afweapons/a/predatorcontrol.htm
a lot of the details of flying the pred have been open source for a very long time.
Still have to wear a flightsuit though:}:ok:
minigundiplomat
7th Jun 2008, 20:37
Probably far beyond the french.