UAS Strengths and Weaknesses

Comparing Military UAS Missions to Similar Civil UAS Missions

The development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has revolutionized the way we think about and employ aerospace vehicles to improve our daily lives, support our security and protection, and conduct wars. Different types of mission sets are possible because of the varying sizes or classes of UASs that have been developed and mostly due in part to the fact the human has been removed from the equation. This in turn allows room for payloads and allows the engineer to design a platform that if big and efficient enough, can stay aloft for long periods of time.

Voice and data communications is one area that continues to be improved constantly. Terrestrial and space-based systems are the preferred methods for ensuring access to this type of technology but has its challenges and limitations. The military relies heavily upon communications to execute its various missions today. However, terrestrial systems are not well suited for providing communication to a highly mobile ground force and spaced based systems are becoming crowded due to competing needs and the military simply does not own enough organic systems which constitutes a reliance on civilian space assets.

 

Military UASs That Enhance Communication

The introduction of UAS systems like the EQ-4B has provided the military with a mission set that allows voice and data transmissions and is dubbed the Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (or BACN) (Northrop Grumman, 2017). The EQ-4B BACN mission enables a persistent gateway in the sky that receives, bridges and distributes communication for all participants in a battle” (Northrop Grumman, 2017). More specifically, the EQ-4B BACN enables communication among tactical data links in aircraft and ground forces that might not be interoperable, enables joint range extension, BLOS connectivity for disadvantaged LOS users and IP-based data exchange among dissimilar users (Northrop Grumman, 2017). Some might think of it as a cell phone tower combined with a satellite in the sky (Miller, 2015)! Another military application is the AAI Shadow Tactical UAS, which is equipped with the Forward Airborne Secure Transmissions and Communication (FASTCOM) system (Textron News Release, 2011). It can provide a secure, mobile cellular network for up to 100 users simultaneously to enable voice, data and imagery communication, satellite communication connectivity among multiple users and backhaul across the battlefield (Textron News Release, 2011). As with all military applications, they can easily be translated into a civil application.

Civilian Missions That Seek to Enhance Communication

A mature civil application that is similar to the EQ-4B BACN is still in its infancy. AT&T is currently testing an UAS called cell on wings (or COW), and has been operating for a year (UAS Weekly, 2017). It is designed to enhance coverage in notorious troublesome areas of reception to extend cellular coverage like a stationary cell tower does (UAS Weekly, 2017). Additionally, the UAS captures data from network sites to feed to AT&T systems and a new round of testing, in coordination with intel, will determine the feasibility of using LTE-connected drones to provide better wireless service at large venues (UAS Weekly, 2017). Another civilian application is Titan Aerospace’s high-altitude, solar-powered drone that aims to deliver internet service to underserved areas (O’Toole, 2014).  While Titan’s drones are not commercially available, the concept has been tested in demonstration flights (O’Toole, 2014).

Strengths and Weaknesses

The military UAS applications like the EQ-4B BACN and the AAI Shadow are two of the most advanced airborne UAS communication nodes. They provide a multiple of services from one platform that can meet the needs of multiple users and multiple types of networks.  

The weaknesses with virtually all airborne platforms is their endurance or ability to stay aloft. Specifically, for these UAS communication nodes you have to compare it to terrestrial or space-based systems that are designed to function for longer periods of time and are maintained (terrestrial) or replaced at certain intervals (space-based). The global hawk provides 30 hours of coverage, while the AAI Shadow only has an endurance of. The AT&T small UAS will undoubtedly have the lowest endurance just due to its small design but the Titan Aerospace high-altitude drone is expected to stay aloft for 5 years (O’Toole, 2014). Not all of these systems will do the exact same mission set because they were designed for customers with different requirements but they do have some similarities and overall will serve as some type of communication node for a ground customer.

Future of UAS as Communication Nodes

The future application for UAS based communication nodes that are capable of providing voice and data communication is bright. Military applications are most certainly leading the effort and will continue to be a part of ensuring war fighting elements are connected for a common air picture. The future for military applications might see it not only applied to all UASs, but every single aircraft and ground based vehicle to provide a robust and redundant network.

For civilian applications, ensuring that dead spots and other degraded areas of coverage receive reliable voice and data services is game-changing for those long car rides through places like Eastern New Mexico where coverage may be limited due to lack of infrastructure (UAS Weekly, 2017). As well as bringing voice and data services to countries that do not have a terrestrial network or is not covered by satellite communication services. Additionally, an aero-communication node could function as a backup or booster to satellites when services are degraded by electro-magnetic interference from space or severe scintillation from atmospheric events.

References:

Friedrich, George. 2014. Applications of military and non-military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAV). Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/11154604/Applications _of_military_and_non-military_Unmanned_Aircraft_Systems_UAV_

Northrop Grumman. 2017. Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN). Retrieved from http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/BACN/ Pages/default.aspx                        

Miller, Frank. 2015. Global Hawk reaches new milestone, helps in fight against ISIS. Retrieved from http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/628873/ global-hawk-reaches-new-milestone-helps-in-fight-against-isil.aspx

O’Toole, J. 2014. Google buys drone maker Titan Aerospace. CNN Tech. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/14/technology/innovation/google-titan-drone/index.html

Textron News Release. 2011. AAI, OVERWATCH AND VIASAT TO SHOWCASE FASTCOM™ AT EMPIRE CHALLENGE 11. Retrieved from http://investor.textron.com/news/news-releases/press-release-details/2011/AAI-Overwatch-and-ViaSat-to-Showcase-FASTCOMTM-at-Empire-Challenge-11/default.aspx

UAS Weekly. 2017. AT&T Testing ‘Flying COW’ UAS To Enhance Cell Coverage. Retrieved from http://uasweekly.com/2017/02/22/att-testing-flying-cow-uas-enhance-cell-coverage/