Photo By Staff Sgt. Jessica Duncan | 2nd Lt. Steven A. Delaunois starts up the propeller at the back of the unmanned...... read more read more
By Sgt. Jessica Duncan
205th Infantry Brigade, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - A crew from the Air Force Research Laboratory test flew the Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, known as BAT 3 in October 2008.
The BAT 3 is a system that will assist the military and civilians with surveillance missions. AFRL is using the UAS in Cooperative Operations in Urban Terrain, or the COUNTER program, which is an effort that seeks to detect threat objects in urban areas.
Dr. David C. Gross, a flight director for General Dynamics at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, said a primary reason the BAT 3 is used for the COUNTER program is because it is inexpensive and easy to fly.
Gross said the AFRL team chose Camp Atterbury as their test site because the UAS can only be flown in restricted air space with permission or in uncontrolled air space.
The UAS is unable to be heard at 1,000 feet, meaning it could fly just a little lower than the Eiffel Tower and not be heard from the ground. Staff Sgt. Brian E. Schnurpel, the facility chief for the Camp Atterbury Air Field, said the BAT 3 is launched into the air at 75 miles per hour using the slingshot method. While in flight, the UAS is able to survey potential threat targets and feed video back to a control station operator, who determines whether further investigation by smaller micro air vehicles is necessary. Each UAS is equipped with a GPS and other accessories to include aerial surveillance, night vision and photography.
2nd Lt. Steven A. Delaunois, an engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory, said he appreciated the rewards of working with the UAS.
"I feel great about working with something that will save Soldiers' lives," he said.
It was Delaunois' first time using remote controlled planes, and he said he believes that his skills are improving.
"[Flying the RC planes] is fun. It adds a little more fun to the job," Delaunois said.
Delaunois and Gross both said that Camp Atterbury is an ideal testing facility for the COUNTER project because it is conveniently located to Wright-Patterson.
Gross said working with Camp Atterbury staff has been one of the highlights of doing research here.
"We have been working with Camp Atterbury since the end of August, and they have been helpful when working with our schedule," he said. "It is also convenient because it is close to home and we do not have to go across the country," said Gross.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2008 18:06 |
| Story ID: | 26070 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 431 |
| Downloads: | 264 |
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