Electronic Warfare Capabilities of Mini UAVs
Historically the high power and large size of airborne Electronic Warfare equipment has constrained its deployment to manned aircraft or large UAVs. More recently the miniaturisation of RF components and small form factor processor boards has led to the development of EW systems capable of installation in mini-UAVs. These types of UAVs are generally classified as having a wing-span of less than 4 metres and a payload capacity less than 15 Kg.
Australia has begun a multi-year program to explore the boundaries of the new RF and processor technology through a series of EW trials based on the Aerosonde mini-UAV. The initial trials conducted to-date have confirmed the viability of the Aerosonde as a platform capable of performing a wide range of EW functions. The ability to deploy these payloads for flight durations in excess of 24 hours at operational ranges over 1500km has raised considerable interest at the highest levels of the Australian Defence Force.
Both the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Saab have invested considerable research and development in Network Centric Warfare and the EW equipped Aerosonde has already been integrated into both the EXC3ITE system and the Swedish Wide Area Situation Picture (WASP) and NETC4I systems.
