Isselmere
17-04-2004, 23:00
DRA.1 Rook uncrewed multipurpose aerial vehicle (http://www.eads.net/xml/content/OF00000000400004/6/26/517266.jpg)
The “Rook” is a multipurpose drone that may be launched from cruiser-sized helicopter landing platforms, aircraft carriers, or from ground stations. It is a very stealthy machine when flying clean on reconnaissance, missile guidance, or fire spotting duties, and carries such sensors and systems as synthetic aperture radar (SAR), enhanced electro-optical imaging, automatic target recognition (ATR), a secure global positioning system (GPS), inertial guidance (for those just-in-case situations), a Link 17G secure datalink relay. It can also play dirty by carrying up to four Hellfire or similarly sized missiles on four wing stations (six if two Stingers are carried for self-protection) and use its laser rangefinder-designator to perform light attack missions.
Cruisers or larger ships launch the “Rook” using a smaller version of the electromagnetic aircraft launching system (EMALS) used on the Royal Edmund-class carriers. This launching system produces an extremely small magnetic signature, less even than a colour television, so neither the launching vessel nor the “Rook’s” systems damaged. The Type 33L Tuesday helicopter landing system (which may be reconfigured to suit your navy’s specifications) guides the “Rook” in for landing, facilitating recovery in conditions up to sea state 4. The “Rook” recovers with an electromagnetic aircraft recovery systems (EARS) using two high tensile strength cables strung across the deck. Thrust reversers act to brake the DRA.1 even quicker. In case of missed cable, a lightweight mesh barricade protects both the “Rook” and the ship from most damage. Alternatively, the “Rook” can land on a Walmsley-class or larger aircraft carrier.
The Rook may operate somewhat autonomously using a pre-configured flight plan should communication with the ground control station (GCS) be lost, or should the GCS have to release control of the Rook. The DRA.1 can react to the environment using its various sensors (terrain following radar (TFR, use of which increases the radar signature), a radar altimeter, radar warning receiver (RWR) system, automatic self-defence decoy (chaff/flare) dispenser [OOC: a very small number are carried], GPS and laser-digital inertial navigation system (INS) and other systems) to alter waypoints to avoid or otherwise counter enemy anti-air threats (i.e. navigating around active radar sites).
The system can be used as a semi-autonomous attack platform on a preset flight plan, which is reconfigurable in flight to account for anti-air threats, using its automatic target recognition system (ATR) and identification friend or foe interrogator system (IFFI) to acquire and attack targets on its own. The ATR can be, if necessary, be updated by the GCS through direct link or by secure satellite communication link. The Rook can also return to roost autonomously using its GPS and INS should connection with the GCS be lost.
The Rook also can perform limited signals intelligence functions. The DRA.1 can receive signals data through its sensors and transmit that data to the GCS via secure datalink for processing on a dedicated data management system. The processed information may then be fed back into the Rook by the GCS to improve its survivability.
The manufacturers are moving towards developing a version with greater autonomy (the DRA.2), but it is still in the development stage.
Up to four Rooks can be controlled by a ground control station (GCS) or a tactical control station (TCS). The GCS is quite large (about the size of a standard sized container on a container truck, or placed on a heavy logistics vehicle), but one can also use a tactical control station (TCS) composed of two-HMMWVs (please note: trailers will be required to transport the Rooks to forward locations) throughout the Rook’s flight. Should a GCS be rendered inoperable or otherwise unable to control the DRA.1, a TCS may land a Rook’s using its electro-optical sensors in forward or alternate areas near the controlling TCS. Remote piloting of the Rook is assisted by a lightweight helmet-mounted head-up display and military-standard hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. As both the GCS and TCS use the same secure datalink, the electronic handover is both very easy for one’s own units to achieve and extremely difficult for enemies to disrupt. The cost of the GCS and TCS is the same (the electronic and associated systems for both are the same).
Characteristics
Functions: armed reconnaissance, artillery spotting, missile guidance, and target acquisition.
Dimensions: length: 5.5m; wingspan: 4.24m.
Mass: 901.4 kg (empty), 1724.3 kg (maximum take-off mass); weapons payload: 320 kg.
Propulsion: IMW F47-IMW turbofan.
Range: 750+ km
Ceiling: 7,620+ m
Speed: maximum: 576+ km/h
Price: $7.5 million per unit; $5 million per GCS/TCS and associated electronics (datalink components, satellite communications antennae).
Please click on the link below to find out about more products available from the Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Nieland.
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130822
Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN
The “Rook” is a multipurpose drone that may be launched from cruiser-sized helicopter landing platforms, aircraft carriers, or from ground stations. It is a very stealthy machine when flying clean on reconnaissance, missile guidance, or fire spotting duties, and carries such sensors and systems as synthetic aperture radar (SAR), enhanced electro-optical imaging, automatic target recognition (ATR), a secure global positioning system (GPS), inertial guidance (for those just-in-case situations), a Link 17G secure datalink relay. It can also play dirty by carrying up to four Hellfire or similarly sized missiles on four wing stations (six if two Stingers are carried for self-protection) and use its laser rangefinder-designator to perform light attack missions.
Cruisers or larger ships launch the “Rook” using a smaller version of the electromagnetic aircraft launching system (EMALS) used on the Royal Edmund-class carriers. This launching system produces an extremely small magnetic signature, less even than a colour television, so neither the launching vessel nor the “Rook’s” systems damaged. The Type 33L Tuesday helicopter landing system (which may be reconfigured to suit your navy’s specifications) guides the “Rook” in for landing, facilitating recovery in conditions up to sea state 4. The “Rook” recovers with an electromagnetic aircraft recovery systems (EARS) using two high tensile strength cables strung across the deck. Thrust reversers act to brake the DRA.1 even quicker. In case of missed cable, a lightweight mesh barricade protects both the “Rook” and the ship from most damage. Alternatively, the “Rook” can land on a Walmsley-class or larger aircraft carrier.
The Rook may operate somewhat autonomously using a pre-configured flight plan should communication with the ground control station (GCS) be lost, or should the GCS have to release control of the Rook. The DRA.1 can react to the environment using its various sensors (terrain following radar (TFR, use of which increases the radar signature), a radar altimeter, radar warning receiver (RWR) system, automatic self-defence decoy (chaff/flare) dispenser [OOC: a very small number are carried], GPS and laser-digital inertial navigation system (INS) and other systems) to alter waypoints to avoid or otherwise counter enemy anti-air threats (i.e. navigating around active radar sites).
The system can be used as a semi-autonomous attack platform on a preset flight plan, which is reconfigurable in flight to account for anti-air threats, using its automatic target recognition system (ATR) and identification friend or foe interrogator system (IFFI) to acquire and attack targets on its own. The ATR can be, if necessary, be updated by the GCS through direct link or by secure satellite communication link. The Rook can also return to roost autonomously using its GPS and INS should connection with the GCS be lost.
The Rook also can perform limited signals intelligence functions. The DRA.1 can receive signals data through its sensors and transmit that data to the GCS via secure datalink for processing on a dedicated data management system. The processed information may then be fed back into the Rook by the GCS to improve its survivability.
The manufacturers are moving towards developing a version with greater autonomy (the DRA.2), but it is still in the development stage.
Up to four Rooks can be controlled by a ground control station (GCS) or a tactical control station (TCS). The GCS is quite large (about the size of a standard sized container on a container truck, or placed on a heavy logistics vehicle), but one can also use a tactical control station (TCS) composed of two-HMMWVs (please note: trailers will be required to transport the Rooks to forward locations) throughout the Rook’s flight. Should a GCS be rendered inoperable or otherwise unable to control the DRA.1, a TCS may land a Rook’s using its electro-optical sensors in forward or alternate areas near the controlling TCS. Remote piloting of the Rook is assisted by a lightweight helmet-mounted head-up display and military-standard hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. As both the GCS and TCS use the same secure datalink, the electronic handover is both very easy for one’s own units to achieve and extremely difficult for enemies to disrupt. The cost of the GCS and TCS is the same (the electronic and associated systems for both are the same).
Characteristics
Functions: armed reconnaissance, artillery spotting, missile guidance, and target acquisition.
Dimensions: length: 5.5m; wingspan: 4.24m.
Mass: 901.4 kg (empty), 1724.3 kg (maximum take-off mass); weapons payload: 320 kg.
Propulsion: IMW F47-IMW turbofan.
Range: 750+ km
Ceiling: 7,620+ m
Speed: maximum: 576+ km/h
Price: $7.5 million per unit; $5 million per GCS/TCS and associated electronics (datalink components, satellite communications antennae).
Please click on the link below to find out about more products available from the Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Nieland.
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130822
Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN