Weapon Concept for anti-UAV role

[2RHPZ]

Weapon Concept for anti-UAV role

QinetiQ and Sula Systems Design Low Cost Counter to Tactical UAVs
(Source: Qinetiq; issued June 9, 2004)

QinetiQ has designed a concept weapon for the UK MOD Applied Research Programme, which could act as a cost-effective counter to low-cost tactical UAVs. QinetiQ has worked with Sula Systems Ltd, an SME providing innovative guided weapon concepts, to develop Cougar (Counter-UAV GBAD Additional Module Requirement). The Cougar study sets out the requirements for a kinetic weapon concept, which could act as an adjunct to sophisticated supersonic missiles in a future GBAD (Ground-Based Air Defence) system. The concept can now be assessed alongside directed energy weapons, anti-aircraft guns and existing missile systems to determine the most cost-effective solution.
Project Manager Chris Price commented: “With the current trend in GBAD systems towards distributed “information based” architectures comprising sensors, ADC4I systems and supersonic surface-to-air missiles in an integrated network, missiles required to engage and destroy the full spectrum of air threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and expensive. Firing a ?160,000 missile to destroy a UAV costing less than ?10,000 is unlikely to prove cost-effective, unless that UAV is thought to pose a significant and immediate threat to defended assets..
The modern battlespace features a dramatic increase in the employment of low-cost tactical UAVs to provide situational awareness using short-range visual and IR sensors. These UAVs provide significant benefits even to technologically unsophisticated aggressors, for example to provide targeting information to long-range artillery, or to allow terrorists or guerrillas to detect and evade advancing forces. There is therefore a requirement to be able to defeat low-cost tactical UAVs
QinetiQ and Sula Systems have proposed an innovative interceptor as a solution to the problem. Their study revealed that many existing weapons are unable to meet the Cougar requirement to be low cost, because they require operator action with its training and manning overhead to acquire the target and fire the missile.
The Cougar Interceptor
The ‘Attack UAV’ concept uses a miniature turbojet to propel a monoplane airframe configuration which is given midcourse guidance onto a stern attack. A low cost, uncooled long-wave IR seeker is used to acquire the target and guide the interceptor onto a collision course. Although relatively small, at just 1.2m in length with a wingspan of 1.1m and a mass of less than 14kg, the Cougar interceptor is designed to approach the UAV threat with a closing speed that would be sufficient to cause catastrophic structural damage to the target, giving an observable hard kill.
The target UAV’s low signature in all wavebands means that midcourse guidance would be needed to place the Cougar interceptor in a position from which its inexpensive, on-board seeker would be able to acquire and home onto the target. There would be no requirement for a lethal package with consequent further cost savings though Cougar will require the use of planned battlefield sensors. It is estimated that the unit cost of each interceptor could be as little as ?25,000.
The wings and fins are hinged to allow it to be launched vertically from a canister, with a small booster providing the initial acceleration.
Cougar Engagement
The Cougar study showed that in many cases engagement timeline is not a main driver. The interceptor flyout could take several tens of seconds, as long as the intercept occurs while the target is still too far away for it to detect the defended assets. Rather than using a conventional missile design to give an all-aspect engagement capability, the study showed that controlling the interceptor’s mid-course trajectory, so that it always attacks the target from astern, gives a number of significant benefits. Importantly:
Slower closing speed, allowing for a lower specification of components which control the interceptor, while still maintaining hit-to-kill accuracy.
Narrower seeker field of view and reduced acquisition range requirements, so that an inexpensive IR seeker would be able to acquire and recognize the target

[Backis]

How bout SPAA, and why not 40mm 3P ammo... that gives reach and effectiveness.

Things carrying sensors effective from altitudes above 5000m aren't cheap enough (yet anyway) to warrant this debate... and there are short/medium range SAM's with more reasonable price tags out there, even if the US seems reluctant to field them (perhaps they don't plan to go up against adversaries with UAV capabilities until the AA ray gun works).

For those really low cost pesky UAV's I foresee a resurgence of 20-25mm AAA mated to modern sighting systems.

Maybe the gun plus sight would be a little above 25,000US, but it would be reusable and the ammo would be hell of a lot cheaper, even proxy-fuse...

[S'13]

What about using THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) in order to target UAV's?

[thatguy96]

I'm with Backis, what does this system offer over existing guns and missiles besides a higher cost and reduced reusability?

[Michael RVR]

SAMs / AAA might be detected by the UAV/UCAV before its destroyed, and if you dont want your equipment locations compromised...

The theory behind the subject i beilieve is to take it out before it gets any info.

[thatguy96]

I sure hope this idea of being able to destroy the enemies organic intelligence methods before they get to spy on you won't result in a percieved lack of need for mobility or concealment I guess I just don't agree with the theory. If a UAV uncovers all of your positions and completely compromises you situation you need to learn how to better dig in, or if you're that exposed, it simply shouldn't matter.

[Tane Angle]

a cost-effective counter to low-cost tactical UAVs.

Just a thought...

[Backis]

What about using THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) in order to target UAV's?

Exactly what I meant with;

(perhaps they don't plan to go up against adversaries with UAV capabilities until the AA ray gun works).

Then again, we don't know the weaknesses of this system (limited life of the focusing array after first fire and so on), to many unknowns, but definately something to watch out for in the future.

[Backis]

SAMs / AAA might be detected by the UAV/UCAV before its destroyed, and if you dont want your equipment locations compromised...

The theory behind the subject i beilieve is to take it out before it gets any info.

Thats why you attach an engine to them.

*bang-bang*
*vroom-vroom*



As for the rest, if its very important to keep 'em really blind, let that F/A 22 shoot it down with an old Sidewinder, they're pretty cheap.

[Kellhound]

New spanish anti-UAV concept

[martinexsquaddie]

gpmg on a pole
spend the rest on beer

[GazB]

The Serbs were quite successful in shooting down low flying UAVs in Kosovo with door mounted GPMGs (from Helos). This led to NATO hunting helos which led to different tactics by the Serbs.

The Current model Igla (Igla-S) is designed specifically to engage UAVs as well as cruise missiles. The main advantages of usng MANPADs is that they are cheap and are deployed in large numbers anyway and when properly used are part of the AD network already (ie most MANPADs in modern armies include a laptop computer that displays the air situation in the local area).

[Nizark]

Uhh, stinger missile? Maybe a 50. cal sniper rifle?

[Tony Williams]

The problem with using MANPADS (apart from cost) is that the new micro-UAVs with small prop engines may produce signals too small for the seeker to lock on to.

The hit probability for a .50 cal rifle or MG against such a small object at a difficult-to-determine range, altitude, speed and heading would I think be extremely low.

Something like the Oerlikon AHEAD shrapnel-type gun system ought to work, although picking the targets up on radar may not be easy either - the system is very big and expensive.

The ideal might be a modification of the airburst technology used in the OICW and OCSW. Barrett have developed a version of their rifle chambered for the 25mm round. Modified AHEAD-type ammo, coupled with the laser rangefinder and ballistic computer, should do the trick.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and Discussion forum

[GazB]

The problem with using MANPADS (apart from cost) is that the new micro-UAVs with small prop engines may produce signals too small for the seeker to lock on to.

Standard Iglas have proved in tests to be able to hit antitank missiles. Few IR guided MANPADS today need a hot exhaust plume to target... most are all aspect... in other words they can lock on to the cool nose of an aircraft.

I think the best solution might be something like SOSNA or ZU-23M with light cannon with some automated aiming system (IR or TI for passive use) with some MANPADs for backup. Accurately aimed cannon shells would certainly be the most affordable response. For the larger longer range UAVs then you need larger longer range missiles... the updated 20km range 10,000m ceiling SA-19s would be useful for that role though a light fighter/trainer aircraft like a HAWK or Yak-130 or even a prop driven aircraft might be useful. Of course a 12 gauge would be good of palm top UAVs. It really depends upon the UAV. (The added benefit of MANPADs for the anti UAV role is that they are already in place anyway and MANPAD missiles are the cheapest SAMs). Perhaps older MANPADs could be used up on the large UAVs as the SA-14 Gremlin and early model Stingers are still quite potent if no longer state of the art now.