For the last few decades fierce arguments have erupted among military strategists with respect to giving preference to drones over manned airplanes in combat operations. The differences have finally been settled in favor of the pilotless plane due to its strategic, mobilization and economic advantages. These include avoiding the risk of pilot loss or capture, particularly during wars. This is in addition to long flight duration (up to several days), heavy payload maneuverability and the difficulty to be detected on radar screens due to its small size and the type of substances used in its manufacture, reducing its radar signature.
As a result of modern technologies and continuous development projects the pilotless planes are currently equipped with all types of small reconnaissance devices, allowing them to compile radar, electro-visual and infra-red images before sending them by satellite to friendly bases and forces within few seconds. Also developed are high-performance electric engines using rouleaux formations and solar cells. This enables them to store enough power for high-altitude, long-duration night-time flights.
So, it could safely be said that the pilotless combat planes combine the specifications of roaming missiles and conventional manned fighter planes. In fact ,it is a compromise between the two: the missiles are used once despite their high cost, while the manned fighter plane has a relatively longer life, but their use is costly and fraught with continuous risks for the human pilots. This has increased the reliance on the unmanned fighter planes in all combat operations, particularly with respect to silencing hostile air defense systems in the initial stages of the air campaign, paving the way for the safe use of manned fighter planes and bombers in the battle.
Programs and generations:
The common factor in the numerous models of unmanned fighter planes so far is the broad spectrum of missions performed by these drones, appearing in the recent wars in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Their diverse functions included monitoring, reconnaissance, imagery and electronic distortion missions. They were also used as a command center to provide direct information to fighter planes, bombers and ground units. American drones were also used in Afghanistan for shelling various targets, particularly moving ones.
Due to the current and future importance of unmanned fighter planes, successive programs are under way for the development of new generations with the major powers locked in a hectic competition to manufacture the unmanned fighter plane that is most capable of mounting combat operations.
The following are few examples of unmanned fighter planes used by the armies of certain countries:
The United States of America:
The U.S. army’s overriding trend is to make the military hardware and combat weapons smaller, lighter and more effective. According military statistics, the U.S. army currently has more than 20,000 remote controlled automatic units and machines. The U.S. military command confirms that the number of pilotless helicopters and planes will achieve a four-fold increase in the next few years. Unmanned helicopters are presently being used in all combat operations and missions.
As part of bolstering the unmanned planes’ capabilities and role in the wars of the future, the U.S. has recently launched the first laser-operated unmanned plane. One and a half meters long, its fight duration is unlimited as it is operated by a laser beam released from the ground. Currently, this plane is used for surveillance and communications assignments.
It is well known now that the U.S. air force is of the opinion that the operational role of the unmanned UCAV vehicles makes it an effective weapon for overcoming hostile air defenses in the initial stages of the war. Moreover, a U.S. project is being developed to manufacture an unmanned MRF-24X fighter plane similar to the F-22 fighter plane in specifications, flight and capabilities. Also, another U.S. project is currently under way to produce an unmanned fighter plane with the same specifications and capabilities as the F-16 fighter plane. The aim is to gradually replace the F-18 fighter plane with this pilotless plane. With a flight range of about 1,000 nautical miles, its payload of munitions ranges from 1,000 to 3,000pounds. The weapons used include JDAM missiles and other types of advanced smart, high-precision weapons.
Recently, the U.S. has shown vivid tendency to develop small unmanned planes to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance and secret information gathering, known as Scan Eagle. Such a plane is used as a communications station in above horizon operations, using micro aviation electronics, effective miniature electronics and infra-red and laser radars. The GPS system is also used to track the target. The vehicle is also capable of landing in a narrow few-feet wide strip or on a 60-ft long boat, used as unmanned plane carrier. The two types of this pilotless plane are: Scan Eagle -A capable of flying for 15 hours at a 1,000-ft altitude, and Scan Eagle -B with a payload 150% more than the first type, accommodating additional highly advanced sensors and other devices. Its more powerful engine enables it to fly continuously for 40 hours.
In a parallel effort, the U.S. naval and aviation corps have completed a project for the development of an unmanned fighter plane capable of gathering secret information or attacking the enemy with electronic weapons or highly effective explosives. Launched at dusk, this plane operates efficiently for 12 hours throughout the night over battle ground, at a 35,000-feet altitude.
A resounding success has been achieved by the R0-4A Global Hawk whose take-off weight is equivalent to that of the F-16 plane (11,600 kilograms). It operates by a pre-planned computer program, ensuring a 24-hour surveillance over a 2,225 kilometer-diameters circle thanks to 900 kilograms of micro-sensors, electro-visual and infra-red cameras and high resolution radars. There is the likelihood of increasing this payload to 1,400 kilograms. Global Hawk’s fame has been enhanced by its 14,000-kilometer journey from the U.S. to Australia, flying continuously for 234 hours, almost ten days.
As part of the development of unmanned planes, a light engine has been manufactured, allowing vertical take-off and landing by unmanned planes of various sizes and weights. This engine gives the plane greater maneuverability and flexibility in urban areas. This is in addition to avoiding trees and other obstacles and overcoming the effect of gale-force winds.
France:
France has emerged as a prominent player in the field of unmanned combat planes. It has two internationally renowned, highly advanced planes. They are highly efficient in drawing preliminary maps and achieving smooth flight. The development of the first plane began in 2001. It is equipped with an advanced reconnaissance system and electronic military devices, in addition to laser detection of targets. The second plane is charged with air defense missions as it is highly efficient in repulsing enemy attacks. Recently, France has announced the start of a program for a new generation of unmanned planes. Weighing 8,200 kilograms, it is 12-meter long with a 9-meter wing span.
Currently, the French army is using the unmanned plane “Crecerelle”. The smaller version Sperwer vehicle has been developed and used by the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and France. Operating in night-time and daylight, it has 8-hour endurance at a 5,000-meter altitude. France is also using unmanned plane “Sperwer-LE” with 12-hour endurance as well as the pilotless plane “Sperwer-HV”. Using a jet-engine, it has a higher speed of 550 kilometers per hour. France recently developed the unmanned planes “Marvel” and “Breville”.
Other countries:
As for Britain, it has earmarked more than 31 billion sterling pounds for the development of the air attack system of the future, stressing that such systems should rely heavily on the unmanned combat planes. In Italy, the pilotless plane has come into use as early as 2004. 20-meter long, the first plane weighed 8,000 kilograms with a 19-feet wing span and operational altitude of 33,000 ft. the computer is used in all operations, weapon systems and visual-laser systems as well as the organization of satellite data. Currently, Italy is developing a wide range of unmanned combat planes such as the propeller driven “sgsg Mirach 26” and jet-engine Mirach 150 and Mirach 100/5 and most modern model “Nibbo”.
Efforts are under way in Sweden for the development of the 4th generation of “Gripen” planes through the development of the combat reconnaissance vehicle “E Skuaderin” that has a 9-hour endurance at more than double the speed of sound, using highly advanced smart technologies. This gives it high maneuverability and tactical skills to evade hostile missiles and return safely to base.
Germany is currently developing the reconnaissance vehicle “Breville” as well as the reconnaissance plane “Luna X-2000” which is about to join the service. This is in addition to the pilotless helicopter “Semos” that can operate from ship deck or from land.
As for Russia, the numerous unmanned planes programs include the development of high-speed missile versions that could be launched from unmanned aerial vehicles such as DR-S and TU-300 as well as Ma-31. Its development is based on the anti-ship missile X-31.
Conclusion:
Unmanned planes are gaining added importance in armies’ arsenals. A large chunk of armament’s budgets is earmarked for the development of these planes. And estimates indicate that the international market for unmanned helicopters and planes is slated to reach $55 billion in the next 10 years.
The ongoing development of unmanned planes is characterized by daily surprises and futuristic plans, including the prospects of unmanned helicopters transporting the landing forces to the desired location. Robots will be trained on determining their destination and moving in the required directions on the battle ground. This is in addition to providing fire cover to combatants. They could also carry munitions and evacuate the wounded.
The question to be posed is: will the unmanned combat planes in the future put an end to the use of the manned fighter planes?
The answer is definitely in the negative: Whatever the present or future success in the development of unmanned planes, it will be highly unlikely to replace the human pilots. They will guarantee that war will not be left to artificial intelligence alone. Therefore, there will be continuous need for the human element in air combat operations and the human pilot will be essential in any battle or confrontation.
Retired Abdul Rahman Hamadeh