by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christina Shaw, USN
Submarine Force Tests
UAV Technology to Enhance Force Protection
Two Marines prepare to launch a Dragon Eye, the Marine variant of the Naval Research Laboratory’s ATR UAV. U.S. Marine Corps photo
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S U M M E R 2 0 0 5 U N D E R S E A WA R F A R E
In February, the Submarine Force conducted a demonstration at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. to test the utility of a new type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in supporting force protection. Based on the success of that trial, submariners are excited about the potential advantages of UAVs in force protection and the significant cost savings offered by this technology. According to Cmdr. Tom Armstrong, the anti-terrorism force protection officer on the staff of Commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMNAVSUBFOR), flying UAVs to enhance situational awareness has been going on for quite some time. “The Marines have a version of the UAV called ‘Dragon Eye’ that’s been used very successfully in Iraq,” he said. “As our submarines often have to transit in and out of port through restricted waters, the ability to foresee any problems would be very beneficial from a force-protection standpoint.” During the demonstration at Kings Bay, a prototype UAV was launched and controlled by force-protection personnel ashore to search out the waters ahead of a submarine as it entered port. The small airplane, weighing in at approximately five pounds, can be disassembled into five pieces and be stored in a small suitcase, thus making it portable and easy to take anywhere it’s needed.
