Thursday, September 1, 2011

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Use UAV To Locate Gaddafi Forces

Defense News: DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Use UAV To Locate Gaddafi Forces
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 1, 2011: Rebel forces in Libya making the final push to end the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been making use of modern UAV technology.

According to the US-based AUVSI, the rebels have been using Canadian technology to help them know where to shoot as they surrounded Gadaffi’s compound and hometown stronghold.

The Aeryon Scout Micro UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) – a 1.3kg backpack-sized drone - was chosen by the Transitional National Council to acquire intelligence on Gaddafi’s forces’ positions to help coordinate attacks. The TNC was working alongside Ottawa’s Zariba Security.

“The system has been operating perfectly, with no incidents – quite impressive for those familiar with the statistics of other small UAVs in operational theatres,” said Charles Barlow, Zariba’s director of field support. “Soldiers need tough, intuitive equipment – and the Scout delivered brilliantly.”

According to a release from Zariba, Barlow took an 18-hour boat ride from Malta to reach the TNC training facility at the Misrata Airport where he required only 36 hours to bring the rebel soldiers up to speed.

“After only one demonstration flight, the TNC soldiers operated the following flight,” he said.

“I was amazed how easy it was to train people with no previous UAV or aircraft experience, especially given the language barrier.

The Scout was designed specifically for desert operations, capable of operating in temperatures up to +50C and in sandy or wet conditions. Its vertical takeoff and landing capability, combined with both an optical camera for daytime use and a thermal imaging system for nighttime observation, makes the lightweight spy-copter particularly versatile.

Depending on feature sets, the Scout ranges in price from $100,000 and $200,000, and according to Zariba, it has previously been used in a major drug sting in South America and is currently being considered for use by other Middle Eastern countries.


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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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