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ENGLISH LANGUAGE

UAVs
 UAVs

VOCABULARY
UAVs

UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).

Unmanned aircraft, such as drones, controlled by an operator on the ground. The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses the term UAS to reflect the fact that these
systems also include other elements aside from the actual air vehicles.

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UAS (2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz Drone Frequency).

Drone remote controllers typically switch between these frequencies to provide the
strongest signal with the drone and camera system. The primary differences between
the two frequencies are the distance and speed. The 2.4 GHz band provides a longer
transmission range but at slower speeds. The 5 GHz band provides less range but
transmits data at faster speeds. The combination of these two frequencies give drones
and remote controllers the power to transmit information quickly even at far distances.

Accelerometer.
A device that measures acceleration or fast changes in movement. The flight controller
(the drone’s central processing unit) uses an accelerometer for the UAVs for flight
stabilization.
AGL (Above Ground Level).
Refers to the altitude above the ground immediately under the UAV. For example, a UAV
flying 100 feet above a 45-foot hill would have an AGL of 55 feet.
ATC (Air Traffic Control).
A service provided by personnel trained and certified by the FAA responsible for
monitoring and controlling all air traffic within a specific area.

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight).

The ability to operate an unmanned aircraft beyond the pilot’s line of sight. Flying UAS
beyond visual line of sight requires a special permit from the FAA.

COA (Certificate of Authorization).

A permit/waiver issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing a public
operator to perform specific UAS operations.
Collision/obstacle Avoidance.
A vision system that allows UAVs to detect obstacles in its path and avoid collisions.

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Commercial Drones.
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for heavy use. These flying platforms have
a specific purpose in mind such as for infrared inspection, package delivery, or for search
and rescue.

Electromagnetic interference.
A disruption in the operation of an electronic device caused by proximity to metal,
magnets, power lines, or cell towers.
Elios.
A collision-tolerant, full HD, and infrared imagery UAV designed for inspection in
complex indoor spaces.
ESC (Electronic Speed Control).
An electronic device connected to the drones’ power supply and flight controller to vary
the speed and direction of the drones’ motors.

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

An agency under the US Department of Transportation that regulates and oversees all
aspects of civil aviation. Its primary objective is to ensure civil aviation safety.
Field of View (FOV).
Describes the viewing angle from the camera of the drone.

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Fixed wing drones.

UAVs that consist of a rigid wing that generates lift via aerofoil and typically a small push
propeller. Fixed wing drones can travel greater distances with less power due to the
wing.
Flight Controller.
A device that receives the inputs from the sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, GPS,
vision sensors, ultrasonic sensors) and remote controller of the drone which then sends
inputs to the electronic speed controls and motors about how the drone should move.
FLIR.
Acronym for Forwarding Looking InfraRed, a company located in The United States. FLIR
specializes in infrared technology to detect distant objects in low and zero visibility
situations.
FPV (First Person View) Drone.
A system in which a drone operator pilots a drone through the camera located on board.
The operator wears goggles with screens inside that stream the drones’ camera footage
in real-time.

Geofencing.
Technology that uses global positioning system (GPS & GLONASS) to establish a virtual
geographic boundary to prevent drones from flying into specific areas.
Gimbal.
Two or three axes stabilized with fine tunned motors that allow the camera or other
equipment to remain level even when moved about.
GLONASS.
Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, or Global Navigation Satellite System
is another satellite network that drones use to understand where they are in space.

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GPS.
Global positioning system is a space-based navigation system owned by the US
government and operated by the US Air Force that consists of satellites, receivers and
other technologies that provide accurate location and time information for civil and
military use.
Gyroscope.
A device used to measure and maintain level orientation this sensor is connected to the
flight controller to maintain stability.

Hexacopter.
A multirotor aircraft that has 6 propellers, with 3 that turn clockwise and 3 that turn
counterclockwise.

Hobby Drone.
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone, that is designed for the mass market.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).

An electronic device that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes
magnetometers to measure and report specific force, angular rate, and magnetic field
of the drone in flight.
Infrared Drone/UAV.
An unmanned remote-controlled aerial vehicle with an infrared imaging camera
onboard. An infrared camera sees a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum
where thermal energy is emitted. Infrared imaging sensors detect incoming infrared
energy and software interprets the signals into a digital infrared image or video.

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IP Rating.
A rating system that classifies the degree of protection that an electrical enclosure has
against water and dust.

LIDAR.
An acronym for Light Detection and Ranging. LIDAR is a method of detecting, measuring
and mapping using a laser. LIDAR is typically used in situations where standard survey
techniques are difficult.

METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report).

Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report or Meteorological
Aerodrome Report. METAR is a specific format for reporting weather information.
MSL (Mean Sea Level).
Refers to the altitude above the average height of the ocean/sea. A UAV flying at 120
feet with a 30-foot hill below would still be at 120 Feet MSL.
Multicopter.
A multirotor or multicopter is a rotorcraft with more than two or more propellers.

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is a notice given to warn aircraft or UAS pilots of any
possible hazards or flight restrictions along a flight route or specific location.

Octocopter.
A multirotor aircraft that has eight propellers. Four spinning clockwise and 4 spinning
counter-clockwise.

Part 107.
These are commercial drone operator regulations created by the Federal Aviation
Administration to define restrictions and safety standards for commercial drone flights.

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Photogrammetry.
A method of surveying and mapping through stitching photographs together to make
one large image.
PIC (Pilot in Command).
The person directly responsible for the complete drone flight operation and safety of
UAS flight.
Pitch.
When the front of the drone moves up and down.
Professional Drone.
High-end UAVs that are equipped with the latest technologies and imaging sensors.
Often times the drone itself and the camera are sold separately.
Propeller.
An angled blade used to create an area of high and low pressure to provide lift or thrust.

Quadcopter.
A multirotor aircraft that uses four rotors (propellers), 2 clockwise and 2
counterclockwise to generate lift.

Return to Home (RTH).

When the drone operator triggers the function on the remote control or when a drone
is automatically set to return to home if battery power is low or signal from the
transmitter is lost.
Roll.
When the sides of the drone go up and down.

SUAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft System).

Unmanned aircraft systems, such as drones or quadcopters that weigh less than 55lbs.

Telemetry.
A two-way digital data stream between the UAV and a ground station that is used to
communicate flight data and instructions to control the UAV.

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TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction).

A temporary notice of restriction on a specific area of airspace because of the presence
of government VIPs, special events, natural disasters, and other unusual occurrences.
Trim.
Buttons on the remote control that control roll, pitch, yaw, and throttle.

UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).

Unmanned aircraft, such as drones, controlled by an operator on the ground.
Ultrasonic sensors.
These sensors work in pairs. One sensor sends out the sound pulse while the other
receives the pulse. The difference between the sending and receiving is used to calculate
height and is used for drone stability.
Uncontrolled Airspace.
Airspace where there are no air traffic control (ATC) services necessary or available
because of practical reasons. ICAO set airspace F and G as uncontrolled.

VLOS (Visual Line of Sight).

The operation of an unmanned aircraft within the pilot’s line of sight at all times and
without the aid of any device (binoculars) other than corrective lenses (glasses).
VO (Visual Observer).
An optional crew member trained to monitor and maintain visual contact with a UAV to
ensure safety.

Waypoints.
A set of coordinates that define a point in space. Waypoints are used to create flight
path for drones.

Yaw.
Orbiting the drone from right to left.

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READING SKILL
Exercise 1. Read the following text and choose the correct answers.
The UAV is an acronym for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is an
WHAT IS A UAV?
aircraft with no pilot on board. UAVs can be remote controlled aircraft
(e.g. flown by a pilot at a ground control station) or can fly autonomously based on pre-
programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems. UAVs are currently
used for a number of missions, including reconnaissance and attack roles. To distinguish UAVs
from missiles, a UAV is defined as being capable of controlled, sustained level flight and
powered by a jet or reciprocating engine. In addition, a cruise missile can be considered to be a
UAV, but is treated separately on the basis that the vehicle is the weapon. The acronym UAV
has been expanded in some cases to UAVS (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle System).

Officially, the term 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicle' was changed to 'Unmanned Aircraft System'
(UAS) to reflect the fact that these complex systems include ground stations and other elements
besides the actual air vehicles. The term UAS, however, is not widely used as the term UAV has
become part of the modern lexicon.

The military role of UAVs is growing at unprecedented rates. Rapid advances in technology and
weapons are enabling more and more capability to be placed on smaller airframes which is
promoting a large increase in the number of Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) being
deployed on the battlefield. The use of SUAS in combat is so new that no formal DoD (Department
of Defense) wide reporting procedures have been established to track SUAS flight hours. As the
capabilities grow for all types of UAV, nations continue to subsidize their research and
development leading to further advances enabling them to perform a multitude of missions. UAV
no longer only perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, although
this still remains their predominant type. Their roles have expanded to areas including electronic
attack (EA), strike missions, suppression and/or destruction of enemy air defense (SEAD/DEAD),
network node or communications relay, combat search and rescue (CSAR), and derivations of
these themes. These UAV range in cost from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars,
and the aircraft used in these systems range in size from a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) weighing less
than one pound to large aircraft weighing over 40,000 pounds.

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1. UAVs …

a) are always directed by a ground station.

b) do not need a pilot, even on the ground.
c) need to be remotely controlled.
d) all options are correct.

2. UAVs ...

a) can be used for multiple missions.

b) have two roles: reconnaissance and attack.
c) are mainly used for striking missions.
d) can be used as a missile.

3. Which statement is right?

a) Any missile can be considered a UAV.

b) Any missile can sometimes be considered a UAV.
c) A ballistic missile can be considered a UAV.
d) A missile can be considered a UAV).

4. UAVs ...

a) no longer perform intelligence missions.

b) have increased their uses.
c) are not currently being used in ISR missions.
d) have a fixed cost.

5. The use of SUAS in combat ...

a) is regulated by clear reporting procedures.

b) has not been formally regulated yet.
c) is as common as the use of UAVs.
d) is not allowed by governments.

Exercise 2. Read the text and answer the questions below.

UAVs. Degree of Autonomy.

Some early UAVs are called drones because they are no more sophisticated than a
simple radio-controlled aircraft being controlled by a human pilot (sometimes called the
operator) at all times. More sophisticated versions may have built-in control and/or
guidance systems to perform low level human pilot duties such as speed and flight path
stabilization, and simple prescribed navigation functions such as waypoint following.

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From this perspective, most early UAVs are not autonomous at all. In fact, the field of
air vehicle autonomy is a recently emerging field, whose economics is largely driven by
the military to develop battle ready technology for the warfighter. Compared to the
manufacturing of UAV flight hardware, the market for autonomy technology is fairly
immature and undeveloped. Because of this, autonomy has been and may continue to
be the bottleneck for future UAV developments, and the overall value and rate of
expansion of the future UAV market could be largely driven by advances to be made in
the field of autonomy.

To some extent, the ultimate goal in the development of autonomy technology is to

replace the human pilot. It remains to be seen whether future developments of
autonomy technology, the perception of the technology, and most importantly, the
political climate surrounding the use of such technology, will limit the development and
utility of autonomy for UAV applications.

Under the NATO standardization policy 4586 all NATO UAVs will have to be flown using
the Tactical Control System (TCS) a system developed by the software company
Raytheon.

1. What is the difference between a drone and a UAV?

_______________________________________________________________________

2. Why is the field of autonomy considered to be a bottleneck?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. What is the main factor that may limit the development of autonomy
technology?

______________________________________________________________________

4. What is the link between NATO and Raytheon?

______________________________________________________________________

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Exercise 3. Read the following text and choose the correct answers.

The recent killing of senior

Iranian general Qassem
Soleimani has been widely reported as conducted by an MQ-9 Reaper drone. But what
does such an operation actually involve? While the ultimate decision to carry out the
attack has clearly been placed with the Trump administration, much of the reporting
and commentary has still bought into the misleading idea that drones enable instant
killing using machines that take away the risks and responsibilities of warfare from
military personnel.

The US and other militaries that use attack drones are generally very secretive about
their operations, adding to the lingering false perceptions. As such, no official
statements have confirmed the use of the Reaper in this instance, although several
reports include quotes from unnamed government sources that do so. However, a drone
strike seems likely in this case because of the precise nature of the attack, and the
Reaper is the only publicly known attack drone now operated by the US military.

I spent two years working with two RAF Reaper squadrons to research the people who
fly this aircraft. This included watching real-time lethal strikes alongside crews at Creech
Air Force Base and RAF Waddington. It also included 90 interviews with people who
work with Reapers. Based on what I learnt, here are the key things you need to know
about how such an attack would probably play out, and the importance of
understanding the role of human military operators.

First, Reapers aren’t launched at the touch of a button from thousands of miles away. It
takes up to two seconds for a satellite control signal to reach a Reaper on another
continent, so such a delay would cause crashes on take-off or landing.

Instead, the Reaper has to be taken off within the line of sight of a nearby launch and
recovery pilot. This happens in or near the location where the drone’s mission will take
place. Once the Reaper is safely airborne, control can be transferred to a crew thousands
of miles away.

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One report claimed that the drone used in the Soleimani killing “was overhead Baghdad
airport” when its missile was launched. True, Soleimani was killed at Baghdad airport
and a Reaper may have been orbiting the target area. But Hellfire missiles are not fired
straight downwards, and nor does a Reaper hover like a helicopter.

The Reaper is an aircraft with a 20-metre wingspan. It is piloted using flight control
surfaces like flaps and ailerons, which are moved via satellite signal. For a successful
missile firing, the Reaper needs to be up to a few kilometres away from its target and
then pointed towards it to create the right firing angle. The missiles typically take around
30 seconds to hit their target, depending on the launch height and distance.

Once a target is identified, it’s up to the human operators to launch the attack. Reapers
are not autonomous, decision-making weapon systems that select victims or choose
how and when to kill them. Soleimani was killed by a Hellfire laser-guided missile that
may have come from a drone, but it would have been fired by a pilot in a ground control
station located in the US.

Each missile would then have been guided by a sensor operator onto Soleimani’s car or
his escort vehicle. This represents the final stage in a highly human operation.
Sometimes we get the impression that the drone does it all. It doesn’t.

1. The idea that drones enable instant killing using machines and that this takes
away the risks and responsibilities of warfare from military personnel is …
a) a fact.
b) wrong.
c) granted.
d) refused by politicians.

2. The autor …
a) has worked with two Reapers.
b) was interested in the human side of the process.
c) had to travel a lot to conduct his research.
d) all options are correct.

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3. A Reaper takes off commanded …

a) by a control center thousands of miles away.
b) using a line from a centre.
c) by a pilot quite close to the aircraft.
d) by a satellite signal.

4. The time taken for a missile fired by the Reaper to hit its target is ...
a) always the same.
b) less than 30 seconds.
c) more than 30 seconds.
d) Measured, keeping in mind altitude and distance.

5. The Hellfire missile that Killed Soleimani was launched ...

a) from a drone.
b) from a ground control station in the US.
c) from the airport.
d) from an unknown source.

Exercise 4. Read the following text and choose the correct answers.
SPAIN BUYS TWO MQ-9 BLOCK 5 REAPER DRONES.
Spain plans to purchase two General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Block 5
Reapers for $34 million via the US foreign military sales process.

The acquisition also provides for associated equipment, presumably ground control
stations, spares and support equipment. The unmanned air vehicles are expected to be
completed by 31 March 2020, according to a US Defense Department contract notice
online.

The US State Department approved the sale of four MQ-5 Block 5 Reapers to Spain for
$243 million in 2015. That deal would have included 20 embedded global positioning
system and inertial guidance units, two mobile ground control stations, five multi-
spectral targeting systems and five synthetic aperture radars. Also proposed was
contractor logistics support for two years and personnel training, as well as aircraft
components, spares and accessories.

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At the time, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency determined the sale
would enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability of the
Spanish military.

“Commonality of ISR capabilities increases interoperability between US and Spanish

forces and provides a common interface with other MQ-9 NATO operators, including the
United Kingdom, France and Italy,” said the agency’s notice. “The Spanish Air Force
intends to use the MQ-9s for homeland security, peacekeeping, peace enforcement,
counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism operations. The proposed sale improves
Spain's ability to meet current and future threats by providing improved ISR coverage
that promotes increased battlefield situational awareness, anticipates enemy intent,
augments combat search and rescue, and provides ground troop support.”

Spain is the latest European NATO country to sign up for General Atomics’ drones. Also,
in March 2019, Belgium gained State Department approval for a potentially $600 million
acquisition of four MQ-9B Sky-Guardians and the Royal Netherlands Air Force signed a
$123 million contract to buy four MQ-9 Block 5 Reapers.

1. What has Spain most likely purchased? (look also text 1 for reference).
a) UAVs.
b) UASs.
c) 5 MQ-9.
d) A 34 million dollar contract.

2. Apparently, on the final contract, Spain…

a) wanted to spend less money.
b) tried to increase the quality of the units.
c) suffered from budget cut-offs.
d) cancelled the multi-spectral targeting systems.

3. In Spain, the UAVs will not be used for…

a) peacekeeping.
b) counterterrorism.
c) training.
d) ISR.

4. Which other European countries have already MQ-9 assets?

a) Belgium and Italy.
b) France and the Netherlands.
c) UK and France.
d) Italy, France and Belgium.

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Exercise 5. Read the text and answer the questions.

IT IS NOT A VIDEO GAME.
At a purely ergonomic level, the controls of an MQ-9 Reaper drone are actually neither
as sophisticated nor as sensitive as state-of-the-art gaming controllers. The MQ-1
Predator, on which the MQ-9 Reaper is based, was rushed into service after 9/11 and
typical military aircraft testing and development was not carried out because of time
constraints. As a result, the controls were not developed to be as user-friendly as they
will be in the Reaper’s successors.

More important is the human dimension. When Reaper crews have followed someone
for days or weeks, their target is not just pixels on a screen but a living human being.
Operators watch targets spend time with family and friends and even playing with their
children.

Crews, commanders and image analysts also continue to watch from above after a
missile or bomb strike, conducting battle damage assessment. They see the bits of
bodies being collected and taken for burial. They see grieving, devastated family
members. And they know it is no game with a reset button.

As a result, operating a drone carries real risks. For one thing, terrorists have tried to
target Reaper pilots and published a hit-list. But more prevalent is the psychological risk
in repeatedly witnessing traumatising events and lethal strikes in close-up detail. A
senior Reaper commander has described the impact of this as “far greater than it ever
was with a manned cockpit”. These psychological effects are not yet fully understood
but the risk is there.

As one sensor operator I interviewed said: “If anybody on the Reaper fleet says it doesn’t
affect them, then they’re lying. It does. It has to.”

Remotely piloted aircraft like the Reaper will provide key air force capabilities for
generations to come. For people to debate this technology in a useful way, they need to
know what they can and cannot do. And understand that their governments are not
using autonomous drones to kill random victims. Human operators are making life-and-
death decisions with huge consequences for everyone involved.

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1. What is the main topic of the text?

______________________________________________________________________

2. Why do crews keep on watching at the video after an attack has occurred?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. What needs to be done in the future in order to use the Reaper as a key Air Force
asset?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

PURPOSE-BUILT PROPULSION
SYSTEM

WING / WINGLET BAY

MWIR DOME

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LISTENING SKILL
1
Audio 1. Exercise 1. A brief description of drones.

You will hear an audio divided in four parts with 20 second pauses
between them; read the questions and then listen to the audio and try to
answer in the 20 seconds gap the same way you will be asked to do in the
actual exam.

Part 1.

1. How does the military refer to drones?

a) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

b) Inhuman Aerial Vehicles.
c) Unmanned Aerial Systems.
d) Inhuman Aerial Systems.

2. When was the first weaponized drone flown?

a) In 1984.
b) In 1994.
c) In 1989.
d) In 1498.

Part 2.

3. Which service is currently operating the largest drone around today?

a) The U.S. Naughty.

b) The Marine Corps.
c) The Royal Navy.
d) The U.S. NAVY.

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4. The so-called TRITON UAV is capable of …

a) meeting the icing requirements.

b) melting the ice on its own flying surfaces.
c) avoiding turbulences without human interaction.
d) navigating with human interaction.

Part 3.

5. The interaction among satellite communications, GPS, and the aircraft’s onboard
computers may result in …

a) delay in the information flow to or from the pilot.

b) wrong flight control inputs from the pilot.
c) loss of altitude and bearing due to bad weather.
d) orders taking longer to be executed by the aircrew.

6. Early models of UAVs …

a) lacked fast info processing.

b) had 360º video streaming.
c) were incapable of breaking down detailed information.
d) are no longer used.

Part 4.

7. In longer missions away from antennas or towers, drones…

a) lost control of the satellite.

b) can be controlled via satellite.
c) relay on Line–of–Sight control to navigate.
d) will be lost if no signal is received.

8. If commanding signal is missing, drones…

a) will be lost beyond recall.

b) can keep on flying on their own to hit their preconfigured target.
c) may linger around or autonomously return to their departure point.
d) need a new input to actually change their course.

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2,3,4,5& 6
UAVs

Audios 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Exercise 2.

You will hear five audios about five different drone models. Listen and try
to complete the information details missing in the charts.

ENGINE &
NAME WEAPONS
OUTPUT
_ AGM-114 ______
2 ____ kg 2 ______- Joint Direct TPE 33-1-10
_____ Hellfire air-
GBU-12 _______ Attack ________
Reaper to-ground
Paveway _______ Munitions ________
missiles

MAXIMU
M TAKE- MAXIMU
NAME WEAPONS RANGE ENGINE
OFF M SPEED
WEIGHT
Two-weapon base
to carry single
combinations of ________ ______ Honeywell
Boeing ____ _______
____________ ________ ___ _________
____________ turbofan engine
____________

MAXIMU
MAX
M TAKE- MAXIMU ENGINE &
NAME WEAPONS ALTITUD
OFF M SPEED OUTPUT
E
WEIGHT
single Pratt &
Two-weapon base
Whitney
to carry
Cruising Canada (___
combinations of
Avenger or ________ _______ _______)
several _______ ________
_________ maximum _______
______ and ___-
________ ________
__________
kilonewtons of
__________
thrust

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MAXIMUM MAX ENGINE &

NAME WEAPONS RANGE
SPEED ALTITUDE OUTPUT
single Rolls-Royce
Northrop Cruising ______________
Grumman _______ _____ ________ _____________
_________
RQ-4 ______ ________ _____ maximum
________ ________ __ kilonewtons of
thrust

MAXIMUM MAX ENGINE &

NAME WEAPONS RANGE
SPEED ALTITUDE OUTPUT

Cruising ______ Pratt &

Northrop up to ____
_________ Whitney
Grumman _________ _______ _________
maximum __________
_________ of ordnance
________ turbofan

7
Audio 7. Exercise 3. Listen carefully and answer the following questions.

1. Where was the ScanEagle III introduced?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
2. What did the U.S. Department of Defense state about the ScanEagle III?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
3. What has significantly increased in the ScanEagle III?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
4. Is the autopilot of the UAV a new design?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
5. What is streamed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

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TRANSCRIPTS

Audio 1. Exercise 1.

Part 1.

The official name for the remote-controlled drones is UAVs or Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles, though the military calls them Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UASs.

The word “Drone” implies something which operates on its own, though most military
drones or UAVs are simply remote controlled.

The first weaponized drone was flown in 1994, the Predator MQ-1, but advances in the
last 20 years have been incredible.

Part 2.

Take, for example, the largest drone around today: a 757 – sized UAV called Triton,
operated by the U.S Navy. Its 130-foot wingspan and fuel efficiency allow it to fly 2000
nautical miles in a single mission, identify ships, deice its own wings and navigate
turbulence… all without human interaction.

Part 3.

Most flying drones operate for 20 hours and are pre-programmed to fly to a specific area
and look around, or are piloted for a mission by a person in a ground station.

The military controls these giant aircraft from hundreds of miles away via satellite
communications, GPS, and the aircraft’s onboard computers. These combinations of
ground and space-based systems can affect how long information takes to get from the
pilot or to the pilot. Those Predators in the 90s took as long as five minutes to break
down detailed information, making the UAV’s automated system extra important. But
today, the newest drones can provide a 360-degree video view, infrared and radar date
all live.

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Part 4.

Most UASs include line – of – sight control for take-off and landing, and satellite control
during long flights and missions, which would go out of range of a tower or an antenna.
Obviously direct control is faster. Satellites have a 1 second delay… but if somehow the
signal is lost from the human pilot, the drone can be programmed to fly in circles, or
return to its take off point. It can even land on its own if it has to.

Audios 2,3, 4, 5 and 6. Exercise 2.

First audio.

At no. 5 is the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper. This is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable
of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations developed by General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems primarily for the United States Air Force. The MQ-9 is the first
hunter-killer UAV designed for long endurance high altitude surveillance. It is armed
with four AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, two 230 kg GBU-12 Paveway, two
laser-guided bombs and a 230 kg Joint Direct Attack Munitions. Is powered with a single
Honeywell TPE 33-1-10 turboprop engine which produces an output of 900 HP.

Second audio.

At no. 4 is the Boeing X45. This is an unmanned combat air vehicle. A concept
demonstrator for the next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft.
Developed by Boeing’s Phantom Works, it was manufactured by Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems and is in service with the United States. The X-45 is armed with a two-
weapon base to carry combinations of a Joint Direct Attack Munitions, small diameter
bomb. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2676 kg, maximum speed and range are 919
km per hour and 2405 kms. The Boeing X45 is powered with a single Honeywell F124-
GA 100 turbofan engine, and it can fly at an altitude of over 40000 feet.

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Third audio.

At no.3 is the General Atomics Avenger or Predator-C. This is a developmental

unmanned combat air vehicle, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the
United States Military. The Predator-C is armed with internal weapons bay with 1600
kgs capacity, six external hard points, 6500 pounds of payload that include several
guided bombs and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Maximum takeoff weight of this vehicle is
8225 kgs, powered with a single Pratt & Whitney Canada (PW 545 B turbofan) and
produces 17.75 kilonewtons of thrust. It has a maximum and cruising speeds of 740 km
per hour and 648 km per hour. This military drone has an endurance of 18 hours and
can fly up to a maximum altitude of 50000 feet.

Fourth audio.

And now, at no. 2 is the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk. This is a high altitude
remotely piloted surveillance aircraft that provides a broad overview and systematic
surveillance using high resolution synthetic aperture radar and long-range infrared
sensors with long loiter times over target areas. It is operated by the United States
Airforce and is used as a high altitude, long endurance platform covering the spectrum
of intelligence collection capability to support forces and worldwide military operations.
The RQ-4 is powered with a single Rolls-Royce F-137- RR-100 turbofan engine that
produces 34 kilonewtons of thrust.

Maximum and cruising speeds of the aircraft are 629 km per hour and 570 km per hour.
It can fly up to a maximum range and altitude of about 22780 km and 60000 feet. It has
more than 32 hours of endurance.

Fifth audio.

And now, at no. 1 spot is none other than the Northrop Grumman X-47-B. This is a
demonstration unmanned combat aerial vehicle designed for aircraft carrier-based
operations that was developed by the American Defense Technology Company

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Northrop Grumman. The X-47-B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015 its two active
demonstrators have undergone extensive flight and operational integration testing,
having successfully performed a series of land and carrier-based demonstrations. It is
armed with two weapon bays, providing for up to 2000 kilograms of ordnance.

Now let’s look at the overall specifications. This vehicle is powered with a single Pratt &
Whitney F100-220U turbofan, and it has a maximum take-off weight of over 20215
kilograms. Its maximum and cruise speeds are 1235 km per hour and 1111 km per hour.
It can fly up to a maximum range and altitude of more than 3889 kilometers at 42000
feet.

Audio 3. Exercise 3.

Boeing subsidiary INSITU introduced the ScanEagle III, at AUVSI Xponential 2018 in
Denver, Colorado. This provides additional benefits to Insitu’s costumers through
commercial pricing, as well as global exportability through commodity jurisdiction from
the U.S. Department of State, stating that ScanEagle is not covered by U.S. international
traffic and arms regulations.

ScanEagle III’s exclusive engineering and design draws from the best of the INSITU family
of UAS products, including previous iterations of ScanEagle, as well as Integrator.

Using proven design approaches and modularity, ScanEagle III offers a significantly
increased payload capacity, up to three payloads simultaneously and is fully compatible
with existing system components, such as an XG control and I Comm C2, as well as
INSITU family of launch and recovery equipment.

This incredible combination of payload capacity and flight performance comes at a price
point similar to the venerable ScanEagle. The ScanEagle III features an innovative,
ground adjustable aero package, enabling a large center of gravity range for even more
payload integration options.

Other enhancements include the next generation avionics designed for increased
performance across multiple levels of criticality. A new- purpose built propulsion system

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that increases reliability while reducing lifecycle cost, and the same proven autopilot as
the RQ-21A BlackJack.

Well that’s our program for this week. In addition to this program our daily Airborne
Unlimited Episodes covering the entire aviation aerospace world are streamed on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We’ll see you next week.

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SPEAKING SKILL

Exercise 1. Do you think that in the next future all aircraft will be
remotely controlled? Why?

Exercise 2. Would you fly in an unmanned aircraft? Why? Why not?

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WRITING SKILL

Should drones be allowed for recreational/leisure use at all, considering

the threat they pose to passenger/military planes? Why? Why not?

If you think they should be allowed, what should the size of the ‘exclusion
zone’ around airports be? Give reasons. (180 words).

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