One of the Canadian military´s newest additions, the Heron UAV,
taxis at CFB/ASU Wainwright during Exercise Maple Guardian.
Posted on 12/18/2008 2:21:42 PM PST by Clive
CFB/ASU Wainwright, Alberta – The CU170 Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) tactical system will soon be replacing the French-made CU161 Sperwer currently being used in Afghanistan by the Canadian military.
“The Heron offers far greater endurance, altitude and speed than the Sperwer,” said Major Andrew McCorquodale of the Directorate of Air Requirements at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. The advanced UAV capability will help protect Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan by “delivering the intelligence data to commanders in the field that they need. It empowers commanders. UAVs allow us to know where the ‘bad guys’ are. Often, we know that better than they do themselves.”
New UAV superior to Sperwer
The MDA-provided Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle tactical system will soon be replacing the French-made CU161 Sperwer in Afghanistan. Leased to the Canadian Forces by MacDonald Dettwiler Associates (MDA) of Richmond, BC, the Heron is a fourth generation long-endurance medium altitude system that is capable of fully autonomous flight. It can carry a payload of 250 kg and fly up to 40 hours at an altitude of 27,000 feet.
The Heron UAV Detachment recently took part in Ex Maple Guardian.
“The Heron is probably a tenfold improvement from the Sperwer,” said Major Dan Boisvert, the officer commanding the Heron detachment. “It flies a lot longer and further, it flies at higher altitudes and is quieter.”
One of the key features of the UAV is the ROVER (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver), which receives camera images from nearby aircraft and UAVs. The ROVER allows ground forces to see what the UAV is seeing in real time by receiving images acquired by the aircraft's sensors on a laptop on the ground.
“The battle group will now be able to see what we do and we will now be able to react directly if there is something they want us to look at,” said Maj Boisvert.
UAV Detachment aircrew
Along with three intelligence personnel, an air vehicle operator (AVO) and a payload operator (PO) make up the five-person crew of the Heron.
“The primary function of a PO is to acquire intelligence information from different altitudes by using the electro-optical and infrared camera systems on the UAV,” said Master Corporal John Bowden, an airborne electronic sensor operator training as a PO. MCpl Bowden will be deploying operationally for the first time.
“It’s great to be in this high-tech environment. I look forward to deploying and being able to give the troops on the ground an overview of their area and what is ahead.”
Captain Peter Shirley has worked with unmanned aerial vehicles since early 2006. He is an AVO and deployed to Afghanistan with Roto 3 where he operated the Sperwer. “The UAV job is like many others, a lot of time is spent watching and waiting. But it is a job that is actively and operationally very effective for the CF.”
Maj Boisvert expressed satisfaction with his crews and their training.
“Even though the Heron itself is operator-friendly, it is a sophisticated aircraft that provides amazing capabilities to the military. There are a lot of challenges ahead that we are looking forward to.”
Article and photos by Sergeant Steve Hofman, Army News, Wainwright
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Ex Maple Guardian is a recurring intensive training exercise working up the next battle group to be deployed to Kandahar.
Why the heck can’t Bombardier make one for DNDCA...
I’ve always been amazed that DNDCA can’t get their crap together and build this stuff themselves...
Same thing with side arms, Para-Ordnance is in Canada... yet they went with Sig?
Ooooh Rah! Give ‘em h3ll!
Dang! That’s definitely a tech way of saying, “You REALLY don’t want of piece of the US!!!”
Canada confuses me. They celebrate there military successes in Afghanistan. I recently saw a Canadian TV special about their sinking of a retired ship using different weapons systems.
Why do they want to name their new system "heron" ? Unless you are a minnow or a frog, a heron isn't very intimidating. Why not "destroyer of Worlds", or "Satan's eyeball", or "Grim Reaper"? They could just as well as called it "flying pussy cat".
Beer Killer (eh?)
A heron is a graceful bird which glides silently.
Seems perfect to me.
Well, you know us Yanks.
We’re a bunch bloodthirsty warmongers.
:)
I know.
Thank God!
:-)
LOL!
Yes! What’s with that?
"Sperwer".
In a French accent, it would probably sound like "Spur-were". With the emphasis on the 'were'.
It is launched from a truck and recovered by parachute which makes it more portable than UAVs that need a runway, but its limited flight endurance impairs its use for reconnaissance.
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