Intelligence_ From Secrets to Policy - Mark M. Lowenthal [64]
A second major imagery development has centered on UAVs. The use of pilotless drones for imagery is not new, but their role and capability have expanded greatly. UAVs offer two clear advantages over satellites and manned aircraft. First, unlike satellites, they can fly closer to areas of interest and loiter over them instead of making a high-altitude orbital pass. Second, unlike manned aircraft, UAVs do not put lives at risk, particularly from surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Not only are UAVs unmanned, but operators also can be safely located great distances (even thousands of miles) from the area of operation, linked to the UAV by satellite. A third advantage is that the UAVs produce real-time images—they carry high-definition television and infrared cameras—that is, video images are immediately available for use instead of having to be processed and exploited first. This capability helps obviate the “snapshot” problem. In 2006, the Senate Intelligence Committee stated that it wanted NGA to be able to provide video and images to troops via laptop computers, thus increasing tactical imagery support.
The United States currently relies on two UAVs, the Predator and the Global Hawk. Predator operates at up to twenty-five thousand feet, flying at the relatively slow speeds of 84 to 140 miles per hour. It can be based as far as 450 miles from a target and operate over the target for sixteen to twenty-four hours. Predator provides real-time imagery and has been mated with air-to-ground missiles, allowing immediate attacks on identified targets instead of having to relay the information to nearby air or ground units. In the war on terrorism, Predators have been armed with Hellfire missiles, which are guided to the target by a laser. Thus, once a target has been located and identified, no time is lost in calling in an air strike. The Predator was used in this manner against al Qaeda terrorists in Yemen and a senior al Qaeda leader in Pakistan. Global Hawk operates at up to sixty-five thousand feet at a speed of up to four hundred miles per hour. It can be based three thousand miles from the target and can operate over the target for twenty-four hours. Global Hawk is designed to conduct both broad area and continuous spot coverage.
In 2005, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (2001-2006) talked about building fifteen Predator squadrons (twelve UAVs per squadron) over the next five years, emphasizing both the intelligence collection and the hunter killer missions in which the UAVs carry missiles as well. The Air Force is also looking at the possibility of flying very large drones (perhaps 200 ft. across and 90,000 lbs.) in which the sensors would be embedded in the wings. Planners would like to see these drones stay aloft for up to two days at a time. According to Scientific American, DOD is also looking at a UAV that would be launched over the target area via ballistic missile, allowing surveillance of any suspicious location within one hour (assuming the UAV and missile were already mated and poised on a launch pad). Another UAV project seeks to develop a UAV that can remain aloft for up to five years, relying on solar energy or some other easily stored power source. As of September 2007, the record for keeping a UAV aloft is fifty-four hours during the test flight of a British UAV.
A growing number of much smaller UAVs (some weighing as little as two kg. or 4.5 Ibs.) can be carried and launched by individuals. These UAVs (sometimes called TUAVs—tactical UAVs) have smaller operating ranges and shorter flight times but are useful for tactical intelligence collection. Some UAV advocates have shown interest in stealth UAVs that could begin collection close to a presumed enemy prior to hostilities without detection. Critics argue that overflights of territory