Sheriff Offi ce of Mesa County, Colo., which holds one of the few Certifi cates of Authorization (COA) granted by the FAA to use UAVs. The Draganfl yer X6 weighs a mere 4.6 pounds with a payload capacity of 1.1 pounds. Such a small payload capacity allows for only one high-defi nition (HD) camera or one infra-red (IR) camera.
EO Sensor Payload Category
The most important consideration of the mission is in selecting the appropriate sensors from a large variety of sensors. This may include high-quality video and digital cameras and the option of infrared sensors.
Our mission requires a sensor in the visible band, as well as a Low-Light Level TV (LLLTV) or IR sensor. An HD video cam- era with live feed to a GCS is the minimum requirement for sensing, recording and navigation. An LLLTV may be of some value as the evening sets in, but would only be somewhat help- ful in navigating the area during darkness and perhaps in see- ing into a room that is dark.
Also, it may be useful in the unlikely event the takers try to escape into the dark. However, numerous lights in a suburban environment would lead to contrast degradation, limiting the value of LLLTV.
An IR sensor detects thermal contrast, allowing us to see body heat. Given that the outside air temperature is cool (45° F), an IR sensor detecting thermal contrast would be helpful. Although IR detectors cannot see through walls, the walls of rooms in use would likely be warmer than those not in use. It is likely that all the hostages would be in one room so they are more easily controlled. If a person were sitting with his back
Infrared image of a house. Photo courtesy of Lab Pro Home Inspection.
DEFINITION OF UAS/UAV TERMS
• COA: Certifi cate of Authorization (from FAA) • CONOPS: Concept of operations
• DARPA: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency • EO: Electro-optical
• FLIR: Forward looking infrared • GCS: Ground control station • HD: High defi nition • IR: Infrared
• LLLTV: Low-light level TV • MAV: Micro air vehicle
• MTOW: Maximum takeoff weight
• RAPTR: Remote aerial platform/Tactical reconnaissance • RSTA: Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition • sUAS: Small unmanned aircraft systems • sUAV: Small unmanned aerial vehicle • UA: Unmanned aircraft • UAS: Unmanned aircraft systems • UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle • VTOL: Vertical takeoff and landing
against an outside wall for an extended period of time (quite possible in a hostage situation), it may be clear from an IR image that one or more hostages were on the inside of that wall. It may also be possible to detect the thermal image of a gun in the hands of a taker, particularly if he/she were to step out- side or appear through an open door or window. A rifl e would show as a long dark shape contrasting with the brighter back- ground of a warm body. For this mission, an IR sensor is the best complement to an HD visual sensor. Draganfl y recommends the use of two sensors for the pay- load of the Draganfl yer X6: the Panasonic DMC- ZS30 with a 14MP CMOS sensor for HD video and photos as well as a FLIR thermal imaging sensor with a 19 mm lens providing detailed real-time 324 x 256 thermal imaging.
Conclusions
Our mission to provide intel during the hostage crisis is best accomplished by using the RAPTR UAV helicopter with HD video and thermal sen- sors. Given the limited scope of this paper, only two platforms were evaluated in detail. A great deal more research would need to be conducted to make a well-informed decision as to the investment on a specifi c UAS for real-world hostage rescue needs. Unmanned systems will continue to provide law enforcement with a powerful tool that provides a tre- mendous tactical advantage in situations such as the hostage crisis we considered here. The use of UASs will continue to develop and grow as the advantages of their implementation are realized and embraced.
Vince Donohue, MUSE, is the President & Founder of Vortex UAS LLC and Founding Team Member and Secretary of the AUVSI Heartland Chapter. He may be reached via
vince@vortexuas.com.
LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting
www.lawandordermag.com www.lawandordermag.com 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68