Drone question

[Pi1otguy]

First of all, I rather we lose several drones then have a repeat of our incidents with the U2. That said, can anyone explain how UAVs have any sort of survivability over hostile territory? I understand that the small size makes them tricky to detect via radar, but by transmitting data isn't it essentially a flying radio beacon? Wouldn't a conventional army be able to simply update the firmware on an anti-radiation missile and point it up in future conflicts?

 

[Bob Noel]

The actual vulnerabilities of specific drones and countermeasures will likely be classified or at least FOUO.

Speculation is, of course, free.

 

[flyingron]

The biggest issue with the drones is failure to have the reeds seated right, the bridle is placed wrong, or the read is just in need of replacement. Some of the other issues involve mechanical problems with the mounts.

If the drones work out, look for problems in the bag and the chanter.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

The biggest issue with the drones is failure to have the reeds seated right, the bridle is placed wrong, or the read is just in need of replacement. Some of the other issues involve mechanical problems with the mounts.

If the drones work out, look for problems in the bag and the chanter.

 

[Geico266]

There is speculation the stealth drone that was downed was hijacked by China and forced to land. They all have "dooms day" explosives for self destruction, but they could not be triggered because the system was hijacked by a hacker. Iran did not even know it was there, but China did.

 

[kyleb]

There is speculation the stealth drone that was downed was hijacked by China and forced to land. They all have "dooms day" explosives for self destruction, but they could not be triggered because the system was hijacked by a hacker. Iran did not even know it was there, but China did.

Do you have a source for that speculation? I'd love to read the story.

Until something substantive comes out, I'm going with Occam's razor on the Sentinel - it lost comm due to a glitch and eventually glided to an off-airport landing.

 

[kyleb]

First of all, I rather we lose several drones then have a repeat of our incidents with the U2. That said, can anyone explain how UAVs have any sort of survivability over hostile territory? I understand that the small size makes them tricky to detect via radar, but by transmitting data isn't it essentially a flying radio beacon? Wouldn't a conventional army be able to simply update the firmware on an anti-radiation missile and point it up in future conflicts?

Their are tiers of drones. The cheap drones probably aren't worth shooting at unless you'd like to reveal your position and your hostile intent.

At the other end of the spectrum are drones that are very hard to bring down due to stealth, altitude, etc. Emissions is part of stealth. Think transmissions which are focused like a laser beam at an overhead satellite. Properly designed, there should be very little sideband to guide on if someone is using a home-on-signal missile.

In the in-between tiers, they design in the features which best fit the cost/benefit equation for the drone's mission. The Global Hawk <for instance> may not be the stealthiest design out there, but it is reasonably stealthy, flies at very high altitude, and probably has a very small electronic signature. Maybe you wouldn't send one over a highly defended site, but in low/medium threat environments, it is probably survivable, and that may be 95% of the planet. The RQ-170 (or whatever) is for the other 5%.

 

[Geico266]

Do you have a source for that speculation? I'd love to read the story.

Until something substantive comes out, I'm going with Occam's razor on the Sentinel - it lost comm due to a glitch and eventually glided to an off-airport landing.

It came from a very reliable source...... talk radio caller.

I know, I know, speculation, but we will not know the official answer for decades..... if ever.

 

[silver-eagle]

The Global Hawk is bigger than your average Cessna or Piper. In fact, the one shot down (or crashed) wasn't much different in size though quite different in shape.
Images of the Global Hawk
Remember that some of these UAVs carry weapons.
As with WWII, if you can see it, you can hit it. Or the first gulf war, put enough metal in the air, and you'll get something.