Submarines take on new technology

Despite its small size, the UAV has the potential to radically expand the role of the submarine force in the Global War on Terrorism, according to Lt. Cmdr. Rob Jezek ,USS Albany (SSN 753) executive officer.

''It is exciting to be a part of this launch,'' said Jezek. ''This technology extends the submarine's reach. We already pride ourselves on being stealthy and the Advanced Tactical Recce within the UAV adds to our range of senses. It has many implications, including the ability to gather intelligence, and perform advanced reconnaissance for Special Operations Forces insertion.''

The UAV was launched from the bridge aboard Albany while the submarine was operating on the surface. The UAV is similar to the ''Dragon Eye'' Advanced Tactical Recce Monitoring Platform, or DE-ATR, used by U.S. Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. The DE-ATR offers a great deal of power and flexibility to operators.

Weighing in at approximately five pounds, the ''Dragon Eye'' carries two color cameras and can be outfitted with chemical and biological sensors in the nose cone. The UAV also offers night-vision capabilities, especially valuable to Force Protection uses and SOF.

''In today's demonstration, USS Albany had complete control of the UAV utilizing systems within the Type 18 periscope,'' said Warren Schultz, associate superintendent of the chemistry division at Naval Research Labs.

The bow of USS Albany us seen though the lens of the Dragon Eye, which carries two cameras that can beam color pictures back to its operator.

''In a real-life scenario, a submarine could launch the UAV 20 miles off the coast while performing special operations insertion,'' said Schultz. ''The sub could maintain control of the plane and then hand it off to the Special Forces before they landed on shore. Control of the UAV is easily transferred from one operator to another.''

That ease of operation is one of the key selling points for UAV technology. According to Schultz, the UAV has a payload capacity of 12 ounces and researchers are developing lightweight zoom lenses to further improve the UAV's value and utility. The aircraft can fly at altitudes up to 10,000 feet, over a range of 40 kilometers, for approximately one hour - all on a single battery charge.

''It's quick, quiet and stealthy,'' said Christopher Povloski, Naval Research Lab program analyst and flight technician. ''During a demonstration in Yuma, Arizona, no one could see or hear it until it was right on top of us.

Although the modular UAV was designed to be a ''throw away,'' some have been flown and successfully recovered more than 30 times.

This launch follows a successful demonstration in February of the UAV's capabilities at NSB Kings Bay. A prototype UAV was launched and controlled by force protection personnel ashore to search out the waters ahead of a submarine as it entered port.

The new UAV design is ideal for stealth, due to its ultra-quiet electric motor and small size. This is part of the submarine force's future capabilities in varied payloads for joint warfighting in the Global War on Terrorism.