Operation of small sensor payloads on tactical sized unmanned air vehicles

The miniaturisation of sensors has in recent years led to the ability to provide multiple sensor operations from a single Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platform. Multiple UAS platforms can be synchronised to link devices from separate UAS platforms thus proving a powerful capability for data collection, while opening up interesting opportunities in the way data is retrieved and used. A range of new sensors being investigated will be discussed with reference to selected case studies that have taken place. As we move into an increasingly growing, data rich environment, data management, quality and pedigree will become of increasing importance. Operations for both defence and non-defence applications will be discussed with reference to the present capability and what is required in future systems. This paper describes some of the sensors currently being evaluated. In the coming years it is expected that we will see a sharp increase in the use of small tactical sized autonomous vehicles in general and a large growth in the capability of the payloads being used.