Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pilots to Get New Controllers
Playstation and Xbox games consoles are set to be used to train British military personnel in how to operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, it has been reported.
The move is one designed to cut down the amount of UAVs being lost and, in the opinion of defence experts, will generate substantial savings.
UAVs over Iraq, Afghanistan
Those operating UAVs over areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan control them, at present, from the US.
However, since 2003, the US military has lost in excess of 40 Predator aircraft.
In nearly 70 per cent of these instances, human error figured.
Earlier this year, meanwhile, a Royal Air Force Reaper UAV came down over Afghanistan
These crashes are predominantly the result of operator fatigue, with typical mission durations of eight hours. Often, “situational awareness” kicks in, caused by the effects of directing the UAVs solely through the aid of photographic equipment located at the front of the craft.
Games Console Technology
However, now, US defence firm Raytheon has modified the technology employed by games consoles with a view to drastically cutting down the number of incidents, as well as provide the person operating the UAV with the sensation of operating within “real battlespace.”
What it has created is a precise rendition of the world’s geographical terrain, using the chip found in games played on the Xbox.
At present, those operating UAVs do so though use of a cumbersome joystick, but Raytheon’s innovation will see these replaced with Playstation controllers.
According to researchers, operating a system using just the thumb/ forefinger conserves the most amount of energy, meaning that home gamers can play for long spells at a time.
"Also within 60 seconds of opening the packaging of an X-Box system you can be playing a very complex game that requires no training", Raytheon’s Mark Bigam commented.
BAE Mantis UAV
BAE is said to be keen on implementing the technology into its Mantis UAV programme.
Bigam conceded that, at first, such enthusiasm was derided in some defence industry quarters.
However, speaking on July 15th at the Farnborough Airshow, he stated: "I'm afraid the gaming industry has now surpassed the defence industry in spending on this type of technology research and development and it will never go back.”
He added: "With this technology you can now see what is happening in remote locations and you can project with your mind with great accuracy what is going on in another spot on earth and what to do about it."
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
