Unmanned air vehicles - real time intelligence without the risk

Abstract

Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) are capable of supporting the officer in tactical command (OTC) by gathering intelligence in real- or near real-time. UAVs now under development will be able to collect high-resolution imagery, and thus provide the OTC with the option of gathering tactical intelligence without using manned reconnaissance platforms. This thesis asserts that UAVs should be used to supplement existing intelligence sensors, particularly in those cases where current sources are too ambiguous, slow, dangerous or take resources away from their primary duties. Keywords: Military intelligence; Electronic intelligence; Unmanned air vehicle, UAV, Remotely piloted vehicle, RPV, Reconnaissance, Real-time intelligence, Drones, Theses