Pakistan

Lightweight craft: Pakistan to get 85 mini-drones

The Raven order is separate from US plans to offer Pakistan longer-range drones.

Reuters April 22, 2011

WASHINGTON:

The United States will provide Pakistan with 85 small “Raven” drone aircraft, a US military official told Reuters on Thursday, a key step to meeting Islamabad’s calls for access to US drone technology.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to disclose the cost or model of the non-lethal, short-range aircraft, which is manufactured by the US-based AeroVironment Inc.

A senior US defence official said the Raven drone order is separate from US plans to offer Pakistan much larger, longer-range surveillance drones, a proposition put forward in January 2010. US defence Secretary Robert Gates had then offered 12 Shadow drones, manufactured by AAI Corporation.

Pakistani officials, however, say those talks were held up over complaints about the cost proposed by Washington and a slow timeline for delivery.

The US defence official suggested those talks were nearing conclusion.

“We’re in final discussions about which one they really want. They think they want the Shadow,” the senior US defence official said.

According to its manfacturer, the Raven B system, an enhanced version of the battle proven Raven A system, is a lightweight solution designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for both military and commercial applications, requiring low-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance intelligence.

The most advanced small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) deployed with the US Armed Forces, the Raven can be operated manually or programmed for autonomous operation, utilising the system’s advanced avionics and precise GPS navigation.

The sleek looking Raven weighs 4.2 pounds and has a wingspan of 4.5 feet. Launched by hand, Raven provides aerial observation, day or night, at line-of-sight ranges up to 10 kilometres. It also delivers real-time colour or infrared imagery to the ground control and remote viewing stations. Reuters [With input from the desk]

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2011.

COMMENTS (7)

Aryabhat | 12 years ago | Reply @ Waiting - If "john" is from Gujarat, so what? Mr Jinnah and Mr Bhutto - both were of Gujarati origin. Lets eveluate a comment for what it is rather then from whom it is? Timing of this news release indicates either US is trying hard to lobby Pakistan - after annoying it - or both, US and Pakistan are trying to get out of the box they currently find themselves after publicaly trading charges and need something for public consumption. Obviously, both India and Iran would be watching if this Drones are employed along their border rather then for internal insurgency!

Pragmatist | 12 years ago | Reply Is this similar to remote-controlled helicopter that costs rupees 2000? It is not even big enough to carry a 'pataka'. What is the use? To look into people's windows? This Raven-B is a toy ! Give Pakistan 'dhamakedaar' drones yaar !! Here's a photo: http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app2/rq-11a.jpg