EXPO-SEDE_ET_2007_381405_EN.pdf — page 6

• armed combat role (UCAV) – including air-to-ground and air-to-air combat; signal relay;  
• target drone 
 
Currently, by far the majority of UAVs perform a reconnaissance role, specifically using 
optical/electro-optical sensors. Indeed, very few EU UAVs perform any other role. All EU 
UAVs are land-based systems, as are most such systems globally. The exceptions are those 
operating from ships, either in a reconnaissance role or to help target anti-ship missiles.  
 
Whereas most sizeable combat ships rely on their on-board helicopters to provide visual 
observation beyond the horizon and to identify and designate targets for anti-ship missiles, 
UAVs can perform such a role for those ships without on-board helicopters, such as frigates, 
corvettes and fast attack craft. With ranges of 50-200km, anti-ship missiles are striking targets 
far beyond the radar range of the launching ship, making the use of off-board sensors a 
necessity. Equipping ships with a small UAV helicopter is seen as a solution2.  
 
Northrop Grumman (US) has developed the Fire Scout for this role and is offering cooperation 
with Navantia (formerly IZAR: Spain) for use on Spanish F-100 Class frigates3. In Europe, 
several countries are eyeing the Austrian Camcopter for this role, and Saab (Sweden) as well as 
Eurocopter (France) are developing similar vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs. 
 
Although UAVs started as target drones in the 1920s, today this role is usually performed by 
much smaller, aircraft-launched decoy missiles, and is not normally a role designated to 
unmanned aircraft. 
 
If UAVs are used in the armed combat role they would qualify for the UCAV designation. 
However, generally the UCAV designation is not used for ‘normal’ UAVs carrying a light 
armament, but is reserved for more advanced combat UAVs. While it is possible to modify 
UAVs to perform a direct attack role in a one-way ‘suicide’ mission - and this potential misuse 
should be taken into account when exporting UAVs – technically, the vehicle has been 
transformed into a cruise missile. 
 
To survive in the often extremely hostile front-line air-defence environment one needs a high-
performance aircraft. Acquiring and operating manned reconnaissance aircraft is expensive. 
Each costs US$25-35m4, and these aircraft need a fully equipped air base as well as large 
numbers of maintenance technicians. Alternatively, the cost of a UAV to fulfil such missions 
can be less then US$1m5, with much lower operating costs due to fewer support personnel and 
no need for major ground-based infrastructure. 
 
Usually, the costs of UAV development and acquisition programmes are small compared to 
many other military acquisition programmes. Small tactical UAV systems have been developed 
for a few million US dollars, often using ‘off-the-shelf’ military and civilian components. 
                                                 
2 The idea is not new. In the late-1950s/early-1960s the US used an armed UAV helicopter for anti-submarine 
warfare for use on ships too small to carry a full-sized helicopter. The system (called DASH) failed mainly for 
technical reasons, however, and was quickly withdrawn. 
3 DEFAEI, 24 July 2002; Asian Defence Journal, Oct. 2002. 
4 The price of reconnaissance aircraft is similar to that of combat aircraft – some US$25-35m for single-engine 
aircraft such as F-16. 
5 Denmark bought 2 complete Sperwer tactical UAV systems with 12 UAV aircraft for US$55m; Defense News, 23 
Jan. 2006, p. 9. The total cost of the British tactical Phoenix UAV programme, which included some 198 UAV 
aircraft in 8 UAV systems, is estimated to have been £227-260m with each UAV estimated to have cost £0.3m. The 
Defence Suppliers Directory website, URL http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0101.html, Federation of 
American Scientists website, URL http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/phoenix.htm. 
 
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