THE PIONEER unmanned air vehicle (UAV) has undergone compatibility testing with the Common Automatic Recovery System (CARS).
A series of seven shipboard recoveries was successfully completed during testing in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pioneer UAV was flown into the recovery net by means of commands received via datalink from the ship-mounted CARS radar.
The CARS simplifies UAV piloting. The operator is able to fly the Pioneer into a recovery window where the UAV is acquired by the CARS radar. Upon lock-on, recovery is initiated automatically.
The tests were conducted at various sea-state conditions and in land-based flight trials. The Pioneer/CARS programme now shifts into a production retrofit of all Pioneer systems.
The Pioneer UAV, meanwhile, has been tested with the AR-741 rotary engine which provides a 30% power increase while achieving reduced fuel consumption. This powerplant is being examined as a potential replacement engine for the vehicle which is produced by Pioneer UAV, a joint venture between the USA's AAI and Israel Aircraft Industries.
Source: Flight International
