By Professor Joe Vacek, Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, University of North Dakota & Sergeant Alan Frazier, Glendale (CA) Police Department and Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota

You are likely aware of the widely publicized success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the “Predator” used by the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan and Iraq. These vehicles have been effectively utilized to gather intelligence, track terrorists and fire missiles at enemy combatants. Although not as well known, much smaller devices are launched by military units many times each day. Devices such as the “Raven” and “Dragon Eye” are fully operational UAVs weighing less than six pounds with wingspans under five feet.

These UAVs are hand-launched and capable of 45- to 110-minute mission durations. The systems are relatively affordable (less than $175,000) and come fully equipped with real-time high definition video and infrared downlink capabilities.

Threat or Asset?
You may be thinking that you want no part of UAVs because they threaten your job as an airborne law enforcement aircrew member. Alternatively, UAVs can be considered an additional asset for airborne law enforcement. Certain missions will always be most effectively handled by a traditional law enforcement aircraft staffed by a highly trained crew.

However, consider the advantages of having a small UAV in the following two situations.

Urban High-Rise Sniper: A crazed sniper has positioned himself on a high-rise rooftop in the center of your city. He has constructed four sandbag style “hides” at each corner of the roof. The sniper has already killed or wounded several citizens and two responding police officers. The responding air support unit helicopter drew very heavy and accurate automatic fire from the sniper that severed an oil line and necessitated an emergency landing. A patrol supervisor responds to the downed helicopter and provides the aircrew with a “Raven” UAV that is stored in the back of his patrol vehicle. Within minutes, the UAV is orbiting 500 feet over the sniper, virtually undetectable due to its small size and quiet electric motor. Immediately upon the arrival on station of the UAV, real-time high definition video is streaming down to the tactical operations center assisting SWAT commanders in formulating a plan to deal with the threat.
Rural Cop Killer: While working early morning watch, a rural deputy sheriff is shot and killed by an armed robbery suspect he encounters on a routine traffic stop. A responding backup unit pursues the suspect, who eventually loses control of his vehicle and flees on foot into a large area of agricultural fields.

It is a moonless night, and the armed cop killer is hiding in a field. Neither the sheriff’s department nor any of the surrounding jurisdictions has an air support unit. However, a federal homeland security grant has provided the unit two “Raven” UAV systems. A specially trained patrol deputy responds to the scene and hand-launches the UAV. While other units from surrounding jurisdictions converge to form a wide perimeter on county roads, the UAV begins a programmed grid search of the fields using an infrared scanner. Minutes later, the suspect is detected running towards a county road on the far edge of the perimeter. Deputies at that location are alerted and are able to position themselves to safely capture the cop killer.

These are two examples of dozens of missions in which a small UAV can earn its keep in large and small law enforcement agencies. Production of civilian UAVs has exploded in recent years. Once almost the exclusive purview of military operations, UAVs designed for civilian use now are available for purchase.

Currently available unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology has given law enforcement officers tools never before available. The ability to continuously monitor suspected criminals from above in all weather and visibility conditions multiplies law enforcement’s power and abilities. But the regulations in place will not allow law enforcement to use the available tools to their fullest extent.

The UH-60 utility tactical transport helicopters provide air assault, general support, medial evacuation, command and control, electronic warfare, and special operations support for the US Army and allied nations. They feature lightweight armor to counter small arms fire, as well as hardened and redundant sub-systems design for improved survivability. The UH-60 airframe has been designed to progressively crush on impact, protecting the crew and the passengers.

The UH-60 helicopters have improved mobility of ground forces, due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability compared to previous utility helicopters. UH-60s also enable rapid deployment of infantry troops throughout the battlefield. Up to 11 combat ready troops and a crew of 4 can be accommodated inside a UH-60 helicopter. They can operate in most weather conditions even carrying a 105mm howitzer, its crew of 6-man, and up to 30 rounds of ammunition in just a single lift.

The UH-60 helicopter can accommodate external fuel tanks to achieve extended range, small caliber guns typically for self-defense, and even Hellfire anti-tank missiles, as well as other equipment. It has been exported under the S-70 designation and more than 2,660 units have been produced to date. The US Army is the largest UH-60 operator with an estimated procurement of 1,725 UH-60A/L helicopters.

The UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter was fielded by the US Army in 1989. It features more powerful T700- GE-701C turbine engines and an improved durability main gearbox. The L model is able to lift up to 9,000 lbs of external load (A model only 8,000 lbs)

Extra fuel tanks could be replaced with UAV Pods mounted to the Blackhawk’s winglet.

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