At first, gentle readers, you may find the title of this post puzzling. Why would wood and metal working tools want to be flying itself around a battlefield? The answer lies in an alternative meaning of router, namely as a relay node of a Wireless Intranet configured for military use. The Future Combat System, a planned (if controversial) upgrade to the warfighting capabilities of the U.S. armed forces (mainly Army and Marines for now), includes a significant Wireless Network component. Up until now, however, the FCS has relied on bulky, human carried sensors or even larger and more power-hungry ones located on vehicles. Now a new robotic aircraft is poised to change all that! From the Danger Room blog at Wired.com, we learn of the BATMAV system:The central piece of hardware for BATMAV is Aerovironment's WASP, a one-pound, hand-launched UAV already deployed by the US military. But instead of just being a means for ground troops to see what's on the other side of the hill, BATMAV is envisioned as a new 'node in the information network' providing real-time information which can be distributed over a tactical network.Key uses of BATMAV will include directing airstrikes and carrying out bomb damage assessment in the immediate aftermath of strikes.
Each system will comprise a control unit, communications system and two WASP UAVs –- the UAV element being described as 'expendable'. (Boldface mine.)
Aside from the cutesy name, this is an impressive technology for a number of reasons. First, it is
a delivered item, not "vaporware". Second, it can apparently send its information to everyone in its broadcast range, rather than to a single receiver as is the case with current UAV's (thus the "router" description.) Thirdly, it is cheap enough to be "expended" if needed in a combat situation without going through military hell for losing a massively expensive robot. Finally, its usefulness in avoiding ambushes is obvious; what is less obvious is that it can allow our warfighters to set up their own ambushes if used properly! It also has a number of other useful features, as noted in its spec sheet: (warning: PDF link)Miniature Size, Ruggedized and Waterproof for use on Land and Sea, Hand-Launched, Autonomous Flight, GPS, Altimeter, Autonomous Navigation, Common Ground Control Station as Raven, Puma and Swift.
In short, a "launch and forget" cheap and capable surveillance UAV, which our soldiers have been clamoring to get for a decade. Expect to see this drone and its brothers and sisters change the face of warfare, particularly asymmetric warfare, within the next decade. (Images courtesy of Wikipedia and Aerovironment.)
