British 'SAS' buy model aircraft to look into caves

[White Cap]

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

SAS 'model aircraft' will look into caves
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 25/10/2005)

The SAS is to buy the military equivalent of a model aeroplane that can be carried in a rucksack to help fight insurgents in the hills of Afghanistan.

Troopers from the regiment have carried out trials on a 10lb American-made drone called a backpack unmanned surveillance targeting and enhanced reconnaissance or Buster. The drone being been used by American marines in Iraq

The Special Air Service has reportedly been so impressed by the lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle that several have been ordered for deployment in the volatile southern region of Afghanistan next spring.

The portable aircraft, flown much like a radio-controlled model aeroplane, is capable of flying at up to 10,000ft for four hours at 35 knots, giving soldiers the ability to look over hills and into cave entrances.

The defence periodical Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the trials had been carried out at the SAS's base near Hereford as part of continuing efforts to improve the special forces' reconnaissance-gathering capabilities.

The Buster is launched by a small catapult and recovered by parachute. It carries a payload capacity of 3lbs for electro-optical and infra-red surveillance equipment.

According to military analysts the SAS will purchase the model within the next six months.

"They give you that ability to look over the hill without you having to climb it and expose yourself to possible ambush which you don't want to do in Afghanistan," said a defence source.

UK SAS tests mini UAV [20 Oct '05] - Jane's Defence [Registration required]