RCN introduces new unmanned aircraft

 

Eight of CFB Esquimalt’s Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG) members were the first in the Pacific Fleet to test out the new technology. 

The students recently completed three days of instruction and testing the Teal 2 UAS. The Teal 2 is a small-sized drone specifically designed as an inspection tool for hard-to-reach places around a naval vessel, including aloft areas like the mast and antennas. It can also be used for search and rescue or person overboard scenarios.

Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Sean Kelly, NTOG Operations Officer, says intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is currently done by the ship’s sensors or an embarked maritime helicopter.

“Shipborne UAS will allow any ship, whether it carries a conventional aircraft or not, to have increased ISR capacity,” LCdr Kelly said. “The NTOG team looks forward to more training as we expand capabilities with UAS into everyday missions and taskings.”

The Teal 2’s initial training cadre took place at the Albert Head Training Centre in Metchosin, B.C. on the week of March 10. Instructors of RMUS Canada, a Toronto-based vendor of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, conducted the training.

The Teal 2 is manufactured by Teal Drones, a United States Department of Defence contractor. It has high-resolution thermal imaging sensor capabilities and can integrate with third-party artificial intelligence and computer vision applications, enabling 3D mapping and target acquisition.

Its manufacturer says the Teal 2’s compact size and rugged design enable the system to be rucksack portable and deployed in the most challenging conditions. The UAS weighs less than 1.25 kg, can reach a maximum speed of 37 km/h, has a range of 5 km, a flying time of 30 minutes, and can operate in temperatures between -35.6º and 43.3ºC.

Students who completed the initial course are members of NTOG’s Uncrewed Systems Section and familiar with operating other UAS systems, says LCdr Kelly. Uncrewed Systems are aerial, terrestrial, or marine vehicles without a person onboard. Their instruction included both in-class learning and hands-on practice, including flying, discovering, and utilizing the capabilities of the Teal 2.

Targets were located around the training area so that the students could develop fine motor skills. The operators’ aims were to maneuver the UAS so the camera could get a clear shot of the point of interest. This consisted of searching parked cars, inspecting light poles to simulate a ship’s mast, and scanning nearby coastlines and beaches.

Commodore David Mazur, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, visited the training grounds on March 13 to try his hand at a few of the tests that operators conduct on their course.

NTOG conducted training for sailors aboard HMCS Montreal and HMCS Margaret Brooke from April 2 to 5, with more ship training on both coasts planned for the coming weeks. Following training, each ship will receive two new Teal 2 units. The complete proliferation of UAS is expected aboard all vessels in the RCN by summertime. The Navy is already looking towards the introduction of UAS capabilities aboard its new Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels, with the RCN’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance program expected to bring a larger, longer-range UAS into service in a few years, said LCdr Kelly.