Mariner UAV to be offered for civil maritime surveillance

Date: 18 Apr 2004

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National Air Support, the current provider of fixed wing civil maritime surveillance for the Australian Government’s Coastwatch border protection programme (through subsidiary Surveillance Australia), has entered an exclusive partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., the U.S. manufacturer of UAV systems such as the U.S. Air Force Predator series.

The companies will identify opportunities in which the Mariner UAV system would be applicable for civil maritime surveillance applications in Australasia.

Based on the design philosophy and operational performance of the U.S. Air Force Predator B, Mariner uses the Predator B fuselage coupled with the longer (86ft or 23.2m) wing of its proven Altair aircraft. Endurance is increased with the addition of internal fuel tanks enabling Mariner to operate for over 49 hours during maritime and border surveillance missions. It is powered by a Honeywell turbo prop engine, allowing it to operate at speeds over 200 knots.

“Together with an on-board camera system and maritime radar, Mariner is optimised for operations at high altitudes,” the company told uavworld. “However, it will be able to descend to lower altitudes for identification of contacts. Video and radar information would be instantly transmitted to numerous end users throughout Australasia.”

National Air Support managing director Peter Nottage said that the company expects UAVs to play a role in future civil maritime surveillance operations.

“Around the world various organisations are exploring the capability and practical uses of UAVs for long range, long endurance surveillance, and their ability to complement the operation of manned aircraft,” he said.

“One of the options being considered by the Australian Government under its AIR7000 program follows a similar approach, where they may replace the P3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft with a mix of new aircraft and long range, long endurance UAVs.”

Mr Nottage said that although the majority of UAV development had been for military applications, the benefits of that research and experience in operating UAVs could be transferred to civil uses