Drones

This does not represent the views of my employer; all views and opinions are my own and this is written for personal growth. I do not hold any stakes, shares or bonds in any company which can assimilate itself with this article.

On the forth of July I saw a drone flying up in the sky next to where the fireworks were about to go off… This drone had a tether and so I went to the booth that was operating it. While there I spoke with the staff and I was instantly blown away by the cool factor.

                  I over heard one of the engineer’s grievances and it was, that he couldn’t believe that a “Soldiers would break a components of their product from a sealed package. The engineers inquired to me on how can that be. I explained to them that in The United States Army soldiers must be trained and certified on how to properly use any and every equipment they operate. Furthermore, I explained to them that after an FTX (Field Training eXercise) soldiers are very eager to get back to the rear (garrison or civilization) and in the rush things are handled a little rough. To exacerbate this, the trucks’ cargo area is close to 5 feet off the ground. I asked them, could you imagine a 5 foot soldier trying to lift above their shoulders a box that weights nearly half their body weight? At that moment they understood what I was conveying to them, their product has to be robust enough to withstand extreme circumstances. In conclusion, their product is travel and weather proof but not “Soldier proof”.

         This question sparked my interest in the company and I exhausted every attempt at contacting them for the pure joy of enhancing their product and giving them honest feedback. I believe in the possibilities and impact that this drone can have for my brethren in arms, this includes less time and manpower on guard towers and better perimeter surveillance. I searched for all information available to the public and this is what I found looking from a distance.

 Hardware

1. The drone needs to be bigger because this will allow for bigger payloads and faster implementation of brackets that can attach different types of equipment, instruments and tools. This will alleviate the weight increase from the cord, for every foot of elevation a certain amount a predetermined weight increase can be handled by a bigger drone. Furthermore, it will allow for rapid flexibility on requirements from end-users and new industries.
2. IR (infrared) lights on tether and drone. The US Army would need this for when light discipline is needed.
3. Double the fins and motors on the arm of the drone to increase the service ceiling. Mountains in Afghanistan can exceed the 10,400 ft the AGL (Above Ground Level) stated by the manufacturer. AGL and Mean Sea Level (MSL) are two different variables and can drastically reduce the performance envelope of the drone.
4. The manufacturer states that the operating temperature range is from -4 degree Fahrenheit to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. From experience, this threshold can be easily exceeded in Iraq. Therefore, heaters and liquid cool systems need to be develop within the drone to mitigate the temperature limitations. This will allow for operation during snow and cold weather and extreme heat.
5. LRF (Laser Range Finder) this will help “painting targets” for JDAMS and giving TRP (Target Reference Points) for indirect fire (artillery and mortars); specially in a urban enviroment.
6. The camera needs a wiper to mitigate with all forms of precipitation. I did not see a lens cover for storage nor a lens protector to defend against scratches.
7. In their video, there was no reference to packaging; I took the liberty to assume (which is dangerous) that the robot is not double packed. For example, an airtight hard outer box with the drone in a backpack as it was done with the AN/PSS-14 Mine-Detector. The hard box for long travel and the backpack for short movements.
8. Interlocking fields of view; have a small camera in each of the arms of the robot to have 360 security; this is to allow the main camera to be used for a specific point.

Software 

1. Imaginary Phase Lines for FOB’s (Forward Operating Bases). This will allow for clearly defined ROE (Rules of Engagement) by proximity. A good example, would be the yellow line in football games.
2. TRP’s for engagements and AO’s (Area of Operations) for quick look-up. For example, ECP (Exit Control Point).
3. I saw MGRS (Military Grid Reference System), however, there needs to be conversions to UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) and UPS (Universal Polar Stereographic); this will assist with NATO members that use different reference systems.  
4. Use the LRF to get a “grid” for an object in the distance.
5. Astronomical Interferometry, use this technology to have a clearer picture of a larger area. Just as astronomer use an array of telescopes, that work together as a single telescope to provide higher resolution images of astronomical objects. Instead of looking out to the sky use them to look down on the ground. If further developed it can be used for 3D modeling. 

Operations 

1. The company needs to get an NSN (National Stock Number) for their System and major components. (I couldn’t find one). This will allow Service Members to order the drone through the Department of Defense channels. Furthermore, a NATO Stock Number if permitted by the State Department to sell to all US allies for example, Israel.
2. Maintenance and Sustainment of the product and components through NSN and NATO Stock Numbers.
3. Extra parts in one system (for example, arms with blades and motors) for when some get damaged in transit.
4. 3 failure tests in extreme areas of the United States. For example, Camp Blanding, FL. This will help see how the drone deals with humidity and “lightning”; since Florida is the Lightning Capitol of the World. A test in El Paso, TX. will help with dry and sand storms and Seattle, WA will help with prolong exposure to precipitation. M4’s carbine have a failure test done unto them to ensure what is the maximum performance before the weapon fails. This will be extremely beneficial to a drone company that boast about high endurance; especially when one of their clients uses the product to the extreme daily.
5. Start school material for “Train the Trainer” this will facility ease of use, lower the amount of parts broken at employment of the system and will allow for faster feedback from end users.

Strategy

1. Contact the State Department to expose PSS (Personal Security Specialists), to enhance the security of embassies abroad.
2. Contact Garda World, one of the largest security companies in the world entrusted on securing infrastructures.
3. Contact ADT for security on construction equipment and raw materials. Insurance companies will gladly support better security.
4. Contact the War College to expose future task force commanders to this tool.

In conclusion, since I have exhausted all communication channels to the executive team I hope that the company will find this information or someone will use it and execute it.