AQM-34 Firebee to the RQ-170 Sentinel (UAV Research Essay)

For what appears as more modern technology, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in fact go back as far as 1849. The usefulness of the UAS design ranges from combat, decoy, and reconnaissance. However, no matter what the purpose was for a particular UAS, the interest level, rapid progression of design, and technology development has steadily increased. Interestingly enough, not all design changes and progression promote a faster, smaller, lighter weight unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as one would expect but more so the design based off of specific need by the consumer.  
            In the 1960s, the United States Air Force found the need for the development of a stealth reconnaissance UAV.  By making modifications to the Q-2C to reduce the radar signature the AQM-34 Ryan Firebee reconnaissance UAS was born. Originally in the 1950s, the Firebee held more of a combat role as an aerial gunnery target and then displaying its versatility by becoming an intelligence-collection drone (Gertler, 2012).  Some of the modifications included repainting the aircraft with anti-radar paint, utilizing radar-absorbing blankets on the sides of the fuselage, and by designing a specialized screen that goes over the engine’s air intake (NOVA, 2009). The Firebee was controlled from a DC-130 director aircraft while the recovery method was for the UAV to fly to a designated safe flight area where its parachute was then deployed and the vehicle was retrieved by helicopter (NOVA, 2009). The Firebee was limited on technology as it carried a film camera resulting in the film needing to be processed prior to viewing and it was launched from a C-130 Hercules transport plane (Taylor, n.d.). The AQM-34L Firebee model was equipped with one turbojet engine, had a ceiling altitude of 50,000 ft, and cruised at 485 mph (Hill AFB, 2007). 
            Much like the Firebee, the RQ-170 Sentinel is considered a reconnaissance UAV. As a high altitude, long endurance reconnaissance UAV the specifications for the Sentinel remain classified, as it is still being used for active duty; therefore most figures available are simply speculations. Developed by Skunk Words Division of Lockheed Martin, the Sentinel was designed primarily to be a tactical support platform (Military Factory, 2016). The tailless, bat shaped UAV is considered “stealthier than other current U.S. UAS” (Gertler, 2012, p 41). The Sentinel is powered by a single turbofan engine and appears to have possibly two satellite dish enclosures on the upper wing surface (Gertler, 2012). The Sentinel is controlled via the ground control station or by utilizing the autonomous mode. The UAV is estimated to be outfitted with electro-optics and infrared sensors that provide real time images and video to the ground control station (“RQ-170 Sentinel”, n.d.). The Sentinel is launched via a runway surface similar to any manned aircraft. This UAV has also been nicknamed The Beast of Kandahar and is known for providing the live feed footage of the raid on Osama Bin Laden to the president.
            In summation, it would appear that the Firebee and the Sentinel have very similar concepts. Both are used for high altitude reconnaissance and are equipped with a jet engine allowing for high speed travel, this is an assumption here on the part of the Sentinel since it’s actual cruise or max speed has never been reported, and lastly with technology to allow for aerial photos to be taken and relayed back in one form or another. The differences would be the level of technology involved in the data communication aspect. The Sentinel provides a live feed of photos and video while the Firebee took photos and the UAV had to return to have them processed before they were useful. The Sentinel also launches on its own while the Firebee launches via a transport aircraft. The Firebee requires line of site communication from the DC-130 director aircraft while the ground control station for the Sentinel is not limited to location. All the differences between the two UAS’ are mainly based on the technology available at the time of development. Lastly, to consider future enhancements for the Sentinel or other UAS’, one could possibly include detection avoidance upgrades, system logic that prevents hacking and controlling the UAV by a third party, and landing platform requirements.

References
Gertler, J. (2012, January 3). U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42136.pdf
Hill Air Force Base (AFB). (2007, September 26). AQM-34L Firebee Reconnaissance Drone. Retrieved from http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5796
Military Factory. (2007). Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Retrieved from http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail-page-2.asp?aircraft_id=896
NOVA. (2009). 1960s AQM-34 Ryan Firebee (USA). Spies That Fly: UAVs. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/spiesfly/uavs_09.html 
RQ-170 Sentinel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, United States of America (n.d.). Airforce-technology.com. Retrieved from http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/rq-170-sentinel/
Taylor, J.W.R. (n.d.). Military Aircraft: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/military-aircraft/Unmanned-aerial-vehicles-UAVs#ref521797 


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