GDR 99 - Surveillance Systems

Surveillance Solutions


Section Articles
• Operation Eagle Eye • ASTOR - Britain's Choice • The CL-327 Guardian UAV • Information Dominance • Teaming Manned and Unmanned • Hunter Performs Airborne Heroics • New Eyes for Commanders • GA-ASI, Leaders in UAVs
Top: Preparing the CL-327 Guardian for a test flight

The CL-327 Guardian VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle is designed to meet the requirements of commanders making operational decisions on land and at sea.

Currently in production, Bombardier's CL-327 Guardian is being evaluated by the US Navy. It successfully completed the land-based phase of the US Navy VTOL programme at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona last June. During three-month trials, the Guardian flew more than the required 50 hours. It surpassed its design air speed and demonstrated automatic waypoint navigation missions. It demonstrated wave-off and touch-and-go, exceeded altitudes of 14,000 feet and accomplished sustained hovers at 11,400 feet. Its VTOL performance included take-off and landings in 25-knot winds with gusts in excess of 30 knots. In addition to flying in rain and in temperatures above 100 degrees F, the Guardian's performance was not affected by the sandy, dusty environment at the Yuma Proving Ground.

Last July Bombardier Services was awarded contract options from the US Navy to integrate the Sierra Nevada UCARS automatic landing system and to demonstrate the Guardian aboard a US Navy ship. The at-sea trials are expected to be underway by summer 1999.

The CL-327 Guardian operates from any small naval platform or from all-terrain vehicles in the field without runways and with minimal manning. For land-based application this forms a baseline system that is packaged and transported within two small vehicles such as a HMMVW-type truck and a trailer. Two trained operators can set up the system in less than an hour. A typical mission might be continuous observation of a target that could be achieved with three air vehicles, recycling them at the launch and recovery point.

The UAV control station (UCS) is the interface between the operators and the air vehicle. It comprises two workstations, the first of which is an air vehicle control station where the AV operator commands the take-off, in-flight and landing functions, monitors and reports on AV status and performs in-flight plan updates.

The second workstation is a payload operator station where the operator controls the payload, including image exploitation and data manipulation.


Link: Bombardier

The CL-327 VTOL UAV system is particularly well suited for maritime application. To take-off and land vertically, only a 4x4metre platform is required. The minimal support equipment required to launch and recover the CL-327, and the small size of the air vehicle is accommodated easily within a ship's scarce working area. The CL-327 range and endurance make it an efficient asset to extend a ship's horizon. Its low-visual, radar, thermal and acoustic signature renders it almost invisible from the surface of the sea.

The CL-327 VTOL UAV benefits from low life-cycle costs through the application of reliable subsystems and minimal support equipment. It includes a highly reliable heavy-fuel engine that results in low attrition and maintenance costs. The CL-327 system requires only two personnel who can be trained to use the system after completing a four-week course. Operators do not require previous pilot skills to learn how to operate the system.

Guardian is a registered trademark of Bombardier Inc.