The Politics and DV Engineering working group analyses current political developments in the defence sector. It provides independent facts and interpretation from the technological knowledge and experience of engineers.

The working group has the following questions and comments on the Parliament letter on the Acquisition Preparation Project MALE UAV for CLSK. These have been prepared based on publicly available documents and defence technology knowledge and experience. The recommendations concern technological or related aspects only.


Operational concept (page 2)
The paragraph Operational concept states, "The system consists of an air and ground component." However, the rest of the text shows that the system also includes a satellite link. The letter does not mention this satellite link.
This leads to the following questions:

  1. Which satellite system is used for this link and what relationship does Defence, or the Dutch state, have with the owners/operators of this satellite system?
  2. Who are the other users of this satellite system?
  3. What guarantees does Defence, or the Dutch state, have about the availability and safety (with regard to security and confidentiality) of this system? Are there any alternatives?
  4. Is the capacity of this satellite link sufficient with sufficient growth potential over the foreseen period of use? Taking into account the rapidly developing technological possibilities and data needs. Especially for video links for surveillance.

The degree of operational integration of the MALE UAV system with other units is not mentioned in the letter. However, it seems of great importance that the information from this system should become rapidly available to other units of the armed forces and cooperation partners.
This leads to the following questions:

  1. To what extent is the rapid and effective processing of data from MALE UAV missions arranged within the project so that the necessary information is adequately made available to operational commanders?
  2. Is artificial intelligence or other automation deployed to analyse the large amounts of unstructured data, or is this done manually? How many personnel will be deployed for this purpose?
  3. Is the infrastructure and interoperability for rapid transport of this data to customers in the Netherlands, in mission areas and to international partners ensured? Is the future GrIT necessary for this?

Planning (Page 3)
While it is indicated when the system can be implemented, the expected or planned period of use or lifetime is not.
This leads to the following questions:

  1. What is the planned useful life and what is the expected technical life of the MALE UAV system?
  2. What are the minister's current planned intentions with the system after the end of the planned useful life? For example, sale, destruction or, on the contrary, more intensive deployment for humanitarian operations or support to civil authorities with less demanding use requirements.


Project risks (Page 3)
One project risk not mentioned is the risk of peace losses from these aircraft.
This leads to the following questions:

  1. What experience do other MALE UAV users have with peace losses due to technical defects or human error?
  2. What is the statistical probability of losing one or more MALE UAV aircraft during the planned period of use? Is this taken into account on a planned basis

_____________________________
The Hague, 15 May 2018
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Disclaimer: The facts and opinions given are based on open sources and on the knowledge and experience of working group members.
As part of the professional association KIVI, the working group is independent of political parties, governments and companies.
This is not an official position of KIVI. The association accepts no liability for anything put forward by the working group or its members.

Photo: (U.S. Air Force Photo / Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt)

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