Schoolhouses for UAV Pilots up and running.

• Author: Colucci, Frank

The U.S. Army has set up training programs for the Hunter and new Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

E Company of the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th MI Brigade, is the schoolhouse for UAV operators. The service recently contracted for expanded facilities to train the growing community on the Shadow and, eventually, the RQ-8 Firescout.

The Shadow 200 already is flying in Iraq and Korea, and the Army plans 44 systems to outfit its maneuver brigades. Four Shadow 200 systems remain at the Fort Huachuca schoolhouse, where enlisted specialists are trained as vehicle/sensor operators. Training lasts from 12 to 24 weeks, depending on whether the student has prior experience on the Hunter. As prime contractor for the Shadow 200 system, AAI Corporation developed the schoolhouse syllabus for operators and provides collective brigade integration training as systems are fielded.

Each Shadow system has four air vehicles, two ground control stations and support equipment. A platoon deploys with 22 soldiers: 13 operators, seven maintainers and two command supervisors.

The Shadow ground station is manned by two or three soldiers. An air vehicle operator monitors flight instruments and can change the programmed flight path. A payload operator programs the search pattern or steers the electro-optical sensors. A mission commander communicates with air traffic control, coordinates with supporting units and supervises the UAV operators.

The Shadow 200 system has operator training capability with terrain databases embedded in its vehicular ground control station. The current portable ground control station has no such training capability. According to Suzanne Schwitala, AAI director of UAV systems project support, "The software has the look and feel, so you think you are flying the airplane."

The company already is studying upgrades for more realistic air vehicle and sensor operator training. In contrast to the ad hoc training for older UAVs, the Shadow 200 training program is ISO 9000 certified. Embedded interactive technical manuals already help soldiers prepare the UAVs and conduct maintenance. AAI developed a portable simulator for air vehicle and sensor operators.

Beyond basic operator skills, collective integration training gives the entire Shadow brigade intermediate mission skills focusing on the mission commander. Basic training lasts about nine weeks, depending on the proficiency of the unit. The syllabus covers...