HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Canada’s air force is looking at introducing unmanned aircraft — called drones — into its fleet as a way to keep an eye on the country’s coastlines.
The sophisticated uninhabited air vehicles — UAVs — could also be used to help compensate for recent cutbacks in manned patrols, a military official suggested.
“We’re looking at them specifically as a surveillance package,” said Maj. Bill March, an air force project development officer in Ottawa.
“We’re looking at whether the UAV can give us increased capability to monitor northern approaches to the country or maritime approaches to the country.”
The unmanned aircraft carry cameras, sensors and communications equipment. Depending on the model, they can fly between 3,048 and 13,700 meters above ground, and stay airborne for as long as 48 hours.
Some models have the ability to relay real-time video images, via satellite, back to a ground station.
Other countries, namely the U.S., have been using unpiloted aircraft for years in a variety of missions, including coastal surveillance and battlefield scouting prior to air strikes.
