The first taxiing tests of the Swiss Armed Forces’ reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) on the runway at Emmen military airfield have been successful. The reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) has thus cleared another hurdle. The first flight in Switzerland is scheduled for June.
Towards the end of April, the first two drones, ground control stations of the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) and various maintenance materials arrived in Switzerland in two deliveries. Following the assembly of the drones by specialists from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit and the first functional tests, the armasuisse specialists have now begun the first ground and flight tests. As part of the tests, the first taxi test with the ADS 15 (registration D-14) took place on May 24 on the runway of the Emmen military airfield. The ADS 15 taxied back and forth on the runway several times to check that the aircraft was being controlled correctly by the ground control station. The drone was controlled by a Swiss drone test pilot. The drone did not take off during these taxiing tests. Further taxiing tests will be carried out over the next few weeks. The second drone (registration D-11) will also be used.
The successful taxiing tests represent an important step towards the first flight and further flight tests in Switzerland. The maiden flight is scheduled for June.
Once the flight tests have been completed and approval has been granted by the military aviation authority MAA, the two drones will be handed over to the Swiss Air Force during the second half of the year. The remaining four drones will follow by the end of 2023. The ADS 15 is an unmanned and unarmed reconnaissance system. It replaces the 95 reconnaissance drone system used by the armed forces until the end of 2019, which corresponded to the technological status of the 1980s. The ADS 15 is expected to have a service life of around 20 years. The drone is used for situational and target reconnaissance, but can be equipped with other sensors if required, for example for imaging radar to generate an image of the ground situation or for electronic reconnaissance. The drone system can be used day and night. The following services can be provided with the ADS 15:
– Surveillance of large areas
– Search, reconnaissance and tracking of targets
– Contribution to situational awareness and protection of critical infrastructure and own forces As with the predecessor system, users include military and civilian agencies such as cantonal command and control units, police and rescue services and the Border Guard Corps. When defending against a military attack, the ADS 15 contributes to the command and control of actions on the ground, in particular for fire support. In addition to reconnaissance drones, only helicopters equipped with infrared sensors (Forward Looking Infrared, FLIR) are currently suitable for aerial reconnaissance. Drones are enduring, reliable, low-risk and cost-effective means of maintaining a permanent presence over an operational area. The procurement comprises six drones including ground components, simulator and logistics.
Click here for more news about the Swiss Armed Forces.
