The usefulness of drones in the fight against pirates

(B2) The drone has become one of the tools of choice for Americans in the fight against piracy, according to the US Navy, which is quite proud of these unmanned aircraft (UAV). "The drone is a real force multiplier“, explains Danielle Fournet, one of the image analysts of the USS Mahan, which is the first anti-missile destroyer to deploy a drone system, fully integrated into the ship's combat systems. "It can fly day or night in an open or disguised posture, which makes it much harder for pirates to hide. (...) It is flexible and highly responsive, capable of changing operating areas and changing missions mid-flight. SThe ability to deliver high quality real-time imagery speeds up decision making and gives a significant tactical advantage to stop piracy on the high seas”. These images can also be shared with the other forces present in the area, assures the American navy.

But all does not always go so well according to the RIA Novosti agency which relays information published in the Yemeni press. Thus three drones would have crashed in fifteen days in Yemen. The latest would have crashed on the Yemeni island of Socotra, in the Gulf of Aden, Friday, February 20.

The UAVs that equip the Mahan - like most American ships - are "Scan Eagles" manufactured by Insitu and Boeing. Originally designed as a weather instrument or to help fishermen spot schools of tuna, they can last 15 to 20 hours per flight and cost around $100 each.

(NGV)

(photo: US Navy/Kenneth R. Hendrix/2007 - "Scan Eagle" drone on the USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79))