RPAS within the framework of the reinforcement resource for cooperation and management support

Authors:

  • Fredrik Näsström
  • Martin Hagström
  • Tomas Mårtensson
  • Peter Nilsson
  • Rogier Woltjer

Publish date: 2017-10-13

Report number: FOI-R--4439--SE

Pages: 64

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • MSB
  • RPAS
  • UAS
  • UAV
  • regulations

Abstract

MSB has a number of reinforcement resources at their disposal in case of an accident, crisis or other societal disturbances. MSB expresses a need for a new reinforcement re-source involving remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to improve the situation awareness when circumstances are such that it is difficult to create an overview in an-other way. A reinforcement resource with aircraft systems with long endurance that can provide reconnaissance information over large areas implies an organization consisting of vehi-cle operators, air traffic controllers, command and control operators, and aircraft and management systems, regardless of whether the aircraft is remotely controlled or manned. For RPAS a mobile air surveillance system may be needed. There are several reasons to choose a solution based on RPAS instead of traditional, manned aircrafts. RPAS provide greater flexibility, endurance and probably lower oper-ating and maintenance costs. In order to carry out flight operations an organization for the flight procedures with au-thorized operators is required. The resource MSB intends to develop also requires an organization for image processing and analysis. These two organizations are closely linked and must be able to function together in close cooperation with an incident com-mand. The flight procedure organization may be an operator other than MSB, which then implies high requirements regarding coordination, training and exercises between MSB and the operator. All flights with RPAS today (2017) are licensed. For small aircrafts (less than 7 kg) flying at low altitude (below 120 meters) within visual line of sight for the operator, the requirements regarding organization, authorized operators and aviation safety are lim-ited. From 2018, such operations are expected to be possible without special permission, but still taking into account the safety regulations imposed by the Transport Agency. Smaller aircrafts are suitable for simple assignments and are already being used by the rescue service in several municipalities. MSB could enable more rescue service organi-zations to use such systems by gathering experiences and developing a solution with recommendations for education, organization and equipment. Such a solution would fa-cilitate the introduction of RPAS for rescue services requiring such capability.