BATTLESPACE BOOK CLUB
05 Aug 08. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV): Defence Committee Report. The Defence Committee published (5 Aug 08) a Report on The Contribution of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to ISTAR Capability. The Report reviews current and future UAV programmes, with particular reference to Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among “a wide range of challenges” the Report considers: Bandwidth and frequencies; Airspace and air traffic control; UAV operators and imagery analysts; Service issues (i.e. inter-Service rivalry); Operating with allies and Exploiting the information collected.
Comment: Welcoming the Report, the Armed Forces’ Minister indicated that the MoD is to continue to invest in UAV. The 60-page Report is published with 87 pages of evidence, as HC 535, for £17.50. [ISTAR = Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance.]
Thales UK, as Prime Contractor for the Watchkeeper UAV programme, reports (12 Aug 08) successful flight trials involving an automatic take-off and landing system. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0832, 18 Aug 08)
04 Aug 08. The Diplomatic Service List: No Further Publication. An FCO Minister said (4 Aug 08) that there were no plans to reintroduce The Diplomatic Service List or to publish an electronic edition. Published annually, the Dip List described the UK Diplomatic Service and the careers of its members. Publication of this useful reference book ceased after the 2006 (41st) edition. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0832, 18 Aug 08)