Afghanistan remains the cockpit for testing new robotic weaponry. Given that less information circulates on British developments, it is good to note that they are now testing UAVs in Helmand. The RAF's 39 squadron, with army and Royal Navy personnel, are testing the Reaper and BAe's Herti (High Endurance Rapid Technology Insertion) design. HERTI is one of the new fully autonomous unmanned air vehicles that can be controlled by one click.
Commenting on HERTI’s role in Afghanistan Wing Commander Mike
Humphreys, Officer Commanding of the RAF’s UAV Battlelab, said: “Whilst
the objectives and outputs from the exercise remain classified, the
HERTI system has been successful in demonstrating its capability in an
operational environment. Both the RAF and BAE Systems are satisfied
with the progress and development of the project thus far and we look
forward to building on this in the coming months”.
With its ability to take off, complete a full mission and land –
all at the click of a computer mouse – HERTI has been designed to meet
a wide variety of operational needs both cost effectively and with
extremely high levels of reliability whilst removing the need for an
operator or pilot to control the aircraft from the ground.
HERTI will also be available to the police, with all the dangers that entails. This government make no distinctionbetween military of civilian use, judges on utility, and the conversion into paramilitary forces has begun.