NATO is studying options for improving low-level airspace co-ordination in operational areas in response to an increasing number of proximity incidents involving manned aircraft and unmanned air vehicles.
The study, being run by NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) as part of research into improved UAV integration into NATO force structures, follows at least three incidents involving UAVs and helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
Study co-ordinator Brig Gen Elia Baldazzi, JAPCC assistant director capabilities, says incidents giving rise to NATO concerns also include a near miss between an Ariana Afghan Airlines Airbus A300B4 with over 100 passengers and a German army EMT Luna tactical UAV. Flight International has obtained an animation sequence of images taken from the Luna’s daylight camera (pictured above). The incident occurred over Kabul on 30 August 2004.
“Due to the failure of the air traffic control tower to follow standard procedures, the two aircraft nearly occupied the same airspace at the same time. With a bit of luck the pilot avoided the crash,†says Baldazzi, who reveals that the aircraft missed each other by less than 50m (164ft). The airliner’s wake turbulence caused the UAV to crash.
Flight Global
The study, being run by NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) as part of research into improved UAV integration into NATO force structures, follows at least three incidents involving UAVs and helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
Study co-ordinator Brig Gen Elia Baldazzi, JAPCC assistant director capabilities, says incidents giving rise to NATO concerns also include a near miss between an Ariana Afghan Airlines Airbus A300B4 with over 100 passengers and a German army EMT Luna tactical UAV. Flight International has obtained an animation sequence of images taken from the Luna’s daylight camera (pictured above). The incident occurred over Kabul on 30 August 2004.
“Due to the failure of the air traffic control tower to follow standard procedures, the two aircraft nearly occupied the same airspace at the same time. With a bit of luck the pilot avoided the crash,†says Baldazzi, who reveals that the aircraft missed each other by less than 50m (164ft). The airliner’s wake turbulence caused the UAV to crash.
Flight Global
