Emlyn included in planned new test zone for unmanned warplanes

2 July 2008

The Tivyside Advertiser reports this week that:

“Permission is being sought to set up a permanent segregated airspace around Parc Aberporth so that frequent testing of unmanned aircraft can take place over land.

“The first announcement of the move was made at the annual unmanned systems show at the parc this week.

“A full public consultation is promised on the proposal this autumn, involving organisations and local councils over a wide area – from Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul, possibly as far as Lampeter.”

Research into UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) is mainly funded by the military. They are already used by the US and Israel to carry out reconnaissance and attacks. It is widely believed that the current generation of warplanes will be the last to actually carry human pilots.

Boeing Advert

Aerospace company Boeing in a high profile advertising campaign in 2006 exploited its close connections with the Welsh Assemby Government for public relations purposes. (click on advert on left for larger version). The advert only refers to developing “environmental and agricultural applications for unmanned aerial vehicles”. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is the second-largest defence contractor in the world with a $30.5 billion turnover. It is responsible for 56% of Boeing’s total income. The Aberporth base has been a military weapons test establishment since 1948. The idea that Boeing’s UAV research at Aberporth has no military component is laughable.

The quote below from the WAG Cabinet Sub Committee on Jobs and Skills – JS(05-06)06 in November 2005 lists other companies invoved with UAV’s at Aberporth. Although it includes IGER – The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in Aberystwyth, arms-related companies predominate. ASTRAEA stands for “Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment”. QinetiQ is a leading British “defence technology” company. The British Ministry of Defence’s “Watchkeeper Programme” is the biggest UAV programme in Europe.

“Unmanned Systems – Welsh Assembly Government is now clearly regarded as a global lead authority and player in the UAV sector, following its leadership and support of UK industry’s R&D programme ASTRAEA, its development of a collaborative UAV market development programme with Boeing, QinetiQ and IGER, and the highly successful ParcAberporth Unmanned Systems 2005 event which demonstrated the first ever UK flight of a large UAV, the Israeli Hermes 450, part of the MoD’s major Watchkeeper programme.”
Andrew Davies AM
Economic Development and Transport Minister”

Here is a promo film made by Boeing to sell its X-45 UCAV.

West Wales is already used by manned warplanes and Aberporth has been used for decades to test missiles and ordinance offshore. Most residents of the area and most elected representatives seem content with that. Will the the extension of the testing zone for UAV’s inland and above our heads be a cause for concern or protest? Will the “consultation” being promised over the proposals be anything more than a sham?

Whatever your feelings, please contact your elected representatives and let them know.

4 Responses to “Emlyn included in planned new test zone for unmanned warplanes

  1. Mike Godsell // 2 July 2008 at 12:43 PM

    The use and development of UAVs is hugely controversial. As weapons they are used with deadly effect by the Israelis. These offensive UAVs are flown with great accuracy by a pilot on the ground, who sees the target through a high definition video on a computer screen. The UAV has an autopilot which enables it to avoid bumping into buildings or fly through clouds, whilst still obeying its pilots commands. However the military uses of UAVs are limited, and Boeing & others would like to be able to make lots of money by developing them for civil use. The problem is that UAVs would have to fly safely in the same airspace as airliners, light aeroplanes, and helicopters. The litigation costs to Boeing would be enormous if a UAV brought down an airliner!

    So there is a need to develop systems to ensure that UAVs can see and avoid all other aircraft by night and day and in all kinds of weather. To do that, an area of airspace completely free of any non participating aeroplanes is needed. At the moment it is proposed to set up an airway between Aberporth and the army range at Crickhowell, but no doubt more airspace will be needed.

  2. Jeremy Clulow // 3 July 2008 at 2:03 PM

    Ian M posted a comment but it was not included because a false email address was supplied.

  3. Dafydd Ladd // 9 July 2008 at 2:59 PM

    Make sure you contact the CAA and bombard them with questions and protests. Point out the lack of safety that UAVs have and the fact that it could destroy the tourism market.

    Contact your local A.M. – although she will reply that it is jobs for the locality – at the cost of civilian lives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine – these are not very accurate despite what they claim.

    If you don’t let the sell out politicians know what your feelings are they will repeat the mantra that no one has complained!

    It only takes a couple of minutes.

  4. Mason // 15 July 2008 at 2:06 PM

    “Permission is being sought to set up a permanent segregated airspace around Parc Aberporth so that frequent testing of unmanned aircraft can take place over land”

    Does the word permanent mean there’s already flying of UAV’s around ParcAberporth?

    Mason.