OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: 18 (likely January 1991, based on context and cover date format)
Publisher: Omni Publications International Ltd.
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: SPY SAUCERS: Remote-controlled vehicles keep a watchful eye

This issue of OMNI magazine delves into the burgeoning field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), presenting them as 'spy saucers' that could soon be flying over American cities. The article, "WINGS: SPY SAUCERS: Remote-controlled vehicles keep a watchful eye" by Peggy Noonan, explores the military and potential civilian applications of these advanced remote-controlled aircraft.

Centralized UAV Development

The article begins by explaining that in 1988, Congress directed the Defense Department to centralize UAV development, leading to the creation of the Joint Project Office (JPO). This initiative fostered creativity among inventors, resulting in a wide array of UAV designs. These range from conventional airplane configurations, like the Pioneer which was used for reconnaissance in the Persian Gulf War, to more unconventional shapes such as flying saucers, bumblebees, doughnuts, pea-nuts, and cigars, as noted by JPO spokesman Ray Colemon.

Specific UAV Examples

Sikorsky's Cypher

One notable example is Sikorsky's doughnut-shaped Cypher UAV. This vehicle is a 1.6-foot-thick ring with shielded spinning rotors in the middle. Its ducted fan design provides stability and control, and importantly, makes it safer to operate by eliminating exposed propeller blades that could cause injury or get tangled in rigging. The entire Cypher system, including fuel and spare parts, can be transported by a Humvee. A two-man crew can set up, launch, and recover the 6.5-foot-diameter saucer in relatively small clearings or aboard ships. The Cypher offers a significant advantage in speed over satellite imagery, providing battlefield commanders with near-instant data when they need to assess terrain over the next hill.

Aerobotics' Aerobot

Aerobotics, a subsidiary of California's Moller International, is developing two UAVs. The ES20-10 Aerobot, a 30-by-20-inch flying duct, is already undergoing advanced testing. The California Department of Transportation plans to use it for inspecting highway bridges, overpasses, and elevated freeways. This tethered Aerobot can hover near a bridge section and transmit real-time video or infrared images to ground handlers. It is powered by a generator connected via a 200-foot umbilical cord and features a patented self-stabilizing system. Operators use a joystick to direct the Aerobot while an inspector monitors the displayed images. Like the Cypher, the Aerobot's rotors are safely enclosed within its duct-shaped body.

Non-Military Applications

JPO spokesman Ray Colemon emphasizes that the non-military applications of UAVs are expected to eventually "far strip military value." He suggests that UAVs could be invaluable during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for transporting athletes and managing crowds amidst rush-hour traffic. Other potential uses include inspecting pipelines, monitoring remote power lines, televising sports events from a hovering perspective (instead of a blimp), and assisting forest rangers in monitoring vast areas for fires or poaching. Traffic monitoring could be enhanced, and police could use UAVs to film accident sites.

AeroVironment's Pointer

One small UAV, AeroVironment Incorporated's Pointer mini-drone, has already demonstrated its effectiveness in civilian operations, despite experiencing some issues in Operation Desert Storm (specifically, inability to fly in winds exceeding 20 to 40 miles per hour). The tiny Pointer weighs eight pounds and has a nine-foot wingspan. It can be launched using a javelin-type throw and is equipped with a videocamera that transmits real-time images. In one notable case, a Pointer loaned to Oregon's National Guard and State Police provided crucial intelligence before a raid on a suspected drug compound. The UAV's silent surveillance revealed more security measures (two fences, many dogs) than anticipated, leading to a successful raid.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the promising applications, the widespread use of UAVs, particularly for non-military purposes, raises unresolved questions regarding invasion of privacy and illegal search and seizure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and military representatives are working on "deconfliction" measures to integrate UAVs into civilian airspace. Colemon notes that pilots are concerned about vehicles flying without anyone inside and suggests the need for electronic warnings, similar to aircraft collision avoidance systems. Colemon remains optimistic about overcoming these technical and regulatory hurdles, stating, "I'm convinced there is no problem the engineers cannot solve given enough time and money." He humorously adds that the biggest challenge might be addressing the public's reports of UFO sightings when these UAV saucers are in the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around technological advancement, particularly in military and surveillance capabilities, and the exploration of these technologies' potential for civilian benefit. The magazine highlights innovation in aerospace and remote-controlled systems. The editorial stance appears to be one of fascination and cautious optimism regarding the development and deployment of UAVs, acknowledging both their transformative potential and the ethical and practical challenges they present. The article frames these advanced machines as a significant development in aerial technology, blurring the lines between military and civilian use and even public perception of unidentified flying objects.