A wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and the developer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Insitu announced that the ScanEagle UAS was successful in transmitting real-time video to the Canadian Forces during a recent large-scale military exercise, Operation Nanook.
ScanEagle Insitu
Canadian Forces along with its security partners and various federal, municipal and territorial governments were brought together by Operation Nanook to conduct security exercises and sovereignty operations in the country’s Northwest Passage. It was focused around the simulation of a major air disaster (MAJAID). While the simulation was done, ScanEagle acted as an overwatch to Canadian forces.
The ScanEagle was deployed to detect traversable ground routes, monitor iceberg movements and to screen for polar bear threats. The ground troops and commanders were provided with stable, real-time video.
UAS operators from Insitu and its partner ING Engineering were responsible for the launch and retrieval of the ScanEagle aircraft. The UAS was controlled by the Canadian forces but were provided with the technical assistance required.
The Senior Vice President, Business Development of Insitu, Ryan Hartman stated that the ScanEagle can withstand adverse environmental conditions such as freezing temperature and strong winds. With a 30 minute notice period, it can achieve 99% mission readiness.