Military Technology 06/2021

UAVs are a growing concern, both on and off the battlefield. Radar has a key role to play in detecting and tracking these aircraft. On 27 September 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the disputed territory of Nagorno- Karabakh. Located in the Caucuses, Nagorno-Karabakh is a predominantly Armenian enclave, internation- ally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. In 1988, as the Soviet Union disintegrated, ethnic Armenians residing in the Nagorno-Karabakh Oblast demanded to join Armenia. War erupted in 1988. By 1994, when the guns fell silent, Nagorno-Karabakh and seven of its surrounding districts were in Armenian hands. This did not settle the matter. Between 1994 and 2020 conflict simmered between Armenia and Azerbaijan. All-out war erupted once again last September. The Russian government brokered a ceasefire between the belligerents, ending the war on 10 November. The International Crisis Group non-governmental organisation notes that Azerbaijan once again controls seven neighbouring districts of Nagorno-Karabakh, along with a large part of the latter. This conflict was noteworthy for the major role played by UAVs. Several of these aircraft were deployed by Azerbaijan to great effect. Data obtained by MilTech state that Azeri forces deployed Elbit Systems’ HERMES-900 and Baykar TB2 BAYRAKTAR medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs. These worked alongside Aeronautics Defence’s ORBITER-3 mini-UAVs. Azeri forces also used weaponised UAVs, such as the latter company’s ORBITER- 1K mini-UAV, to carry a 2kg explosive warhead. These aircraft attacked armoured vehicles, artillery and C2 targets. Meanwhile, Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) HAROP loitering UAVs were used for air defence suppression. They at- tacked Armenian surface-to-air missile batteries and radars. Other loitering munitions used by Azerbaijan included the Elbit Systems SkyStriker weaponised UAVs. 60 · MT 6/2021 C4ISR Forum Thomas Withington Spying the Spy in the Sky Radar in Security Applications Robin’s counter-UAV radar was put through its paces at the EW Live event in September 2021, demonstrating its ability to detect and track small UAVs. (Photo: Thomas Withington)