T-Hawk enhances EOD, emergency management capabilities

  • Published
  • By Air Force Civil Engineer Center
  • Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Bigger isn't always better. That's especially true with the T-Hawk, a portable, unmanned aerial vehicle with the potential to have a big mission impact for explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management Airmen.

Able to reach altitudes of more than 10,000 feet, the T-Hawk is designed to safely mark and identify unexploded ordnance or radiological threats. With sensors measuring and automatically adjusting to wind speeds, T-Hawk provides a stable eye in the sky.

From checking out a large cache of explosives or weapons, to surveying an improvised explosive device spotted on the side of the road, the T-Hawk gives a great overview of any operation, said Staff Sgt. James Hendel, an EOD technician with the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Air field damage repair experts at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Tyndall Detachment and Air Combat Command are also looking at ways to use the T-Hawk after an airfield attack. With it, EOD can safely and quickly identify unexploded ordnance, or UXOs, that may still be there.

The operators say the flight controls are user friendly, enabling them to concentrate on their EOD mission.

"The hover capability is really awesome, we're able to tell the camera to look exactly where the IED is placed and the global positioning system will keep it in one position," Hendel said.

The T-Hawk can also be equipped with a radiological sensor to help Air Force emergency managers safely respond to disaster.

"The sensor will allow us to investigate radiological or nuclear incidents, identify the isotope and the concentration on a big incident where there's a massive or large radiological release. It's much better to put a robot in the hot zone instead of a human emergency manager," said Master Sgt. Ernie Rude, AFCEC emergency management publications manager.

Operational guidelines for the T-Hawk are currently being developed. To see the T-Hawk in action, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNlh2z7djlY&feature=c4verview&list=UUWNNtRicYQ3cqZHyNhQ53Vg