Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Unmanned Air Systems are rapidly developing as a capability that provides increasing utility and relevance within modern armed forces. This innovative use of technology is used primarily for military applications. The UK public exposure to such systems is limited. The proposed lecture provides a rare opportunity to hear the senior MOD proponent of a significant defence capability.
The lecture will cover these key points:
A brief historical perspective to highlight that the concept is not new through the use of small vignettes, including, for example, the derivation of the term ‘drone’
A focus on Unmanned Air Systems use in current operations and highlighting the step change in utility being delivered now
Examining two particular systems that demonstrate issues with enabling multi-sensor cueing on a single platform and the human factors that are associated with operating such systems at distances far beyond visual range
An exploration of the wider utility of such systems and where development is heading, looking forward to the next 25 years
Consideration of the potential limitations, the systems of systems concept and the increased utility of unmanned systems

Air Commodore Tom Cross joined the Royal Air Force in 1982. Following Initial Officer Training he completed navigator training at RAF Finningley. He joined 30 Squadron at RAF Lyneham in January 1985, flying the C130 in the air transport role. In 1987 he was posted to the Nimrod maritime patrol force at RAF Kinloss for the first time. He completed a 4 year tour on 206 Squadron, during which time he flew in support of coalition fleet operations in Operation GRANBY (Iraq).

Promoted squadron leader in 1991, he took up an appointment as the weapons, tactics and navigation specialist on the Air Staff of HQ 18 Group, Northwood. During this period he was also the RAF’s Trials Officer for Sting Ray lightweight torpedo firings at the US AUTEC Range. In 1994 he returned to flying duties as a flight commander on 120 Squadron, deploying regularly to the Adriatic as part of NATO operations in the Balkans. In 1997 he attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Greenwich, during which time he was promoted wing commander. There then followed a short tour on the directing staff (faculty) of the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.

In early 1999 he returned to 206 Squadron as the Commanding Officer. He undertook several operational deployments, including a period as MPA Force Element Commander on Operation VERITAS (Afghanistan). During 2002 he commanded the UK Maritime Air Operations Centre at Northwood HQ, where he was involved in the planning for Operation TELIC (Iraq). Promoted group captain in December of that year, he became Deputy Director (Equipment Programmes) in DEC UWE in the MOD. An operational deployment in Iraq followed, and from May to November 2006 he commanded Basrah Air Station and 903 Expeditionary Air Wing. On returning to the UK he became Deputy Director Policy Planning in the MOD, responsible for the production of the UK’s Defence Strategic Guidance (DSG). Promoted Air Commodore in June 2009, he took up his current post as Head of Capability ISTAR.

Air Commodore Cross is married with two children. He lives in Buckinghamshire, and his hobbies include running, fitness training, history and losing money on the stock market.