KUALA LUMPUR: With countries placing greater emphasis on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), demand for the technology is expected to soar locally.
The UAS comprises unmanned aerial vehicles or simply drones that are operated via automated, computerised systems from ground-based stations.
Drones have long been popular for decades, used by the military and security agencies in battles, and the fight against terrorism and other crimes.
Malaysia demonstrated its serious interest in the UAS when the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) recently announced the establishment of a squadron specially dedicated for its applications, at the RMAF base in Gong Kedak, Terengganu.
The UAS has already been utilised by utility companies like Tenaga Nasional Bhd (for power lines), Telekom Malaysia (telecommunication towers and applications), Petronas (oil and gas pipelines), highway authorities (traffic monitoring) and railway corporations (tracks).
It was reported that the RMAF also uses UAVs like the CTRM Aludra, ScanEagle, Eagle 150 and Schiebel Camcopter S-100 for surveillance operations, especially to monitor the eastern Sabah coastline and the South China Sea.
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is expected to take delivery of 12 ScanEagle UAVs for maritime surveillance in batches between November last year and 2022 to patrol the Straits of Melaka, the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.
AME Aeronautic Solutions chief executive officer Major-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Marsaleh Hassim said the demand for UAS was that of using drones capable of long-range surveillance, or defined as beyond the visual line of sight, at a fraction of the current operating cost when using conventional means.
"Apart from the sophisticated intelligence, military and law enforcement purposes, the UAS provides a huge economic impact by providing jobs and financial opportunities for small and medium industries, many of which are reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"UAS are being used for surveillance, air traffic management, and capturing images of pipelines, mines, construction sites, foliage, sporting events and cityscapes.
"Utility and insurance companies are using drones to inspect damaged assets; farmers are sending them to monitor crops and collect soil data; while others are exploring delivery services for retail stores and air taxis for commuters," said Marsaleh, a retired RMAF fighter pilot.
He added that UAS could even be applied for tasks related with the 3D (difficult, dirty and dangerous) adage, like window cleaning of skyscrapers.
"Drones have also found a place in entertainment and advertising, by pulling banners or putting on light shows," said Marsaleh.
He added that UAS were also being used in telecommunications to enhance radio, video and Internet signal connectivity in remote areas.
Other applications include wildfire mapping, agriculture, maritime, coastal and border surveillance, disaster management, search and rescue, poaching, wildlife, piracy, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing, logging and mining, weather and environmental monitoring, and freight transport.
Originally viewed as a military tool, drones have established a presence in the corporate world the past 20 years.
Media reports revealed that in the United States alone, the commercial growth of the UAS industry rose from US$40 million in 2012 to about US$1 billion in 2017 and expected to hit US$46 billion by 2026.
The advancement of the UAS had led to autonomous flights, rapid improvements of being powered by lithium-ion batteries or fuel systems, and onboard traffic avoidance and collision systems.
"UAS offers greater flexibility, lower capital, lower operating costs, are more cost-effective, require minimum manpower and resources, reduce inspection time, enable high-precision and accurate data collection, wider area coverage, fully automated and eliminate human injury or fatalities from accidents.
"Besides, modern UAS have greater operational endurance and range, are more fuel-efficient and require lesser maintenance.
"They can also be deployed in a variety of terrains, do not need elaborate runways or airports but just vertiports," he said.
Marsaleh added the UAS were also useful for remote sensing and precision applications; scanning plants for health problems, record growth rates and hydration, and locate disease outbreaks.
"These sensors can be attached to ground vehicles, aerial vehicles and even aerospace satellites," he said.
In agriculture, he said crop farmers and horticulturists could use effective and efficient spray techniques to more selectively cover plants and fields.
"This allows farmers to provide only the needed pesticide or nutrient to each plant, reducing the total amount sprayed, and thus saving money and reducing environmental impacts," said Marsaleh.
As for the durability of the UAS, he said that most could last at least 10 years and were relatively easy to maintain.
"The manufactures of these products require technical skills, thus, there is a great opportunity for jobs.
"The average price of the UAS is a fraction of the cost of a manned aircraft, such as a helicopter or crop duster, without any of the safety hazards.
"For instance, the price of a UAS can be approximately the price of a police squad car equipped with standard gear," he said.
Meanwhile, AME Aeronautic Solutions chairman Capt Bagawan Singh said that his company offered the Belgian designed Discovery rotary (mini helicopter) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The company has plans for a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Subang which will offer job opportunities to locals.
"We will also offer drone-pilot training for locals to man the UAS ground stations," said Bagawan, a retired RMAF helicopter pilot who is also Helistar Resources Sdn Bhd managing director.
"Discovery is a revolutionary turbine-driven mini-copter featuring an automatic single rotor with proprietary electronic stabilisation, and is equipped with high-resolution sensors.
"Discovery has a maximum take off weight of 75kg, can carry a 30kg payload with a 100km range, and two-hours 30 minutes endurance, 72km per hour cruising speed at a 3,000m operating ceiling and has stealth capability," said Bagawan.
Discovery's fuel system, he added, was crash-proof and compliant with the United States' Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency's specifications and requirements.
Early detection is made easier with the UAS, enabling various types of information on assets in remote locations to be channeled quickly, accurately and clearly.
"This allows decisions to be made about their upkeep and maintenance without the need for personnel to be physically present at these locations.
"UAS users can effectively prioritise their resources and assess what needs to be done from a system-wide standpoint, which translates directly to cost-savings because their crew can operate more efficiently," he said.
It is learnt that up to 18 Discovery UAVs are operating with the Belgium navy, China's maritime safety administration and the French railways.