Follow Philippines Immigration and stay updated on Philippines military developments: The U.S. "Strategy Page" website recently reported that the Philippine military has begun limited use of two types of micro-UAVs: the "Raptor" and the "Knight Falcon." The Philippine military has historically operated under very tight budget constraints. This means it can only accomplish its missions by developing tactics, techniques, and improvised weapon systems. The latest examples are two micro-UAVs known as the "Raptor" (valued at $3,400 each) and the "Knight Falcon" (valued at approximately $6,700 each). Both of these micro-UAVs are similar to the U.S. "Raven" UAV and have already seen limited use in the Philippines.
The "Raven B" (RQ-11A) UAV costs ten times as much as the Philippine "Raptor" but offers nearly identical functionality. The "Raven B" was introduced in 2007, one year after a large number of the initial "Raven" models entered service. This UAV is battery-powered and can fly for 80 minutes at a time; it is quite quiet for most of its flight, except when flying close to the ground. It carries a color daylight camera or two color infrared night-vision cameras. It can also carry a laser designator. Both cameras can transmit real-time video to the operator, who controls the "Raven" via a handheld controller equipped with a sunshade to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the screen, allowing the operator to clearly see the situation below the UAV. The "Raven" has a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour but typically cruises at 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. It can fly within a range of 15 kilometers from the controller, but it usually follows pre-programmed routes using GPS navigation. The "Raven" is made of Kevlar, the same material used in helmets and bulletproof vests. On average, a "Raven" can perform about 200 landings before being damaged. Although some "Ravens" have been shot down, the most common causes of loss are loss of communication (due to flying out of control range) or software/hardware malfunctions.
No further details have been released regarding the "Raptor" or "Knight Falcon" UAVs, but photographs indicate they are similar in size and capability to the "Raven." The slightly larger "Knight Falcon" is described as having a 3-hour endurance, suggesting it likely uses a small gasoline engine. The cameras and electronics on the Philippine UAVs are not as powerful or reliable as those on the "Raven," and perhaps the Philippine UAVs do not withstand as many landings as the "Raven." However, Philippine forces were very satisfied with the "Raptor" or "Knight Falcon" after using them during several military operations in 2013 against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf militant group. Small UAVs like these have changed the way troops operate. By using such UAVs to gain a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, commanders can maneuver their troops more rapidly, confident that they will not be ambushed, and often knowing where unseen enemies are located. UAVs have made a significant difference on the battlefield, and now Philippine troops have learned this through personal experience.
