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Posts Tagged ‘Drone’

Swiss Aero space under military surveillance

August 21st, 2014 2 comments

Since monday night (18th August 2014) ADS95 Ranger Drones are flying within TMA (traffic manoevering area) LSZH (ICAO code for ZRH, Zurich), using callsigns such as FOCUS1 and FOCUS2, seemingly equipped with ADS-B, as they are now visible on Flightradar24 and other platforms.


(Note that the stupid military operator does not know that the transition level for TMA LSZH is FL70 and therefore asks for clearance for FL60 instead of 6000ft!)

The virtual pilot navigating the drone applied for respective flightplans (LSME ZUE ROMIR KLO LSME) with Skyguide, – according to my call with them, – from LSME (Emmen) to LSME, without further explanation, intention nor defined route.

As there is no comprehensible reason, such as WEF Davos or Swiss political revolution for such an operation, I hereby propose to install a selfshot system equipped with ADS-B receiver to take these surveillance systems down smash into ground!

RuagDroneADS94Ranger-20AUG2014-2257Z-D126

D113-drone-LSME-19AUG2014-2350Z

RuagDroneADS95Ranger-20AUG2014-2256Z-D8

Further I should say that the Swiss Military in Emmen was very surprised by my call (01:30 a.m. CEST) to learn hat the drones are visible for anyone, as they seemingly are equipped with ADS-B. – Grotesque!

The responsible person for the operation told me on the phone that the Ranger Drones by Ruag have been in a mission to secure the Swiss-Germano border for the whole week already.

RangerDroneADS95-20AUG2014-2321Z-D8

[Update 0130 UTC]
Mr. Röthlisberger, military police sergeant from VBS, was not only surprised to learn that the drones are visible for anyone through secondary radar, but, – surprisingly, – was not aware that drones from the swiss military were in operation at all, though his office is in charge for military operations within swiss aerospace!

RuagDroneADS95-21AUG2014-0117Z-D8

NOTAM:
RUAG AD95 drones by Swiss Military use callsigns FOCUS1, FOCUS2 etc., whereas the registration numbers vary from D-113, D-138, D-8 etc. (*not* HB-XXX, as usual for registered a/c for Switzerland).

ADS 95 Ranger drones

May 1st, 2013 No comments

An ADS 95 Ranger Drone manufactured by Ruag has been spotted, circling over SIERRA (see VFR map at the bottom of the page) on approximately 4000ft at Zurich due to 1. Mai event.

This is how they look like in a close-up:

ADS 95 Ranger by Ruag

drokdo84.parsysrelated1.57627.Image drokdo84.parsysrelated1.72724.ImageLinks:
Drohnenstaffel 7
Drohnen Kommando 84
Dro Staffel 7

LSZH Tower therefore diverts departing traffic through a non-standard DEGES 2W departure route…
Non-Standard DEGES dep 01MAI2013

VFR map LSZH (point SIERRA):
VFR map SIERRA LSZH

Here’s a document written by a Colonel of the Swiss Air Force, published in the ILA magazine on 11th September 2012.

[Update 2nd May 2013]
In 2002 the swiss government prohibited the use of drones for surveillance of manifestations such as the 1st of Mai, arguing the application of drones to be unlawful. Though the law for public surveillance hasn’t changed meanwhile, the military application of the drone yesterday seems to have been legally admitted.

Extract of 10v10 swiss TV 1st of May 2002: