The Remotely Piloted Systems Handbook

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RPS provides ISR, logistical and strike support via remotely piloted systems.

Your role access is determined by your skills, experience with those skills, and the specific roles that utilize them. With over 100 roles in UNITAF, creating detailed skill breakdowns for every role is a substantial undertaking that cannot be completed overnight. 

Estimated Role Cards

To ensure the entire unit can transition to the new system immediately, some roles are tagged as **"Estimated"**. These roles use a transitional approach:

• Temporary skill blocks simulate role-specific experience
• Estimated access levels are calculated based on these placeholder blocks
• Similar to LTS functionality but with improved accuracy and fewer limitations

Current State: Estimated roles provide functional access levels that closely mirror the previous LTS system while addressing many of its shortcomings. As development progresses, estimated role cards will be upgraded to the full FTS3 standard with detailed, role-specific skill requirements.

Important Note: When roles transition from "Estimated" to "Verified" status, your access level may change (either increase or decrease) as the requirements become more precise and role-specific.

This approach allows UNITAF to:

• Maintain operations during the transition period
• Provide immediate access to the improved FTS3 system
• Ensure continuity while detailed role cards are developed
• Gradually improve role accuracy over time

The estimated system serves as a bridge, ensuring no disruption to unit operations while we build toward the comprehensive FTS3 vision.

This is a temporary skill block, the skill block is being used to accumulate SP for time spent as UAS until it's role card is completed.

Loitering munitions are a type of UAV designed to loiter around an AO until a target is spotted and designated, allowing faster response than systems that must launch and transit after target acquisition.

They are distinct from other UAS in several ways. Conventional UAVs such as the MQ-9 Reaper are aircraft that deploy munitions, whereas loitering munitions are themselves the weapon. Unlike FPV kamikaze drones which are piloted directly, loitering munitions are generally more independent and guide themselves onto a designated target. They are also not recoverable once launched, making them a single-use strike asset.

Loitering munitions are most useful as a rapid response capability against HVTs or targets of opportunity, where speed and precision are more important than persistence or recovery.

The Switchblade is a loitering munition used by many NATO and allied forces and available in two variants. It is a disposable UAV designed to loiter over an area and strike designated targets with precision.

• Switchblade 300 is small and lightweight, allowing multiple units to be carried by a single operator. It has short range and endurance with VIS, NV, and TI imaging and a payload comparable to a 40 mm HEDP grenade, making it suitable for infantry and light vehicles. It can detonate on impact or airburst.
• Switchblade 600 is a larger variant with longer range and endurance and a payload comparable to a Javelin ATGM, making it suitable for armoured vehicles and heavier targets.

Switchblade munitions are launched from a disposable tube at an elevated angle and typically deployed from covered or rear positions. After launch, the munition loiters over the area and is controlled through a UAV terminal.

Target designation can be performed using automated waypoints or manual targeting. Automated targeting is generally discouraged due to unpredictability and policy restrictions, while manual designation using the turret camera and target lock provides better control and visual confirmation. Once a target is locked, the munition conducts a top down attack and can be cancelled or self destructed if required.

Known issue: Direct targeting through GMs remote control may not function correctly; a UAV terminal should be used for manual designation.

• Place launcher tube in a suitable and safe position
• Deploy the munition from the launcher
• Take control of the munition using the UAV terminal

• Select appropriate loitering munition variant for the target and use case
• Use turret camera to observe and track the target
• Point turret at target and press vehicle target lock
• Select airburst mode when engaging infantry or exposed targets if required

• Identify a change in situation
• Cancel the attack run