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### Viewing cable 06BOGOTA11380, UAVS -- "EYES IN THE SKY" FOR COLMIL OPERATIONS

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06BOGOTA11380 | 2006-12-20 21:09 | 2011-04-06 00:12 | SECRET | Embassy Bogota

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    VZCZCXYZ0000
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHBO #1380/01 3542110
    ZNY SSSSS ZZH
    R 202110Z DEC 06
    FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1470
    INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 8533
    RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ DEC LIMA 4595
    RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 9839
    RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5253
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP ADMIN/CHAIRS//

` `

    S E C R E T BOGOTA 011380

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
    TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR CO
    SUBJECT: UAVS -- "EYES IN THE SKY" FOR COLMIL OPERATIONS

    Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood
    Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

    -------
    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (S)  Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a low-tech,
    low-cost, and low-risk but potentially high-impact new
    addition to USG-GOC intelligence cooperation in support of
    counterterror and counterdrug efforts.  Since their arrival
    in July, a test package of UAVs has provided valuable,
    real-time aerial video reconnaissance and surveillance to
    live COLMIL operations.  The UAV program's principal
    priorities are to support U.S. hostage rescue efforts and to
    assist COLMIL pursuit of FARC leaders, but it promises to be
    equally useful for combat against terrorists and in riverine
    drug interdiction.  As with all intelligence capabilities,
    what matters most is its aggressive application by the COLMIL
    in offensive action.  End Summary.

    ----------------------------------
    Remote Control Aerial Surveillance
    ----------------------------------

    ¶2. (C)  "ScanEagle" is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that
    transmits real-time video imagery as it overflies targets.
    Just four feet long with a ten-foot wingspan, it is too small
    to be seen or heard when cruising above 3000 feet, yet from
    that height its camera zooms in clearly on vehicles and
    structures below.  Its operation is basic: a ground-based
    'pilot' navigates with a 'joy stick' and keyboard; and a
    technician launches and retrieves the craft without a runway
    via a device operable in a clearing on land or ship.
    Operating costs are low: each 40-pound craft is able to fly
    or loiter up to 15 hours nonstop on 5.5 liters of fuel, has a
    transmission range of nearly 70 miles, and can operate in
    heavy winds and weather.  (Detailed specs are publicly
    available at: http://www.insitu.com/prod scaneagle.cfm.)

    -------------------------
    Job #1: Hostages and HVTs
    -------------------------

    ¶3. (S)  UAVs have proven useful before, during, and after
    strikes against the FARC.  In the planning stage, they
    provide updated reconnaissance imagery of target sites
    previously identified by human and signals intelligence.
    Prior to launch, the COLAF deploys UAVs to target sites to
    assess weather patterns before putting bombers in the air.
    The UAVs then keep their cameras trained on targets to ensure
    identification until planes arrive.  Loitering UAVs give
    commanders a real-time, bird's-eye view of COLMIL assaults,
    enabling them to review pilots' accuracy and to provide
    battle damage assessments.  When inserting troops at enemy
    sites, the COLAR uses the UAV for force protection and as a
    lookout in case of anti-aircraft threats to its helicopters.
    After strikes are over, UAVs can continue site surveillance,
    watching for enemy survivors and their escape routes.

    ¶4. (S)  UAVs are better suited to 'point' or 'line'
    reconnaissance (pre-designated sites and structures or rivers
    and roads) than to broad, ad hoc, 'area' sweeps.  They are
    meant to supplement but not substitute for humint / sigint
    leads.  Still, opportunistic events can occur.  When a UAV
    'pilot' flew by chance over a truck unloading FARC fighters,
    and the COLAF happened to have a bomber available nearby, an
    aerial assault was launched within 30 minutes.  Similarly,
    when a UAV caught two vehicles being loaded with coca, a
    helicopter gunship was quickly dispatched and destroyed them.
     Such stationary targets on open roads are good cases for UAV
    use, whereas targets beneath jungle canopy impenetrable to
    the human eye require more sophisticated platforms.

    ---------------------
    Riverine Interdiction
    ---------------------

    ¶5. (S)  UAVs are ideal for surveillance and interdiction of
    drug traffic along river networks, especially in the border
    regions of southern and eastern Colombia and along the
    Pacific coast.  A target can be fixed and followed
    downstream, to be intercepted by COLMAR 'piranha' boats.
    This optimizes the use of scarce riverine resources, enabling
    them to nab a located target rather than to lie in wait for
    the enemy or conduct open-ended river sweeps.  In some cases
    the COLMAR need not expend any of its resources.  When a UAV
    tracked a coca-loaded boat down river to a pier stop, the UAV
    team alerted the local town police to board the boat and
    search its cargo.  Monitoring narco-boat movements and
    stopping points can also direct counterdrug forces to
    locations of coca caches (caletas).

    ---------------------------
    Very Useful -- If Used Well
    ---------------------------

    ¶6. (C)  UAVs offer a range of potential benefits to the
    COLMIL:

    - Reduced risk to personnel: the UAV 'pilot' controls the
    craft from the security of the base, with no risk of human
    casualty or hostage capture.

    - Expanded intelligence collection: overflight capability
    accesses more remote areas, and stealth above 3000 feet
    evades enemy detection.

    - Force multiplier effect: conducting surveillance with an
    unmanned craft frees up troops for offensive action.

    - Asset optimization: low-tech 'drones' spare usage of more
    high-maintenance assets like helicopters or piranha boats.

    - Lower mission cost: UAVs are cheap to operate, maintain,
    and fix compared to any other ISR platform.

    ¶7. (C)  The COLMIL is in the process of developing joint
    doctrine for the use of UAVs.  At present, that doctrine is
    in its infancy and is not yet included in the operational
    commanders' planning process.  Moreover, Colombian operators
    still depend on support from Boeing coaches.  U.S. training
    will be extended until the Colombians become capable of
    operating on their own.  Additional training and effective
    implementation of UAV capabilities will expand operational
    and tactical intelligence exploitation opportunities, but an
    effective outcome will require aggressive COLMIL action.

    WOOD

    =======================CABLE ENDS============================

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