I just found an interesting and timely article on a potential use for UAV helicopters. The Saab CARABAS Ultra-wideband SAR radar is being used in India to detect buried IEDs.
“In the new system being evaluated, a Saab CARABAS radar, fitted in a Dhruv helicopter, does an aerial scan of the area in which security forces will be operating. The CARABAS radar is specially designed to detect metallic components of an IED, even when it is buried 5-6 metres below the ground. A computer quickly compares the image of each flight with the images of the previous flight over that area; any new metallic objects are highlighted, and their exact location mapped. Armed with that information, a bomb disposal team is sent to defuse the IED harmlessly.”
A lighter version of this radar can also be mounted on a UAV helicopter.
Full story at: Business-Standard.com India
More on Saab Carabas radar – starts on page 9
UAV Helicopter Review 