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A Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), or Micro Aerial Vehicle is a man-portable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

MAV Iraq

A MAV deployed by US forces in Iraq (illustration)

Battlefield 3

"A remotely operated Micro Air Vehicle equipped with a suite of Motion Sensors and a camera with IRNV capabilities for aerial reconnaissance."

— Battlelog description

Singleplayer

During the campaign mission "Thunder Run", a remote MAV operator patches his video feed to the "Misfit" detachment team (the callsign Anvil), allowing Corporal Miller to designate an airstrike on a rocket artillery camp. A pair of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs respond and strafe the camp, but only results to little effect on the target.

Multiplayer

The MAV Micro UAV is a Recon gadget in Battlefield 3. It is deployable and is used to remotely spot enemies.[1] Players can earn awards for effective use of the MAV.

Standard thermal imaging can highlight certain equipment. Visibility is limited to a sector below horizontal and above vertical. This prevents the operator from seeing anything directly underneath.

A built-in motion sensor can passively detect moving infantry and vehicles beneath the MAV. This function detects enemies in an infinitely tall cylinder around the MAV, capable of detecting enemies through roofs and other map features. However, the motion sensor function can only detect moving enemies, and it does not provide real-time data on enemy movement, only "pings" of their locations that appear on friendly minimaps. If left unattended, the MAV can continue to provide surveillance, and the operator will gain both Spotting and Motion Sensor Assists.

Though not equipped with weapons, the MAV can jam—by pressing Fire or Countermeasures—various enemy gadgets. (This is not related to the functionality provided by an air vehicle's ECM Jammer.) The operator can obtain weapon lock when up close to simplify the process, but can still destroy devices that are not locked with good aim.

It is capable of roadkills by ramming into an opposing player at high speeds. In the killfeed, it is referred to only by "KILLED" and the victim can't be revived by any friendly medic. The operator of the MAV doesn't show up on the killcam. Spring metal feet allow the vehicle to safely return to ground if communication with the controller is lost (player exits view or is killed).

MAVs have their own minimap icon. Friendly MAVs appear in blue, while spotted enemy MAVs appear in red.

The MAV can be shot down by enemies, though its small size and decent maneuverability make the task difficult. This is balanced out by the fact that it can be locked on not only by anti-air weapons but also by guided missiles that would ordinarily require laser designation to shoot aerial targets, such as Javelins and guided shells. Nonetheless its small size makes it a difficult target for such less agile missiles, often requiring more then one missile for a hit. It can be also be laser designated, but this does not affect accuracy.

If the MAV stops being controlled by the player, the lock-on is interrupted. If the MAV strays out of bounds for too long, it will be automatically destroyed. Also, MAVs can jam each other, though it takes good aim as just pointing at them won't initiate a lock-on.

In certain small maps like Seine Crossing, the MAV has a low ceiling (lower than the rooftops), limiting its ability to traverse the battlefield. Also, the MAV can't hover in those maps. Unseen map geometry features can also make for some tricky maneuvering.

During the beta, the MAV was able to carry C4 for use in a C4 UAV attack, and carry other soldiers (similar to the drone elevator exploit). The C4 carrying ability was removed in the retail version (as with similar behaviors with the EOD Bot). The C4 packs will simply not stick to the device. The soldier carrying abilities were patched later.

Before the 1.04 patch, players are able to ride the MAV and reach heights that are unaccessable from ground.

The MAV is based on the Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk.

HUD elements

Like the EOD Bot, the MAV shows various bits of info in its display[2][3]:

  • Camera bearing
  • GPS latitude and longitude
  • Camera elevation/declination
  • Recording time of day
  • Range in meters to crosshair target (maximum 200m)

Jam equipment

The MAV can jam certain devices, destroying them and earning the player 20 points:

Claymore mines can also be destroyed, though they cannot be spotted or locked on like other devices. Other explosives cannot be detonated, but can be seen in infrared.


References

  1. - PAX 2011 Recap Part 1 - Battlefielo - Retrieved August 29
  2. - BF3 MAV Beta Gameplay - YouTube - Retrieved October 22
  3. - MAV Montage Gameplay - YouTube - Retrieved 3 January
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