September 24, 2023, 3:26 pm
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We’ve previously talked about 6th Generation fighters on this channel (https://youtu.be/RPrWm6fWuaM) but when they take to the skies, they won’t be doing so alone.
Increasingly autonomous and capable unmanned combat aircraft are here, and they are going to change the way you build an air force.
Forces around the world are talking about the immense possibilities of combining manned and unmanned systems together into a cohesive team.
In this episode I discuss the concepts behind drone wingmen, some of the major development programs, and what they might mean for the future of air warfare.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply.
For example, proud shilling of the MQ-28 is done for comedic effect and should not be taken to represent financial or any other kind of advice
Relevant Reading/sourcing
US DoD Directive 3000.09
https://www.esd.whs.mil/portals/54/documents/dd/issuances/dodd/300009p.pdf
PACAF Strategy 2030:
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3522468/pacific-air-forces-commander-releases-pacaf-strategy-2030-evolving-airpower/
DARPA Longshot:
https://www.darpa.mil/program/longshot
https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/general-atomics-prepares-for-flight-testing-of-uncrewed-missile-truck/154890.article
Harpy
https://www.iai.co.il/p/harpy
Airbus on FCAS
https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/multi-domain-superiority/future-combat-air-system-fcas
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-12-remote-carrier-demonstrator-released-and-operated-from-flying-a400m
NGAD is expensive
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/04/28/future-ngad-fighter-jets-could-cost-hundreds-of-millions-apiece/
Reporting on Australian Loyal Wingman concepts
‘Loyal Wingman’ to take Australia’s airpower into the next era
Reporting on CCA
USAF Wants $5.8 Billion for CCAs Over Five Years. First Up: A Spectral Warfare Platform
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/collaborative-combat-aircraft-cca-usa/
Collaborative Combat Aircraft Will Join the Air Force Before NGAD
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/affordable-mass-concept-driving-air-forces-new-advanced-drone-initiative
Air Force ‘Very Opposed’ to Lawmakers’ Proposed Cost Limits for CCAs
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/09/07/mark-your-calendar-for-a-planned-drone-wingmen-competition-in-2024/
S-70
https://tass.com/defense/1375043
https://tass.com/defense/1452733
Reporting on Mosquito
https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/mosquito-swat-becomes-the-latest-in-a-long-line-of-uk-uncrewed-dead-ends/
Interview on F-35 Fusion
The F-35 and Data Fusion: A Perspective from the International Fighter Conference 2018
Unmanned Aircraft Systems report – CRS
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47188
Kizelima image from
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/baykar-plans-to-make-supersonic-variant-of-unmanned-fighter-jet-kizilelma
Skyborg
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2596671/skyborg-autonomy-core-system-has-successful-first-flight/
Reporting on ERC
MBDA developing Expendable Remote Carrier for the FCAS programme
X-61A Gremlin
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/11/08/darpa-has-caught-a-gremlin-drone-in-midair-can-it-grab-four-in-a-half-hour/
Secretary Kendall discussing NGAD and CCA
Kendall’s Top Seven Priorities to Cope With Peer Adversaries Include Two New Aircraft
Kendall Reveals New Details on Air Force Plans: 1,000 CCAs, 200 NGAD Fighters
PRC Images and concepts
https://www.airdatanews.com/chinese-two-seat-j-20-fighter-jet-controlling-three-gj-11-stealth-drones/
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/china-unveils-loyal-wingman-armed-drone-concept-2021-09-29/
Marines vs Robots
https://www.businessinsider.com/marines-fooled-darpa-robot-hiding-in-box-doing-somersaults-book-2023-1
Mosquito
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-air-force-rapid-capabilities-office-announce-review-of-project-mosquito
MQ-28 Ghost Bat
https://www.boeing.com.au/products-services/Defense-Space-Security/ghost-bat.page
https://www.airforce.gov.au/our-work/projects-and-programs/ghost-bat
MQ-20 flying autonomously using LEO SATCOM Datalink
https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-flies-mq-20-avenger-autonomously-using-leo-satcom-datalink
Timestamp:
00:00:00 — The Race
00:01:49 — What Am I Talking About?
00:04:12 — Automation Levels
00:07:48 — Why Go Unmanned?
00:12:13 — Teaming
00:14:53 — Why Aviation?
00:34:06 — Programs Of Note
00:46:18 — Collaborative Combat Aircraft
00:57:13 — The Evolving Systems
01:03:35 — Towards Full Autonomy
01:05:28 — Conclusion
Content Creator – Perun
