STOBAR might be a possibility. I don't imagine adding an arrestor wire would be that difficult.
Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
What about the Angled Flight Deck, which is a requirement for arrested landings? When a pilot lands on a Carrier, he goes to full throttle, it is the arrestor wires that stop him from taking off again, missed arrestor wires are not uncommon and the pilot takes off on the angled deck and comes around again. On a straight deck like a QE or Canberra you would need to use the entire flight deck.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Why? Totally different Aircraft with a totally different design philosophy to do a totally different job. The MQ-28 is far bigger, is a jet, so would land at a faster speed. How they intend to catch the Bayraktor, I'm not sure, may be small enough and land slow enough to use netting but the Ghost Bat won't be.
They’re also developing a jet-powered UCAV designed to operate from their LHD which is comparable, if not larger than the MQ-28A.
It is intended to operate in a STOBAR configuration and involves retrofitting an arrestor system which will also be used for their exisiting UCAVs.
The reason the they gun the engine is so they can take off again if the arrester wire landing fails. In the case of an unmanned aircraft I don't think you would bother with that precaution. Just an arrester wire and a barracade in case the arrester wire failed would probably be adequate.
I've been keeping an eye on what Türkiye are doing in this realm including the UCAV mentioned.
How they make this work I don't know but they are committed to giving it a go.
An interesting space particularly for other LHD operators.
Cheers S
QE carrier is 50 m longer than australias and turkeys lhds, will be interesting to see what happens.
Pictures circulating with MQ28a landing on u.k carrier recently.
turkey guaranteed to have bayraktar tb3 on both anadolu and trakya and planned to have bayraktar kiziliema.
they seem to think 30-50 tb3 (280kg payload per uav, (predecessor tb2 payload 150kg) with folding wings will be on each lhd.
tb2 and tb3 seem to have significantly greater com range and endurance than a strix.
Details on Baykar website
baykartech.com
Pictures circulating with MQ28a landing on u.k carrier recently.
turkey guaranteed to have bayraktar tb3 on both anadolu and trakya and planned to have bayraktar kiziliema.
they seem to think 30-50 tb3 (280kg payload per uav, (predecessor tb2 payload 150kg) with folding wings will be on each lhd.
tb2 and tb3 seem to have significantly greater com range and endurance than a strix.
Details on Baykar website
BAYRAKTAR TB3
The Bayraktar TB3 UCAV is an armed unmanned aerial vehicle system, currently being developed indigenously by Baykar and capable of takeoff and landing
baykartech.com
That's a fair point from a hardware PoV, however lost aircrew are neither cheap in dollar terms nor morale, PR, etc.
Meanwhile in the world of actual RAAF aircraft being flown by humans :
"F/A-18 Super Hornet during an Air Display at Avalon 2023" Image Source : ADF Image Library
"F/A-18 Super Hornet during an Air Display at Avalon 2023" Image Source : ADF Image Library
B.A.E systems Australia announced an agreement with MBDA of a guided weapon and explosive ordnance program in Australia first focusing on the development of a missile for the Strix drone
BAE Systems and MBDA collaborate to support nation’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance capability | BAE Systems | Australia
BAE Systems and MBDA collaborate to support nation’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance capability | BAE Systems | Australia
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Australia – Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles- Extended Range (AARGM-ERs) | Defense Security Cooperation Agency (dsca.mil)
Australia has been cleared to acquire the AARGM-ERs for its Growler fleet
This notice has now disappeared off the DSCA Site, may have been another case of double posting there.
Australia has been cleared to acquire the AARGM-ERs for its Growler fleet
This notice has now disappeared off the DSCA Site, may have been another case of double posting there.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Google BAE Strix and do some reading, plenty of articles covering its intended uses.
Interesting they are doing a display routine, with 3x full bags…
Where are they taking off and landing from? Amberley?
Leaving the manned aircraft and going back to the unmanned again is this mockup of a Sky Guardian mq-9b with cruise missiles attached and even electronic warfare pods
Cruise Missiles Could Get Added To MQ-9's Arsenal | The Drive
Cruise Missiles Could Get Added To MQ-9's Arsenal | The Drive
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Irrespective of what system the ADF may acquire in the future, this is a great video showing the possibilities such a system could provide. Certainly a Loyal Wingman for Seahawks makes a lot of sense.
Looks like the Triton will be going ahead, MSN news stated that the RAAF will stand up 9 Squadron and take the Triton on charge. The first one is due in Australia next year. I believe also there is a model/static display etc at the Airshow.
But it all could change when the DSR is released.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
The Defmin and Chief of the RAAF are talking about it today, we can be pretty sure its cleared the DSR. There is a lot of talk about LR strike in the DSR but that is going to need ISR platforms, I think if anything the DSR will strengthen the requirement for the Triton, we could even see an increase in numbers.
Australian MQ-4C Triton being prepared for maiden flight (janes.com)
Also, the first RAAF one is very close to its maiden flight.