Avoid long ques, go with the S K products and establish a joint production line here in Australia.
Both L SAM and M SAM look to be a good fit.
M SAM is now combat proven by UAE.
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Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
Both L SAM and M SAM look to be a good fit.
M SAM is now combat proven by UAE.
Do we have any new information on how the BAE STRIX drone is developing? I was excited to see this sovereign drone tested but all is silent on where it is at. With potential use with Apache, long range ISR and potential maritime variants lifting off vessels like the Arafura and LHD’s I thought this would be fast tracked considering it has strike options when it comes to payloads but it seems to have come to nothing.. anyone here maybe to able to shed some light ?
INNOVAERO is an Australian owned and operated autonomous arial systems manufacturer of systems such as STRIX. BAE opens the door to global marketing and military sales. In January of this year INNOVAERO increased its workforce to meet demand.
Looks like they're having a good time of it.
Building Australia’s Defence Future – Autonomous Aerial Systems
Career opportunities in advanced design and autonomy, production engineering, manufacturing systems, and industrialisation.
innov.aero
Hasn’t yet been picked up by ADF even in a trials basis, from recollection.
OWL-B however is being pursued enthusiastically,
It could be anything.
They could also purchase/charter 737 Freighters and use ADF or chartered helicopters/light aircraft to distribute from a hub.
FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
Don't get me wrong, the SkyCouirer is a sweet little mail truck. But I would think the CASA/PTDI NC212 would be a better option for military/humanitarian support operations. Updated modern version still being built and supported practically locally in Indonesia. As you say, it ticks a lot of boxes.
What about the Pilatus PC-24 in use with the Flying Doctors?
MARKMILES77
Well-Known Member
Budget papers confirm all ordered LRASMs and JASSM-ERs have been delivered to Australia.
With regard to the discussion of alternate Spartan ‘lite’ tactical transport solutions,
are we talking about something akin to the old Nomads, Porters etc operated by Army, or are we more aligned with a solution that can fwd deploy ammunition loads (including such things as GLMRS) and heavier weighted tactical (STOL) resupply?
are we talking about something akin to the old Nomads, Porters etc operated by Army, or are we more aligned with a solution that can fwd deploy ammunition loads (including such things as GLMRS) and heavier weighted tactical (STOL) resupply?
As far as the spartian goes....Personally I would prefer the funds be allocated to SF air ops. A dedicated rotary wing of a mix of little birds and Blackhawks to directly support SF. Of course the blackhawks could be used elsewhere in a pich if needed. Perhaps 2 more chinooks to take the total to 16.
There are no like for like or cutting edged replacement for Spartan that I could find. It's a niche lite role CAS Evac over water, light team transport and priority delivery for critical repairs and same day delivery. RAAF probably only needs I don't know how many airframes RAAF might want. Basically the same concept as the flying doctors.
In that case, RAAF already operate King Airs, perhaps they can/are catering to that requirement.
Such small peri-theatre direct Army support role probably adds weight to an argument for reinstating an Army fixed wing component after all, a Nomad 2.0 type?
One of the staff members, MrConservitve prefered the PC-24 rough field landings over the KingAir. Would open up a number of previously inaccessible airstrips, privately owned ones. Would be essential for same day deliveries/uber in support of Army.
Pilatus PC24
Payload: Max payload: 1,406 kg
Cruise speed: 810 km/h (510 mph, 440 kn)
Range: 3,700 km (2,300 mi, 2,000 nmi) , 6 passengers (1,200 lb payload)
Pilatus PC-24 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Spartan
Payload: source says 5000 kgs but I've seen higher.
Speed: 670km
Range: 1700km at maximum take off weight
I have it under good authority that RAAF strategic airlift is satisfied with a mix of whitetail, C-130J and CH-47.
Not sure if ARMY will be into HADR air missions or tactical lift. Arguably they'd drive there or hop on a ferry.
Pilatus PC24 as medical evacuation and pre positioning drone teams for example, surveillance or drone repairs domestically and across water.
But yeah. Different reasons.
I would throw cargo drones into the mix as well. There are more options these days than like for like replacement of airlift capability. The modern battlefield might be getting too dangerous for conventional manned aircraft. Many nations, including Australia, are looking at unmanned options to compliment and in some cases replace manned aircraft.
I don’t know what a tactical air lifter is nowadays as I don’t know what the “ front line “looks like in this day and age.
I think slow moving anything is becoming problematic.
Given the decision to retire the Spartan is a done deal, I don’t realistically see a replacement for it.
Rather the 20 proposed C130 will replace the current 12 130j and 10 Spartans.
The Spartan replacement will quietly disappear.
Maybe an unmanned logistic thing way down the track.
Cheers S
I think slow moving anything is becoming problematic.
Given the decision to retire the Spartan is a done deal, I don’t realistically see a replacement for it.
Rather the 20 proposed C130 will replace the current 12 130j and 10 Spartans.
The Spartan replacement will quietly disappear.
Maybe an unmanned logistic thing way down the track.
Cheers S
Takao
The Bunker Group
100% correct
The optimal mix is C-17 / C-130 / CH-47. That's been the findings of at least three in-depth studies I've seen since 2017. The KC-30 gives a nice little bump.
Without a clear need, and with all the other demands on the budget and workforce, the C-27 should be retired with no replacement.
Lolcake
Active Member
The
The one thing that disappointed me.most was the lack of funding for dedicated SF air assets.
