If the receiver is in the UK, then we will take up the bandwidth and will be charged by HMG
How about uplink/downlink from other places than the UK - FIs, SBAs or Assie? Where there's a will there's a way!
Another solution, you could fly your UAV SIGINT collect from LOS missions in theatre and then use the land forces EW detachment personnel? How's that for value for money?
Finally, the SIGINT role is ideal for UAV/UASs and that may be the future after the RJ contract finishes?
I would argue that Global Hawk would beg to differ!
Nonsense. As the Marineflieger are about to find out.
JN, there are several air-breathing unmanned assets, on top of GHs, in the ME that are already collecting very nicely - no details or the beads will rattle my window (if you catch my drift?). So, I discount your cry of "nonsense" with "it's already doing very nicely, thank you".
Finally, having been inside an R1 and an RJ (@ Offut) there is a lot more space in the RJ.
A good debate, this one. Keep it coming.
The B Word