AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR Sonobuoy
The AN/SSQ-53F is a NATO A-size sonobuoy manufactured for the U.S.
Navy which combines a passive directional and calibrated wide band
omni capability into a single multi-functional sonobuoy. This advanced
sonobuoy combines the capabilities of both the AN/SSQ-53D and AN/
SSQ-57 sonobuoys.
http://www.sonobuoytechsystems.com/pdfs/Q53F2-2-10.pdf
Sonobuoy and Advancing Underwater Technologies
The 1.2kbps data rate suggested by iRAVEN is a drop in the ocean (excuse the pun!) compared to video feed. If this is representative, then he is right that 100 sonobuoys is achievable within extant datalinks and 25 sonobuoys in a pod under 4 underwing hardpoints is also achievable.
I have heard nothing but bleating about "RPAS not being able to LRMPA" but I have seen no well reasoned argument to say why it is not possible. Let's look at what's in open source on General Atomics Predator B then:
http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircr...Predator_B.pdf
Ability to fly over 240KTAS - CHECK
Endurance over 30hrs - CHECK
External Payload of 1361kgs (100 odd sonobuoys or 4x Stingray Torpedo) - CHECK
Multimode Maritime RADAR vice Lynx SAR/GMTI - CHECK
Comms Relay - CHECK
Over 3 mega bits per second Beyond Line Of Sight Datalink - CHECK
22" EO/IR turret (vice 15" MX15 on MR2) - CHECK
Range over 3,000nm - CHECK
On Jan 3/08, the US DSCA announced the United Kingdom’s official request for:
“10 MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft, 5 Ground Control Stations, 9 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (MTS-B/AAS-52), 9 AN/APY-8 Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) systems, 3 Satellite Earth Terminal Sub Stations (SETSS), 30 H764 Embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation Systems, Lynx SAR and MTS-B spares, engineering support, test equipment, ground support, operational flight test support, communications equipment, technical assistance, personnel training/equipment, spare and repair parts, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.071 billion.”
Affordability (the cost of 2x MRA4) - CHECK
Standing by for incoming from, to quote MFC_Fly, "those that really know what they are talking about, in these dark days"
LJ
