Reaper Replacement
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Reaper Replacement
So, PM has stated that the RAF Reaper fleet is to be replaced by 20 more advanced models with increased range and payload.
What are looking at here? Predator C?
(I am disregarding the name "Protector", the only type I can find with that name is an Israeli unmanned boat (USV). I assume a slip of the tongue - but just as the USAF changed fron RS-71 to SR-71 after a ,presidential gaffe, I presume whatever we get will be renamed appropriately.)
UK drone fleet to double in fight against IS, says PM - BBC News
What are looking at here? Predator C?
(I am disregarding the name "Protector", the only type I can find with that name is an Israeli unmanned boat (USV). I assume a slip of the tongue - but just as the USAF changed fron RS-71 to SR-71 after a ,presidential gaffe, I presume whatever we get will be renamed appropriately.)
UK drone fleet to double in fight against IS, says PM - BBC News
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I suspect if the journalist had listened very carefully he'd have heard "by 2020, subject to delays, overspends, etc etc, don't expect to see them by 2025""
Scavenger's output is supposed to replace Reaper in about that timeframe.
Scavenger's output is supposed to replace Reaper in about that timeframe.
I suspect this is MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 ER - from the GA website:
At the same time, they are working on getting MQ-9 fully certified for European airspace (don't forget that France and Italy also operate MQ-9). Here is a link explaining this: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2015/06/25/ge...uropean-skies/
So now that UK Reaper can fire dual-mode Brimstone as well (MQ-9 Reaper Fires Brimstone Missiles) then I suspect that MQ-9 Block 5+ ER that is certified is going to be SCAVENGER and that is what the PM is talking about.
LJ
PS. Delivery date is expected from 2019 according to the DoDBuzz link above.
Predator B continues to improve and evolve, making it more relevant for its customers' emerging needs. A new variant, Predator B ER, has been designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a new reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft's already impressive endurance from 27 hours to 34 hours while further increasing its operational flexibility. In 2016, the aircraft will evolve again when its wingspan will grow from 66 feet to 79 feet to hold the fuel that was previously stored in the fuel pods. This configuration will deliver 42 hours of endurance.
So now that UK Reaper can fire dual-mode Brimstone as well (MQ-9 Reaper Fires Brimstone Missiles) then I suspect that MQ-9 Block 5+ ER that is certified is going to be SCAVENGER and that is what the PM is talking about.
LJ
PS. Delivery date is expected from 2019 according to the DoDBuzz link above.
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Kitbag.
That's very naughty, but was my first thought too.
I can just imagine the prime minister boasting how the new watchkeeper has better boundary control etc etc, and hoping that no one picked up on the boundary control in question being in a marginal seat the government of the time want to win/keep with the jobs watchkeeper would bring.
That's very naughty, but was my first thought too.
I can just imagine the prime minister boasting how the new watchkeeper has better boundary control etc etc, and hoping that no one picked up on the boundary control in question being in a marginal seat the government of the time want to win/keep with the jobs watchkeeper would bring.
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Is it reallly so terrible if it turns out the "made in Britain" tag has carried some weight in this decision? There's going to be a huge market in RPAS; surely giving UK industry a toe hold is an all-too-rare act of responsible far-sighted government?
Predator C is a generation behind Taranis and oher UCAVs. Hopefully, we will get son of Taranis as well as the latest MQ-9s. Here is a hi-res piccy of the ER variant with drop tanks and winglets - http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/wp-cont...9-Reaper-4.jpg
Here are the airframe changes (there are also lots of gadgetry changes as well)
With a couple of sqns of Taranis replacing part of the GR4s role (with F35 and Typhoon doing the rest) and MQ-9 B5 ER doing the Medium-High Alt Long Endurance recce role that was done by the PR9 then we might have a half decent capability to offer for Combat Air once again.
BAESYSTEMS TARANIS
Here are the airframe changes (there are also lots of gadgetry changes as well)
With a couple of sqns of Taranis replacing part of the GR4s role (with F35 and Typhoon doing the rest) and MQ-9 B5 ER doing the Medium-High Alt Long Endurance recce role that was done by the PR9 then we might have a half decent capability to offer for Combat Air once again.
BAESYSTEMS TARANIS
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Predator C is a generation behind Taranis and oher UCAVs.
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Can I just pose the question as to whether 20 new aircraft will be enough?
Is this a replacement for what we have now to carry on the same role, or something else?
I'm asking as it seems we will soon have a fleet of AH64E helicopters and we may want some UAVs to go with those.
Is this a replacement for what we have now to carry on the same role, or something else?
I'm asking as it seems we will soon have a fleet of AH64E helicopters and we may want some UAVs to go with those.
Thing is Pred-C exists. Taranis is only a tech demonstrator.
Anyway, Reaper Block 5+ ER makes much more sense for now...
LJ
At some point one has to put a broom stick in the merry-go-round of development and make a decision to buy something, else one ends up with a 20+ yr development period. Can't THINK where that's happened before...
You are only tied to the supplier for as long as they have the best product on the market, so they have to keep upping their game.
ShotOne, the reaper is hardly an air combat aircraft, certainly not offensive air-to-air in its current form. A strike aircraft might be a more apt description, and there is no reason why a strike aircraft could not be leased*. At the rate things are changing with UAVs it would not be wise to tie oneself to one system for too long.
The only stage at which military personnel might be required is when making the decision to engage a target. Even then, there are precedents in Iraq of contractors making those decisions (Blackwater perhaps?).
*The French provision of Super Etendards to Iraq being a case in point.
The only stage at which military personnel might be required is when making the decision to engage a target. Even then, there are precedents in Iraq of contractors making those decisions (Blackwater perhaps?).
*The French provision of Super Etendards to Iraq being a case in point.
Last edited by Mechta; 7th Oct 2015 at 14:47.