Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

"Protector" is to be Certifiable Predator B

Wikiposts
Search
Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

"Protector" is to be Certifiable Predator B

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 28th Apr 2016, 09:35
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 1,707
Received 37 Likes on 23 Posts
"Protector" is to be Certifiable Predator B

As expected.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...placem-424667/

If flying them in the UK, will they be able to squeeze them into Waddington or will they operate them from a remote base (maybe in North Wales, or North East Scotland.......)
Davef68 is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 09:47
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Zummerset
Posts: 1,042
Received 13 Likes on 5 Posts
Will be interesting to see if the CAA accepts that TCAS and DRR is sufficient "Equivalence" to a manned aircraft under the CAP 722 definition.....
Evalu8ter is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 11:13
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: upstairs
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The CAA doesn't have the final call though does it?

EAP
EAP86 is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 11:34
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: one side of la Manche
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Naïve maybe, but genuine question nonetheless:

........how is controlling a UAS from a remote box on the ground different from controlling an aircraft from a cockpit under IFR?

Regards
Batco
BATCO is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 12:21
  #5 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 1,707
Received 37 Likes on 23 Posts
I'd imagine the principal concern is loss of contact with the aircraft
Davef68 is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 20:41
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: scotland
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I spoke with a couple of pilots who flew the 'Dragon Lady' and they told me about a trial where the Global Hawk and the U2 were given the same task, the comms were then cut to both assets. The U2 flew back to Beale the Global Hawk went to a default position until it ran out of fuel and crashed.
KPax is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2016, 22:00
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Zummerset
Posts: 1,042
Received 13 Likes on 5 Posts
Batco,
Not naive at all - provided you only fly the UAV in IFR / Controlled Airspace. Class G with all the non transponding, low RCS users is another matter. If one blunders into a microlight and kills someone I think the CAA would be very concerned.....
Evalu8ter is offline  
Old 29th Apr 2016, 09:43
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Europe
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I posted this link on the SDSR thread 2 days before the Flight article:

Reaper to be replaced by: "Certifiable Predator B"
This link discusses the Detect and Avoid capability planned.
Never Fretter is offline  
Old 29th Apr 2016, 11:21
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: UK
Age: 69
Posts: 1,405
Received 40 Likes on 22 Posts
So KPax the global hawk owners were happy to lose an airframe demonstrating a predictable event?
beardy is offline  
Old 29th Apr 2016, 11:44
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Zummerset
Posts: 1,042
Received 13 Likes on 5 Posts
NF,
Indeed it did - but TCAS will only work against co-operative traffic and most small microlights, gliders and ultralights have very small RCS signatures. Hence, in Class G Open FIR, does the DRR have enough sensitivity to detect these platforms at a range that permits the UAV to successfully avoid a collision? This is key. We can plan to fly the UAV only in CA (effectively segregated from non-cooperative aircraft) but if they suffer a power loss or are re-routed for weather, they may enter Class G. The CAA will need, under CAP 722, to be satisfied that the UAV has the equivalent detection of the lookout from an equivalent manned aircraft if it does so, or someone has to "own" the risk.
Evalu8ter is offline  
Old 30th Apr 2016, 13:49
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Far West Wessex
Posts: 2,579
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Challenging, particularly when you think of gliders, which tend to not fly in straight lines at constant altitude.
LowObservable is offline  
Old 30th Apr 2016, 16:46
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Europe
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Class G, could they claim any credit for forward look-out with the FLIR?
Never Fretter is offline  
Old 1st May 2016, 08:07
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: S of 55N
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why would the RAF want to fly Protector in the UK?

It can be controlled from 'anywhere' - what would be the advantage of flying it in UK airspace?

Sun
Sun Who is offline  
Old 1st May 2016, 18:12
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Nevada, USA
Posts: 1,603
Received 40 Likes on 27 Posts
Sun Who,

Perhaps contingencies might arise at some point in future. For instance, dealing with bolshie shipyard workers, who think the world owes them a living, who try to sabotage the commissioning of one of HM's aircraft carriers !
RAFEngO74to09 is offline  
Old 1st May 2016, 18:28
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: 50+ north
Posts: 1,253
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Never Fretter

No credit for FLIR unless it forms part of an overall standalone sense and avoid system.

The days of Predator flying in UK Class G airspace, will as with any other UAS, be many years away. Consequently operations will be in a know traffic environment, ie controlled or segregated airspace (currently UK Danger Areas). For what it will be doing in UK airspace that shouldn't be a problem.

If some national emergency arose that needed its services outside normal controlled/segregated airspace, a temporary restricted/danger area could be established to accommodate it
TCAS FAN is offline  
Old 1st May 2016, 19:08
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: S of 55N
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What type of national emergency might require the use of Protector in the UK?

Sun.
Sun Who is offline  
Old 2nd May 2016, 00:15
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Oz
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by KPax
I spoke with a couple of pilots who flew the 'Dragon Lady' and they told me about a trial where the Global Hawk and the U2 were given the same task, the comms were then cut to both assets. The U2 flew back to Beale the Global Hawk went to a default position until it ran out of fuel and crashed.

They were yanking your chain KPax...the Global Hawk will return to Beale or its pre-designated destination just as a manned aircraft will.
FoxtrotAlpha18 is offline  
Old 18th Nov 2016, 06:28
  #18 (permalink)  
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Peripatetic
Posts: 17,385
Received 1,583 Likes on 720 Posts
UK Seeks $1 Billion Deal for Remotely Piloted Aircraft

LONDON - Up to 26 Certifiable Predator B remotely piloted vehicles could be purchased by Britain’s Royal Air Force according to a US State Department notification to Congress of the proposed Foreign Military Sales deal.

The British have requested the purchase of 16 General Atomics Certifiable Predator B vehicles along with an option for another 10, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency statement said. Twelve ground stations, with an option for a further four, and other equipment are also included in the proposed deal valued at $1 billion. The intention to purchase the machines was part of the 2015 strategic defense and security review. At the time it didn't detail the numbers, only saying more than 20 would be acquired.

The new vehicles will offer better endurance, more external stores stations and other benefits compared with the 10 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted vehicles currently being operated by the Royal Air Force. The Reaper fleet is currently part of a larger RAF force striking terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.

The new machines, currently in development, should also be able to operate in UK airspace, something the Reaper is not cleared to do. The armed Certifiable Predator, to be known as the Protector in British service, will replace the present Reaper fleet.

Subject to congressional approval, contract signature by the two sides is expected to be completed by early next year said a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman. The sale is the latest in a string of recent FMS deals with the British including Apache AH-64E attack helicopter and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft purchases.
ORAC is offline  
Old 18th Nov 2016, 06:37
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: UK
Age: 69
Posts: 1,405
Received 40 Likes on 22 Posts
Forgive what may be a silly question, but what does the 'Certifiable' bit of the name mean?
beardy is offline  
Old 18th Nov 2016, 07:06
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by beardy
Forgive what may be a silly question, but what does the 'Certifiable' bit of the name mean?
Certifiable to Defence Standard 00-970.
Lynxman is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.