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09 Sep 21. USMC Procures First MQ-9A Reaper. U.S. Marine Corps Captain Joshua Brooks, an unmanned aircraft system representative, and Master Sergeant Willie Cheeseboro Jr., an enlisted aircrew coordinator with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, prepare to launch and operate the first Marine Corps owned MQ-9A Reaper on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. Aug. 30, 2021. The US Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, procured the Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A “Reaper” remotely piloted aircraft after transitioning from contractor owned, contractor operated to government owned, contractor operated at Marine Corps Aircraft Station Yuma, Arizona, August 30, 2021. In order to achieve the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision of future force design, VMU-1 has transitioned from the RQ-21 Group 3 unmanned aircraft to the MQ-9A. Since 2018, flight operations of the MQ-9A have fallen under a COCO construct. However, the MQ-9A has since transitioned to a GOCO unmanned aerial system, signifying the Marine Corps ownership of these assets and progressing toward an organically trained and qualified aircrew. This noteworthy flight is the culmination of three years of training, safety and operational planning, contractor maintenance, process development and staff analysis of risk management to ensure complete procedural adherence to Navy and Marine Corps aviation policies.
“VMU-1 is living the Commandant’s vision of Force Design 2030, and our unit is laying the groundwork for future squadrons to execute similar missions within INDOPACOM [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] or anywhere else that we are needed,” said Maj. Keenan Chirhart, executive officer of VMU-1.
VMU-1’s procurement of the Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A evolves the service as a force, making it capable of further integration of operations in naval, ground, air, and cyber domains. As the Marine Corps transitions to government owned, government operated employment of the MQ-9A, Force Design 2030 presents opportunities for similar implementation across the globe. This transition gives VMU-1 the capability of piloting the forward deployed MQ-9A that aligns with the Commandant’s directive for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, which have supported daily combat operations around the world.
“The MQ-9A is a medium altitude, long endurance Group 5 remotely piloted aircraft capable of conducting multiple mission sets to include multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance, unmanned aerial escort, and electronic support,” said Chirhart.
Aside from being the first Marine Corps owned MQ-9A flight in history, this flight is also a huge step toward verification of policies and procedures that have been developed by VMU-1. With this transition to the MQ-9A, VMU-1 is currently engaged in executing maritime domain awareness operations in highly contested areas, providing friendly forces a multi-domain reconnaissance capability across the electromagnetic spectrum. Moreover, it proves that VMU-1 is uniquely positioned to enable naval and joint force targeting from a remote location by a Marine aviator and sensor operator, while the aircraft is physically located within another combatant commander’s area of operation.
The MQ-9A was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated. The remotely piloted aircraft capability revolutionizes military operations by allowing the system operator to operate from ship and shore, and employ both collection and lethal payloads while integrating with command and control centers, allowing the synchronization of remotely piloted aircraft with ground and air assets.
3rd MAW continues to “Fix, Fly and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing, and remains combat-ready, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action. (Source: UAS VISION/Marines)
09 Sep 21. Northrop Grumman Unveils Model 401 – Precursor of Model 437 UAV. Northrop Grumman on Sept. 8 unveiled the Model 401 aircraft, built by the Burt Rutan-founded, Northrop Grumman-owned Scaled Composites for an unnamed “very generous” customer in the words of Scaled Composites President Cory Bird.
The two manned, unpressurized aircraft built and flown by Scaled Composites test pilots over the last four years use Pratt & Whitney JT-15D engines and have a ceiling of 25,000 feet, gross weight of 7,500 pounds, and a 2,000 pound payload capacity.
The sleek, Model 401 design, which relies on a simplified mechanical flight control system, is to serve as the progenitor of an unmanned Model 437 aircraft to meet U.S. Air Force and other customer requirements for ISR and strike aircraft that can survive in highly contested environments.
Bird, an aircraft designer who worked with Rutan for 26 years, said that the Model 437 may have a cost of $5m to $6m per aircraft, including a $2.4 m FJ-44A engine by Williams International. With a top speed of .85 Mach, the Model 437 is to be able to fly alongside the Lockheed Martin F-35, Bird said. Model 437 is to have a 3,000 nautical mile range.
Northrop Grumman views the Model 437 as a possible forward sensor or “carriage extension” for manned fighters in contested environments. Bird said that Scaled Composites has devoted “quite a lot of energy” to signature reduction for the Model 401 and future Model 437. Scaled Composites test pilot Brian Maisler said that the Model 401 has demonstrated a short 2,500 foot capacity and can comfortably take-off and land on a 4,000 foot long, 50-foot-wide road, versus a typical, 6,000 foot prepared runway. Maisler has 200 flight hours in the Model 401 and is one of half a dozen Model 401 test pilots from civilian, U.S. Navy and Air Force backgrounds.
Northrop Grumman, which occupies 66 percent of Plant 42, said that Site 7 doubles the company’s capacity to host High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones. The site continues the 1960s legacy of the Northrop Grumman F-5s and T-38 Talons built there. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Daily)
09 Sep 21. Taiwan’s Teng Yun Prepares for Han Kuang 37 Military Exercise. The second-generation Teng Yun unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), has been conducting extensive performance tests at Jiashan Air Force Base in Hualien to prepare for the upcoming Han Kuang 37 military exercise.
For the past few days the drones have been undergoing performance tests, which were unannounced, as the Air Force and NCSIST wanted to keep the trials low-key, Liberty Times reported. Additionally, measures were taken to strengthen the base’s perimeter defenses.
The second-generation Teng Yun has a larger fuselage and a U.S.-made new engine. Also, its propeller and related components in the UAV’s rear have been significantly modified.
NCSIST has already manufactured four Teng Yun UAVs, two of which are first-generation, developed in 2016, and the other two are the newest variant. Development of the new drones began in 2018 and has been followed closely by the Ministry of National Defense, per Liberty Times.
The Teng Yuns will be deployed to participate in the Han Kuang 37 exercise and will be evaluated on their tactical performance.
The Teng Yun project is expected to last for four years from 2018-2021 at a cost of NT$3.45bn (US$124.50m). It is hoped the drone will complete trials by the end of this year and mass production can start in 2022. (Source: UAS VISION/Taiwan News)
08 Sep 21. F-16 Fighter Jets Could Guard Akinci Drones. Turkey is reversing the loyal wingman concept to protect its newly launched Akinci drones – regarded as one of the most advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Their inclusion is expected to lead the Turkish air force to a brand new stage in its air-to-air and air-to-land warfare doctrines. With a service ceiling of 40,000 feet and 24 hours of endurance, the new drone will be immune to close-range air defense systems. They will also have an operational radius of 600 kilometers (373 miles).
The Akinci will have a maximum takeoff weight of 4.5 tons and a payload capacity of 1,350 kilograms — divided between 900 kilograms external capacity and 450 kilograms internal capacity. It will be powered by two Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress AI-450C turboprop engines rated 550 horsepower.
Turkey has so far imported 12 such engines from Ukraine, its main partner in the field of drone technology. Six units are slated for delivery to the Turkish Air Force (TAF) by the end of 2021.
The Akinci UCAV first made news after breaking a Turkish aviation altitude record flying for 25 hours and 46 minutes at 38,000 feet while carrying a payload of 1,360 kilograms over a distance of 7,500 km.
There is a need to protect the highly prized drones. According to experts, the Akinci’s arrival will lead the Turkish air force to modernize its aerial warfare rules. A new idea is reportedly under consideration that envisions F-16 fighter jets, armed with air-to-air missiles providing cover to Akinci drones, as they fly towards their targets.
The Akinci drone will boost the Turkish air force, presenting a new alternative for long-range missions in low-intensity conflict environments and thus relieving the burden of the F-16s, experts note.
Turkey’s F-16 Warplanes
Turkey is also looking for advanced fighters to replace its aging F-16 fleet. This assumes urgency given its rivals are bolstering their aerial capabilities rapidly. The US is currently upgrading most of Greece’s F-16s to the Viper configuration, which will make them the most advanced F-16s in Europe.
Additionally, Athens has ordered a small fleet of 4.5-generation French-built Rafale fighters and is also likely to acquire F-35As in the not-too-distant future. Egypt has also acquired Rafales and has reportedly begun taking delivery of 4.5-generation Su-35s from Russia.
Ankara-based BlueMelange, an independent research group, was recently quoted by Forbes as saying there are around 236 Turkish F-16s, consisting of Block 30, Block 40, Block 50, and Block 50+ variants, with descending combat-readiness due to their age and extreme combat-loaded sortie-flight records.
The highly advanced UCAVs are a matter of pride for Turkey and brought massive business to the country and Turkey does not want to take chance on the safety of these drones. (Source: UAS VISION/Eurasian Times)
08 Sep 21. Orbital UAV to expand production capacity. The company has unveiled plans to leverage newly secured government funding. Late last month, Defence awarded $195,624 to Western Australia-based Orbital Corporation under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants program.
Orbital UAV confirmed it would leverage the funding to expand its production capability ahead of the commissioning of additional engine production lines at its Balcatta operation.
“With two UAV engine models in production and a further three engine production lines scheduled to enter operation over the next 12 months, this grant will fund the purchase of additional inspection and verification equipment and support the increased throughput of development and production parts,” Todd Alder, CEO and managing director of Orbital UAV, said.
“We are delighted to receive this funding and are greatly appreciative of the support Orbital UAV has continued to receive as we build our business and look to support Australia’s sovereign capability objectives.”
The company’s receipt of the grant coincided with the Australian Army’s 13th Brigade’s visit to its Balcatta headquarters at Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta.
13th Brigade’s Commander, Brigadier Brett Chaloner CSC; Innovation Major, Major Simon Powell; and Command Liaison Officer Captain Jason Tuna were among the visitors.
“Change, growth and innovation are at the heart of our transformation and supporting that is our increased engagement and understanding of Defence industry capability in our State,” BRIG Chaloner said.
“It is exciting to see the unique capability that Orbital UAV has here in WA and explore opportunities to work together to deliver on State and nationwide strategic defence objectives.”
Martin Johnston, chief operating officer of Orbital UAV, welcomed the visit.
“It was a pleasure to host members of 13th Brigade,” Johnson said.
“As we continue to develop our technologies and look to expand our capabilities within defence industry, having this engagement and understanding the long-term objectives and needs of the ADF and end-users of our products is incredibly valuable.” (Source: Defence Connect)
03 Sep 21. Archer Enters Agreement with USAF to Collaborate on Flight Testing.
- Under the Agreement, Archer will share its eVTOL flight testing information with the United States Air Force (USAF) to allow the AFWERX Agility Prime Office to assess the transformational vertical flight market and eVTOL technologies
- The collaboration will help identify opportunities for early adoption of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft in the years ahead
Archer Aviation Inc. (“Archer”), a leading developer of all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft, today announced an agreement with the USAF to establish a collaborative strategy to explore the technical readiness and suitability of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft for USAF purposes. As Archer continues its work towards achieving FAA Type Certification of its eVTOL aircraft, flight testing information will enable the USAF to better identify opportunities for early adoption of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft with the potential for procurement and fielding in the next three years.
As part of the agreement, Archer will provide the USAF and the AFWERX Agility Prime Office with data from certain of its upcoming flight tests for the purposes of furthering the USAF’s understanding of its aircraft’s capabilities, systems and development progression. AFWERX Agility Prime is a non-traditional program seeking to accelerate the commercial market for advanced air mobility vehicles. The goal of the partnership is to conduct testing of airworthiness of Archer’s demonstrator aircraft, Maker, which is targeted to begin flight testing in the months ahead.
“We’re honored to be working with the United States Air Force to explore the potential applications of eVTOL aircraft in the coming years,” said Adam Goldstein, co-Founder and co-CEO of Archer. “As we continue to progress toward our mission of ushering in the next era of sustainable urban air mobility, working with the USAF will allow for new opportunities to share Archer’s revolutionary approach to urban air mobility. We’re excited to begin this effort to further highlight the wide-ranging benefits of eVTOL aircraft.”
“Through our partnership with the USAF, we hope to accelerate our flight testing timeline and demonstrate the technical readiness level and suitability of our aircraft for the United States Air Force’s desired applications,” said Brett Adcock, co-Founder and co-CEO of Archer. “We’re looking forward to beginning flight tests of Maker in the months ahead as part of this agreement, which will showcase the advancements we’ve made in bringing our eVTOL aircraft to market.”
“Partnerships like this will enable the USAF to work closely with the designers and engineers behind the groundbreaking new technologies that are making eVTOL flight a reality,” said Colonel Diller of the USAF. “We believe that eVTOL aircraft represent a great leap forward in aerospace and we’re excited to be working on this new era of sustainable transportation.” (Source: ASD Network)
03 Sep 21. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) continues to advance new levels of autonomous control for unmanned aircraft, successfully completing an airborne Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) demonstration on Aug. 25, 2021 pairing a company-owned MQ-20 Avenger with a modified King Air 200 as a surrogate for 4th- and 5th-generation tactical fighters.
The flight demonstrated autonomous collaboration using command and control (C2) of the Avenger from a ruggedized tactical control tablet, integrated with Autonodyne’s RCU-1000 Advanced Human Machine Interface, to provide real-time situational awareness combined with complex behavior tasking. The airborne node utilized a GA-ASI-modified King Air 200, which allowed for rapid integration and test of the C2 hardware.
“GA-ASI continues to innovate by integrating state-of-the-art technology, providing combatant commanders with tested solutions for persistent, affordable air sensing with challenging target sets,” said Mike Atwood, senior director of advanced concepts at GA-ASI. “This flight builds on the previous long-wave IR passive autonomous testing, and continues to validate that persistent Group 5 UAS aircraft can perform complex Air Moving Target Indication (AMTI).”
The Avenger flight originated from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon facility in the Mojave Desert and the King Air took off from Montgomery Airport in San Diego. The demo lasted for approximately two hours. The successful test proves the ability for GA-ASI MUM-T to command airborne assets while autonomously executing behaviors and missions that provide increased awareness and effectiveness to the warfighter.
“Autonodyne was thrilled to work with GA-ASI to leverage our previous work in MUM-T C2 and apply it to such an impressive air vehicle,” said Autonodyne CEO Steve Jacobson. “Tactical control combined with powerful autonomy capabilities is critical to providing our warfighters the tools they need now.”
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