21 October 2021
by Pat Host
A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper UAV pictured on 5 August at March Air Reserve Base in California. The US Army insists on having a piloted rotorcraft perform the armed reconnaissance mission, though an expert said the service could do it, and do it cheaper, with an MQ-9. (US Air National Guard)
The US Army insists it needs a human-piloted Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) helicopter to perform the armed reconnaissance mission despite experts telling Janes the service could perform the mission with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Brigadier General Robert Barrie, programme executive officer for aviation, told Janes on 12 October that the existing technology requires the US Army to have a human-in-the-loop operating in the FARA for the decisions that would be required, and anticipated, for forward reconnaissance. A portion of this mission, he said, will be executed by UAVs, specifically with a combination of Air Launched Effects (ALE) and manned-unmanned teaming.
27 March 2024
by Gareth Jennings
One of four Reaper UAVs now operated by the RNLAF. As well as doubling its fleet to eight, the Netherlands plans to upgrade its Reapers with a raft of enhanced capabilities. (Royal Netherlands Air Force)
The Netherlands is to equip its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a raft of enhancements over the next three years, the manufacturer said on 27 March.
Following previously disclosed plans by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to double its fleet size from four to eight air vehicles, GA-ASI spelled out some of the capability upgrades that the service intends to add.
“Upgrades to their aircraft [will] include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons,” the manufacturer said.
As noted by Lieutenant Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, the commander of the RNLAF's 306 Squadron that operates the type, the Netherlands plans to use its Reapers across an increasing range of mission sets for its national and NATO needs. “With these upgrades, we will support NATO's ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] and maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe,” he was quoted as saying by GA-ASI.
25 March 2024
by Victor Barreira
The Brazilian Navy has organised to better modernise its forces with programmes such as the development of the Riachuelo-class submarines, the lead ship shown here. (Brazilian Navy)
The Navy Directorate-General for Material (Diretoria-Geral do Material da Marinha: DGMM) of the Brazilian Navy has designed a new plan to better organise its role in the modernisation of the service, the DGMM told Janes.
This modernisation, known as the ‘The Navy of Tomorrow', is guided by the Navy Strategic Plan 2040, which establishes strategic programmes to provide Brazil with a modern naval force of a size compatible with the country's political stature by 2040, the DGMM told Janes.
The Marinha do Brasil has organised its needs into seven strategic programmes: Modernisation of Naval Power; Obtaining Full Operational Capacity (OCOP); Navy Nuclear Program (PNM); Blue Amazon Management System (SisGAAz); Personnel – Our Biggest Patrimony; Maritime Mindset; and Expansion of Logistics Support Capacity for Operational Assets.
22 March 2024
by Jeremiah Cushman
Special mission variants of Bombardier's Global and Challenger families of business jets fly in formation. (Bombardier Defense)
Bombardier has launched a new maintenance offering for government and military operators of its Challenger- and Global-series business jets. The Smart Services Defense (SSD) programme provides cost-per-flight-hour coverage of airframe system components, landing gear overhaul, and options to meet customer needs, the company said in a 19 February statement.
The programme is intended for Bombardier Defense special mission, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), head of state, and government operators, offering customisation based on end-user capabilities, personnel, and infrastructure requirements, including the requirements of high-utilisation rates or unique operating profiles, the statement said.
There are around 500 specialised Bombardier Defense aircraft in service around the world, which have more than three million fleet hours with 160 operators in over 50 countries, according to the company.
The SSD programme is the latest in Bombardier's cost-per-flight-hour offerings, which began around 35 years ago with its Smart Parts programme, Guillaume Landrivon, vice-president for Smart Services and Programs at Bombardier Aviation, told Janes on 5 March.
The US Army insists it needs a human-piloted Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) helicopter...
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