Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[MickB]

There are no likely S E Asian countries that are looking at the Skyceptor (S Korea and Japan have their own system).

Does that mean we would need to establish our own production line if we wanted Skyceptor?

I can't see that being easy, but it might be an option if Raytheon set up a joint missile factory for multiple missile types, such as perhaps AMRAAM, ESSM and Skyceptor.

Last point is that the final integrated system has to have some form of short range utra cheap mass interception capability (drones, lasers and/or guns). It can't be an all multi million dollar missile system. Even the Skyceptor is supposedly in the million dollar range.

Avoid long ques, go with the S K products and establish a joint production line here in Australia.

Both L SAM and M SAM look to be a good fit.
M SAM is now combat proven by UAE.

 

[Tbone]

Do we have any new information on how the BAE STRIX drone is developing? I was excited to see this sovereign drone tested but all is silent on where it is at. With potential use with Apache, long range ISR and potential maritime variants lifting off vessels like the Arafura and LHD’s I thought this would be fast tracked considering it has strike options when it comes to payloads but it seems to have come to nothing.. anyone here maybe to able to shed some light ?

 

[SamB]

Do we have any new information on how the BAE STRIX drone is developing? I was excited to see this sovereign drone tested but all is silent on where it is at. With potential use with Apache, long range ISR and potential maritime variants lifting off vessels like the Arafura and LHD’s I thought this would be fast tracked considering it has strike options when it comes to payloads but it seems to have come to nothing.. anyone here maybe to able to shed some light ?

INNOVAERO is an Australian owned and operated autonomous arial systems manufacturer of systems such as STRIX. BAE opens the door to global marketing and military sales. In January of this year INNOVAERO increased its workforce to meet demand.

Looks like they're having a good time of it.

Building Australia’s Defence Future – Autonomous Aerial Systems

Career opportunities in advanced design and autonomy, production engineering, manufacturing systems, and industrialisation.

innov.aero

 

[Tbone]

Seems like the focus is all on the OWL loitering drone not the Strix drone which is a lot larger platform. Is it still moving ahead as it seemed it was really gaining speed and promising capability!

 

[ADMk2]

Do we have any new information on how the BAE STRIX drone is developing? I was excited to see this sovereign drone tested but all is silent on where it is at. With potential use with Apache, long range ISR and potential maritime variants lifting off vessels like the Arafura and LHD’s I thought this would be fast tracked considering it has strike options when it comes to payloads but it seems to have come to nothing.. anyone here maybe to able to shed some light ?

Hasn’t yet been picked up by ADF even in a trials basis, from recollection.

OWL-B however is being pursued enthusiastically,