They will be link 16 compatible, so no problems pairing with Wedgetails or P8s.
Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
OldTex
Well-Known Member
So long as the MQ-28 has the range, speed and endurance of the escorted aircraft it would make sense. If it doesn't then you rapidly get into a situation where either the primary asset (E-7 or P-8) has its operational area restricted to cater for MQ-28 operation or you have a large number of MQ-28 required IOT ensure adequate protective coverage ( range vs time-on-target)
MARKMILES77
Well-Known Member
Confirmation the the first order for production versions of the Ghost Bat has been placed by the Australian Government.
Made in a speech to the Australian Press Club by Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.
No mention of numbers.
Also a clue as to how large the Ghost Shark programme is, with the statement that 1000 jobs will be supported by Ghost Shark production.
Made in a speech to the Australian Press Club by Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.
No mention of numbers.
Also a clue as to how large the Ghost Shark programme is, with the statement that 1000 jobs will be supported by Ghost Shark production.
In other Ghostbat news the MQ-28 is participating in Valiant Shield 26 and is operating alongside the F-15EX.
www.twz.com
F-15EX And Ghost Bat Team Up Over Pacific During Valiant Shield
Their appearance together during Valiant Shield offers the strongest signal yet that the Eagle II will evolve into a controller for collaborative combat drones. Their appearance together during Valiant Shield offers the strongest public sign yet that the Eagle II is evolving into a controller...
www.twz.com
We have seen the my-28 fly with the F/A18F, E-7, P-8A and now the F-15EX. Yet to hear of it operating alongside a single seat aircraft such as the F-35. I am not sure if that is a workload issue or that they aren’t yet willing to allow it to operate with that degree of autonomy.
Does mean the RAAF will need to keep flying the F/A-18F well into the future and may eventually have to replace it with another 2 seater.
MARKMILES77
Well-Known Member
I have thought exactly the same. Quite likely Loyal Wingmen will not be operating with single seat aircraft for a long time.
Good question
I like the concept of the MQ-28 and acknowledge that it is early days with regards to bringing a concept to reality.
Pilot workload is certainly a consideration at the best of times, even without with a teaming asset like the Ghostbat.
So agree integration with the single seat F35 will interesting.
If problematic, it will certainly have an impact on the viability of teaming assets going forward.
Hopefully there’s a path forward
Cheers S
I doubt the pilot is ever alone these days. There may be one seat but a whole supporting cast in the Wedgetail and on the ground. It may be teamed and in support of the F35 but I suspect most of the support role thinking, calculations and option development will be done by AI and off board crew.
Agree the pilot is not “Biggles” going solo!
That said a pilot with a teaming vehicle or two does have more complexity than the past.
I agree everything is a team effort and you are one of the cogs on the wheel.
The unmanned AI thing is an interesting and somewhat scary realm.
Not sure if the zombie apocalypse is around the corner or not but anyway let’s see how ghost bat evolves.
I’m confident it has a future providing they keep the cost down
Cheers
What would be interssting is rigging all with IFR. The P8, the E-7 and the Ghostbat. Then fit the P-8 and E-7 with IFR drogue pods. They tank their own escorts and top up from KC30s themselves.
OldTex
Well-Known Member
That might be something for Block 4+ of the MQ-28. Getting the IFR pods added to the P-8 and E-7 might be a costly niche capability. The USN might stump up development and certification money if they can be convinced that it is a great idea of theirs. The E-7 might have to be funded by ADF as the USAF mainly uses booms (although the MC-130s support IFR for CSAR helicopters using hose & drogue).