U.K. UAV's/Drones

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Timmymagic
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Timmymagic »

BlueD954 wrote:UK to buy Turkish Drones to complement Protector?!
No. Not a chance.

Plenty of UK 'drone' companies.

But the easy solution will be adopting the Fury munition on Watchkeeper. Both Thales products and Fury is derived from LMM (aka Martlet).

Add in the imminent arrival of Protector, the probable dusting off of FireShadow, continued use of Spike-NLOS (albeit it in a limited manner) and the UK is reasobably well covered. I also expect a limited buy of a small loitering munition like the U-Vision Hero or Switchblade 600 in the near future.

Timmymagic
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Timmymagic »

And here it is...potential order of Aerovironment Switchblade. Not a big one, probably for trials or SF. Looks like its the 300 as well, not the 600.



https://www.avinc.com/tms/switchblade
https://www.avinc.com/tms/switchblade-600

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Oh, the rucksack model:

Artillery in your Bergen; for the SF only (for now).
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

Timmymagic
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Timmymagic »

RFA Mounts Bay holding an unmanned conference onboard...
1st Picture
L3 Harris MAST 13 - https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press ... royal-navy
MSubs Manta - https://www.navylookout.com/manta-the-r ... submarine/

2nd Picture
Unmanned Jetski - Not sure about this, might be related to the QinetiQ Sentry

3rd Picture
Malloy Aeronautics T-150 - Carrying a BAE Future LWT mock-up - https://www.malloyaeronautics.com/

4th Picture
Aerovironment Puma 3 AE - https://www.avinc.com/uas/puma-ae
U-Vision Hero 30 Launcher - https://uvisionuav.com/products/#category_id_21
Anduril Ghost 3 (the helo UAV inbackground) - https://www.anduril.com/


Timmymagic
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Timmymagic »

Another batch of pics.. bottom set

1st Picture
BAE P950 USV with MSI Venom RWS - https://www.baesystems.com/en/multimedi ... -rib-video

2nd Picture- Bit of a mystery...
Mystery Jetski again?
Possible Liquid Robotics WaveGlider competitor?
Mine neutralisation UAV (but doesn't appear to be SeaFox)

3rd Picture
Wider view, including another QuadCopter and the Hero 30 munition

4th Picture
Chinook delivering bigwigs..


Ron5
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

No mention of loyal wingman in the defense reviews that I can find. So much for my one and only prediction :cry:

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

Ron5 wrote:No mention of loyal wingman in the defense reviews that I can find. So much for my one and only prediction :cry:
I was reminded that I also predicted the UK wouldn't formally modify its plan to buy 138 F-35's over its lifetime as there would be nothing to gain by so doing. I was correct there so batting 500.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Ron5 wrote:No mention of loyal wingman in the defense reviews that I can find. So much for my one and only prediction :cry:
You will be proven right, but for now
it's 'guns blazing' for the UK alternative
when there is one from Oz and two (as for now) from the US, to buy.

Whichever (or the 'next steps') proves best will be bought
... so putting nothing 'in print' gives more leeway to trying to do it at home. If it doesn't work, we buy something else and claim that none of the money was wasted - as so many lessons (and so much about the tech) was learned
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by SW1 »

From the defence paper

We will also make a strategic investment of more than £2bn over the next four years in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). FCAS will deliver an innovative mix of crewed, uncrewed
and autonomous platforms including swarming drones. This will deliver an advanced combat air system capable of fighting in the most hostile environments. The development of novel technologies, and a step change in how we use simulators for mission rehearsal and training, will enable the Royal Air Force to be among the most technologically innovative, productive and lethal air forces in the world.

From the defence secretary statement to the house

the Typhoon has been a tremendous success for the British aerospace industry and we will seek to repeat that with £2-billion of investment in the Future Combat Air System over the next four years, alongside further development of the LANCA UCAV system. We will continue to seek further international collaboration.


Lanca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

SW1 wrote:investment in the Future Combat Air System
An open system, plug-and-play
--- as for wingmen, yes, one or the other (but one's own children are always the pritiest)
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by SW1 »

Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).
Not really sure i understand your point. Spirit belfast employs nearly 3000 people and will be doing the design and manufacture of the air vehicle. Northrop in Fareham doing the mission systems with The RAF rapid capability office heavily involved.

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

SW1 wrote:Northrop
Not sure if Raytheon is anywhere 'onshore' here, but if so, we will have collected a full hand; all of which - on case by case basis - can potentially be partners in Eu(rope's) defence projects
... was it 8 bn up for grabs?

You know, with one or the other unique tecnology paving the way for a 'real' UK company also to participate. To be approved on a case by case basis
- we ushered Norway into that room; and decided to walk out of the back door ourselves. Now any participation to be decided -did I say it yet - an a case by case basis
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).
Not really sure i understand your point. Spirit belfast employs nearly 3000 people and will be doing the design and manufacture of the air vehicle. Northrop in Fareham doing the mission systems with The RAF rapid capability office heavily involved.
Both american companies.

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by SW1 »

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Not sure if Raytheon is anywhere 'onshore' here,
They are at Broughton airfield with Airbus UK. Raytheon has a full design integration and overhaul facility there which was set up for the Astor program where they did the final 4 a/c and also were they do the Shadow aircraft.

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by SW1 »

Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).
Not really sure i understand your point. Spirit belfast employs nearly 3000 people and will be doing the design and manufacture of the air vehicle. Northrop in Fareham doing the mission systems with The RAF rapid capability office heavily involved.
Both american companies.
Yes American owned Multinationals with significant uk design and manufacturing industrial capacity which is being invested in.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

SW1 wrote:Multinationals with significant uk design and manufacturing industrial capacity which is being invested in.
Without that happening, there would be
1. not a single country (other than the UK) where to land at scale, and
2. hence no access to Eu(ropean) funded projects as partners

Talk about having the best of both worlds ;)
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

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Ron5
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).
Not really sure i understand your point. Spirit belfast employs nearly 3000 people and will be doing the design and manufacture of the air vehicle. Northrop in Fareham doing the mission systems with The RAF rapid capability office heavily involved.
Both american companies.
Yes American owned Multinationals with significant uk design and manufacturing industrial capacity which is being invested in.
The UK is somewhat unique in equating foreign owned companies with locally owned ones. Look at GE and the fuss when they decided to relocate to France. What if Spirit Belfast decides to close down and move all the work to Texas?

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by SW1 »

Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:
Ron5 wrote:
SW1 wrote:anca loyal wingman is already under contract for the demonstrator with spirit aero systems belfast and Northrop Grumman uk
Nothing like investing in British industry (sarcasm off).
Not really sure i understand your point. Spirit belfast employs nearly 3000 people and will be doing the design and manufacture of the air vehicle. Northrop in Fareham doing the mission systems with The RAF rapid capability office heavily involved.
Both american companies.
Yes American owned Multinationals with significant uk design and manufacturing industrial capacity which is being invested in.
The UK is somewhat unique in equating foreign owned companies with locally owned ones. Look at GE and the fuss when they decided to relocate to France. What if Spirit Belfast decides to close down and move all the work to Texas?
Without going into details there is patents on certain certified technologies that are written in ways that mean the design/production must remain in current location.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Ron5 wrote:The UK is somewhat unique in equating foreign owned companies with locally owned ones.
A bad mistake
SW1 wrote: there is patents on certain certified technologies that are written in ways that mean the design/production must remain in current location.
... but perhaps we are learning. Btw, patents can be bought and sold so having such legally-binding clauses written in stone (on them) seems like stretching the patent law
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

Ron5
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Ron5 »

I would think most interesting military developments are not patented. Patents are the way of allowing many companies to produce your brilliant new idea while sharing the benefits with you, the originator. Military types don't really like to share stuff.

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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by Jensy »

Somewhat conflicting numbers, however the gist and timeline is definitely interesting:





Full video of Gen. Nick Carter's IISS speech to go up tomorrow.

P.S: Could we do with a Mosquito thread, either in addition or in place of the LANCA thread in the RAF section?

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: U.K. UAV's/Drones

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Jensy wrote:Could we do with a Mosquito thread, either in addition or in place of the LANCA thread in the RAF section?
Indeed, we should keep up with the Joneses and introduce more jointness
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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