The MQ-28A Ghost Bat, Unmanned Systems and the Future of Australian Air Power
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- Опубликовано: 8 июн 2024
- The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is the first Australian designed and manufactured combat aircraft in over 50 years. Designed by a Boeing led consortium of Australian industry to meet the Royal Australian Air Force's requirements under the Loyal Wingman program, the MQ-28A is a n Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, or UCAV. Although still a developmental program, the Ghost Bat holds the potential to revolutionize the RAAF's air combat capability. This video explores the possibilities presented by the MQ-28, its probable capabilities and the fundamental premise which underpins the entire program; the autonomous airpower systems and the unmanned-manned airpower team. From ISR to air combat to naval aviation, this humble little drone could well form the foundation for the future of Australian air power throughout the first half of the 21st century.
0:00 A History of Australian Fighter Design
13:45 The MQ-28A, RAAF and the manned-unmanned team
49:09 The Case for Australian Naval Aviation
1:22:22 A Navalised Ghost Bat?
1:52:35 Future Possibilities
I’m a grunt in a first world army and I appreciate the level of detail without bullshit buzzwords. If I can grasp your 2 hour video and be entertained throughout, you’ve succeeded.
As an ex-grunt, I second this. It's the kind of content that should be shown to our recruits.
As an ex grunt I also agree with the above comments. This vid is clear, easy to digest and I still think pogs are bjtches..
Grunts are too dumb to follow along with this.
@@attilioc238 lol
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Your upload schedule is wild, man. A 2 hour video once a month is so much work, when you're clearly working a full time job as well. I appreciate your efforts.
I recommend your channel quite often
I really appreciate the amount of time and care that is put into all your videos, you deserve way more subs.
Always like knowing about all of past present and future aviation keep it up thanks.
100%
@@raymongarza4290 I’m llllllI’m just saying I’m going out llllllllllllll I’ll llllllllllllll😊llll
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Happy to see some frontline technology coming the other way! We all make each other stronger! 🇺🇸🇦🇺
Except it isnt ... the Ghost bat has been barred from the major US MUM-T programs in the USAF (Skyborg etc) . The US is only an ally as long as it doesn't offend their weapons contractors
The E-7A Wedgetail if a fantastic platform developed for the RAAF; the US has ordered 26!
You make a hell of a good argument for the Ghost Bat. Especially considering Australia's position way way out of coverage by allies. It would be excellent for extending your defensive envelope.
Yeah was thinking same thing. Would also be nice to have these things circling the Australian and USA coasts 24/7 also.
Fantastic video. Being an Australian design, we don't have the same kind of coverage and analysis to satisfy our nerdy needs. So GREATLY appreciate the work you have done to make this.
You are right about the low-quality of the debate on Australian naval aviation. When a RUclipsr makes better arguments about naval aviation than most of the papers I saw during my time in Defence you know something is wrong. The RAN could have liberated itself from the tyranny of the radar horizon years ago, using rotary wing AEW&C, like the RN but, despite having many good people, it seems culturally incapable of thinking outside its comfort zone.
I often wonder why they don’t see the logic? Surely they understand the advantages?
@@garry19681 The RAN is terrified of mission overlap. A patrol boat will just patrol. An amphibious ship will only do that, a minesweeper will only do that etc.
The powers to be at the RAN have always considered JORN to be their asset for over the horizon work since the government just gave them a single helicopter capability when they bought the Spanish Frigates and called them "Destroyers". Just having an AEW&C helicopter loses more than just their ASW capability. If they had a rotary wing AEW&C asset that benefits the LHDs and Choules, not the other MFUs. Thoughts?
To be fair our dude might work for Defence or a Think Tank at some point; he's a PhD RUclipsr in exactly this kind of topic.
Love it how your topic was a modern UAV yet you were able to squeeze in a WWII period doco on Australia's aircraft production, which was more comprehensive than most other youtubers that dedicate entire videos to it. Also I'd love to hear you on The Bilge Pumps Podcast, Jamie from Armoured Carrier RUclips channel is always talking about ships being UAV, UUV and ASV motherships.
Man, it is always a pleasure to see a new video of yours! I'm always looking for new content, since you are one if not THE best content creator on RUclips, providing detailed in depth review and analysis regarding defense topics in and around Australia. Please don't stop your great work! I really appreciate it! Keep it up, bud!
1:32 - in that particular scenario the HMAS Canberra taskforce is still very vulnerable, due to the limited number of AMRAAMs that the Ghost Bats can be equipped with. Also, when conducting these sort of ASW - Sea Denial - type operations the lower vehicle deck would be completely un-used on a Canberra class LHD. A autonomous drone with the Ghost Bat’s size can have either folding or even detectable wings; thus it could fit on the internal vehicle lift and stored in the lowest vehicle deck, which could be then transformed into a UAV Hanger. This in turn would free up the light vehicle deck to be used not just for helicopter storage and servicing, but for a small number of F35Bs: the point being that even 4 to 8 embarked F35Bs - held in reserve for an occurrence such as an attack by a bomber formation - can bring the sort of kinematic heft to the fight that the Ghost bat cannot; moreover flying in a team with the ghost bats, the formation can rely upon the F35Bs radar, meaning more ghost bats in the air with missiles to augment the F-35bs strike power; by 2032 the F35B should be able to carry 6 long range missiles internally (up from 4 at present); thus a four plane flight of F35Bs, plus four Ghost-bats could bring a total of 32 missiles to that engagement and therefore not have to rely upon the rest of the bomber formation being scarred off by one of their number being damaged (noting the heroism of bomber crews in WW2 it seems equally likely to me that the formation of bombers may persevere with the mission even after the first missile strikes, especially if their intelligence tells them that at such long ranges the Canberras are likely to only be protected by lightly armed UAVs).
I fully accept that the Canberra establishment is opposed to the F35B; but when teamed with a UAV system like the Ghost-Bat only a small number of F35Bs would be needed and hence the cost of acquiring and operating them would be lessened significantly and the degree of modifications back toward the Jan Carlos configuration would also be minimised. A total of something like 18-24 F35Bs would be sufficient to see both our LHDs embarked with a small squadron of STOVL jets, alongside ASW helicopters and autonomous UAVs for sea denial operations. Worth it. Much more so than some of the big ticket purchases being contemplated by the ADF, IMO.
Just wanted to say mate, all in all I 100% agree. The more this kind of discussion occurs the more I believe people will understand that it is in our best interest to have a navy that can protect itself in such ways.
Yeppers: a high/low mix is a force multiplier, across domains, to boot.
A *fine* job at a difficult format. It's more like an audio treatise with emphasis on background research than anything I've seen on RUclips thus far. I'm not easily surprised, yet you manage it every time, with your level-headed and practical take on things. You've in fact managed to change my mind e.g. on the F-35 - no mean online feat, as we all know. Kudos, and looking forward for more!
BTW, one way to make the argument that unmanned aircraft aren't the be all and end all of fighter jets, is that actually they've already been here for a long time. It's just that they're called missiles, not fighters. They certainly have far greater manoeuverability when that's important, and will increase in lethality once their control is relegated to AI. But for command and control, which is what humans do, it'll be a long time before even part of that decision making power can be relegated over.
Skynet notwithstanding.
Finally, we actually have an example - a ghastly one but still well established - of how to bridge the gap between fighter jets and missiles the other way around: the kamikaze mission. I mean, what is it except a single use military aircraft, a missile, only now powered by a human brain.
Thought about that way, especially in the context of modern stealth, actually landing in a dogfight *is* kind of turning into your mission half-way into a kamikaze one. Maybe not with such sheer intent and certainty of demise, but still a very high ris, with the pilot serving as the brains of what is a very high performance and costly now-expendable missile.
Fantastic content as usual, extremely underrated channel, I hope you keep making videos!
Oh sweet I cannot wait to listen to this tonight!!
Love your work mate
The MQ-28 is a member of a generation of programs many call "loyal wingman". It will be interesting to see how these programs develop, but with the UK already cancelling its own loyal wingman program, it is by no means certain that any will reach front line squadrons.
Anybody who has been watching military aviation for a few decades will notice the clear similarities between the objectives of current loyal wingman programs and the old concept of having a high low combat mix of combat aircraft. The idea being that a small air force like Australia could offset the high cost of high end combat aircraft by buying cheaper less capable aircraft to make up the numbers. The problem has always been that to make these cheaper aircraft genuinely combat capable, they end up being 80-90% of the cost of aircraft you want to avoid buying. The F-5 was the last fighter to make a commercial success of this concept, the F-20 is a famous example of one that tried and failed in the eighties because its cost was too close to the high end capability like the F-16. Making a drone cheap enough while being good enough to do the jobs the RAAF will require is a challenge most greatly underestimate. The APG-85 is a good example, it is an example of the kind of senor performance many would want such a drone to have, but costs as much as you want to spend on the fly away cost of the aircraft you want to buy. Other boxes with the same issue include DAS, EOTS, Stealth of any kind, limited supersonic speed. Unmanned only saves you so much. Combine the fact that the RAAF will never buy anything in massive numbers, and you may well find it cheaper to simply buy more F-35A's if you want to tick all the boxes we associate with a modern fighter aircraft.
This is not to say that the RAAF buying an armed drone is a dumb idea, but I would argue that expecting the first generation of such an asset to be capable of air to air combat is. That capability looks a lot like an unmanned F-35, and would cost just as much, if not more, if it is build a small numbers. A future generation might, but without a first generation you don't get a fifth gen.
If you look at the MQ-28 design, one thing stands out, it is clearly a remote sensor capability first , with a limited secondary combat role. It will more likely to cost US$60-70m per unit, than US$10-20M many are hoping for. More an unmanned E-2 than an unmanned F/A-18. Dominating the electronic spectrum, may not be sexy, like air to air combat is, but it is arguable far more important. This does not require a massively advanced AI that has not yet been invented yet. A drone which can fly long distances, be refueled in the air so could support and be controlled by a RAN task force operating at distance, for a faction of the cost of an F-35B, and be expendable in the way a E-7 could never be. This makes much more sense to me. Now we just need a navy destroyer with sufficient VLS cells to support such a concept. Sorry Hunter but that is so not you.
Yea you have good points but Australia has done well with AI and you say Britain stopped these programmes. well Taranis also used the same company BAE Australia to build it's AI and why first flights were in Australia.
Australia has over 500 fully AI mining trucks. one mine is fully AI.
We also have Ghost Shark AI submersible also.
Britain and USA all have similar projects.
Think you are in the 80's still.
DefendTex D40 drone is being used in Ukraine war now is a Australian AI drone capable of swarm drone and anti enemy drone.
During Aukus USA and UK were very surprised at some tech Australia had that they previously knew nothing about.
@@nedkelly9688 Driving a truck around a predetermined route, conducting predetermined activities, is much easier than any combat environment, not a valid comparison. The Drones used by Ukraine are a much lower end capability than we are targeting with this project, some would argue we do something similar first, then look to increase capability over time as we grow the Australian expertise.
Taranis did its testing in Australia, but it was a UK project, all we did was let them use our testing facilities, BAE Australia's involvement was minimal.
As i said above, it will in interesting to see how this project moves forward, I suspect the next stage is actually to bring in a couple of joint venture partners. This project needs volume, to be successful, it is the best way forward to deliver that volume.
@@marktucker8896 Lol mate Australia had a lot to do with the AI in Taranis. you have no clue on the matter actually.
Australia DefendTex D40 is very good and has been in videos of swarm drone manouvres in USA.
These days, the F15EX and F16 are the low end of the high low mix.
In my view the issue is now not so much high end vs low mix, as small numbers vs large numbers. Large numbers and lots of firepower, have a significant quality of their own.
@@jimgraham6722 You will always have a mix, is not a choice between low end drones or high-end capabilities like the F-35. The decision to be made is what is the right combination of the two? I see a future where the manned element looks more like an AWACS than a traditional fighter controlling your drone fleet.
That said if we end up spending A$100 million per drone, the RAAF will not get enough armed drones to make the concept work. That is the risk when we start wanting too many high-end capabilities in our drones.
You mean a lot to me, man. I genuinely want to be like you when I grow up. Your shit is so top tier it makes everyone else on this platform look like clowns.
However-
I want more Q&As!
You can do it mate!
The journey of self-improvement is hard but more than worth it!
Stay strong and you got this!
@@thelvadam2884 I can confirm that. I have spent the last year working on being more healthy after years of sitting in my little depressive hellhole. Hardest shit I've ever done in my life but I've lost 20 kg, am close to no longer being overweight at all, stopped drinking and smoking weed, and on Monday I have an appointment with someone who will assist me in getting therapy and then finding a way into a working life. It's one hell of a fight each day but absolutely worth it. Whoever reads this till the end... Keep on working on yourself, keep on improving and keep on learning. Best of luck and a healthy, happy future to you!
This just arrived in my notifications. I've got a beer fridge full of tinnies, pizza will be here soon, and its a Sunday afternoon. Looking forward to the next 2 hours and 4 mins. I already know it will be brilliant!
The Australian designed and made Jindivik was a very capable unmanned aircraft for its time. It had a substantial payload, an extraordinary rate of climb and could operate in level flight to well over 70,000 feet.
Its performance was enhanced by its light weight as a result of not having to cater for a pilot.
It was remote controlled but there were plans in the early 1980s to upgrade it for autonomous operation and equip for roles other than target towing. Unfortunately these were never realised and ultimately in Australia it target towing role was replaced by the Learjet.
The Jindivik saw service with the UK and US as well as Australia.
There's a Jindivik on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, HMAS Albatross, in Nowra NSW. Remarkably compact considering the capabilities! A common misconception is that these were used as target drones in live-fire exercises; they were too valuable for that, so instead were used as tow vehicles for the actual target vehicle at the end of a fairly long cable. The bright orange paint scheme was of assistance when fishing them out of the ocean after exercises.
@Jim Graham, the Learjets now being used as tow vehicles are awesome little jets too, seen a few displays at airshows around the place, I don't recall the name of the contractor who operates them for the ADF off the top of my head (edit: yeah I do, Air Affairs Australia) but those are some very capable crews.
@@sixstringedthing Yes a fan of the Learjet. These have been successfully used during weapon trials in Australia to drop 'test' weapons.
One of my old flight instructors flew the manned version of the jindivik, the pika.
@@sixstringedthing its designed by boeing not austrailia.
The hero we don't deserve, thank you for another fantastic video!
You’ve made a very good argument here for Australia to field one or more dedicated fixed wing aircraft carriers.
Given your revision, or clarification, of your previous videos it’s clear that you’re seeing the complexity of the total national force structure.
Thanks for your work.
If we’re to acquire an aircraft carrier let’s do it properly. Plenty of people think we can just throw a handful on the Canberra class and we’re set. It’s the worst of all worlds. It has to be built for purpose and the Canberras are not
*handfull of F 35s
@@stevebell7288 If you click the 3 buttons to right of posts you can edit them ;]
I like the idea of dumping the high price, high capability Gucci aircraft options favoured by the USN & going with a cheap platform with range & payload. Something which we can afford to equip, then fly the wings off. It would carry AMRAAM, HARM, Hellfire, JASSM, LRASM, JDAM, NSM, SDB, Sidewinder - & all of those tiny new missiles with amazing capabilities, a range of >600nm. It would just be a versatile, affordable, multi-role system we can get huge bang for our Aussie buck with. We'd be able to use our own engineering ingenuity to come up with all sorts of jobs for it, without needing anyone else to do it.
RAN doesn't have anywhere near the personnel to run an aircraft carrier, not to mention the mind-boggling cost of running one. However it dies seem like some sort of Canberra class type ship as a drone launcher might he an idea, but currently the solution is firmly Canberras are effectively to get the Army into the Pacific with helicopter support, and the Air Force will launch ultra long range support from Darwin via tanker support. This does seem like the best use of resources
Just starting but already know this is going to be excellent. You've never failed to disappoint
Repeating what your parents say?
Lol, might want to check the wording there :)
Welp I'm an hour in and have no regrets 🤷♂️ 🙃
@@topiasr628 "You've never failed to disappoint" is what's known as a "double negative", which is a phrase that's intended to sound like a compliment or positive statement but actually means the opposite. What you've said there is "you've always disappointed me in the past".
The phrase you were reaching for is "you've never failed to impress (me)". Cheers ;)
@@sixstringedthing Oh. Oops... You're right - good call out. Well I'm sure he knows what I meant. This video was superb - as always
Excellent presentation! However, I think you could boost viewership by splitting this up into 33min chunks. Your content is very good; professional and I look forward to it. Looking forward to your next videos!~
Perfect. Was wondering about this thing. An in depth analyses is good.
Look forward to all of your updates!
Thank you for the superb documentaries!
I totally agree with your assessment of McArthur and also demonstrating why politicians should never be involved in dissensions on the battlefield. Well done!
Bloody brilliant video, I really appreciate the attention to detail, the great sense of historical context.. Aussies are really killing it recently with military/geopolitical video essays, between you and Perun.
The MQ-28 program is an important investment for the RAAF, as a force multiplier that can serve a variety of roles within the umbrella of the Loyal Wingman concept: ordinance carrier, ECM/ECCM, etc. If the program is developed to produce a platform that supports a fundamental shift in combat doctrine, each pilot could execute a portfolio of missions that would have required committing a traditional fighter squadron with supporting assets.
Challenges remain: procurement (including the need for advances in materials science), cost and overcoming the politics inherent in the administration of multi-billion dollar defense projects. And all of this must be done within a time-sensitive manner to keep pace with the evolving threat environment.
Once again, love your work. Lot of research put in. You have convinced me, I will take six final production Ghostbats please.
My son is an Army Cadet and I have made all of your videos part of his summer study program.
Your analysis is second to none. I really enjoy, and am genuinely thankful for, your content. God bless.
This is absolutely awesome. Trust the Aussie military to really take it to the next level. This does so much to cover our weaknesses.
Great work as usual, much looked forward to. Now that the DSR has been released to the public, I would love to hear your take on it, and any thoughts /predictions on Australia's ADF going forward.
Your videos are absolute top notch sensory pleasure man.
thank you for another great presentation! ;)
Love your content brother - awesome info, clearly an almighty amount of diligence goes into these; a true hero for ADF enthusiasts.
Ghost Bat letting our small air force/military punch above it's weight despite our small population is huge. Exciting times: we should take advantage of our highly technical and rich population, in collaboration with our allies. I'm also aware of similar projects the Navy is doing with drone boat swarms :)
The interesting thing will be the use of Terahertz comms, which the THz Gap has now recently seen a huge leap forward. Will allow for *incredibly* high bandwidth and incredibly low latency for LOS data links, and in a way that near-peer adversaries simply don't have the EWAR capabilities to disrupt right now.
Excellent video, can definitely tell a lot of work has gone into it, can't wait for more!
I really hope our planners are listening to what you are saying about naval air capability, we do seem to be making some good decisions though (like ghost bat development) which gives me hope.
You're not alone mate. I pray that each night, the bureaucrats in Canberra dedicate some time to learning a thing or two from channels like this one and Perun's.
Thanks. That's a fascinating and well researched video with not just info about the MQ-28A but about the ADF capabilities in general.
Outstanding informative and well researched video as always!
Every video you publish is a treat. Thanks for putting these togther
Dude. Your videos are absolutely killer. Loved the one about the F-35, but I found your channel from the Iraq war video. This quality and simplicity (of the information delivered) are unmatched, especially compared to cable TV or online forums. Keep up the fantastic work!
You've done it again my dude.
Fantastic, well informed and thought provoking as usual - Thanks.
In the words of the immortal big Kev, "I'm excited!"
Hypo, you are speaking to my soul here. Why Australia does not have a STOVL Carrier capability? Is my number one point of contention and fury with our political leaders. We need carriers. We are an island nation... we should have them.
Time to get the popcorn!
Great timing! I just finished watching your video on the Australian army.
Marvelous presentation, as usual. I hope the ASPI wonks take note.
The same ASPI that thinks armour is obsolete and that we should buy B-21 instead of an interim submarine? The same ASPI that thinks climate change is the number one issue the DSR should address? That one?
Great job! We did get info to bid or provider inquiry for some electronics for the “Loyal Wingman. It’s possible our new structure AI May find its way into some generation of the “Loyal Wingman.”
Cool and they do say this isn't the finished version. sources say it is just to test the AI and once checks out the final version will be bigger.
This was excellent. I was sceptical based on your channel name, but you delivered. Well done!
BABE WAKE UP NEW hhh VIDEO! I know this is gonna be quality, love your vidoes mate.
showing my dad your channel - he’s a SQNLDR in the RAAF. i’m sure he’d love this, great content
I have now watched every single H3 vid on RUclips. All excellent. Well done mate!
thanks mate for the quality analysis...love your work
Great presentation. Well done, Oz.
Just another great video.
Thank you.
An excellent presentation. Common sense is the hallmark combined with practically. Congratulations! I enjoy your work. Thank you for the time and effort.
This is a very informative and enjoyable documentary. Great Head Food. Thank you.
Fabulous work put into this 💪🏻 thanks
Awesome! Thanks for putting this together
Another excellent video and a good example of the wider thinking we need in our Defence Community.
Fantastic video. Thank you very much for the insight.
Amazing, stunning work
Well put together and it makes sense
20/01/2023 THANK YOU HHH. As ever you have given a really good overview of Australia's needs as well as its' capacity to get an idea off the ground and working. As a further example of our capacity you could have mentioned Jindivik, Ikara and similar systems of years gone by.
Love your work. Just sitting down to watch this one!
One of your best so far. Loved it! The Ghost Bat is certainly an exciting capability that we can be proud of.
thank you for the the video! always appreciate your analysis! 👍
These videos often take me multiple days to watch- with everything else I have to do.That's just fine with me. I'm always stoked to see a new one arrive.
As I have come to expect from your work, this was excellent.
I do have one observation, however. While your description of what the Ghost Bat (and other UAVs) will be able to do is pretty much spot-on, I cannot help but wonder about what the putative enemy forces (i.e. the Chinese) might do using similar tactics. After all, the Chinese steal EVERYTHING, so it has to be assumed that they will at least have something similar to the MQ-28A in the not too distant future, and likely have them in significantly larger numbers. Since we must assume that they will be aware of the problem posed by the Ghost Bat (if nothing else, they will likely have watched your video!), it might be interesting to see what they would choose to do with those large UAV fleets...
Imagine a squadron of F-35Bs (with associated MQ-28As) confronted with 2-3 squadrons of J-20s (and associated MQ-28A knockoffs)... At the very least, it will be interesting to imagine what tacticians on both sides will come up with.
another marvelous upload.
A major accomplishment. I am glad Australia is somewhat coming to its sense and recognizing the need to be more than a shriveled husk of a military depending on the U.S. to protect like most European countries.
Great video. Cheers from California.
Great to see more content man
Excellent Video Sir !!
These docos are always top tier. Thanks from the US of A.
Thank you for the videos!!!
Ha! Was just last night I was wondering if or when we’d get your next top shelf production from you. Glad I survived the night to enjoy it👌🏻
Hey man great work as usual. Can you make these podcasts also by chance? Now these are a couple of hours long it would be handy to be able to just listen to your briefs. Sure we would lose a bit of the visuals but you tell the story well enough to negate the lose of the slides. Cheers mate
Seconded. I’d listen to these day in and day out on my flights.
Fantastic video and technical analysis! I love the self sovereignty aspect the current and perhaps future Ghost Bat derivatives lend to Australia. The cost savings and production potential also make it an excellent choice for security and or collaboration of lesser allied govs. in the Indo -Pacific arena's ever expanding efforts to counter influence from PRC (both military and economic).
Thank you very much for the hard work! Again excellent video!
I'm grateful for your work. Thank you.
I remember when bean counters thought that guns were a thing of the past, so the original F-4 Phantom only had unreliable missiles and no way to defend themselves in a dogfight. Even after strapping gunpods on them, the pilots weren’t trained to use them. This is what inspired the Topgun program. And now the bean counters proclaim drones are the future.
That was outstanding! New subscriber gained.
I love your work mate, so let me say first, hope you had a good silly season & thanks for not dumbing down your presentations.
Given how little information Boeing released about MQ-28's specifications, I was shocked at the low price of the MQ-28! It's fantastic! All that built in Brisbane, for only a few million! As you say, it gives us the opportunity to learn so much about how to do UCAV operations, their real world performance, improving the AI models etc that is invaluable IP to have at this point in the century. For that reason alone, I would like to see greater investment in their production facilities. Ideally we need every branch, particularly the RAAF & RAN, learning what these systems can do for them.
My dream aircraft for Australia would be a long range, medium bomber sized UCAV. Something we can send 2,000 NM with a belly full of LRASM or JASSM-ER. It wouldn't be supersonic or as stealth as B-21, but it would be able to perform long range ISR, strike & ASu missions.
We've bumped heads over F-35B for the RAN before, as I'm against it on cost grounds. I definitely think naval aviation would be outstanding for us, for all the reasons you mentioned & more. However I'm of the uncommon opinion that a cheaper manned aircraft would be ideal for the RAN. Something like a capable of long endurance light/medium strike aircraft. Ideally a COTS navalised advanced trainer or light strike aircraft. It would have an AESA, visual & IR sensors, 2 crew, & the capability to fulfil many roles for the naval task force. e.g. I'd happily see such an aircraft with Mk-46's & a pod to drop sonar buoys.
I love the MQ-28 for the Canberra. However I am not as optimistic as you about the cost & complexity of outfitting the class for fixed wing aviation. I wish the RAN weren't so stubborn about it when we were getting them built. Due to the extra weight the strengthened gear, airframe & hook entails, I'm not as optimistic about the ease of making a carrier capable MQ-28. I would sure love to hear that Boeing were seriously investigating it though as it's a capability we could always find customers for.
I think they could probably navalise the ghost bat (would it be a sea bat?) in a similar way to the F-35C, I.e. bigger wings to handle the extra mass at the cost of some speed and max G load. Also depending on how far the engine is from the tail there might be room to add an afterburner, which would help out a lot with any thrust to weight ratio issues.
In fact if they're supposed to be so cheap I wonder about building a 'CAM ship' capability for taking down maritime recon aircraft that are shadowing convoys. Like the WW2 CAM ships you would have a single aircraft on a rocket boosted catapult, bolted to the deck of any suitable ship. The drones would have to be expendable, but spending $20 Mil of drone plus $5 mil of missiles to kill a Tu-95 or similar is probably worthwhile.
The statements made above are consistently excellent discussions. I am a retired Professor of Electro-Optics/Plasma physics and Quantum Electrodynamics, as well as a pilot and more that I cannot discuss. How I wish that I could bring extremely advanced technology to be used today. Schade.
Fantastic video as always.
What a great presentation thanks so much
Great content. Was not aware of the significance of this project.
Leaves me wondering about similar such systems being developed elsewhere...
Fantastic work mate
So, what you're saying is that due to low population, Australia is the first to rely upon AI for survival, thus ensuring that the Southern Hemisphere is where Skynet first becomes self-aware at 30,000 feet...
Very well argued , thorough , logical , excellent , thank you .
Your videos are very interesting, thanks!
An excellent analysis and the realistic solution you have floated rather than the earlier very expensive F35B concept well done!
Always a interesting topic 👍
It’s nice to see the USN is starting testing with 2 units, it’d likely fit well for the low aspect of NGAD, which means it’d be cheaper for both the US and Australia
I think there's no way the Yanks will pair this with NGAD due to its affordable performance, however they'll use it to get a much better idea of what they want with their NGAD unmanned wingman.
These videos are so awesome.
New Lazerpig, new HHH, if Perun sticks to schedule this is a great weekend
Considering he hasn't missed a single week I'd say it's a safe bet. ;)
Subscribing from the States. You do a bang up job
Prime content! Cheers!
2Hrs! Wow! But enjoyed every minute. I'm still surprised at Australia's reluctance regarding light carriers. A Queen Elizabeth or CVX carrier would seem to be an outright necessity to an island nation.
We have huge staffing problems within our armed forces, which are invisible to the vast majority of Australians. No way we'd afford a CVX style vessel even if we could man it. Still, light carriers are within our price range if we want them to be.
The last carrier ordered, built and payed for by Australia was kept by the English on completion. HMS Invincible. Ended up changing Australian defence direction from that point.
Thanks man. This is just awesome!
Another extremely well considered and thought out presentation. I especially like the idea of a Ghost Bat, larger Super Ghost Bat and Sea Bat, with stronger landing gear and arrestor hook. The only issue would be air to air refueling issues since the F-35As & Wedge Tails would likely be refueling on missions so the UCAVs need to be able to stay airborne with them, unless the plan is to have rotations so that when one escort package goes bingo on fuel, another escort package of Ghost Bats would have joined them on station before the 1st group start their RTB. Alternatively, they could have disposable drop tanks that would allow them to fly a considerable distance on the mission and then be jettisoned prior to entering the conflict zone. Giving them extended radius of action. Perhaps conformal tanks could be fitted to extend combat radius, based on mission requirements.
MQ25A could give the stealthy Air to Air refueling drone needed. It also could potentially be developed as a bomb truck to sling LRASMs and JASSMs at surface targets.
Can't wait to see your next video!