Page 106 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec-Jan 2021

106 PROJECTS AIR
DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
acquire the Triton as a complement to the P-8A, against the developmental nature of the project,” a Defence spokesper- son said in June.
“We remain in close discussion with the US Navy on the future of our respective Triton programs, as is expected of Co-operative Development partners. Defence is constantly reviewing force mix against threat. Outcomes of this regular review will inform future acquisitions, including Triton.”
In early December, Defence confirmed that further Tri- ton acquisition is yet to be considered by Government.
MQ-9B SKYGUARDIAN
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) were selected as the preferred tenderer for Air 7003 (Armed Me- dium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) in November 2018. At the time of the initial an- nouncement a specific variant of the company’s MQ-9 Reaper had not been decided upon, but in December 2019, it was further announced that the MQ-9B
platforms, Navy surface combatants and amphibious war- fare ships and assets in the Land domain.
The aircraft are being acquired in two tranches, each of two aircraft, and Defence intends to incrementally upgrade them throughout their service lives to maintain commonal- ity with US capability.
The first two aircraft are planned to enter service in De- cember 2022, with IOC following in mid-2023. The op- erational concept includes RAAF Edinburgh as the main operating base, with forward operating bases established at RAAF Bases Townsville and Darwin and at Cocos Island in the Indian Ocean.
“At Edinburgh the MC-55A facilities will be another piece in the broader ISR precinct being developed, which is already home to the P-8A. RAAF Edinburgh will also serve as the headquarters for the remotely piloted MQ-4C Triton and MQ-9B SkyGuardian,” a Defence spokesperson explained.
SkyGuardian (formerly known as the Certifi- able Predator B) would be acquired, with the first delivery in the early 2020s.
The Ground Control Stations (GCS) will be located within the ISR hub under develop- ment at RAAF Edinburgh and while a deci- sion on where the air vehicles will be based has not been made public to date, Townsville was previously mentioned in the context of an armed MALE in the 2016 White Paper.
The MQ-9B has also been selected by
the UK as the Protector and in March
2020, GA-ASI announced the completion
of the first production representative air vehicle, which subsequently joined the company’s flight test program.
In July GA-ASI announced that its industry team for Air 7003 had been renamed Team SkyGuardian Australia, in- stead of the original name Team Reaper Australia, reflect- ing the selection of the MQ-9B.
“The Air 7003 acquisition and support strategies are un- der development for presentation at Second Pass Government approval forecast in the second quarter of 2022,” a Defence spokesperson said in early December.
Preparations for the Second Pass decision includes the exploration of how the program will contribute to Com- monwealth economic policy initiatives and opportunities for Australian industry participation.
“At this time, no commercial arrangements have been en- tered into with any Australian industry partners for activi- ties after Second Pass Government approval,” the spokes- person said.
MC-55A PEREGRINE
Four extensively modified Gulfstream 550 business jets are being modified to MC-55A Peregrine configuration by L3 in the US under Air 555 Phase 1 (Airborne Intelligence, Sur- veillance, reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Capability.
The ISREW Peregrines will be integrated into the ADF’s joint warfighting networks to provide what Defence de- scribes as a “critical link” between the RAAF’s air combat
As the main operating base, Edinburgh will be the location for operational planning, com- mand, data handling administration, training and sustainment. On November 20, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced a $220 million major infrastructure upgrade at the base. Managing contractor Lendlease will be responsible for the delivery of the works to support the MC-55A, which includes the construction of a hangar, maintenance facili- ties and operational accommodation.
Site establishment activities are expected to begin shortly and construction is due to begin in late 2020 and completed by 2025.
Defence expects to release requests for tenders for local companies to participate in the works in mid-2021.
LOYAL WINGMAN
The Airpower Teaming System (ATS), dubbed ‘Loyal Wing- man’ is a co-operative program between Boeing Australia and the RAAF being conducted under Defence Project 6014, Phase 1 of which has seen a Commonwealth invest- ment of $40 million to date.
Def 6014 is developing the remotely-piloted, semi-autono- mous ATS system, which includes an air vehicle with ‘fight- er-like’ performance to accompany manned combat aircraft such as the F-35A, Super Hornet, Growler and Wedgetail on missions into contested areas. The concept is being developed with the aim of increasing Australia’s air combat capability, allowing the RAAF to operate effectively in high threat areas in the future, while not being at a numerical disadvantage.
Boeing Australia is responsible for the design, manufac- ture and flight test and subsequent trials of three Loyal Wingman prototypes in Australia over a four-year period.
“The trials will explore what capabilities can be achieved from a high-performance, low-cost, remotely-pi- loted combat aerial system in contested environment op- erations,” a Defence spokesperson explained. “This will include exploring how the interplay of piloted, remotely piloted and semi-autonomous systems can complement the future force.”
“THE AIR 7003 ACQUISITION AND SUPPORT STRATEGIES ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT FOR PRESENTATION AT SECOND PASS GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FORECAST
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2022.”