Page 107 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec-Jan 2021
P. 107
DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
PROJECTS AIR 107
Boeing rolled out the first prototype Loyal Wingman in May 2020 and recent milestones have included low speed taxi trials, undertaken in October. The first flight was ex- pected to occur before the end of 2020 and while Defence says the program has suffered minor delays due to Cov- id-19, it is still on an “acceptable schedule” to produce the desired outcomes.
“Ultimately, the knowledge obtained from the concept de- velopment program will help Defence make more informed decisions about acquiring such systems and how we may need to adapt our operating concepts to best utilise such capabili- ties,” the spokesperson added.
2020 FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN
The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan flags $65 billion of investment in air capability over the next 10 years, including up to $6.7 billion on an ‘addi- tional air capability’. This is a separate program to the ATS, which will see up to $11 billion invested from 2026.
“The Force Structure Plan provisions for the development of additional air combat options, especially in remotely-pi- loted or autonomous systems. This is an area of develop- ment where we expect to see rapid change in years to come, and it is important we stay abreast of technology,” Defence commented shortly after the release of the document on July
1. “A number of options will be considered, including team- ing systems, loitering munitions, and a future electronic at- tack capability.”
The plan also allocates up to $6.1 billion, beginning in the 2029 timeframe, for ‘additional ISR capabilities’, which will include additional crewed/uncrewed aircraft and aerial systems to provide increased ISR effects. The document also foresees an ‘expanded’ airlift capability to replace the current C-130J-30 Hercules fleet, with up to $13.2 billion of funding starting to be spent in the 2029 timeframe.
A new Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability is also being sought, beginning around 2029, to consider a replacement for the RAAF’s current E-7A Wed- getail fleet and $21.1 billion has been allocated in the Force Structure Plan.
“The ADF will begin to explore options to replace Wed- getail as early as 2029, through risk-reduction and capabili- ty assurance studies. Due to the criticality of the capability, these studies will focus on the future airborne command and control needs of the ADF,” Defence said.
While Defence indicated there is “no official link” with the US Air Force’s E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Con- trol System (AWACS) recapitalisation program at this time, it said the RAAF will seek alignment with close allies such as the US but is “open to all technology solutions.” ■
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