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In March 2006, DID reported that Australia was speeding up its planned AIR 7000 project for a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV, and considering a US offer to be part of a pacific “pool” of Global Hawks. We’ve also covered Australia’s Coastwatch program. They will soon use the Mariner UAV for long-range maritime patrol, and will also be part of the USA’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program for a companion UAV to the new 737-based P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft.
Now, all of these projects are potentially coming together…
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With respect to the UAVs in contention, Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawk is currently in use as a maritime UAV demonstrator. The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation has also issued an $A 4.7 million (USD $3.5 million) to conduct an October 2006 virtual Global Hawk demonstration trial for North West shelf patrols in the company’s Cyber Warfare Integration Network (CWIN) in San Diego, CA.
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The General Atomics Mariner UAV (derived from the MQ-9 Predator B) is also a candidate for BAMS; as noted above, it will be trialed in live operation for Australia’s Coastwatch during August & September 2006.
Finally, Aerovironment is also attempting to enter the AIR 7000 competition with a military version of its Global Observer UAV. The HALE Global Observer UAV runs on hydrogen fuel cells, has a loiter time of up to 7 days, and can also be used as a broadband communications relay.
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The introduction of the MUAS will reduce the operational burden on Air Force’s AP-3C Orion maritime patrol fleet until the aircraft’s planned withdrawal from service around 2015 – 2018. Under Project AIR 7000 the existing manned maritime patrol capability will be replaced with a mix of both unmanned and manned aircraft, and Phase 2 of AIR 7000 will focus on determining whether to refurbish or replace the AP-3C Orion fleet. Note that in addition to BAMS, Australia is also a potential participant in the P-8A MMA program.
UPDATES:
July 20/07: Australia grants first pass approval for the P-8A to be chosen for Phase 2 of its AIR 7000 program, which is the manned aircraft portion. Phase 2 is currently estimated at A$ 4 billion, and first pass approval allows Australia’s Department of Defence to commence formal negotiations with the United States Navy to join the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program. Australian DoD release.
July 28/06: The Australian government has given first pass approval to AIR 7000 Phase 1, under which Australia will spend A$ 1.0-1.5 billion to develop a “multi-mission unmanned aerial system.” Formal negotiations will begin with the USA on a cooperative development program linked to BAMS, and a decision is expected by late 2007. Australian industry participation will be a key factor, especially with respect to the Integrated Ground Environment for UAV control and fusion of sensor information.