Fe a tu r e
Uninhabited Aerial Systems for the RAN – a Path of Continual Upgrades The Navy’s plans to equip its ships with an unmanned aircraft capability took a step forward in March when five contenders were shortlisted for its Project SEA 129 Phase 5 Block 1 Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System (MUAS) requirement. The companies shortlisted by Defence are BAE Systems Australia, Insitu Pacific, Northrop-Grumman Australia, Australia, Raytheon and Textron Systems Australia. “This Program will acquire maritime unmanned intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting aircraft systems which will complement current sensors and systems on Navy’s ships, while boosting a ship’s area of surveillance,” acting Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne said in the news release. The release added that the project is expected to be worth $270 million, with Block 1 being just the first phase of a 30-year continuous development program, with five-year rolling block
upgrades, which will incorporate new technology upgrades. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said that by incorporating new technology through block upgrades every five years, the program would support the development of Australia’s UAS industry, while providing the Navy with “leading edge” maritime surveillance capability. “This process will allow Australian businesses to be directly involved in providing greater situational awareness for the Fleet, in particular the new Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessels, while strengthening longterm job growth and security,” she added. Defence had issued an Invitation to Respond (ITR) back in August 2020, inviting industry to put forward proposals for the initial phase. The ITR said that seven maritime UAS ‘capability bricks’ will be acquired under this Block, to be operated primarily from the Arafura class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) as well as Navy’s
ANZAC class frigates (FFH). Entry into service is scheduled for 2024. The ITR added that Block 1 is intended to be a “whole-of-systems solution provided by a single supplier”, although it concedes that given “the differences between the OPV and MFU (major force unit) facilities, available aviation spaces, effects and operating conditions may result in the capability being delivered by two different solutions” As such, while the “strong preference” is to choose a single provider with a “one size fits all solution”, it will nevertheless consider having different suppliers operating different platforms to separate OPV operations from the ANZAC class. According to the ITR, Block 1 will additionally growth, focus on “workforce training system development, Combat Management System (CMS) integration, and payload development”. Defence Minister Senator Linda Reynolds’ office had issued a statement a day before the release of the ITR noting that the program will provide opportunities for Australian industry to innovate, develop and grow.
BAE
822X Squadron members Able Seaman Aviation Support Luke Williams (Left) and Aviation Technician Aircraft, Byron Eyres (Right) releasing the recovery line from a ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft on completion of a sortie at Jervis Bay airfield. Defence image.
BAE is the sole shortlisted company that is keeping its cards close to its chest regarding its bid for SEA 129, telling APDR that it is yet to announce which UAS platform it will offer. It is possible that it will be partnering with Saab and offering the UMS Skeldar V-200 VTOL UAS, though both companies have pleaded ignorance. The V-200 has a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 235 kg (517-lb) inclusive of carrying multiple payloads which include Electro Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR) systems, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors. UMS Skeldar says that the V-200 has a range of 200 km (108 nautical 51
