Australia seeks approval for tactical UAV requirements

Australia seeks approval for tactical UAV requirements Stewart Penney/MELBOURNE

The Australian Army is seeking approval for a proof-of-concept study for its JP129 tactical unmanned air vehicles project, which could provide a privately-financed interim capability.

JP129 will provide focal area surveillance for land operations, and was given a high priority in Australia's defence white paper published last December.

Speaking at last week's Flight International/Australian Defence Studies Centre UAVs Australia Conference in Melbourne, Wg Cdr Ken Crowe, project manager JP129, Department of Defence (DoD), said risk mitigation studies for the programme were finished late last year, and the white paper set a 2007 in-service date (ISD).

Crowe says a 2007 ISD would allow Australia to do nothing until 2003/4 but it could achieve a near term capability by acquiring a full or partial fleet, leasing systems or launching a private finance initiative (PFI) in which a manufacturer would provide a turnkey package.

The proposal, says Crowe, has not received government go-ahead, but the preferred option is a two- to three-year lease, or PFI. This would allow operational concept development - including doctrine, tactics and processes - while similar UK and US programmes advance to full acquisition. Tech-nologies such as autoland and vertical take-off and landing would also have time to mature.

The proof-of-concept phase may start next year, says Crowe, adding that full system procurement could proceed in parallel. He hopes to issue a request for proposals at the end of this year, although this may slip because the same team is working on the deployment of a Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk in April.

To meet a 2007 ISD for full capability, the government would need to approve funding in its May 2003 budget. This would allow a request for tenders to be issued the following year and selection in 2005.

Maj Brendan Dwyer, DoD directorate of aerospace development, says although no formal requirements have been established the army will need a system able to provide real- and near-real-time intelligence in day or night conditions, and capable of operating from unprepared strips.

It is likely to have a 150km (80nm) reach, remain on station for 4-6h and be equipped with electro-optical, infrared sensors, a laser designator and potentially an electronic support measures payload.o

Source: Flight International