Jake1992 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2023, 16:15
Ron5 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2023, 15:57
I'd guess a helicopter based system will replace Crowsnest. Maybe unmanned. Probably a derivative of the Merlin ASW replacement. But a couple of decades away at the earliest.
Why a helicopter based system especially if it’s unmanaged ?
One of the most important factors of ship based AEW is the altitude they can get to ( higher they can go further they can see ), when we look at what’s already here we have most helos max is around 16,000ft, Hawk eyes max is around 32,000ft and the V-247 is meant to have a max of around 25,000.
Hawkeyes not an option too big too heavy but why choose a helo option even unmanned ( they’re not going to suddenly have much great max ) over the incoming unmanned tilt rotors look at over 50% extra ??
Sorry, missed your question from the other day.
Three answers,
1) I include tilt rotors in my definition of a helicopter. I thought everybody did?
2) I can't see the RN funding the development of a brand new airborne AEW for the 3 or 4 that it would order. I also don't see any other country developing one that can be flown off a STOVL carrier
3) The same financial/operational logic that had them ending up with Merlin Crowsnest will still be valid when Merlin gets replaced, hence my suggestion of Merlin-replacement Crowsnest
Yes, I know the RN have a slide showing an unmanned winged AEW in their future but that's just a slide right now as far as we know.