RN has many FMAF (Future Maritime Aviation Force) project. UPDATED
. F-35B (Obivious) Sounds for new Tranche and a aimed FOC of 24 jets in a CSG.
. Aircraft carrier modification possibilities being looked into project ARK ROYAL.
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/cn ... -carriers/
“We are looking to move from STOVL to STOL [short takeoff and landing], then to STOBAR [short takeoff but arrested recovery] and then to CATOBAR [catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery]. We are looking at a demonstrable progression that spreads out the financial cost and incrementally improves capability.”
Colonel Phil Kelly, Head of Carrier Strike and Maritime Aviation in Royal Navy
The first step would be to increase the available length for the unassisted launch of uncrewed air systems. “This November we will [launch] a Mojave [STOL] aircraft off the angle of the flight deck off the US east coast,” said Col Kelly. “This aircraft can take off in 300 ft of runway so enough for the trial [but] we have already undertaken design work to add sponsons and make a full run of 700 ft available.”
So, a Progression design method. It would be quite interesting to see CSG year over year evolutionary-like improvements.
I like that RN is not being idiotic and taking away the ramp.
also yet more hints of MQ-28 Boeing Australia loyal wing man.
. VAMPIRE. The Qinetiq BANSHEE 80+ has been procured as a threat simulation drone and replacement for the HAWK T1s of disbanded
736 NAS, but this is intended to be the first role only. VAMPIRE is looking at fitting ISR (EO/IR and a small conformal AESA radar)
equipment onto them
. VIXEN. Longer term, a fixed-wing, multirole drone with a large payload is the aim, to contribute to Strike and to hopefully succeed to CROWSNEST in delivering Airborne Early Warning so the overworked MERLINs can go back to doing ASW "only".
. MOJAVE: the latest announcement for 7 months of evaluations with General Atomics' Short Take Off and Landing solutions for large (MQ-9B PROTECTOR class drones) will be exploring just how far you can go in terms of drone sizes and weights WITHOUT needing to modify the ship.
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/cn ... -stol-uas/
. PROTEUS: due to fly in 2025, this uncrewed helicopter being developed by Leonardo at Yeovil will have MTOW of 7000 lbs/3000+ kg with large payload. Again, aim is to contribute to AEW and ASW, supporting manned MERLIN. MCM mission is also looking at using air drones in support.
. PRIMUS: Heavy Lift drone(s), supported by a dedicate NAVYPODS container, with the ability to move loads between ships and ship to shore, to ensure VERTREP tasks / carrier on board delivery and many others that do not quite require a manned helicopter are covered more cheaply.
. PEREGRINE / Flexible Tactical UAS: urgent operational requirement for deployed warships, primarily in the Gulf. Shiebel S100 helicopter with EO/IR and Thales I-Master search radar.