Europe considering a Light Combat Aircraft

[Kirkhill]

Europe eyes future light-attack capability through €15m EDF project

A new turboprop-powered light-attack and surveillance aircraft could be on the cards after the European Defence Fund outlined plans to invest €15 million ($17 million) in early-stage design work for such a platform.

www.flightglobal.com

Something along the lines of the Pilatus PC21 used for training.Visually reminiscent of the old P51 Mustangs.

Candidates could be Pilatus PC9, Embraer Super Tucano and the Air Tractor Sky Warden / Sky Raider.

 

[Kirkhill]

Portugal receives first NATO-configured A-29N aircraft

Portugal’s Air Force has taken delivery of its first A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, marking the introduction of a new training and light combat capability and making Portugal the first European operator of the platform in its NATO-configured version. The delivery

defence-blog.com

I guess if you are going to have tobuy trainers you might as well make them combat effective.

 

[ytz]

For us.

In the F-35 v. Gripen debate, is there a silent third option?

Could an even less capable aircraft cut the Gordian Knot that's strangling Canada's fighter procurement?

open.substack.com

Austria just went down the dual fleet with a trainer route.

Austria Buys M-346F Light Fighters

The M-346Fs will give Austria a new air combat boost, supplementing the country's long-troubled Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.

www.twz.com

I think this is our best path.

 

[Kirkhill]

A bit more on the turbo-prop option for Europeans

EU to Develop Light Turboprop Combat Aircraft to Fight Drones

The European Commission has decided to allocate €15 million for the first phase of developing a light multirole combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.

militarnyi.com

"The aircraft is primarily intended to provide close air support to ground units on the battlefield, intercept drones, conduct reconnaissance, coordinate strikes and target designation, as well as perform civilian tasks, including search-and-rescue operations and border monitoring."

I don't know about the CAS or STAR bits. Ukraine doesn't offer much support for survival in those roles. UxVs generally seem a better bet. But there may be something in the rear area security, C-UAS mission. Everything else seems to me to be a function of sensors that could just as easily be carried by UAVs with their data analyzed on the ground.

 

[ytz]

Stealth turboprop?

I have questions. I question whether it's simply better to create optional packages that helicopters and tiltrotors can use. At the end of the day CUAS has to be substantially organic.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

A bit more on the turbo-prop option for Europeans

EU to Develop Light Turboprop Combat Aircraft to Fight Drones

The European Commission has decided to allocate €15 million for the first phase of developing a light multirole combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.

militarnyi.com

"The aircraft is primarily intended to provide close air support to ground units on the battlefield, intercept drones, conduct reconnaissance, coordinate strikes and target designation, as well as perform civilian tasks, including search-and-rescue operations and border monitoring."

I don't know about the CAS or STAR bits. Ukraine doesn't offer much support for survival in those roles. UxVs generally seem a better bet. But there may be something in the rear area security, C-UAS mission. Everything else seems to me to be a function of sensors that could just as easily be carried by UAVs with their data analyzed on the ground.

Mind you certain European countries still need to maintain a COIN/Colonial war option that they can use as required and that has to run on a tight budget.

 

[Kirkhill]

US not happy integrating AIM-120 on FA-50 for Poland. Maybe Malaysia?

U.S. Blocked AIM-120 Integration on FA-50 Jets, Now Malaysia Faces Same Issue (Updated) | Defense Express

Malaysia evaluates second FA-50 batch but faces questions about air-to-air missile integration after U.S. licensing issues

en.defence-ua.com

 

[ytz]

That's fine. They should just integrate the Meteor instead.

 

[lenaitch]

Stealth turboprop?

I have questions. I question whether it's simply better to create optional packages that helicopters and tiltrotors can use. At the end of the day CUAS has to be substantially organic.

Really. One would think the big spinny thing at the front would be an issue.

 

[Halifax Tar]

US not happy integrating AIM-120 on FA-50 for Poland. Maybe Malaysia?

U.S. Blocked AIM-120 Integration on FA-50 Jets, Now Malaysia Faces Same Issue (Updated) | Defense Express

Malaysia evaluates second FA-50 batch but faces questions about air-to-air missile integration after U.S. licensing issues

en.defence-ua.com

The FA-50 strikes me as the love child of an F-16 and F-5.

 

[Deleted member 175000]

The FA-50 strikes me as the love child of an F-16 and F-5.

That stillborn lovechild would have grey hair by now

Northrop F-20 Tigershark - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Really. One would think the big spinny thing at the front would be an issue.

Well, the Americans developed a "Stealthy" helicopter with a big spiny thing on top so who knows?!

 

[Kirkhill]

Quantum Systems Introduces Pulse P19 Multi-Role Aircraft Designed for Drone Interception

German company Quantum Systems has officially introduced the Pulse P19 multi-role aviation platform. The aircraft combines the capabilities of a manned aircraft and a fully unmanned system.This was reported on […]

militarnyi.com

Optionally manned at the flip of a toggle switch.
Easily certified in Europe as a manned aircraft.
Easily converted to unmanned operation.
Easy to remove the cockpit entirely.

"The developers cite low operating costs and long endurance as key advantages of the Pulse P19. With additional fuel tanks, the aircraft can operate for 18-20 hours.

"The platform is designed to counter long-range kamikaze drones. A radar system is integrated into the lower fuselage, with an electro-optical station installed behind it.

"During patrol missions, the system will detect drones using onboard radar and identify targets using optical sensors. All reconnaissance data will be transmitted to a ground operator via the MOSAIC UXS control software. After operator confirmation, the aircraft will engage targets.

"The aircraft has a maximum speed of about 670 km/h. For air-defense tasks, it will be armed with pod-mounted machine guns, as well as low-cost missiles and interceptor drones."

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Looks like a Pilatus PC-21