RPAS (was JUSTAS): the project to buy armed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs

[ytz]

"Drones" are a broad category. It's like saying a 737 and an A380 are both passenger aircraft. That's technically true. But they have vastly different performance and roles. Nobody would suggest we just pick a a 787 in the middle of these two and then have airlines only fly a 300 seater on every flight.

Equally dumb to try and fit a MALE UAS into an Arctic surveillance role. The RPAS can be descoped from the Arctic and icing requirements. And move that to a new project focused on a HALE UAS to deliver.

 

[Good2Golf]

Drone use could be considered like Cessna 172 to A380, but yeah.

 

[Cloud Cover]

The entire RPAS project is so f'd. They asked for too many things from one platform. That's why it's so late.

It's silly. We should have split our domestic surveillance requirements from our theatre level strike requirements. The Sky Guardian will always struggle with the Arctic. And now it becomes overpriced as a support asset for the army and navy.

I kinda wish they started over. But that would be the second or third reboot.

Silly me, I was under the impression this project was successful and the equipment was operational and everything was honky dory.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Silly me, I was under the impression this project was successful and the equipment was operational and everything was honky dory.

Are you new, here?

 

[Kirkhill]

Coast Guard places $248 million order for first MQ-9B drones - Breaking Defense

The unarmed drones are meant to "give the Coast Guard crews a longer-range view of our maritime domain," a senior official said.

breakingdefense.com

Will DIA get a grip on RPAS?

 

[armrdsoul77]

RCAF pilots train on MQ-9B Guardian ahead of Canada’s drone arrival - Skies Mag

"Following in the steps of No. 428 “Ghost” Squadron, a night bomber unit during the Second World War that was disbanded in 1961, the squadron is establishing a headquarters and ground control centre in Ottawa, and air maintenance detachments at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., and 19 Wing Comox, B.C, as it prepares to onboard 11 General Atomics MQ-9B aircraft."

 

[Gorgo]

Okay, nice to see that people are getting some stick time. Also liked it on noting that 428 Squadron is back.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Some footage and interview of the new RCN CU-179 Peregrine Flights

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