Air Warfare magazine: MALE UAS, AAMs and more
Read the latest edition of Air Warfare for free in our app or on your desktop.
Comment
As President Biden settles into the White House, the defence community waits for his FY2022 budget request with bated breath.
Features include:
COMMAND AND CONQUER
Although air-to-air combat remains wrapped in a fog of uncertainty, missile manufacturers and militaries are working to eliminate at least some of the element of surprise involved. How then to increase the probability of kill of a 21st-century AAM?
Other features include:
THE TRUMP EFFECT
The widespread use of MALE UAVs in regional conflicts is a telling indicator of military strategy and procurement planning, but how much could change at a competitive level in the wake of the US relaxing UAV export controls?
REGIONAL ROLL-OUT
The Asia-Pacific region boasts an eclectic mix of utility helicopters. Even though most procurements involve either Russian or Western rotorcraft, indigenous platforms are gaining in popularity.
CROWN JEWELS
As government and industry forge ahead with new fast-jet projects, financial repercussions from COVID-19 could yet put programme plans in jeopardy. Shephard weighs up budgetary concerns and the new air power concepts central to the success of sixth-generation fighter developments.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
Ageing fleets and increased airlift requirements brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic could translate into a surge in tactical transport aircraft procurement over the next decade. Shephard Defence Insight analyses global and regional trends, revealing some potentially profitable business opportunities in this segment.
RELYING ON BIG DATA
Airborne mobile mesh networks, mobile ad hoc networks and similar concepts are increasingly in focus for advanced air forces. Such technologies are well suited to the emerging era of joint all-domain operations, although there are a number of challenges to overcome.
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026]()
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
![Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story]()
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
-
![Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030]()
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
![“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era]()
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
-
![April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans]()
April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans
Countries releasing their spending budgets over the past month have placed an emphasis on advancing next-generation crewed programmes as well as upgrades and expansion plans for air combat and aerial refuelling capabilities.
