Will drone motherships form part of tomorrow’s warfare?
While motherships offer multiple operational advantages, the changes in the character of warfare may bring new tactics to the battlefield, reducing their role.
Three US contractors will provide engine MRO and aircraft maintenance services for the P-8A Poseidon on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force and other operators. (Photo: RAAF)
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded three contract modifications for P-8A Poseidon aircraft and depot-level engine MRO.
Two of the modifications ($131.66 million for the OEM Boeing and $101.4 million for Standard Aero) exercise options to provide maintenance and repair services for CFM56-7B27A/3 and CFM56-7B27AE engines powering Poseidons for the USN, Australia and FMS customers.
Shephard Defence Insight lists India, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the UK as FMS customers for the multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
Each contractor will complete the work by October 2022, the DoD announced on 14 October.
Meanwhile, AAR Government Services received an $85.03 million modification to a previously awarded IDIQ contract from NAVAIR, to provide scheduled and unscheduled depot maintenance for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft on behalf of the same customers.
Additional services include airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support and ‘removal and replacement of engines’, the DoD added.
Work will be performed in Indianapolis for completion by October 2022.
While motherships offer multiple operational advantages, the changes in the character of warfare may bring new tactics to the battlefield, reducing their role.
The confirmed order now makes Thailand the third country to operate the Gripen E/F aircraft, after sales to Sweden and Brazil.
As global conflicts evolve and the limitations of traditional UAS become clear, Aeronautics is redefining the tactical unmanned aerial systems space with platforms that prioritize survivability, flexibility, and mission effectiveness.
Over the next decade the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) says it will invest some A$600 million of approved funding into the development and introduction of a range of airborne, surface and subsurface uncrewed systems.
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India has cleared higher retrofit costs for six ageing Airbus A321s to be converted into Netra Mk-II airborne surveillance platforms, marking progress in a long-delayed AWACS programme but raising questions over lifespan and operational value.