Avalon 2011: US Navy considers base locations for BAMS

The US Navy has initiated negotiations with host nations regarding the future deployment of Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) system.

Speaking to Unmanned Vehicles at the Avalon Australian International Airshow in Geelong, Capt Robert Dishman, Program Manager for the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262), said it was envisaged that BAMS would be deployed in support of each of the US Navy's fleets.

Describing how the programme had passed its critical design review on 14 February, Northrop Grumman director of BAMS UAS business development Walt Kreitler added that the system was on course to conduct its maiden flight in May 2012. An operational evaluation and initial operating capability, starting from a single base, are both expected in 2015.

Currently US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance (HALE) systems are currently based in Guam and Sigonella, Italy, as part of US CENTCOM and EUCOM operations respectively. Capt Dishman said both bases would most likely be used for BAMS operations with Sigonella contributing to operations in the Mediterranean with Guam being used for operations in the Pacific.

Elsewhere, Capt Dishman said: 'There are also negotiations for the Arabian Gulf and we are working through host nation agreements before any decisions are formalised. This is a start point for discussions.' He added that the navy was also considering a base 'close to the West Pacific'.

Referring to possible US locations, Capt Dishman described potential for a base on the east coast – most likely in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Florida – as well as a west coast base at Beale Air Force Base in California. Similarly, BAMS ground control stations could be located at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington, as well another in Florida.

This, according to Capt Dishman, would eventually provide BAMS with a full operating capability comprising five bases worldwide and providing global coverage on a continuous basis. A total of 68 BAMS UAS are due to be operated worldwide by the US Navy.

Meanwhile, Kreitler told UV that the company was in talks with the UK in regards to BAMS possibly supporting the Royal Navy and said he was also expecting a 'strategic update' from the Australian Department of Defence next year, following their pull-out from the BAMS programme in 2008.