I was also really interested in to see an advanced early warning (AEW) mq-9b variant.
The replaceable nose here on this mq-28 feels in the same realm of interest, in that it's where sensor packages would go. Where-as they just strapped some huge pods on the mq-9b?
From what I've seen, the only interestingly advanced system has been PhantomStrike, with a nice little actively scanned electronic array (asea) radar in the nose. This feels like perhaps the most important CCA role to me, figuring out what the hell is out there.
It's disappointing as hell that much more advanced craft like E-7A have been so un-prioritized, first by saying, nah, build the aircraft but we'll upgrade all the old sensor tech down the road, now saying meh maybe we won't buy it, space will let us do it all. I really struggle to buy that, and it feels insecure, unreliable if there's any active space denial (jamming or physical attacks). Who really knows but it feels like drones have been under tapped to provide more advanced sensing (predators etc have obviously been very effective eyes in the air against low sophistication targets).
It'll be interesting as heck to see how the communications systems work out. The idea of the B-21 as a network hub was interesting as heck. I worry again we'll end up over-reliant on space, but it is amazing as heck what these huge satellite constellations enable.
The headline can be slightly confusing, there was no demonstration at the Paris Air Show. At the show, Boeing announced a test flight which happened in Australia [1].
jauntywundrkind•2h ago
The replaceable nose here on this mq-28 feels in the same realm of interest, in that it's where sensor packages would go. Where-as they just strapped some huge pods on the mq-9b?
From what I've seen, the only interestingly advanced system has been PhantomStrike, with a nice little actively scanned electronic array (asea) radar in the nose. This feels like perhaps the most important CCA role to me, figuring out what the hell is out there.
It's disappointing as hell that much more advanced craft like E-7A have been so un-prioritized, first by saying, nah, build the aircraft but we'll upgrade all the old sensor tech down the road, now saying meh maybe we won't buy it, space will let us do it all. I really struggle to buy that, and it feels insecure, unreliable if there's any active space denial (jamming or physical attacks). Who really knows but it feels like drones have been under tapped to provide more advanced sensing (predators etc have obviously been very effective eyes in the air against low sophistication targets).
It'll be interesting as heck to see how the communications systems work out. The idea of the B-21 as a network hub was interesting as heck. I worry again we'll end up over-reliant on space, but it is amazing as heck what these huge satellite constellations enable.
https://www.twz.com/air/mq-9b-airborne-early-warning-variant...
https://www.twz.com/air/phantomstrike-low-cost-lightweight-a...