New unmanned aerial vehicle systems and technologies will dominate future air combat

The MQ-1 Predator and its successors have left their mark by constantly changing the nature of combat, as they can remain at high altitudes indefinitely during teamwork, providing valuable intelligence not only to ground forces but also precise, lethal support.

However, the nature of war itself is changing, which means that drone systems must constantly evolve to keep up. For those drones built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., they are setting the pace.

A wave of new aircraft, systems, and capabilities means that the upcoming aviation chapter will not only assign air defense missions to the successor of the Predator, but also maintain their good record in supporting ground forces and other current missions.

The MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone, and other new aircraft and systems provide numerous new tools and options for ground and air commanders to provide: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; Defend the United States or allied forces; Alternatively, when necessary, launch an attack against aerial threats.

The threat of UAS is another type of UAS. A networked unmanned aerial vehicle - equipped with advanced sensors, aerial search radar, and air-to-air weapons or advanced electronic warfare payloads - can monitor the intrusion of opponent drone systems at any time.

Drones like the Reaper are perfect for helping defend against cruise missiles - another serious threat to our own forces - or small quadcopter drones attempting to spy on our own forces' positions. When equipped with an available pod system, the MQ-9 can provide early warning of intrusion threats and can use electronic warfare or other systems to eliminate small intruders.

In fact, aircraft such as the "Reaper" or "Skyguard" are able to stay and operate as part of a network during periods when manned aircraft cannot be used, allowing commanders to utilize their advanced sensors to enhance large-scale situational awareness.

US Air Force commanders can use drones to flank a large area of territory during large-scale ground operations, freeing up other aircraft for direct support missions. Alternatively, they can orbit the entire national border or along miles of coastline to observe aircraft approaching their opponents. As the most cost-effective aircraft of the US Air Force, the Reaper drone has been widely deployed, and the MQ-9 is well suited to support such missions.

The UAS, which plays a defensive role, can also prove to have decisive significance in the defense of high-value airborne aircraft. The US Air Force and its allies rely on aerial refueling to expand the range of their unmanned aerial vehicles and give them the endurance needed to carry out missions, especially in oceanic areas such as the Western Pacific that require long-distance flights. The US Air Force has also integrated other highly complex and valuable manned airborne systems: the E-3 Sentinel airborne early warning aircraft; RC-135 rivet joint, for monitoring and electronic collection; P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and anti submarine aircraft, etc

These units provide unparalleled situational awareness and combat effectiveness for the US Air Force, Navy, and their allies - but they are also one of the potential targets that adversaries prioritize the most. They must keep moving forward and in battle, but they also need protection. Using manned fighter jets (such as the Air Force's F-22 or F-35) to protect high-value air assets means that these fighters cannot be used for some other frontline missions.

The new Defender drone built by GA-ASI is a new option. These jet drones can be equipped with air-to-air weapons, ready to defend high-value aircraft at any time, and can maintain a state of readiness for several days at a time, reducing the burden on manned fighter squadrons. Even if there is no one on board, Defender can seamlessly pair with manned aircraft or other units, as GA-ASI is the leader of a manned unmanned team.

The commander of the US Air Force can designate an airspace for escort protection and enable refueling aircraft to support offensive aircraft entering and exiting confrontational battlefields, as well as other commanded and controlled aircraft and ISR aircraft supporting them.

Other new sensors and weapons will only improve the accuracy, range, and lethality of unmanned driving systems in these roles. GA-ASI has demonstrated the ability to allow communication between 5th generation aircraft, enabling them to see further, identify airborne targets, and have a high degree of autonomy. These are not conceptual - they are all flying today, including on the Avengers drone that is highly adapted to ASI. The company will continue to promote and accelerate the development of automation, manned autonomous driving teams, and other aspects.

The new generation of small unmanned aerial vehicle systems will also provide more means for air force commanders.

Some of them, such as GA-ASI's Sparrow Hawk, can support friendly air combat by helping to suppress enemy air defense systems, or provide enhanced combat space awareness or electronic warfare effects. These small aircraft mounted under the wings of large patrol aircraft such as SkyGuardian will help detect the location and details of air defense sensors, and even attract ground to air weapon firepower. The most important feature of the Sparrow Hawk is that it can be launched from the air and recovered on the MQ-9, providing reusable power enhancement for standby effects far away from the defense zone.

The US Army's MQ-1C Grey Hawk can also carry new air launch effects developed by GA-ASI, which help identify and suppress air defense systems, helping manned rotary wing aircraft perform their own attacks, transportation, or other missions more safely on the battlefield.

In the first few decades of widespread use, unmanned aerial vehicles have already changed warfare, security operations, and more. As the nature of warfare evolves, including through the proliferation of more hostile unmanned systems, GA-ASI aircraft and systems will also be prepared to develop and lead new air defense roles - even more.

Source: Electric Space Station