Gremlins - Drones recoverable by C130s and F35s

[Kirkhill]

https://www.themaven.net/warriormaven/air/f-22s-f-35s-will-launch-recoverable-gremlins-attack-drones-Z9-9Mj9kdUuHkWK5NHGxMw/

So how does this affect the following:

F35s
C130s
CP140s
P8s
Global Express
FWSAR

CH-148
CH-149

Ship Launched "Drones"
GBAD
MUAVs

And many, many more

They just become another munition that, like 7.62mm ball, can be launched from any platform.

 

[FJAG]

Airborne launch sounds like a fine idea but why expose the expensive delivery aircraft with unnecessary loiter time simply to control and recover these things? Surely a less complex and less risky control/recovery system would be preferable.

:cheers:

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I also cannot figure out for the life of me why you would even take the risk of recovering these things back to an F35.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

what is old is now new https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTGBFY82Gik

 

[Baz]

I also cannot figure out for the life of me why you would even take the risk of recovering these things back to an F35.

The P-8 is (was?) supposed to have a disposable drone for MAD ()http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2015/01/bae-subhunting-drone.html... the cost was around what a DIFAR cost.

As well, it was also supposed to get a disposable EO drone... can't find a link, but again around the cost of a DIFAR.

This https://patents.google.com/patent/US6082675 patent describes turning a sono into a drone with an inexpensive wing kit so it can be launched and then fly out to its drop point.

I agree; get them to the cost point where they are disposable, just like sonobuoys, and then let them go do the dangerous work but don't bring them home.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

The P-8 is (was?) supposed to have a disposable drone for MAD ()http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2015/01/bae-subhunting-drone.html... the cost was around what a DIFAR cost.

As well, it was also supposed to get a disposable EO drone... can't find a link, but again around the cost of a DIFAR.

This https://patents.google.com/patent/US6082675 patent describes turning a sono into a drone with an inexpensive wing kit so it can be launched and then fly out to its drop point.

I agree; get them to the cost point where they are disposable, just like sonobuoys, and then let them go do the dangerous work but don't bring them home.

That is my thinking. If your Gremlin can find its way back to a parent F35, then so can the enemy (even if it just follows). Once at the parent F35, I don't care how good your AI is, there is still the risk of collision.

On the sonobuoy/drone interface, I think there is real scope to make a flying armada of relocatable sensors to help out with ASW.