“The Australian Government has decided that the results of the recent trial of the Global Hawk UAV were good enough for the aircraft to be include in their future planning. The United States Air Force Global Hawk high altitude, long endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is listed as JP 2062 in the Defence Capability Plan 2001 – 2010, which was released today.
“Defence 2000” – the Defence White Paper issued earlier in the year, said that Defence would seek greater surveillance capabilities to counter illegal incursionsaround the coast and in territorialr coastlines and waters secure from
The Australian Department of Defence, which has marked down $100 – $150 million for this purchase in the Capability Plan, with delivery of the first aircraft scheduled for 2007, will seek information on the price and availability of Global Hawk aircraft with a view to seeking final approval for purchase in the year 2004/2005.
In addition the Capability Plan lists JP 129 Phase 2, a project for Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles tailored for local area surveillance. This project is designed to enhance the ADF’s ability to detect, locate and monitor military or other targets of interest. Again the Capability Plan provides for $100 – $150 million for the project with the first of these aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2007.”
Looks very official now, although I had expected initial deliveries a little earlier than 2007 (looks like the RAAF will get a lot of new toys to play with in 2007, Global Hawks, Wedgetails…). What are your thoughts on this “purchase” (I’ll call it that, cos once it gets an official DAO (Defence Acquisition Organisation) project designation, it’s getting pretty probable the aircraft will be seen with a flying kangaroo (not the white on red one) on it.
Elp, I know your a big fan of the RQ-4A, do you think it’s a value-for-money purchase considering what the RAAF plans to mainly do with it (ie maritime surveillance)? Could it also fulfill a J-STARS type role using its SAR?
MinMiester
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June 26, 2001 at 3:41 pm