Eventually, we should see a fleet of UAVs configured with conformal AESA arrays and most likely employing swarm technology to provide effective sensor coverage over the battlespace. To a certain extent they could act autonomously, determining their own flight profiles within the battlespace or knowing when to link up with an aerial tanker, for example. Multiple AESA UAVs would be less vulnerable than a big AWACS platform and would provide redundancy against losses. No crew means the UAV can stay on station for days at a time, minus rendezvous time for aerial refuelling.
This is very interesting. The UAVs could also serve as jammers with their AESA arrays. They could be operating ahead of conventional fighters providing information through datalinks.
How about satellites? Can they provide surveillance and jamming for fighter sized objects?
Sign In
