Forum: Air Power

Fleet force protection (against anything other than insurgents), ASW, and intra-fleet link do not have much to do with counter insurgency operations, good buddy. I'm all for the Marines getting them and using them as members of the SOCOM community (or in regular force structure), but the applications I'm thinking of are mainly something the Army's 160th SOAR and AFSOC does. The cargo compartment behind the crew stations could be used for an IAFS. That, combined with EFTs would most likely give the OV-10X enough ferry range for self deployment to any theater. My idea of an OV-10X would be able to refuel in flight, which would do away with the need to be crammed inside of a C-5 or C-17. Spec Ops/COIN mission planners should not have to worry about aircraft technicians and the idea that an aircraft needs to be assembled once in theater. That's fine for MH-6s and MH-60s which can be airborne only minutes after being removed from the bowels of a cargo jet. Any fixed wing aircraft would not only need major maintenance done to reassemble it, but would also need operational checks and services once the work is complete. That takes time.

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I am starting to think a dedicated COIN carrier ce tered around a few dozen Predator spinoffs should be the next step. Optimize for operating flight packages of 6-10 drones with a pair of manned aircraft, with controllers for the drones amidships to reduce communication delays. A 500-foot deck 10K ton vessel with 3-4 light catapult systems, automated landing guidance, and net recovery for operations over rough seas. Evolve around using a variety of combat loads, from ATGMs to dumb bombs, to ultralight bombs to laser guided rocket pods. Heaviest ordnance on the manned platforms.

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I am starting to think a dedicated COIN carrier ce tered around a few dozen Predator spinoffs should be the next step. Optimize for operating flight packages of 6-10 drones with a pair of manned aircraft, with controllers for the drones amidships to reduce communication delays. A 500-foot deck 10K ton vessel with 3-4 light catapult systems, automated landing guidance, and net recovery for operations over rough seas. Evolve around using a variety of combat loads, from ATGMs to dumb bombs, to ultralight bombs to laser guided rocket pods. Heaviest ordnance on the manned platforms.

They've shrunk the amount of jets carriers have on board these days, so I bet a normal carrier would have some room for plenty of UAVs. My question is whether an air launched UAV would be doable. Could a C-5 air launch Predators.?

I'm guessing here, but the stall speed approaches the predators vmax. Might require a parachuted launch, if the wings could handle the C-5 piggyback ride. They probably can use much smaller ferries if you were taking that route. Would an mc-130 be more appropriate??

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Would an mc-130 be more appropriate??

What about a C-17? I was thinking a C-17 could launch a Predator the same way they drop cargo pallets during airborne operations. The parachute would suck the plane out at a safe speed. Then after the UAV is just hanging there slowly drifting to earth under a parachute it would separate and enter into a free fall. From there the engine could be started and the operators could pull it out of the dive and start their mission.

Interesting Joint USN/USAF UAV-COIN concepts ^^ ... both of you.

Hmmm, perhaps go straight for the Sea-Avenger (predator C) as an hypothetical common airframe? With a built-in folding wing, perhaps it could fit inside a C-5 and be successfully deployed via parachute air-drop? Either way, it would certainly have tremendous capabilities for both recon, combat and strike, expanding the role beyond mere COIN as a bonus. The 400kt + cruise speed wouldn't hurt either, when vital COIN reaction time is required when an otherwise lumbering 100kt Predator could be an issue. 20 hr endurance would be sufficient. The LO aspect could further be one of those future - not yet considered advantages - actually appropriate for some crazy future COIN contingency, as well??

Forum: Air Power

The USAF is seeking a COIN aircraft design