The Patriot Files Forums  

Go Back   The Patriot Files Forums > Military News > Defense Industry

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-19-2019, 11:29 AM
Boats's Avatar
Boats Boats is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sauk Village, IL
Posts: 21,784
Arrow Congress is ready to deal the Navy more Blackjack drones

Congress is ready to deal the Navy more Blackjack drones
By: Kelsey D.Atherton - C4ISRNET - 7-19-19
RE: https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/20...ckjack-drones/

Photo link: https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/HT...QQGZDY2KF4.jpg
Congress supports the Navy's interest in Blackjack drones, but wants to make sure that the Navy is thinking of the future and prioritizing a newer engine in its acquisitions. (Brandon Parker/Navy)

The Navy wants more Blackjack drones, and the House of Representatives wants to make sure that they get the best version feasible. Focusing on the RQ-21 Blackjack, Boeing looks to contests a sizable share of the attributable drone space, a category of vehicle that is only becoming more relevant as the century progresses. With the July 2019 publication of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, it seems the main obstacle for the Blackjack is hitting requirements exactly, without going over.

The contract for up to 63 “RQ-21A attrition air vehicles” was awarded to Insitu June 28, worth a total of $390 million. The margin comes with a tidy profit for the Boeing subsidiary, and it uses the descriptor “attrition air vehicle” for the drone, which is a fascinating way to frame flying machines that, on their own, cost over $2 million to make. It’s a fraction of the cost of a crewed and peopled aircraft, and matches the new reality where drones are occasionally jammed or destroyed while operating in war or war-adjacent missions.

The Navy has for years been increasing its inventory of Blackjack drones. The drones have seen far more use than expected when operating over Syria and Iraq, and the Marine Corps is looking at both night vision and VTOL capability for the system.

Before the drone advances too far on any specific path, Congress wants to make sure it’s using the right engine for the job.

“The capability differences between the v2 and v3 engine are significant and delay in the v3 engine remains a limiting factor for more expansive deployment of the RQ–21 Blackjack,” notes the report from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. “The Committee is additionally concerned about divergent requirements for capability for the RQ–21 which may be detracting from development of the next generation engine.”

The report concludes its assessment of the RQ-21 by requiring a timeline for the “development, integration and deployment of the v3 engine,” noting limiting factors and suggesting mitigation. Once the more-capable engine is built into the machine, then Congress is fine with the Navy exploring other options for how to use the Blackjack.

Until that new engine works, though, perhaps it’s best to not gamble on the drone. After all, when it comes to Blackjack, the House always wins.

About this writer: Kelsey Atherton blogs about military technology for C4ISRNET, Fifth Domain, Defense News, and Military Times. He previously wrote for Popular Science, and also created, solicited, and edited content for a group blog on political science fiction and international security.
__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.