Drones, the Air Littoral, and the Looming Irrelevance of the USAF

[dimsum]

So not being quite up on drone tech, how vulnerable are they to being detected by things like radar etc?

Depends on their size, how far off the ground they fly, and what they’re made of.

The irrelevance of Naval Aviation?

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2024/08/31/ending_the_dominance_of_naval_aviation_in_the_us_navy_1055398.html

First, I think that person has an axe to grind against Naval Aviation. But that’s neither here nor there.

Second, carriers (and their air wings) aren’t just used to strike land-based things. It is a main goal to project power, but a carrier is also a huge floating base to do whatever - humanitarian assistance being one. Or just the “soft power” of a Carrier Strike Group off your coast. The AEW aircraft also extends the radar bubble of the task force, and while the big threat is the sub threat, having a bunch of Absalons isn’t going to change that calculus.

Also, each Tomahawk isn’t going to land back at the arsenal ship if the mission gets “turned off” for any number of reasons.

Upon further thought, that article reminds me of the “why have manned interceptors/fighters when BOMARC missiles can do the same thing?” Argument in the 50s/60s.

 

[Kirkhill]

Depends on their size, how far off the ground they fly, and what they’re made of.


First, I think that person has an axe to grind against Naval Aviation. But that’s neither here nor there.

No doubt re the axe grinding.

Second, carriers (and their air wings) aren’t just used to strike land-based things. It is a main goal to project power, but a carrier is also a huge floating base to do whatever - humanitarian assistance being one. Or just the “soft power” of a Carrier Strike Group off your coast. The AEW aircraft also extends the radar bubble of the task force, and while the big threat is the sub threat, having a bunch of Absalons isn’t going to change that calculus.

Point.

Also, each Tomahawk isn’t going to land back at the arsenal ship if the mission gets “turned off” for any number of reasons.

Upon further thought, that article reminds me of the “why have manned interceptors/fighters when BOMARC missiles can do the same thing?” Argument in the 50s/60s.

I'll agree that it is the same argument. Having said that I will note that technology is weighting the scales differently now. Maybe not terminally but certainly differently.

 

[Kirkhill]

Navy testing autonomous flight capabilities with aerial targets

Naval Air Systems Command has launched a new effort to integrate an artificial intelligence-enabled pilot with one of its aerial targets, laying the foundation for the service’s plans to introduce autonomous flight capabilities into its aircraft fleet.

defensescoop.com

https://ir.kratosdefense.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kratos-and-shield-ai-conduct-ai-piloted-flights-kratos-tactical

Kratos Valkyrie Kratos Mako Kratos BQM-177

Kratos Valkyre Loyal Wingman evolved from the Kratos Mako which evolved from the Kratos BQM-177 target.
The Valkyrie and Mako are both armed and the BQM-177 can carry stores.

All of them are using Shield AI.

The navy has decided to develop the AI on the cheapest of the platforms - the target system which is already well proven and exists in the inventory in large numbers.

Shield AI - Building The World’s Best AI Pilot

AI pilots will revolutionize battlefields and commercial aviation at a scale greater than the self-driving movement reshaping our highways.

shield.ai

 

[Kirkhill]

Further to Shield's AI Hivemind (party political puff piece but still interesting)

Shield AI's Hivemind Demonstrates Collaborative Autonomy In Firejet Drones Flight Test

Branded Content: Fast, agile drones replicating unmanned wingmen fly together autonomously in key step towards future air combat.

www.twz.com

....

US Coast Guard Orders V-BAT Drone From Shield AI

California drone developer Shield AI has received a contract to deliver its V-BAT unmanned aerial system to the US Coast Guard.

thedefensepost.com

Shield AI Raises Another $200 Million In Funding To Scale V-BAT Autonomous Piloting Software - Avionics International

Shield AI on Tuesday said it has raised another $200 million in venture capital for scaling and deploying the company’s new autonomous piloting software aboard the company’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft […]

www.aviationtoday.com

Shield AI unveils V-Bat Teams drone swarm tech, with eye to Replicator

Shield AI aims to double the size of its V-Bat drone teaming capabilities each year, from four now to eight next year and beyond.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Also, each Tomahawk isn’t going to land back at the arsenal ship if the mission gets “turned off” for any number of reasons.

Saw that V-Bat article and it got me to thinking about tail-sitters landing on their butts and went looking for other examples. I came up with these.

Tomahawk is a vertically launched jet propelled intelligent munition. How long before Shield AI software is incorporated? How long before a ramjet is incorporated? Vertical recovery and landing?

My next prediction sees Frankie Zapata's Hoverboard merged with the V-Bat to supply a short hop transport for one person.

Better solution than this

The V-Bat would leave both hands free - and be easier to dismount.

 

[Kirkhill]

Interesting pieces about:

EpiSci converting its AI Swarmware from aircraft to boats in weeks - aim to use same software in multiple domains
Shield AI working with a pair of Kratos Firejets
US Army's 101st Abn Div Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company
(Side bar on HAMAS Resistance philosophy)

Testing plug-and-play AI pilots: Weapons and Warfare

Meet the innovative a company taking AI pilots out of the cockpit and putting them into the captain’s chair.

san.com