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2021-07-04
Demand Rises for Special Mission Aircraft
The demand for special mission aircraft has been increasing by leaps and bounds and the reasons are discernible: the battlespace has become increasingly complex and unconventional, while rising geopolitical tensions warrant increased surveillance.
Counterterrorism, medical evacuation, prevention of drug trafficking, military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, airborne early warning and control, search, rescue and recovery operations, uncovering oil spills - name it and the role of special mission aircraft flashes as a foremost requirement.
Piracy too is a major concern that has boosted the market. For example, piracy in the waters of Somalia has become a major headache for trading in the Indian Ocean and hence has led to the uptake of special mission aircraft.
The market is also driven by factors such as the growing need for air-to-air refuelling to support overseas deployment and increasing usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in military operations.
In this background, it is not surprising that the special mission aircraft market is projected to grow from US$13.5 billion in 2020 to US$18.3 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.2 per cent from 2020 to 2025, as per the latest report from Markets and Markets.
Special mission aircraft are used by all the three sectors of armed forces. The aircraft have surveillance devices to uncover movement of enemies. However, they mostly do not carry any weapons. Such aircraft are primarily used to support active combatants via surveillance and delivery of supplies.
The military aviation segment is expected to be the largest market by value, which can be attributed to the growing demand for usage in various special missions carried out by the military forces such as reconnaissance and surveillance operations.
At present, maximum demand is generated in the market for surveillance. Operation-wise, the three segments of the market for special mission aircraft are naval force, air force, and army.
Usage of UAVs
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defence forces are using more and more UAVs to target insurgents and terrorist groups across the globe. The increasing use of UAVs to combat terrorism can be attributed to the various benefits offered by them, including reduction in risk to lives of defence personnel, precise strikes to eliminate terrorist groups, and cost-effectiveness.
Advancements in technologies used in UAVs have enhanced their capabilities to perform special military tasks such as surveying and monitoring. These missions, generally referred to as the three Ds—Dull, Dirty, and Dangerous—are best carried out using UAVs that can be operated remotely or autonomously.
Improvements in the range and altitude capabilities of UAVs have enhanced their reliability, enabling them to carry out military operations with the same precision as manned aircraft but with considerably lower risks.
The increasing incidences of piracy and island grabbing in Central Asia, South America, East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and West Africa have led to increased maritime patrolling and anti-piracy operations in these regions. UAVs can recognise and observe suspicious ships and safeguard routes that are of commercial importance by providing vital real-time information to concerned agencies in an effective manner.
Advancements in payload technologies, such as the introduction of high-resolution cameras, electro-optics, and infrared systems in UAVs, enable them to capture clear images of battlefields. Thus, the real-time data provided by UAVs is important in military operations to track the movements of military vehicles and defence personnel.
A multitude of bilateral, national, and international regulations and standards bind the actions of manufacturers of special mission aircraft and their components. Countries have regulatory bodies governing the safety levels associated with special mission aircraft operations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has implemented regulations that are required to be adhered to globally.
Defence Segment
Based on the end-user, the defence segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the special mission aircraft market. Military special mission aircraft are used for ground attack missions, air-to-air combat, and maritime/naval attack by defence forces worldwide.
Various federal law enforcement agencies around the world such as the National Security Agency (NSA) (US), Federal Security Service (FSB) (Russia), National Security Council (NSC) (India), and Ministry of State Security (MSS) (China), among others, are using special mission aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and border protection activities.
Let us have a look at few special mission aircraft; starting with the Boeing MSA.
Saab GlobalEye
GlobalEye is Saab’s latest airborne early warning and control solution. It provides air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution. It combines Saab’s new Erieye Extended Range Radar and a range of additional advanced sensors with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier. It maximises operational performance – both in terms of detection capability and mission endurance – while at the same time offering crew comfort.
With highly increased detection range and over 11 hours of operational endurance, GlobalEye AEW&C is suited to fulfil demanding operational requirements. Particularly since it has the ability to detect low-observable air targets in heavy clutter and jamming conditions and also can detect and track maritime targets out to the elevated horizon and small jet-ski or RIB sized vessels at very long distances.
The complete sensor suite of the GlobalEye AEW&C can detect and identify threats in all three domains. Crowned by the Erieye ER (Extended Range) radar, the suite also consists of maritime surveillance radar, electro-optical sensor, ESM/ELINT, AIS, and IFF/ADS-B. It’s a unique sensor suite combined with a modern, human-centric command and control system.
Together with swing-role capabilities, it makes GlobalEye a surveillance solution that ensures quick and accurate coverage of vast distances of air, sea or land, with the ability to switch between surveillance areas in an instant. What’s more, it can carry out multiple missions simultaneously. Moreover, the Global 6000/6500 aircraft from Bombardier offers state-of-the-art avionics, and ideal working conditions for all crew members, making it perfectly suited for AEW&C missions.
The command and control (C2) system aboard the aircraft enables the crew to perform multiple missions in complex scenarios. The aircraft accommodates up to seven C2 workstations. Each operator console is equipped with a 30in wide-screen high-resolution colour display offering the best possible interface for operators.
The Boeing MSA
Boeing has developed a new aircraft for a military customer built off a commercial platform – the Boeing Maritime Surveillance Aircraft. The Boeing MSA does more than leverage past programmes; it directly applies advanced, proven and fielded intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities from the Boeing P-8, Airborne Warning and Control System, and Airborne Early Warning & Control programmes to solve customers’ maritime domain awareness challenges.
The Maritime Surveillance Aircraft employs leading-edge sensors, interoperable data links, high-bandwidth line-of-sight and over-the-horizon communications. The aircraft has a complete sensor set that includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array multi-mode radar, high-definition Electro-Optical/Infrared camera, and advanced Electronic Support.
The platform provides reliable, cost-effective operations for maritime surveillance, anti-piracy, economic exclusion zone (EEZ) patrol, overland ISR, long-range search and rescue, and other strategic missions.
MC-27J Multi-Mission Aircraft
The Alenia Aermacchi/ Leonardo MC-27J is an adaptable, agile and affordable solution for various airborne multi-mission requirements. The MC-27J is a multi-mission, armed, Roll On/Roll Off (RO/RO) derivative of the C-27J Spartan. The MC-27J is not just a gunship, but a battlefield tested platform equipped with proven sensors, communications, and weapons suite able to execute a wide range of customer-driven missions.
The MC-27J is designed to support air forces and Special Forces in performing several key operations, including: anti-terrorism missions, the evacuation of military personnel and civil populations from crisis areas, fighting asymmetrical threats and for all standard operations of the Special Forces. The MC-27J provides Special Forces a platform with quick transfer speed; long operational range and ample cargo capacity (console for the systems’ operators, troops and vehicles).
It is capable of taking off from and landing on short and/or unprepared strips while acting as an autonomous command and control centre integrated with the ground command network.
Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint
RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions. The aircraft is derived from its predecessor the C-135 Stratolifter and can execute ISR operations.
Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems.
RC-135W Rivet Joint employs multidiscipline Weapons System Officer (WSO) and Weapons System Operator (WSOp) specialists whose mission is to survey elements of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to derive intelligence for commanders.
Onboard electro-optic sensors fitted in the aircraft trace geo-located signals within the electromagnetic spectrum and transfer the captured data to operators through secure satellite communication data link.
Dash 8 P-4 Special Mission Aircraft
PAL Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) announced during IDEX 2021, the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly pursue the development of a missionised Dash 8-400 aircraft, called the “Dash 8 P-4” for maritime patrol (MPA), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as other applications. Modified with auxiliary fuel tanks, the Dash 8 P-4 will have superior range, endurance, and time-on-station.
“PAL Aerospace is thrilled to work with De Havilland Canada on this important initiative for our company,” said Jake Trainor, CEO of PAL Aerospace. “The considerable cabin space, payload capacity, best-in-class airspeed profile and advantageous operating economics of the Dash 8-400 platform, combined with De Havilland Canada’s 92-year history of innovation and leadership in aircraft design and manufacturing, provide an ideal foundation from which to launch the Dash 8 P-4 programme.”
This aircraft offers the best of both worlds: fly slower to minimise fuel burn or faster to maximise productivity. It offers the same trip cost as competing 76-seat turboprops but can be configured to fit a maximum of 90 seats (for a total of 14 more). When compared to a larger jet aircraft, the trip cost is substantially lower at half the cost. With more seats, more trips per day and longer maintenance intervals, the Dash 8-400 adds over US$8 million more value per aircraft.
The Shadow R1
Raytheon Shadow R Mk 1 improves a military commander’s awareness of what is happening on the ground or in the air, allowing them to formulate sound plans in an operational environment. The Shadow R1 tactical C4ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) solution for the UK Ministry of Defence uses an innovative airborne mission management system integrated into a modified Beechcraft King Air 350CER aircraft. Its global ISR solutions include targeted training and lifecycle support.
A key C-ISTAR asset for the UK’s Ministry of Defence, the Shadow R1s currently in service allow Royal Air Force 14 Sqn commanders to direct the most effective utilisation of assets at their disposal. Designed, developed, ground tested and flight tested by Raytheon UK’s Airborne ISR division, the UK MOD officially commended the Shadow Team in May 2012, recognising its role, “in delivering, upgrading and sustaining the Shadow R1 fleet and enabling the Shadow Force to consistently deliver operational effect in multiple arenas for United Kingdom Forces.”
Sentry AEW1 E-3D
Commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) after its US nomenclature, the E-3D Sentry AEW.Mk 1 (Sentry AEW1 E-3D) is an airborne early warning (AEW) and command and control aircraft.
The Sentry monitors airspace to provide threat detection of adversary aircraft and situational awareness on friendly assets. Information gathered by the APY-2 radar is processed by the mission crew and disseminated via a variety of data links and communication systems.
Sentry has the capability to detect ships, relaying information to maritime aircraft or allied vessels for further investigation. Its electronic support measures equipment enables the E-3D to gather emissions from other radar systems and emitters, enhancing the crew’s understanding of the environment.
Today the Sentry is fully integrated into the ISTAR Force, yet retains its core competencies of airborne early warning and airspace management.
E-7 Wedgetail
The E-7 Wedgetail is the world’s most advanced, capable and reliable Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, having proven itself in operations around the world.
The aircraft is designed to track multiple airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. It can provide situational awareness and direct other assets such as fighter jets and warships.
The UK’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft is expected to be in service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2023. It will be a central asset in the RAF’s future ISTAR Force.
A critical enabler to surveillance and air dominance, the E-7 Wedgetail is the most advanced, state-of-the-art airborne moving target indicator capability (AMTI) available today.
Based on a Boeing Next-Generation 737, the E-7’s radar provides a full 360-degree surveillance capability with sector emphasis and other techniques to dynamically adjust to emerging tactical situations. Sector emphasis extends detection range without the need to fly closer to threat situations.
Fully interoperable, the E-7 Wedgetail brings battle management to the tactical edge of the battle space.
MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The turboprop-powered, multi-mission MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was developed with GA-ASI funding and first flown in 2001.
MQ-9A “Reaper” is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with the company’s battle-proven Predator RPA and is a major evolutionary leap forward in overall performance and reliability. MQ-9A was designated “Reaper” by the U.S. and Royal Air Force, but has become the widely used name for any Predator B equipped with weapons.
Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, MQ-9A has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds of external stores. The aircraft carries 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower. An extremely reliable aircraft, the MQ-9A is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture.
It is powered by the flight-certified and proven Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, integrated with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC), which significantly improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, particularly at low altitudes.
Crucial Asset
Today and in the future, national and global security challenges requires timely and correct information to national authorities in order to maintain peace and stability. Going by the prevailing trend, it is increasingly clear that no country can afford to ignore the importance of special mission aircraft, as defeating advanced threats and accomplishing crucial missions seem almost impossible without them.
Reference Text/Photo: www.usaf.com, www.airforce.gov.au, www.raf.mod.uk, www.boeing.com, www.lockheedmartin.com
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