Mar 12, 2013 18:36 UTC
Latest updates[?]: USN buys 6 more MQ-8Cs; MQ-8Bs still going; MRMUAS cancelled.
MQ-8B Fire Scout
A helicopter UAV is very handy for naval ships, and for armies who can’t always depend on runways. The USA’s RQ/MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has blazed a trail of firsts in this area, but its history is best described as “colorful.” The program was begun by the US Navy, canceled, adopted by the US Army, revived by the Navy, then canceled by the Army. Leaving it back in the hands of the US Navy. Though the Army is thinking about joining again, and the base platform is changing.
The question is, can the MQ-8 leverage its size, first-mover contract opportunity, and “good enough” performance into a secure future with the US Navy – and beyond? DID describes these new VTUAV platforms, clarifies the program’s structure and colorful history, lists all related contracts and events, and offers related research materials.
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Mar 04, 2013 12:00 UTC
Latest updates[?]: JHSV isn't canceled - but there will be negotiations.
Austal MRV/JHSV concept
When moving whole units, shipping is always the cheaper, higher-capacity option. Slow speed and port access are the big issues, but what if ship transit times could be cut sharply, and full-service ports weren’t necessary? After Australia led the way by using what amounted to fast car ferries for military operations, the US Army and Navy decided to give it a go. Both services leased Incat TSV/HSV wave-piercing catamaran ship designs, while the Marines’ charged ahead with very successful use of Austal’s Westpac Express high-speed catamaran. These Australian-designed ships all give commanders the ability to roll on a company with full gear and equipment (or roll on a full infantry battalion if used only as a troop transport), haul it intra-theater distances at 38 knots, then move their shallow draft safely into austere ports to roll them off.
Their successful use, and continued success on operations, attracted favorable comment and notice from all services. So favorable that the experiments have led to a $3+ billion program called the Joint High Speed Vessel. These designs may even have uses beyond simple ferrying and transport.
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Dec 02, 2012 18:03 UTC
Australia’s 2009 Defence White paper promised a number of programs, including an effort to rationalize the DoD’s storage and distribution network. The White Paper’s target involved consolidating 24 wholesale sites into 7, supported by 7 specialist logistics units, with slimmer overall inventory.
In late 2012, Australia’s government moved to implement an A$ 752 million Defence Logistics Transformation Program (DLTP), consolidating 201 warehouses in 24 locations into 7 primary sites and 9 specialty sites. It’s a major change to an unheralded but fundamental element of military readiness. Secure storage, maintenance facilities, and other infrastructure will be built at:
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