Page 28 - ADT MAY / JULY 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP
P. 28
lethality of our air combat system aerial platforms (AAPS), in conjunc- by the No. 3 Research Institute
in an operationally relevant sce- tion with an FA-50. The goal of the under the China Aerospace Science
nario,” he says. second phase from 2025 to 2028 and Industry Corporation (CASIC),
will be to show an FA-50 testbed reportedly is capable of teaming
Korea Means Business shows whether it can simultane- up with manned aircraft in MUM-T
ously control up to four AAPs. In the combat and surveillance missions.
In December 2022, Korea next phase that will end in 2037,
Aerospace Industries (KAI) KAI will pursue MUM-T technolo- India has made progress with
announced that it had signed an gies on a twin-seat KF-21, with the its Combat Air Teaming System
agreement with the Korea Research company planning the development (CATS) Warrior project, which
Institute for Defence Technology of a combat drone that will act as a was unveiled in 2018 and intends
Planning and Advancement (KRIT) loyal wingman to the piloted aircraft. to introduce a low-cost, twin-en-
to develop technologies that enable The company wants the KF-21 gine teaming drone that will be
MUM-T of combat fighter jets, to command up to four combat capable of being paired with
helicopters and military unmanned drones, with each drone controlling existing manned Indian Air Force
aerial systems (UAS). The country’s four AAPs. KAI envisages having a fighter jets like Tejas or Rafale.
Defence Acquisition Programme system of systems by 2038. The loyal wingman drone, which
Administration has also asked is being developed by Hindustan
Korean Air Aerospace Division to Not Lagging Behind Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in asso-
develop a new loyal wingman that ciation with New Space Research
will work in tandem with manned China, which has a growing and & Technologies, will be capable
aircraft in a MUM-T operation. high-end military drone arsenal of being operated from land, sea,
that can be used for reconnais-
sance as well as for combat, is and motherships. In combat, the
KAI envisages the use of manned also reportedly working on incorpo- manned fighter jet will be assisted
aircraft like the KF-21 and FA-50 rating MUM-T into its operations. by a swarm of low-cost drones that
along with unmanned UAS as well In October 2022, China Central have payloads, sensors, and war-
as a swarm of small-sized drones. Television (CCTV) released a fare capabilities. The inaugural flight
The country’s air force plans to digital artistic representation of of the loyal wingman is expected
acquire both single-seat and twin- J-20 Generation 5 stealth fighter next year. The CATS Warrior will
seat variants of the KF-21, with first and H-6K/N strategic bombers work alongside AlFA-S swarming
delivery scheduled for June 2026. controlling wingmen drones. The kamikaze drones, a High-Altitude
The company’s ambitious MUM-T screengrabs of the video on social Pseudo-Satellite, and a mini smart
plan has four phases, with the first media shows a twin-seat Chengdu cruise missile. In September
phase – involving a helicopter and J-20 flying with three GJ-11 ‘Sharp 2033, New Space Research &
small UAVs- already underway and Sword’ Unmanned Combat Aerial Technologies introduced the
set to conclude next year. Once the Vehicles (UCAV) on the top, side, Abhimanyu drone family that has
concept is proved, the company and front. The Sky Hawk UAV, a variants designed for critical strate-
plans to use bigger but inexpensive long-endurance stealth UAV with a gic roles such as ISR, EW, decoy,
recoverable UAVs, called adaptable flying wing configuration developed and kamikaze. The drones can also
be used along with manned aircraft
for MUM-T operations.
Pakistan is reportedly working on a
joint drone programme with Turkey
and China, one that will produce
loyal wingman unmanned combat
aerial vehicles (UCAVs) that can
conduct ISTAR (intelligence, sur-
veillance, target acquisition, and
reconnaissance) and neutralize
aerial threats. The drones would be
capable of flying independently in
support of manned aircraft as well
as in swarms. The three countries
are developing components of the
MUM-T system together..
28 | MAY - JULY 2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT
