Broad Area maritime UAV

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Broad Area maritime UAV

Posted: 4/19/2010 12:41:11 PM EDT

Just a thought, I was reading about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Area_Maritime_Surveillance

This uses a Gulfstream 550 as a UAV. Do you think that part of the reason of this type of technology development, using commercial aircraft as a platform, is so that if the SHTF, the US Gov't can commandeer commercial a/c as readily convertible for military roles?

Posted: 4/19/2010 12:44:56 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Just a thought, I was reading about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Area_Maritime_Surveillance

This uses a Gulfstream 550 as a UAV. Do you think that part of the reason of this type of technology development, using commercial aircraft as a platform, is so that if the SHTF, the US Gov't can commandeer commercial a/c as readily convertible for military roles?

No, it is because using Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) items means you can design and field cheaper and faster than a unique military specific item, as well as maintain it for less.

Posted: 4/19/2010 12:45:38 PM EDT

[#2]

Ummm Boeing lost, the BAMS aircraft is an RQ-4N Global Hawk modified for the naval mission.

http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/bams/index.html

There is nothing COTS about the winning platform, for many good reasons.

Posted: 4/19/2010 12:47:24 PM EDT

[#3]

The government has a program for appropriating civilian aircraft in an emergency, used it all the time in REFORGER exercises and Desert Storm. Can't recall the name of it at the moment, but I'm confident that robots were not necessary.

ETA: Civil Reserve Air Fleet

Posted: 4/19/2010 12:51:52 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Just a thought, I was reading about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Area_Maritime_Surveillance

This uses a Gulfstream 550 as a UAV. Do you think that part of the reason of this type of technology development, using commercial aircraft as a platform, is so that if the SHTF, the US Gov't can commandeer commercial a/c as readily convertible for military roles?

Garand_Shooter nailed it already. COTS is a way of saving lots of dollars if used properly.

Posted: 4/19/2010 1:01:26 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Just a thought, I was reading about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Area_Maritime_Surveillance

This uses a Gulfstream 550 as a UAV. Do you think that part of the reason of this type of technology development, using commercial aircraft as a platform, is so that if the SHTF, the US Gov't can commandeer commercial a/c as readily convertible for military roles?

No, it is because using Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) items means you can design and field cheaper and faster than a unique military specific item, as well as maintain it for less.

Plus it's not like the Air Force could just head down to the local FBO, throw an inflatable autopilot into the seat and abscond with a new recee platform.

Posted: 4/19/2010 5:22:06 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Just a thought, I was reading about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Area_Maritime_Surveillance

This uses a Gulfstream 550 as a UAV. Do you think that part of the reason of this type of technology development, using commercial aircraft as a platform, is so that if the SHTF, the US Gov't can commandeer commercial a/c as readily convertible for military roles?

No, it is because using Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) items means you can design and field cheaper and faster than a unique military specific item, as well as maintain it for less.

Plus it's not like the Air Force could just head down to the local FBO, throw an inflatable autopilot into the seat and abscond with a new recee platform.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Broad Area maritime UAV

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