Despite the different conditions, there are few similarities between Indonesia and the UK in the development plan for combat drones (UCAV), where both countries have both stopped plans to produce future combat drones.
As is known, the Black Eagle project, which has long been behind schedule, has reportedly been diverted for development to civilian drones. Meanwhile, from the UK, as of 24 June 2022, it has been decided to terminate the UCAV and Loyal Wingman Mosquito development programs.
However, there is something interesting about the 2022 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) celebration, where BAE Systems actually showed for the first time the design of the G-UCAS combat drone mockup.
So far there is no detailed information regarding the G-UCAS, but from the appearance it is clear that the G-UCAS is designed as a jet-engined drone. The mirayhaber.com website says that the G-UCAS is thought to be in the KIZILELMA Combat Unmanned Aircraft System (MIUS) class, which was developed by Baykar Makina, Turkey.
From the mockup, it is shown that the G-UCAS will be prepared to launch air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. And of course, the G-UCAS comes with complete radar. Because it is still a mockup, if the BAE Systems project goes smoothly, then the G-UCAS is expected to fly for the first time in the next 3 years.
From the specifications, the G-UCAS has a maximum take-off weight of 3.5 tons. In terms of payload, the G-UCAS is designed to carry a payload of 500 kg and can fly for 5 hours. This drone can fly at a cruising speed of Mach 0.75 and a maximum flight altitude of 12,192 meters.
The duties outlined for the G-UCAS include the ability to carry out electronic attacks, air-to-surface attacks with 4x Spear 3 missiles, reconnaissance and surveillance missions with the EO/IR system, then this drone has the capability of air-to-air warfare with 2x Meteor missiles. Relying on a modular construction, the G-UCAS operates with conventional take-off and landing.
The development of combat drones in the UK is not easy, because the British Government is also under pressure to equip the existing UCAV fleet, quickly and reliably. And for that, the UK is hoping more for drones imported from the United States and Israel.
Currently the power of the British Air Force's combat drones rests on the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Protector RG1 (a variant of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian) and the MQ-9A Reaper. While the flagship recon drone rests on the Watchkeeper WK450.
If the G-UCAS concept goes smoothly, this drone could be included in the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) concept developed for the British Air Force. LANCA was previously a platform for the development of the Mosquito combat drone developed by Spirit AeroSystems.
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