Pentagon trains drones to fight Russian and Chinese submarinesAmerican reconnaissance and reconnaissance-strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Predator family, which already includes half a dozen different drones, are known today to everyone who is interested in weapons and military affairs.
This family includes the "Predators" themselves, their development – "Reapers" (Predator B), "Sky Guards" and "Sea Guards" (Certified Predator B), as well as new deck "Avengers" (Predator C).
These winged robots, developed by General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and flying a total of more than 6 million hours, starting with the role of a simple scout, quickly learned how to destroy detected targets and mastered the naval theater of war. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian ("Sea Guardian") drones designed for patrolling marine areas have aroused interest from a number of countries, and contracts have already been signed with at least two, as indicated in GA-ASI.
The first customer was India, which leased two UAVs from the Americans for a year. They arrived in the country in November 2020, transferred to the Indian Navy and will, apparently, solve tasks over the Indian Ocean, as well as, possibly, in areas bordering China, where the situation remains tense.
And on November 3, 2020, the US Department of Defense Agency for Defense and Security Cooperation (DSCA) notified Congress about the possible sale of four such UAVs and related equipment to Taiwan for a total of about $ 600 million.
Previously, the Sea Guardian could effectively monitor mainly the surface situation, for which a powerful radar system and other specialized equipment were installed on it, and look for submarines only in a limited volume. Now this "inhuman" hunter is able to cling with a death grip even to an enemy submarine located at a decent depth. And it's all about the new anti-submarine equipment.
SENSITIVE BLOODHOUNDSWe are talking about the latest integrated anti-submarine system, created on the basis of radio-hydroacoustic buoys (RGB) of various types and designed to equip anti-submarine aircraft.
The system, which the US military plans to equip its "Sea Guards", includes the following main types of disposable RGB.
Passive radio hydroacoustic buoy bathythermograph AN/SSQ–36B for continuous measurement of vertical distribution of water temperature over depth in the upper layer of the water column. Such a buoy is usually dropped first in order to collect data on the hydrological conditions of a particular area and determine to what depth anti-submarine pilots need to expose the acoustic system of search buoys. After that, you can start setting up a series of "real" buoys according to one of the standard schemes. The operating time of the bathythermograph buoy is about 12 minutes, then it is flooded.
The passive directional RGB AN/SSQ-53G of the DIFAR direction finding and ranging system (from Directed Frequency Analysis and Ranging, "directional frequency Analysis and recording") is designed to detect and determine the bearing of underwater targets, as well as for their further tracking and classification. To ensure effective bearing in the buoy, several methods are used – by the maximum of the signal, as well as phase, phase-amplitude or correlation methods.
The active RGB AN/SSQ-62F of the DICASS system (from the Directional Command-Activated Sonobuoy System, "a system of remote-controlled directional radio-hydroacoustic buoys (with command control)". Designed to detect, classify and track underwater targets. The latter such buoys are capable of detecting at greater depths than their predecessors – more than 450 m, in the zone of an underwater sound channel – a kind of natural acoustic waveguide in the ocean.
The RGB is activated on command from a carrier aircraft or other control point and allows you to determine the range, magnetic bearing and Doppler characteristics of underwater targets. By radio command, you can change the depth of the radiator / hydrophone of the buoy, activate the signal transmission or flood the buoy after use in order to avoid hitting the enemy.
It is possible to include other types of RGB in the system under consideration, including the standard size "G". The latter are a new generation RGB, two times smaller than buoys of size "A" and 25% lighter than them (buoys of type "A" are 93 cm in length, their diameter is about 12 cm, and their weight is 8-10 kg).
In particular, these include the passive directional RGB AN/SSQ-553G DIFAR systems developed by Ultra Electronics and the broadband passive RGB SSQ-906G/H LOFAR (Low Frequency Analysis and Recording, "low Frequency Analysis and recording") systems designed to search for underwater targets and wider monitoring of the underwater situation.
In conditions of joint use during anti-submarine operations, these and other RSGs allow detecting enemy underwater targets with a high probability, classifying them, escorting and issuing target designation data to the means of destruction. The accuracy of classification and the detection range of underwater targets depend on the equipment of the RSL itself and the processing system of the data received from them, as well as on the degree of training of personnel.
For the use of RGB from the Sea Guard, it is equipped with a special suspended container designed for 10 buoys of size "A" or 20 buoys of size "G". Ejection – by means of a pneumatic device mounted in the transport and launch container itself. "Sea Guardian", according to the developer, can carry up to four such containers on the external underwing suspension nodes. Which gives us a significant supply of buoys – up to 40 standard size "A" or up to 80 standard size "G".
THE TESTS WERE SUCCESSFULTests of the MQ-9A Block II UAV took place at the Pacific test site of the US Navy on November 24, 2020, but this was officially announced only on January 19, 2021.
"This demonstration is the first for air–based anti-submarine systems. The successful completion of these tests opens the way for further development of new capabilities in the field of anti-submarine warfare with the use of our MQ–9," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.
According to the test scenario, a drone with a suspended container with 10 RGB spent three hours searching for an underwater target and tracking it using buoys set up by it: one of the AN/SSQ–36B type, seven of the AN/SSQ-53G type and two of the AN/SSQ–62F type. The data received from the buoys was immediately transmitted via satellite to the ground command post (KP) at the Yuma test site.
Based on the received data, the combat crew located on the KP, using the UYS-505 signal processing system, developed elements of target movement, which made it possible to defeat the latter with anti-submarine weapons complexes (the UYS-505 Sonobuoy Processing System is manufactured by General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada).
The Mk 39 EMATT (Expendable Mobile ASW Training Target), manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, acted as the "victim". This target is used in the US Navy to practice anti-submarine defense tasks. In total, the developer has delivered more than 12 thousand such systems to customers around the world.
The developer's materials indicate: the target "is designed to simulate the sounds and movement of a diesel-electric submarine in deep or shallow water areas with the possibility of varying the speed and radiation levels of tonal signals." Thus, we can conclude about the specialization of the new anti-submarine drone. However, if he learns to effectively search for low-noise "diesel engines", then he will be able to search for nuclear-powered ships.
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones use a modified airframe and systems of the basic Predator – Reaper family. Illustration from the website www.ga-asi.com SOULLESS GUARDIANS OF THE OCEANS
The marine patrol drone MQ-9B "Sea Guardian" is based on the glider of the land version of the drone MQ-9B Sky Guardian ("Sky Guardian").
The latter, in turn, is a development of the reconnaissance-strike MQ-9A Reaper ("Reaper", "Collector of souls").
The drone, originally bearing the designation Certified Predator B, was created in GA-ASI as a further development of the MQ-9 line, which has proven itself well in the hot spots of the planet. Its development was carried out in accordance with the requirements for certification of unmanned aircraft systems being developed for the future by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). First of all, this concerns flight safety in an unsegregated (controlled by national dispatching services) common airspace, where drones will be able to safely fly along with manned aircraft.
Sky Guardian also complies with the NATO STANAG-4761 standard, according to which military drones are certified for the ability to safely fly in the airspace of all NATO member states.
In order to ensure these capabilities, Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian are equipped with a specially developed GA-ASI system for preventing collisions in the air (Detect And Avoid – DAA, "detect and evade").
This system includes a specialized airborne radar station "Due Regard" (DRR), an on-board collision warning system TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) and an automatic Dependent broadcast surveillance system ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast; in Russian-language literature AZN-B). The latter is designed for automatic transmission of information about the aircraft – its identifier, current coordinates, course, speed and altitude, etc. – to the dispatch center.
The airborne radar station "Dew Regard" was developed by GA-ASI specialists and belongs to the "air-to-air" class. It is the "heart" of the DAA system and allows you to detect dangerous aerial targets that are not equipped with transponders or have turned them off.
The radar consists of a two-panel active phased antenna with electronic beam scanning and a block of electronic equipment. The station allows the UAV operator to detect and track aerial targets in the same field of view as a person in the pilot's seat of an aircraft. At the same time, it is possible to simultaneously track several aerial targets and search for new targets in the background.
The development model of the radar was manufactured at the end of 2014 and was tested on manned aircraft and drones of the MQ-9 "Reaper" and "Ikhana" types (Ikhana is a NASA research drone created on the basis of "Reaper" and used for testing various target equipment). It was also used by specialists of the US Federal Aviation Administration in the process of developing a standard of minimum operational characteristics for UAVs required for flights in national and international airspace. On June 5, 2018, the first such flight in non-segregated space was performed by the aforementioned Ihana drone, equipped with a DAA system with a Dew Regard radar.
According to the developer company, this radar is in the stage of small-scale production and has already been delivered to a number of customers. The company is working on creating an improved modification of it.
The name "Due Regard", which can be translated from English as "Due attention Radar", is part of the phrase contained in the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO for military aircraft: to fly "with due attention to the safety of civil aircraft" (Due Regard for the safety of navigation of civil aircraft).
Processing of all the information collected by the three mentioned DAA subsystems is carried out with the help of another subsystem – forecasting and displaying information.
During the development of the MQ-9B Sky Guardian, the developer also carried out other activities, namely:
– the drone's airframe has been strengthened and its resistance to damage has been increased (collisions with birds, strong wind loads, etc.);
– a new electric pulse anti–icing system of the leading edge of the wing and an anti-icing heating system of the engine air intake and air and static pressure receivers have been installed (as a result, Sky Guardian is said to be able to fly at temperatures up to - 41oC);
– installed anti-lightning protection;
– an advanced automatic take-off and landing system has been used;
– new reliable software has been introduced into the onboard control system, as well as new avionics, etc.
Plus, as part of the unmanned aircraft system built on the basis of the MQ-9B "Sky Guardian" / "Sea Guardian" UAV family, a new ground control station (NSO) has also been used.
The MQ-9B Sky Guardian has a maximum take-off weight of 5670 kg (MQ–9A Reaper - 4763 kg) and is capable of taking on board 2721 kg of fuel (1769 kg) and up to 2177 kg of payload, of which 363 kg are placed in internal compartments, and another 1814 kg – on one ventral and eight underwing external suspension nodes (the Reaper has 1747 kg, including 386 kg inside and 1361 kg on the external nodes). The maximum length of the device is 11.7 m (11 m), and its wingspan is 24 m (20 m).
Like the Reaper, the Sky Guardian is equipped with a TPE331–10 turboprop engine manufactured by Honeywell. It allows the combat drone to reach a maximum airspeed of up to 210 knots (388.9 km/h). The "Reaper" has this indicator more – 240 knots (444.5 km / h), which is caused by its lower mass. The Reaper has more and the maximum flight altitude is 50 thousand feet (15240 m) versus more than 40 thousand feet (at least 12190 m) for the Heavenly Guardian.
But the latter surpasses its predecessor in flight duration – it can reach 40 hours, which allows it to fly at a range of up to 6 thousand nautical miles (more than 11.1 thousand km), while the Predator can only stay in the air for 27 hours.
DELIVERIES TO CUSTOMERSThe first production sample of the basic version of the MQ-9B "Sky Guardian" took to the sky on March 30, 2020.
The flight was carried out from the developer's airfield in El Mirage, California, and was considered completely successful. The next serial device of this type was already intended for the first, or, as they say, the starting customer, in the role of which the United Kingdom acted.
The leadership of the British Ministry of Defense signed a preliminary agreement with GA-ASI in 2016 to develop such drones for the Royal Air Force, which received the local designation "Protector" RG Mk 1.
The new UAVs should replace the MQ-9A "Reaper" type UAVs operated by the troops. For the first time in the sky, the head serial drone "Protector" ("Defender") rose on September 25, 2020. And a little earlier, in July, a final contract was signed, according to which the British military will receive up to 16 RG Mk 1 Protector drones (the first order for three devices plus 13 more machines are registered in the option), as well as up to seven NSOs and various ground equipment. The contract value is 65 million pounds, but when choosing an option, this amount should, apparently, grow.
According to information from the press release of the Royal Air Force "MOD Signs £65m Contract For Protector Aircraft" dated July 15, 2020, British drones are additionally equipped with an X-band satellite communication system and an improved anti-icing system and a lightning protection system. They are also modified for the use of aviation weapons used in the British Air Force: a guided air-to-surface missile of the Brimstone family (produced by MBDA) and a guided aerial bomb with laser guidance "Paveway IV" (Paveway IV Laser Guided Bomb, produced by Raytheon UK). The drone can carry up to 18 such ammunition.
The first three drones should reach full combat readiness by mid-2024. The deployment of the "Defenders" is planned at the Royal Air Force base "Waddington" in Lincolnshire. The new drones will enter service with the 31st and 13th Air Squadrons.
Belgium also chose this UAV: the contract with its Ministry of Defense was signed in August 2020, deliveries will go through the US Air Force as part of the Program for the Sale of weapons and Military Equipment to foreign states (Foreign Military Sales – FMS), the first delivery is expected in 2023.
Recently, Australia has also become a buyer, whose Air Force intends to purchase a batch of "Guardians" within the framework of the Project Air 7003 project. It is possible that the latter will be made in a pickled version, which is more suitable for Australia, taking into account the physical and geographical conditions.
The Sea Guard also passed a series of test flights in October 2020 in the interests of the Japanese Coast Guard.
IN SIGHT – THE WORLD OCEANFor the first time, the developer company tested the "Sea Guard" for the ability to work with the RGB back in 2017.
But then the drone simply received the signals emitted by the buoys and transmitted them to a remote control point.
Since that test, GA-ASI has developed a special system for managing and controlling the operation of the RGB (Sonobuoy Management & Control System – SMCS) and a suspended container for storing and displaying the latter.
Perhaps, in the future, small-sized means of destruction will be created, which will allow this drone to act not only as a means of detecting underwater targets and tracking them, but also as a full-fledged means of combating enemy submarines. At least until the submarines will not be armed with anti-aircraft missile means of self-defense, which have been trying to create for many years in a number of countries around the world.
Well, the fact that the expansion of the range of weapons of destruction for drones of this family is not such a fantasy, recent events indicate. During the tests, probably conducted in September 2020 at the test site of the US Air Force base "Creech" (Nevada), the Reaper was successfully tested for the possibility of using guided air-to-air missiles of the AIM-9X "Sidewinder" Block 2 type. It was reported that the drone successfully He shot down a BQM-167 target with such a missile, which imitated an enemy cruise missile. That is, these drones are now capable of shooting down not only aircraft, but also missiles!
The GA-ASI company is developing an anti-submarine system based on the RGB designed for the MQ-9B type Sea Guardian UAV and the above-mentioned anti–submarine system in accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Research and Development (R&D) concluded with the US Navy Aviation Systems Command (Naval Air Systems Command - NAVAIR, in domestic sources – the Naval Aviation and Technical Command).
NAVAIR is responsible for the entire Navy aviation for the development, testing and acquisition of aircraft, weapons and equipment, as well as for the implementation of all types of logistics, repair and maintenance of aircraft, weapons and equipment. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that most likely the first recipient of this system will be the US Navy and Coast Guard. And Washington's allies, who are set up for war on two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific, respectively with Russia and China, are expected to catch up with them.
The appearance in a significant number of such "soulless" submarine hunters can radically change the balance of forces on these oceans – in favor of America, of course. And at least in semi-closed and not particularly deep seas, such as the Baltic, Black or South China Seas, as well as in the Arctic seas, all this can have a negative impact on the fleets of countries listed by the White House as their opponents.
To understand what kind of enemy will be hanging over the waters of these seas in the air, let me remind you that in July 2018, during a record non-stop transatlantic flight from Grand Forks in North Dakota, where the training center for drones is located, to the Royal British Air Force base "Fairford" in Gloucestershire, the prototype MQ-9B "Sky Guardian" overcame in 24 hours at one gas station about 3760 nautical miles, that is 6960 km!
Previously, such a flight across the Atlantic from drones could only be made by the strategic high-altitude UAV RQ-4 Global Hawk ("Global Hawk"), which is in a heavier "weight category". With a payload, the capabilities of the anti-submarine "Guardian" will be more modest, but still remain sufficient to create a serious threat to the submarines of China and Russia.
Vladimir Shcherbakov
Deputy Executive Editor of HBOVladimir Leonidovich Shcherbakov is a military expert, historian, and writer.
