Combat Drones & Future Air Warfare - Autonomy, Teaming & Next-generation Drone Wingmen

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We've previously talked about 6th Generation fighters on this channel (   • The Race for 6th Generation Fighters ...  ) but when they take to the skies, they won't be doing so alone.

Increasingly autonomous and capable unmanned combat aircraft are here, and they are going to change the way you build an air force.

Forces around the world are talking about the immense possibilities of combining manned and unmanned systems together into a cohesive team.

In this episode I discuss the concepts behind drone wingmen, some of the major development programs, and what they might mean for the future of air warfare.

Patreon:
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Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply.

For example, proud shilling of the MQ-28 is done for comedic effect and should not be taken to represent financial or any other kind of advice

Relevant Reading/sourcing
US DoD Directive 3000.09
https://www.esd.whs.mil/portals/54/do...

PACAF Strategy 2030:
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article...

DARPA Longshot:
https://www.darpa.mil/program/longshot
https://www.flightglobal.com/military...

Harpy
https://www.iai.co.il/p/harpy

Airbus on FCAS
https://www.airbus.com/en/products-se...

   • FCAS System of Systems  

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/pr...

NGAD is expensive
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/...

Reporting on Australian Loyal Wingman concepts
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/loy...

Reporting on CCA
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usa...

https://www.airforce-technology.com/p...

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/col...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone...

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air...

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/...

S-70
https://tass.com/defense/1375043
https://tass.com/defense/1452733

Reporting on Mosquito
https://www.airforce-technology.com/f...

Interview on F-35 Fusion
https://sldinfo.com/2018/11/the-f-35-...

Unmanned Aircraft Systems report – CRS
https://crsreports.congress.gov/produ...

Kizelima image from
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/d...

Skyborg
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Displ...

Reporting on ERC
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/mbda-devel...

X-61A Gremlin
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/...

Secretary Kendall discussing NGAD and CCA
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ken...
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ken...

PRC Images and concepts
https://www.airdatanews.com/chinese-t...

https://www.reuters.com/business/aero...

Marines vs Robots
https://www.businessinsider.com/marin...

Mosquito
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ro...

MQ-28 Ghost Bat
https://www.boeing.com.au/products-se...
https://www.airforce.gov.au/our-work/...

MQ-20 flying autonomously using LEO SATCOM Datalink
https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-flies-mq-20...

Timestamp:
00:00:00 — The Race
00:01:49 — What Am I Talking About?
00:04:12 — Automation Levels
00:07:48 — Why Go Unmanned?
00:12:13 — Teaming
00:14:53 — Why Aviation?
00:34:06 — Programs Of Note
00:46:18 — Collaborative Combat Aircraft
00:57:13 — The Evolving Systems
01:03:35 — Towards Full Autonomy
01:05:28 — Conclusion