Followup To The Canadian UAVS AOPS Contract
Update
A quick follow-up this evening, from our newsletter reporting that the AOPS will be getting a new UAS for trial in partnership with Canadian UAVS. We can now confirm that HMCS Max Bernays will have a special guest next week! For her upcoming deployment, Bernays will be embarking with a Textron Systems’ Aerosonde provided by Canadian UAVS.
At this time we don't know if it will be a 4.7 or 4.8 model, though I am going to guess it is the 4.7. It is by far the more common platform to see utilized in the maritime role. I have a good feeling it is, but won't say unless confirmed to me.
The 4.7 model offers a proven, if happily modest platform. In VTOL form it has a roughly 4-metre wingspan, carrying up to about 9 kg of payload. EO/IR is standard, but Textron advertises over 40 potential payloads available. Textron these days advertises the 4.7 with 12-plus hour endurance depending on fuel and payload trade—it varies a lot. The 4.7 cruises at 45–65 knots with a line-of-sight datalink out to about 140 km and SATCOM options for beyond that.
It is a NATO-common, mature platform that was very well loved by some during RCN ISTAR, where it ultimately lost to the S-100. It also isn't the first time Canadian UAVS has stepped in with the Aerosonde with the CAF. I am happy to see it be given a second chance with the Navy though, as I also find it a very interesting platform.
The AOPS are no strangers to UAS though.
On their journey to become NATO's greatest Autonomous Motherships, the AOPS have a long history of embarking smaller Group I UAS for Ice Monitoring, ISR, etc. The AOPS have also embarked with the CU-175 Puma in the past, a platform that, with the Kingston retiring, I believe they will now get their hands on more permanently? One of you can confirm. I swear I have heard that before.
They're also likely to get a chance with the future S-100 before they eventually arrive at their permanent home with the Halifax. That is all along with the fact that the AOPS are getting their own, dedicated Group I UAS soon! That's something I need to follow up on.
Anywho, I wanted to do a quick post on this. I didn't want to make this a big piece, just a little update! I find these kinds of trials exciting and really cool, so whenever they pop up I absolutely want to put them on blast!