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Defence has hinted Australia’s upcoming fleet of 29 Boeing Apache helicopters could be teamed with armed drones.
In a statement to The Australian, a Defence spokesperson said future drone investments would “work together and complement crewed systems”.
The previous federal government announced in 2022 it would spend $8 billion on a new fleet of 29 AH-64E Apaches to replace its troubled Taipan and Tiger fleets.
However, critics have argued that the war in Ukraine has highlighted how vulnerable traditional crewed aircraft can be to surface-to-air missiles or cheap drones.
“The AH-64E Apache carries a range of sensors, munitions and weapons well beyond that of an uncrewed platform and provides the critical step change in capability to enable the teaming of crewed-uncrewed aerial systems,” Defence said.
“Crewed attack helicopters will remain an essential part of the Australian Defence Force’s capability mix to support land force operations across a range of operational scenarios.”
The US Army still operates the Apache, but can now partner them with Gray Eagle drones, which give pilots in the helicopter the ability to control the uncrewed vehicle from 100 kilometres away and even fire its weapons.
The Gray Eagle is the largest drone in the US Army’s arsenal of weapons, can fly for up to 25 hours and dispatch four Hellfire missiles.
“Unmanned aircraft help to take away the unknown on the battlefield because they can fly out from the Apache and allow the Apache pilot to see over the horizon,” the US Department of Defence’s Program Executive Office said.
“Any additional capabilities we can provide above what we have now will only make it better for our Apache pilots. The response from the field is that soldiers really like it.”
Defence Connect’s sister brand, Australian Aviation, reported in 2023 how Australia would spend $700 million upgrading RAAF Base Townsville to become the new home of the Apache fleet.
The investment includes renovations and the construction of new facilities to accommodate the helicopter and crew, which will arrive from 2025.
The Apache’s arrival forms part of one of the biggest shake-ups in Australia’s helicopter fleet in a generation, which will also see Defence acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk, an additional12 MH-60R Seahawk/Romeos and four additional CH-47F Chinooks.
Australia has also pioneered the use of teaming drones with crewed aircraft, with Boeing currently manufacturing the “Ghost Bat”.
The UAS, unveiled to the world in May 2020, is the first military aircraft designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years.
It uses artificial intelligence to help both crewed and uncrewed aircraft in mid-air, hence its previous Australian project name, Loyal Wingman.
Eight prototypes have already been created, and three “second-generation” prototypes of the Ghost Bat are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
