31.01.2025, 19:35
Zitat:Royal Navy Plans Vixen UAV as AEW&C Helicopter Replacement
28 Jan 2025, 21:18 2 mins
United Kingdom
Navy / Maritime Unmanned Systems
Royal Navy Plans Vixen UAV as AEW&C Helicopter Replacement TurDef
The Royal Navy plans to replace its AW101 Crowsnest helicopters, which are configured for AEW&C missions, with the Vixen UAV for aircraft carriers in the 2030s.
UK Defence Journal reported that the Vixen UAV, or rather a configuration, will replace AW101 helicopters fitted with the Crowsnest AEW system, which consists of collapsible radar and control/screening units.
Vixen is a family of UAVs in development for aircraft carriers to perform ISR, AEW, strike, and air-to-air missions. According to the Royal Navy, Vixen will be more compact than F-35B STOVL fighters using the ski jump.
The UAV might be a Short-Takeoff but Arrested Landing (STOBAR) one, but a catapult takeoff shouldn’t be ruled out. General Atomics has, on various occasions, offered its scaled-down EMALS for Royal Navy carriers, and the authorities have shown interest in the idea.
TurDef previously covered General Atomics Electromagnetics’ scalable catapult applications from FIA2024. One such application displayed during the exhibition included a mini-catapult to launch Gambit 2 UCAVs from a ship resembling the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier.
Compared to ski jump takeoff, catapult takeoff allows larger payloads at takeoff and does not occupy the runway. On the other hand, ski jumping is a very simple method of carrier-based aircraft operation that reduces costs.
https://turdef.com/article/royal-navy-pl...eplacement