On December 10, it was made public that the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has concluded a contract with Boeing Japan Co., Ltd. for the “research and development of unmanned aerial vehicles [UAV] capable of combat in collaboration with manned aircraft”.
The contract, signed on October 18 and worth 155,177,000 JPY (approx. 1 million USD) [1], will see the U.S.-based aerospace giant’s Japanese subsidiary carry out simulation tests for the prospective UAV.
ATLA explained that Boeing Japan was the only company with the right to use the simulation software required for tests and that the company had the right personnel and equipment necessary to conduct the research.
The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) originally announced plans back in December 2022 to develop “combat support unmanned aircraft” that can collaborate with manned aircraft. This includes UAVs that can work with Japan’s next-generation fighter being developed jointly with Italy and the United Kingdom under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
A year later, in December 2023, JMOD also agreed with the U.S. Department of Defense to begin joint research into artificial intelligence for the UAVs that will operate alongside Japan’s next-generation fighter.
Boeing’s own MQ-28 “Ghost Bat” being developing for the Royal Australian Air Force exemplifies this concept referred to as “loyal wingman” or “collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)”. The concept involves autonomous UAVs capable of working alongside manned aircraft in a variety of missions, such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and even combat operations.
Boeing Australia explains that the multi-role MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to employ artificial intelligence (AI) and act as a “force multiplier” for manned aircraft.
In July this year, it was revealed that the Royal Australian Air Force’s Ghost Bats would forgo weapon systems and instead prioritize ISR capabilities, partly due to Boeing’s unsuccessful bid for the autonomous combat jet program in the United States.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is also developing two CCA concepts. One is a tactical combat UAV, while the other is designed for supporting combat operations by manned aircraft. Both are being designed with Japan’s next-generation GCAP fighter jet in mind.
Nevertheless, Boeing Australia’s MQ-28 remains a potential option for inclusion in the JMOD “combat support unmanned aircraft” program. Designed as a “force multiplier” for advanced multi-mission air combat, the Ghost Bat features a modular nose section for customizable payloads that can be altered meet requirements of specific countries.
Regardless, the results of Boeing Japan’s simulation tests remain to be seen, as do the UAVs that ATLA and JMOD will determine best align with Japan’s own requirements.
In the meantime, ATLA continues to pursue a range of unmanned systems. This month, the agency opened public biddings to advance stealth UAV technology for aerial refueling [2] and to develop unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) capable of handling explosives and mine countermeasures [3].
※1 USD = 152 JPY
Notes:
[1] Details on the contract for “有人機と連携して戦闘する無人機に関する調査研究”, (Research and Development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Capable of Combat in Collaboration with Manned Aircraft) available at https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/souhon/supply/jisseki/rakusatu/kohyo_r06/06_zuikei_kijunijo-10.xlsx
[2] ATLA, 先進無人機設計技術及び周囲状況監視技術に係る検討, (Research on Advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Design Technology and Situational Awareness Technology), https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/data/info/ny_kenkyu_koukuu/pdf/koukoku/koukoku06-094.pdf
[3] ATLA, 将来無人機（小型ＵＳＶ）に関する技術資料の作成, Preparation of Technical Documents for Next-Generation Unmanned Vehicles (Small USVs), https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/data/info/ny_honbu/pdf/koukoku/koukoku06-249.pdf
Background Information:
https://nsearch.jp/nyusatsu_ankens/66b19ba1ced59a24030aec6e
https://www.boeing.com/defense/mq28#overview
https://www.boeing.com.au/products-services/defence-space-security/ghost-bat
https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/07/no-weapons-for-the-ghost-bat-as-drone-program-shifts-to-recon/
https://caf.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3624158/japan-mod-us-dod-sign-joint-agreement-for-ai-uas-research/
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/guideline/plan/pdf/program_en.pdf
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/loyal-wingman-concepts-in-japan-britain-for-gcap-support-taking-shape
This article was originally posted on NSBT Japan, the first defense and security industry network in Japan. The publication provides the latest information on security business trends both within Japan and overseas. Asian Military Review began exchanging articles with NSBT Japan in April 2024.
Read the original article here.
