24/7 Eyes in the Sky | Triton MQ-4C in RAAF Service

[@richardh8944]

Australia needs 10-12 of these atleast.

[@davecollins6122]

We have a vast coastline, need to add a couple of 00's to that number

[@richardh8944]

@davecollins6122 check the cost and how far over the horizon they can do. Not that many more but yes lots. unless they arm them waste of $$$. The subs have us in debt for the next 40yrs + years 😆

[@DeepseaSteve]

We can’t. The average Australian taxpayer will whinge the house down over the cost. Us aussies love to talk up how good our ANZAC legend is but expect the ADF to do it with last wars tech. Submarines are a great example

[@artistjoh]

I would have thought 6 to 8 would be sufficient, but we also need a dozen MQ-9 Reaper UAV's.

[@richardh8944]

@artistjoh RQ-180 is what the government is waiting for, I'd say. Replacements for the reaper. If they can sort out internal stowage, then thats our new f111s of the future to fill the gap we have had for too long now.

[@bondisteve3617]

Thanks.

[@alreadytracer8864]

Who’s the Narrator for this video, I feel like I’ve heard him a lot in Australian aviation museums and air shows

[@adipuppi]

@@alreadytracer8864 on the train too! Next stop Bassendean!

[@sandorrubane8964]

First task, looking for economic migrant boats off the Kimberley's. There's a hellavu lot more of them on their way under the present government.

[@freedom_seeker06]

In America the Navy operates MQ-4C Triton but in Australia the Air Force operates it. Any specific reason??

[@blackhornetf]

@freedom_seeker06 Yes, the Australian Air Force ( RAAF ) has a monopoly on all military fixed wing aircraft and, in turn, the budgets for all fixed wing aircraft. It's a major reason why we will never see our Aircraft carriers ( LHD ) converted to use the F-35B model. All 3 branches of the Australian military fight for funding and jurisdictions from the government ( just like the Interservice rivalries they have in the US between the - Navy Marines Air Force Army

[@MartinL1958]

I read these things are powered by a single RR turbofan. Are we that sure of their reliability that we can ditch (pun intended) the naval doctrine of long duration overwater multi engined desirability? Can the RAAF afford to loose 25% of its UAV force in one mishap?

[@ngarewyrd]

Has the multi engine doctrine ever really been 'a thing' for the RAAF? Especially in the case of UAVs which carry no passengers or pilots.

[@MartinL1958]

In recent times I can only think of the Mirage and F35 as frontline aircraft that are single engined, so yes,I’d suggest that the RAAF does (or did) have a predilection for multi engined aircraft. After all, Australia is the world’s biggest aircraft carrier and all potential threats are offshore

[@kilmer009]

A well made turbofan with proper maintenance is quite reliable. Keep in mind dual fans would severely limit loiter time.

[@SC-vw1nx]

Australia needs Turkish Drones !

[@فوزيمحمدعلي-م7ف]

A

[@bradleycoles9018]

crap that thing is huge

[@99kitfox]

Yes! 106’ Wingspan. I’ve stood next to one at Airventure.

[@artistjoh]

Excellent capability. In reforming a squadron I hope that means long term thinking that this is just the beginning as capability is built up, and will mean more Tritons, and other long range UAV types. The Ukraine War has demonstrated the significance of drone forces, and while Triton is a different type of drone to those used in Ukraine, drones of all types are an essential component of future defense. We now need to re-look at investing in the MQ-9 Reaper and other long range strike types of drones, at least a dozen of them.

[@Buddy89538]

The Air Force is the only service making end roads and advancements. The Navy and Army are shockingly slow and dragging the chain to become a modern force.

[@TheJuggtron]

Contractor support is a mistake Have the ADF do it.

[@keirinjoyce]

#Uncrewed!

[@anno-fw7xn]

i like you work but this is a ai voice or?

[@thelandofnod123]

No, real voice.

[@chrisholznagel7428]

Satellite surveillance you would several of them to give a better picture of that time. And they have capability too stay placed. Targeting satellites would counter targeting. Russia and USA have treaties not to have star wars scenarios. That was back in the 1990s.

[@garry19681]

Agree, but China don’t have those rules

[@alexlanning712]

Will be able to spot illegal immigrant boats way out to sea

[@stediasse]

Just need a few reaper versions armed with missiles.

[@Buddy89538]

Sweet, just don’t have ships to investigate the threats 😂

[@alexlanning712]

@@Buddy89538 For sure, but patrol boats will do, we dont need state of the art frigates or destroyers

[@Buddy89538]

@@alexlanning712 absolutely I agree. Our government can’t seem to agree on how many we need or manning. The Arafura class OPV has been cut back and our border force has zero capability because boats are currently broken down and unsafe. Our Air power is far more efficient and reliable at the moment.

[@alexlanning712]

@@Buddy89538 I'm with you

[@zacktoby]

Well Australia "invented" UAVs back in the 1950s they were called Jindivik; produced by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories (GAF). These radio-controlled target drones were an analogue system and all the information on their development and operation were given to the US upon request. Nowadays we buy back UAVs and pay megabucks for them.

[@gaia-australis]

This is a l-o-n-g way from an R-C controlled target drone. As to cost, development to this level would have been prohibitively expensive.

[@zacktoby]

@@gaia-australis It has been 70 years since Australia and Britian developed Jindivik. This system was a lot more advanced than a R-C controlled drone and I agree the cost to develop was well beyond anything Australia would have been prepared to pay. It is good to recognise that Northrop Grumman benefited from those that when before so they did not have to re-invent the wheel. Look at a picture of Jindivik you may notice some airframe similarities.

[@davecollins6122]

Not really on topic, but I grew up in Jindivik, Victoria.

[@forbaldo1]

i saw one on display in Melbourne cbd building foyer, 40 years ago. it always reminded me of jet Jackson's plane that's how old I am , well done good point

[@gaia-australis]

@@zacktoby Interesting. Ignoring some experimental nuttiness, it's amusing how little airframes have changed since early monoplanes.

[@oldieman730]

So very glad to see the marxists in parliament haven't stopped us from buying or jointly developing what we need to help patrol and protect our very extensive borders. Big thank you to our Australian Defence Forces. I hope we can build ourselves up so aggressors think twice in the future.

[@TheJuggtron]

"Under no pretext should arms and ammunition be surrendered; any attempt to disarm the workers must be frustrated, by force if necessary" -Karl Marx I think you mean Liberals

[@oldieman730]

@@TheJuggtron Marxists in this modern context means Cultural Marxists, not the failed historical version. The word Liberals in Australia refers to a particular political party.

[@TheJuggtron]

@oldieman730 what is cultural marxism

[@oldieman730]

@@TheJuggtron Thanks for the question. An answer is far too big for here. I suggest doing an online search. Essentially it's a belief system requiring the destruction of family, religion, and western cultural values to force a socialist/communist reality.

[@artistjoh]

You appear to have a profoundly limited understanding of politics and history to be miss-using the term marxist here. Exaggerating for effect can be a useful tool in argument, but when the exagerration gets to the point of the absurd it tends to merely distract from what you are trying to say.