Affordable ISR/Strike for Australia

While trying not to sound like a sponsor for General Atomics, I think this company offers a more cost effective approach for ISR needs out of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and our own mainland.

The Reaper can be carried by C-17s in a container.


(Reaper shipping container)

It takes 8 hours to break it down. Then ship it and another 8 hours at the other end to assemble it. It is about $20M each.

The Mariner, it gains from the experience of the Reaper family. It has up to 48 hours of endurance. Cost would be more than a Reaper.

Also for about $20M there is the 20-hour endurance Predator-C Avenger.



Having all 3 of these UAVs, along with inexpensive manned ISR in the form of King-Airs (for customs work) and Boeing MSA for longer manned missions gives Australia something that doesn't burn a lot of logistics. We could also afford airframe losses in regard to mishap rates.

Lose a P-8A or Triton and you lose gigadollars.