Military & Aerospace

Unmanned Fighters and Beyond
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Issue Vol. 33.2 Apr-Jun 2018 | Date : 31 May , 2019

The fighter-bomber will continue to remain the main instrument for prosecuting air war. Their main characteristics would be agility, super cruise, stealth, multi-function Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, network-centric systems, integrated glass cockpits, fibre-optics data-transmission, multi-spectral sensors, fused situational picture, helmet mounted sights, and Precision Guided Weapons (PGM). Fighters will continue to strive to have ‘First-look, first-shoot, first-kill’ ability. The one, who controls the space, will control the air in future. Aerospace craft will aim to seize control, establishing dominance/supremacy over the enemy’s aerospace assets. They will operate under the control/co-ordination of space-based Early Warning and Control satellites with increased Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The aerial systems of 2040 and beyond are shaping up in defence research laboratories around the world, but more actively in the United States (US). The US Air Force (USAF) and US Navy (USN) are leading the evolution of new technologies and platforms. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), US Air Force Research Labs (AFRL), Boeing ‘Phantom Works’, Lockheed Martin’s ‘Skunk Works’ and NASA are looking at concepts of future ‘Air Dominance’.

The world already has eight overt nuclear powers, one covert nuclear power (Israel), and at least two nuclear aspirants (Saudi Arabia and Iran)…

The Americans, Chinese and Russians are also working on the Sixth-Generation fighters which will be inducted from 2030 onwards. From the emerging designs, it is clear that the fighter bomber as a platform is still here to stay. More and more of these will become uninhabited or optionally manned. There will be significant changes in the aerial platform performance, reach and accuracy of aerial weapons. More and more aerial platforms will transit through upper stratosphere bordering space and fly at hypersonic speeds. Aerospace will soon become a single domain. Combat engagements will be at much higher speeds and much greater distances.

Aerospace Dominance

The fighter-bomber will continue to remain the main instrument for prosecuting air war. Their main characteristics would be agility, super cruise, stealth, multi-function Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, network-centric systems, integrated glass cockpits, fibre-optics data-transmission, multi-spectral sensors, fused situational picture, helmet mounted sights and Precision Guided Weapons (PGM). Fighters will continue to strive to have ‘First-look, first-shoot, first-kill’ ability. The one, who controls the space, will control the air in future. Aerospace craft will aim to seize control, establishing dominance/supremacy over the enemy’s aerospace assets. They will operate under the control/co-ordination of space-based Early Warning and Control satellites with increased Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Satellite/aircraft based kinetic and Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) will soon be a reality and will be used for aerial or surface attack. Similarly, attacking electronics of aerospace craft using high fidelity lasers or other forms of directed energy, will be the norm. Even if aerospace supremacy cannot be fully established, the capability to use technology asymmetry to achieve a ‘degree of dominance’ in the air-space bubble in a given area and given time-domain to prevent prohibitive interference by opposing air forces will be desired.

The USAF is leading the way ahead for a ‘Next Generation Tactical Aircraft’…

Changing Air Threats

The world already has eight overt nuclear powers, one covert nuclear power (Israel) and at least two nuclear aspirants (Saudi Arabia and Iran). The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is still not fully effective. More and more countries are acquiring missile technology and even Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNW). The weapons delivering air platforms are becoming faster and more efficient for deeper penetration. Both surface and aerial missiles are becoming faster, more accurate, have longer range and larger multiple warheads. Space-based assets will start having DEWs. With more and more offensive and defensive means on space-based platforms, they will also be targets. Weaponisation of space will be a logical next step.

AI will take over more aerial functions, thus making unmanned systems more intelligent and autonomous. More accurate ground-based air defence systems will be required to take on small-sized projectiles coming at very low level at high speeds from short distances. The non-state actors and rogue regimes which follow no international norms and ethics, are trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction. They could be a difficult-to-define threat. Any future air platforms would have to factor in all this.

Uninhabited Aerial Systems

Uninhabited aircraft technologies are already proven and the future is Uninhabited Aerial Systems (UAS). The world is in transition. There are some who see the F-35 JSF as the last dedicated manned fighter/bomber. Solar-powered UAS are already flying. Currently, the solar-powered Zephyr holds the endurance record for UAS, with 14 days in the air. Dual use (optionally manned) aircraft are also flying. The USAF has already modified F-4s and F-16s to fly them remotely. In France, Dassault leads a multi-nation delta wing UCAV ‘Neuron’ of the size of Mirage 2000. The UK has a Strategic UAS program ‘Taranis’.

UAS such as the Northrop Grumman X-47B are taking-off and landing by themselves including on moving aircraft carrier. Autonomous mid-air refuelling has been tested. Lockheed Martin’s UCLASS drone ‘Sea Ghost’ looks rather like a stealth bomber and is expected to carry 1,000-pound class weapons. The US is also working on Hypersonic (Mach 6) Bomber which is likely to be optionally manned. Uninhabited helicopter convoys will deliver supplies to troops deployed on combat front lines. 

A swarm of cheap Uninhabited Air Systems (UAS) could saturate defences. The US Army’s dramatic shift to a nearly all-unmanned flight over the next three decades is embedded in the UAS roadmap. The USAF’s UAS vision document indicates that by the year 2047 every mission would be unmanned.

The non-state actors and rogue regimes which follow no international norms and ethics are trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction…

USA’s Next Generation Combat Aircraft

The USAF is leading the way for a ‘Next Generation Tactical Aircraft’. This is meant to see them through till 2050. It will initially augment and later replace the F-35 and F-22 combine. This ‘Sixth Generation Fighter’ would have enhanced capabilities in reach, persistence, survivability, net-centricity, sustained awareness, human-system integration and weapon effects. Boeing’s proposal is currently limited to concept images and the USAF still remains unsure and non-committal. Boeing envisages the F/A-XX, F-X and a possible Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) comprising an all-encompassing future strategy for the USAF. Boeing is also responding to the US Navy’s Request For Information regarding a new aircraft that could replace its fleet of new and larger variant of the Super Hornet by around 2030. The regular Hornet aircraft is already planned to be replaced by the F-35s. Lockheed Martin’s proposal calls for greater speed, range, stealth and self-healing structures; developments that will require new breakthroughs in propulsion, materials, power generation and weapon technology.

Self-healing structures in particular, would offer significant advantage over modern-day aircraft, remaining airborne despite taking heavy fire. The system comprises pockets of epoxy resin and a hardener, installed around vulnerable parts of the aircraft such as the underbelly, hatchways and wheel wells. If the area is damaged, the contents of the pocket are released to form a temporary plug, helping the aircraft to operate in spite of the damage. New generation engines will allow ultra-high-altitude super-cruise. The avionics are supposed to withstand next generation electronic-attack and cyber-attack, have passive detection, and integrated self-protection. The tailless flying wing, ‘cranked kite’ design concept currently appears the way forward for future fighter aircraft. The sixth-generation fighters are expected to use advanced engines with ‘Adaptive Versatile Engine’ technology to allow longer ranges and higher performance, where the ratios of airflow bypass and compression can be made variable to improve efficiency.

Future Aerial Weapons

Future aerial missiles would utilise scramjets for higher speed. Despite failing its recent tests, Boeing’s X-51A Waverider scramjet remains in development as it hopes to reach hypersonic speeds approaching Mach 6, a speed at which a missile cannot be intercepted by conventional air defence technology. Continued experiments with DEW and lasers, for defensive as well as offensive measures, to deliver effects at the speed of light, will shape future combat. New aircraft will be as much about reusable weaponry such as lasers, as it is about expendable weaponry. Three categories of lasers – low-power for illuminating, tracking, targeting and defeating enemy sensors; moderate-power for protection to destroy incoming missiles and high-power to offensively engage enemy aircraft and ground targets, will be required.

A survivable, long-range missile with combined air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities is being evolved…

The USAF is developing a new air-to-air missile dubbed the Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM) for the 2030s. SACM would have an improved solid rocket motor having synergised control enabled by aero attitude control and thrust vectoring. The missile will have improved ‘high-off-bore-sight’ capability for rear hemisphere kills and ‘lower-cost-per-kill’. The missile would also incorporate energy optimising guidance, navigation and control. The Miniature Self-Defense Munitions (MSDM), will enhance future platforms self-defense capability, without impacting the primary weapon payload. A sixth-generation missile could replace AMRAAM.

A survivable, long-range missile with combined air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities is being evolved. Range would be a big factor to counter potential adversaries with Chinese PL-15 (200 km). It will be multi-band, broad spectrum – which aids it in survivability en route to the target. DARPA’s Triple Target Terminator (T3) programme envisions combined capabilities of Raytheon’s AIM-120 and AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). No aircraft is invisible and using stand-off weaponry early in an air campaign to open up weaknesses in an enemy’s air defence will be required even for fifth-generation fighter aircraft to operate in the area without incurring excessive risks. 

Development of solid-state airborne laser capability is already underway. The solid-state laser systems defensively create a sanitised sphere of safety around the aircraft, shooting down or critically damaging incoming missiles and also the approaching aircraft with laser turrets. They will also be used for attacking targets on the ground, such as high value individual terrorists/militants with pinpoint precision or shooting down ballistic missiles and other traditional targets.

Controlling aircraft’s heat signature while using laser weaponry will be an issue. Developing thermal accumulators or off-board venting to manage the heat is being attempted. Newer liquid based lasers promise enough energy (about 150kW) sufficient to bring down an aircraft yet be small enough to be mounted on a jet fighter. More efficient power sources will be required onboard for additional electrical power requirement for high powered lasers.

New Aerospace Technologies

Technologies are offering enhanced capabilities that are driving operational employment and tactics. Smart structures with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and hybrid systems will dictate the future. Demand for streaming high-quality data requires bandwidth which involves innovating sensor/processing systems. Mission computer systems and network-centric payload processing units enable onboard data fusion prior to sending to digital links. Thermally efficient, high-performance computing onboard the aircraft is essential. Next-generation avionics would be smaller, more efficient and capable of operating under extreme conditions. Gallium Nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor material that is more efficient, easier to cool and improves reliability for radars. A system must be designed with the aim of maintaining a competitive advantage in an austere budget environment.

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The Passive Aero-elastic Tailored (PAT), a uniquely designed composite wing will be lighter, more structurally efficient and have flexibility compared to conventional wings. This wing will maximise structural efficiency, reduce weight and conserve fuel. Hypersonic cruise, fuel cell technologies, hybrid sensors, improved human-machine interface using data analytics and bio-mimicry, combination of materials, apertures and radio frequencies that ensure survival in enemy territory are under development. Things will be built faster, better and more affordably, using 3D-printing yet ensuring quality and safety standards. Additive 3D manufacture creates a world with spare parts on demand, faster maintenance and repairs, more effective electronics and customised weapons.

The development of a hypersonic aircraft would forever change the ability to respond to conflict. Nano-materials will control sizes, shapes and compositions and significantly reduce weight yet create stronger structures for aerospace craft, while driving down costs. Fighters such the F-35 and F-22 may be stealthy but their support assets like aerial tankers (KC-135R, KC-10A, KC-46A) and AWACS are not. The USAF is seeking ‘heavy stealth revolution’ for low observable tankers, transports, bombers and ‘flying-sensor-cum-communications trucks’, as these will be targeted. The USAF could adapt the new stealth bomber design for the stealth tanker role. It will also give ability to insert Special Operations teams deep behind enemy lines via a stealthy high-altitude penetrating transport.

Smart structures with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and hybrid systems will dictate the future…

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer systems to be able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, recognition, reasoning, knowledge, planning, learning, statistical analysis, computation, decision-making and finally manipulate output. Intelligent machine systems that can interpret complex data; perceive the environment and take appropriate actions are important for future aviation systems to augment human decision making. AI is about ‘man-and-machine’, and not ‘man-vs-machine’. AI will also support aircraft and systems design, and is likely to reduce accidents and incidents by augmenting safety. India needs to invest in this capability as it is critical for unmanned systems and autonomous operations.

Space and Cyber Domain Wars

The thin line dividing atmosphere and space will disappear. A significant part of the air war will be in aerospace. There will be space-based weapons to attack space-based systems and targets on earth and earth-based weapons will attack targets in or transiting through space. Development of Anti-Satellite weapons for electronic or physical destruction of satellites in both Low Earth Orbit or LEO (2,000-km altitude above the earth’s surface) and the higher geo-synchronous orbit are planned even by India. India is already developing an exo-atmospheric kill vehicle that can be integrated with the missile to engage satellites.

India’s advanced space capabilities need to be harnessed. India is moving reasonably ahead with ‘non-weapon space enablers’ like the Indian Regional Navigational satellite System named ‘Navic’. It will also facilitate accurate targeting by smart bombs and cruise missiles. The military doctrine of network-centric warfare also relies heavily on the use of high speed satellite-enabled communications. With space having emerged as the fourth medium for military operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had brought out its blueprint titled ‘Defence Space Vision 2020’. This needs the government’s attention and push.

There will be space-based weapons to attack space-based systems and targets on earth, and earth-based weapons will attack targets in or transiting through space…

Cyberspace is already the domain for the next great war. While Prime Minister Modi is driving the Digital India campaign to harness the great potential for efficient and transparent governance, he was quick to add that “clouds of a bloodless war are hovering over the world; someone can steal our digital data, clean up our bank accounts or attack the basic amenities; we have to accept the challenge to ensure cyber security”. Any disruption of such well-connected services can play havoc worse than the atomic bomb.

Any motivated interference in computer systems to sabotage or steal, deny or destroy is part of cyber warfare. Cyber space is now “the fifth domain of warfare,” and is as critical to military as land, sea, air, and space operations. Both China and Pakistan are notoriously known for their active Cyber armies. India will have to strengthen both offensive and defensive cyber warfare capability and quickly create a Cyber Command.

International Sixth Generation Aircraft Projects

The Japanese sixth-generation fighter would be based on concept of aircraft informed, intelligent and instantaneous. Japan already conducted the first flight of the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin test-bed aircraft for this project. Russia says the aircraft will most likely be pilotless. For now, the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) Sukhoi Su-57 is being inducted into the Russian Air Force. The Mikoyan MiG-41 is a sixth-generation jet fighter interceptor aircraft currently being developed by Russia.

France and Germany announced they would jointly develop a new combat aircraft to replace the Eurofighter, Tornado and the Rafale. It is likely be a twin-seat ‘system of systems’ aircraft acting as a combat platform as well as controlling UCAVs. The UK is committing to a next generation fighter programme to potentially replace the Eurofighter Typhoon post-2030. However, the Eurofighter Typhoon has since, had its intended service life extended to around 2040.

China is still evolving its J-20 and J-31. Some Chinese publications are talking of a sixth generation aircraft, referred to as Huolong (Fire Dragon). But as on date, China has serious limitations in radar, avionics and engine technologies.

India is vacillating on what it wants in terms of a single-engine or a twin-engine aircraft…

The IAF Fighter Fleet: A Troubling Future?

The IAF is already at an all-time low of 31 squadrons. The horrible spectacle of IAF going below 30 squadrons is staring it in the face. It is already below 1.5:1 numerical superiority over Pakistan Air Force and is getting left way behind the PLAAF. The Rafale deal has been cut down to 36 from 126 in numbers. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is still crawling at slow pace both in D&D and series production. The IAF continues to extend the life of the fleet of its MiG-21 despite reducing spares. India is vacillating on what it wants in terms of a single-engine or a twin-engine aircraft. At last count, there were plans to open the field to both types of aircraft. De facto it will be a pre-MMRCA status. Will there be a need to go through the same grueling process of selection once again? Will there be new entrants like the SU-35? While India takes its time on this critical decision, it is time to look at the future aircraft.

The Sukhoi/HAL FGFA or Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF), is a fifth-generation fighter being developed jointly by India and Russia. The Indian version will be a two-seater for pilot and co-pilot/Weapon Systems Operator (WSO). The project is in a state of flux. Initially supposed to be a 50-50 joint venture, but currently, bulk of the Design and Development (D&D) and onboard systems are Russian. Russia has committed significantly into inducting the Su-35 and their variant of PAK FA (SU-57) is also under induction. They are demanding additional $6.5 billion for the D&D of the twin-seat variant required by the IAF.

With this background, both the Russian Air Force and the IAF seem to have depleting interest in the project. However, India has already committed significant sums and also political capital. Russia finds the project a good cash-cow. India is thus squeezed between the jaws of a vice. India will be totally dependent on Russia for decades to come.

The HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian fifth-generation fighter. It is a single-seat, twin-engine, stealth super-maneuverable all-weather multi-role fighter aircraft. This one is still a ‘Paper Tiger’ with overstated capabilities. With DRDO and HAL still not being able to achieve all the specifications originally jointly agreed for the LCA, the AMCA is going to be a much more complex aircraft with still un-mastered technologies. If decisions are not taken soon, the IAF could be in for troubled operational times.

India needs to pump in much more resources to restore the depleting IAF assets and invest in new technology and capabilities…

The Way Ahead for India

India needs to think ahead lest she gets left behind again. India needs to acquire many technologies without which she will remain dependent on others for ever. India’s weak areas are jet engines, airborne radars, EW systems, advanced avionics, stealth technology, modern weapons and ejection seats, among others. India’s success in space technology, composite materials, modern manufacturing and software indicates that India has scientific prowess, but needs to get her act together. The entire bureaucratic culture of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordinance Factories has to be replaced by modern managements. Divestment can bring in better management and better funding.

Having seen partial success in LCA and Dhruv-ALH development, India must build capability to manufacture a 20 tonne-class transport aircraft and large sized UAVs. Recent tests of DRDO’s Rustom 2 still seem primitive by world standards. The future is clearly in uninhabited systems including rotary wing. UAS are already being tasked beyond ISR and strikes. Full-fledged air-to-air combat capability, increased autonomy and UAS-specific munitions are part of the roadmap.

The future of military aviation is a human-piloted, $100-million stealth jet guiding flocks of $3 million drones that glide effortlessly into position. The private sector should be encouraged for mass production of small/micro UAVs. Specific joint-ventures with Western/Israeli firms on the lines of BrahMos Aerospace may be set up both for manufacture and export.

Ground-based radars are an important element to manage the air threat. High and medium powered surveillance radars, missile acquisition and guidance radars, tactical battlefield mobile radars and ship-based radars are important part of the ground sensor network and need to be developed by an independent division. Proliferation of surface-to-surface weapons with long range and also, some with nuclear/biological/chemical warheads needs a counter.

India has to develop long and medium range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) and Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS) like short-range quick-reaction SAMs and anti-aircraft guns. India has still to build aerial missiles, PGMs, FLIR pods and laser designation systems. In the coming years, the development of DEWs will give much higher magnitude of precision. Very narrow beams of lasers, microwave radiation, particle beams would destroy or damage guidance systems or trigger warheads.

Hyper-Velocity Air-to-Air missile will be multi-stage kinetic energy weapon with speeds in excess of Mach 5. For India to be a significant power, the time to act is now. India needs to pump in much more resources to restore the depleting IAF assets and invest in new technology and capabilities.

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The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Air Marshal Anil Chopra

Commanded a Mirage Squadron, two operational air bases and the IAF’s Flight Test Centre ASTE

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