Singapore Company Designs Super Sonic Combat Drone

 Here is some interesting news from Singapore about UCAVs or unmanned combat aerial vehicles, aka drones. This UCAV is Made In Singapore. This one has created some major waves because this is touted as a supersonic unmanned combat drone. Maybe a world first.

• Singapore-based aerospace company developed supersonic combat drone 
• Kelley Aerospace unveiled concept UAV called Arrow 
• drone can fly 2,600 nautical miles at Mach 2.1, or 1,611 miles per hour
• Los Angeles to Tokyo in three hours 
• US$9m - US$16m price tag
• piqued interest of buyers, garnering 100 pre-orders
• drone’s potential fast, carbon-fiber-lightweight edge in warfare
• Arrow designed to complement manned aircraft, force multiplier 
• controlled by an operator, can also take off autonomously
• can also be flown in a fleet as part of a larger mission 
• two prototypes being tested in US, Sweden

My comments :

Over the years Singapore has quietly grown as a well regarded weapons manufacturer.  For some time already Made in Singapore machine guns (Ultimax 100) have made their mark around the world. 

In the 80s and 90s I used to regularly visit the Defense exhibitions held at Changi.  I was impressed when the Singaporeans were able to convert the single seater Skyhawk jet fighter into a two seat trainer. It takes considerable engineering and design skill to lengthen and change the airframe of a fighter jet to convert it from a single seater to a two seater.

In the picture below you can see the original single seat Skyhawk (right) and the modified two seater (left). The Skyhawks went out of service a long time ago. 

In the 21st century, Singapore is moving into drones and unmanned vehicles. Their private sector has begun developing unmanned ships (USV or unmanned surface vessels) including a drone coastal patrol vessel in the video below. (Hull from Taiwan).

It only takes two operators to operate the drone ship from a safe location on land.  The video says a regular coastal patrol vessel would require up to 22 sailors and officers to operate. So they are making huge savings in manpower. What this means is that the productivity of their manpower resources also increases tremendously.

(Two sailors operating from a bunker on land also cannot accept RM50 bribes from Sulu illegals).

The other thing to be noted is the price they are paying for all these new technologies. Their pricing is very competitive. This means the Singapore taxpayer saves money and still gets more security and protection.  

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.