Singapore AF C-in-C Looks to Unmanned Aircraft
for Future Combat

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- The undesirability of casualties, cost and human limitations are driving us towards unmanned operations, said Singapore AF commander Maj Gen Raymund Ng, here earlier this week. "The 'unmanning' of air power is an area where exciting new possibilities are unfolding", he added. "Already, UAVs have established their value in the Bekka Valley, the Gulf War, and the Kosovo conflict. As unmanned technology continues to mature, very soon, we may well witness a paradigm shift of air power towards unmanned combat operations."

"Just imagine the potentially limitless possibilities that are offered by a fleet of UCAVs, capable of performing 30g maneuvers, flying at Mach 12-15, with ultra-low observable stealth designs, or capable of staying airborne for weeks to months at a stretch! But more importantly, there would be less worry for military chiefs like us over casualties in combat."

"In future, UCAVs could prove to be the most effective, cheapest and safest way of striking at high value and heavily defended targets in a conflict. And one of the biggest challenges that I foresee for UCAVs will also be the most basic - in perfecting the concept of weaving manned and unmanned operations together, to achieve total and seamless integration. Very soon, it may not be inconceivable that UCAVs may become an equal partner to manned combat fighters in the prosecution of air campaigns".

By John Fricker