The next generation of combat UAVs with Joseph Murray and Andrew Van Timmeren

I was pleased to have on the Acquisition Talk podcast Joseph Murray and Andrew Van Timmeren. Joe is the co-founder of Blue Force Technologies, a small aerospace company that is developing a new combat UAV for the Air Force due to fly in 2023. Andrew is a former F-22 pilot and now advises companies on their defense market strategies. In the episode, we discuss how Blue Force is positioning itself to become a prime contractor with DoD. They are developing a stealthy, high performance, and low cost UAV name is "Fury" -- which comes from a mythological Greek creature that punishes mistakes. The title is fitting because the first mission that Fury intends to fulfill for the Air Force is Adversary Air (ADAIR). Currently, the Air Force uses front-line fighters in the role which severely hampers training and due to the wear, tear, and expense. Fury provides many of the same characteristics of the adversaries they're trying to emulate. It has a 5,000 pound takeoff weight, similar in size to a T-38 trainer, can operate up to 50,000 feet at Mach 0.95, turn at nine Gs, and boasts low observability. It has a modular design that allows for a range of sensors and weapons integration. Despite the performance, it was built almost exclusively with commercially available hardware, allowing it to target a sustainment cost per flying hour of under $4,000. While it's often difficult to compare CPFH numbers due to understanding what goes in it, an F-16 is perhaps four or five times that amount and while F-35s and F-22s are perhaps ten times greater. Certainly top-of-the-line fighters have a number of capabilities that emerging UAVs do not, but not all that capability is needed for many training scenarios. Defense against cruise missiles is one example. Andrew explained in his 10 years as a F-22 pilot, he flew zero defense flights against cruise missiles. Instead, cruise missiles were simulated with Learjets -- a commercial business jet -- which fails to replicate important characteristics. While Blue Force Technologies has started some engagement with the Air Force's Skyborg program, it's initial focus is ADAIR. This is an advantageous place to start because it not only provides realistic training, it is a testbed for manned-unmanned teaming that will be critical to the future fight. As Andrew observed: "Maybe the greatest thing you can do from an operator perspective in manned-unmanned teaming is build that trust." This podcast was produced by Eric Lofgren. You can follow us on Twitter @AcqTalk and find more information at https://AcquisitionTalk.com.