Egypt signed a deal for US-made RQ-20B drones

[The SC]

AeroVironment Inc.,* Simi Valley, California, has been awarded a $9,098,295 firm-fixed-price foreign military sales (Egypt) contract for RQ-20B Puma AE II M3/M4 systems and support. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Monrovia, California, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 16, 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $9,098,295 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-18-C-0102).

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1468905/

RQ-20B Puma AE II

Components of the deal:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportu...7a54d804e34d322f7e9c8eed934&tab=core&_cview=0

RQ-20B is a block 2 upgrade of the Pointer Upgraded Mission Ability-All Environment (Puma AE) small unmanned aircraft system (UAS), designed and built by AeroVironment.

The UAS is designed for missions such as tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISRT), maritime patrol, search-and-rescue, and counter-illicit trafficking.

It can be operated from a range of naval platforms such as patrol ships, transport vessels and guided missile destroyers. The drone also supports land-based operations.

An RQ-20B aerial system, along with its precision recovery system developed by AeroVironment, was tested by the US Navy on a Flight I Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG Class) in August 2016. The tests were conducted to evaluate the performance capabilities of the UAS in the maritime environment.

RQ-20B UAS design and features

The RQ-20B Puma AE unmanned aircraft system consists of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), payloads, and ground control station. The UAV features a lightweight airframe with reinforced shell fuselage having improved aerodynamic capability. It has a high-wing monoplane design with a wing span of 2.8m.
The drone is 1.4m-long, weighs approximately 6.3kg and can be easily assembled and operated by two people.
It is able to be launched quickly either by hand or rail launch method from a range of naval vessels. It can operate autonomously through the predefined way points, using GPS-based precision inertial navigation system.
A precision recovery system built by AeroVironment enables the UAV to automatically land into a net on the flight deck of the launch vessel. The drone can also be recovered by deep-stall landing method.

Sensors onboard RQ-20B Puma AE

The block 2 Puma AE drone carries an electro-optical / infrared (EO / IR) camera system and an illuminator in a lightweight, mechanically-stabilised gimbal payload pod fitted beneath the fuselage. The camera system provides target location, ISRT data, and digital high-definition imagery and video in both day and night lighting conditions.
It can carry additional payloads such as laser marking system, communications relay and geolocation sensor in an optional under-wing Transit Bay.
The UAS is compatible with Mantis i45 EO / IR gimbal payload developed by AeroVironment. The Mantis i45 sensor suite offers high-resolution imagery and video, as well as tactical ISR capability.

RQ-20B command and control

The operation and control of the RQ-20B Puma AE UAS is performed from the launch ship’s command and control system.
“The UAS is designed for missions such as tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISRT), maritime patrol, search-and-rescue, and counter-illicit trafficking.”
A secure digital data lLink developed by AeroVironment transmits the real-time ISRT data collected by the UAV to command and control server, as well as to the operator’s communications network.

Propulsion and performance of RQ-20B Puma AE UAS

The RQ-20B UAV features an enhanced propulsion system that allows for operation at higher altitudes in difficult climatic conditions.
The propulsion system comprises a long-endurance battery, driving a two-blade propeller mounted in tractor configuration.
The drone has the ability to travel at speeds between 20kt and 45kt and transmit telemetry data over a range of 15km. It can fly at 500ft altitude and offers a flight time of more than three hours.
The RQ-20B can be provided with smart battery options for increased mission capability.

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/rq-20b-puma-ae-small-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas/

 

[Gomig-21]

Conventional wisdom would make you think that it should be pretty easy and not that complicated to actually build one of these things, even with all the cameras and sensory equipment. Besides altitude and target designation, how much different is it from a Phantom 4 drone you can buy from Amazon for $1,500? And this contract is for $9 million lol.

 

[HannibalBarca]

Conventional wisdom would make you think that it should be pretty easy and not that complicated to actually build one of these things, even with all the cameras and sensory equipment. Besides altitude and target designation, how much different is it from a Phantom 4 drone you can buy from Amazon for $1,500? And this contract is for $9 million lol.

I'm pretty sure, the Egyptian engineers could have made something equally "good" or Better.
or even Licence produce (+ToT) something similar from Private firms. If she didn't want to put money in R&D... and gain time.

 

[Gomig-21]

I'm pretty sure, the Egyptian engineers could have made something equally "good" or Better.
or even Licence produce (+ToT) something similar from Private firms. If she didn't want to put money in R&D... and gain time.

Precisely my point. At least something that is close enough since one must have enough respect for American level of military tech even with these simpler and smaller drones.

They're locally producing the Chinese Aisheng ASN-209.

And they manufacture an indigenous target drone called the SAHM-1 and even without this, if we go back to the mid-1950's and this is what they were building in Egypt...where did the motivation die out?

Granted there's been a couple of nasty wars to deal with in between and a few setbacks economically and politically, but they've had at least 40 years throughout those issues to pick up where they left off and to not have done something of a relatively significant magnitude is very strange, let alone disappointing for sure.

They obviously have to spread out the military aid money to different US firms and to select them according to Egypt's needs as well, but that doesn't negate the point we're trying to make.

 

[HannibalBarca]

Precisely my point. At least something that is close enough since one must have enough respect for American level of military tech even with these simpler and smaller drones.

They're locally producing the Chinese Aisheng ASN-209.

And they manufacture an indigenous target drone called the SAHM-1 and even without this, if we go back to the mid-1950's and this is what they were building in Egypt...where did the motivation die out?

Granted there's been a couple of nasty wars to deal with in between and a few setbacks economically and politically, but they've had at least 40 years throughout those issues to pick up where they left off and to not have done something of a relatively significant magnitude is very strange, let alone disappointing for sure.

Not a Motivation problem...But bad leadership and no Long term Vision.
I hoped with KSA move and their Vision 2030, Egypt will follow, by seeking some sort of self-sufficiency in her Defence procurement...But it seems...not... At least for now.

Let's hope it changes someday in the future.

 

[Gomig-21]

Not a Motivation problem...But bad leadership and no Long term Vision.

I don't think that was the case. If you're referring to Mubarak, he didn't really have that kind of influence believe it or not. It was mostly the military brass that made all those types of decisions and that military brass has had good leaders shortly after Mubark took power. Tantawi and even Sisi to name a few and with what Sisi is doing now, it can't be a case of bad leadership since he was a large part of that military brass even when Tantawi was the big chief. Sisi had a a lot of power with his intell position and background.

There are political reasons that affected the decision making process in all those years.

 

[HannibalBarca]

I don't think that was the case. If you're referring to Mubarak, he didn't really have that kind of influence believe it or not. It was mostly the military brass that made all those types of decisions and that military brass has had good leaders shortly after Mubark took power. Tantawi and even Sisi to name a few and with what Sisi is doing now, it can't be a case of bad leadership since he was a large part of that military brass even when Tantawi was the big chief. Sisi had a a lot of power with his intell position and background.

There are political reasons that affected the decision making process in all those years.

When you hold such power as Sissi.
You can impose a vision for Indigenization...
Creating New entities in every aspect of the defence procurement, and "push" for Licence manufacturing, ToT etc...

I don't say, that nothing is done in that department, but taking into account, Egypt situation and needs, it' snot enough.

Look per exemple, the Army Rifle? There is no National Rifle. Despite the Possibility to seek ToT, like the CZ series, one of many exemples.
Instead, The Egyptian Gov, prefer to buy every type "available" of Rifles...
Same for Light UAVs, where many Private firms are willing to give ToT, for their product...
Missiles/Bombs/Rockets manufacturing...
IFVs;MRAPs etc..
Engines...
SARP systems...
Radars;EW etc...

But maybe with Time, thing will be pushed forward...

Ps: Egyptian Private sector should also be open to do biz in Def sectors...That will give a nice boost.
Ps: Pushing an Industry under Licence is also important. To acquire the knowledge for integring it in future projects.
Ps: Ukraine is in a phase of "Sharing", you can pick whatever equipment from their arsenal or Knowledge on X sys and ask to licence it or ToT... . Like what KSA is doing with the AN series or Missile projects... Others took the Engine department others APS department and so on...
But nothing from Egypt...

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Is it just me or does that camera look really cheap?

 

[Gomig-21]

When you hold such power as Sissi.
You can impose a vision for Indigenization...
Creating New entities in every aspect of the defence procurement, and "push" for Licence manufacturing, ToT etc...

I don't say, that nothing is done in that department, but taking into account, Egypt situation and needs, it' snot enough.

Look per exemple, the Army Rifle? There is no National Rifle. Despite the Possibility to seek ToT, like the CZ series, one of many exemples.
Instead, The Egyptian Gov, prefer to buy every type "available" of Rifles...
Same for Light UAVs, where many Private firms are willing to give ToT, for their product...
Missiles/Bombs/Rockets manufacturing...
IFVs;MRAPs etc..
Engines...
SARP systems...
Radars;EW etc...

But maybe with Time, thing will be pushed forward...

Ps: Egyptian Private sector should also be open to do biz in Def sectors...That will give a nice boost.
Ps: Pushing an Industry under Licence is also important. To acquire the knowledge for integring it in future projects.
Ps: Ukraine is in a phase of "Sharing", you can pick whatever equipment from their arsenal or Knowledge on X sys and ask to licence it or ToT... . Like what KSA is doing with the AN series or Missile projects... Others took the Engine department others APS department and so on...
But nothing from Egypt...

There's a certain "ideology" (for the lack of a better term) that has permeated the Egyptian military since the days of Nasser. It's a certain school of thought, if you will, which is perpetuated by what you can simply call "paranoia." This is essentially the foundation of why there hasn't been much local production and creation of military hardware, at least of a substantial caliber.

The way the Egyptian military is constructed and the way it operates with the power it has is basically the reason for this. There has been a long-standing form of distrust within the upper and very tight circle of the brass, and also those who are privy to that tight-nit circle and between those who are outside of that center circle. This is basically the problem in a nutshell. As a result, this has shaped the way things operate from there on down and out of that circle. That, and also a certain level of indoctrination that came with the Soviet influence in Egypt. Since the early days, that influence (as well as a few, particular events that took place) has worked against the possibility of development and the creation of a local, military industry. This is what I'm talking about when I say 'motivation.' This has actually been a pretty common thing in the Arab world. Many military experts have pointed out this flaw as a big reason why we haven't been able to soundly defeat Israel, or how Arab militaries have performed badly in all their wars. There is a huge form of distrust and that distrust ruins any chance at improvement or development. Why? Because that tight-nit circle needs to be much bigger in order to improve, right? And that circle cannot become bigger because then that paranoia gets bigger. This is the major flaw that has all but killed the motivation to create a local military industry.

Back in the day when Egypt was developing and building the HA-300 fighter and even ground-launched missiles, that doctrine didn't exist. That paranoia didn't exist. Things were much simpler and once the wars started, that paranoia took its grip within the ranks and has never let go. It literally killed the desire to create an indigenous, military program and it became much easier and safer to just stick to buying weapons. If there's a need to build anything locally, we'll limit it to just that of existing systems since that's the safer approach. The SA-2 is a perfect example of that. We ended our partnership with Russia but we still needed the vaunted SA-2 so we started building our own version of it to keep up with the stockpile. But we weren't motivated enough to build our own missile. Why is that? Or take that tech in the Soviet SAMs and start building custom SAMs?

So you can imagine if that paranoia exists within the military ranks itself, how will it ever be possible to outsource anything to outside private firms like you suggested? That's the bottom line, unfortunately.

Is it just me or does that camera look really cheap?

Probably because it needs to be disposable since that thing basically crash lands every time is completes a mission.

 

[The SC]

Conventional wisdom would make you think that it should be pretty easy and not that complicated to actually build one of these things, even with all the cameras and sensory equipment. Besides altitude and target designation, how much different is it from a Phantom 4 drone you can buy from Amazon for $1,500? And this contract is for $9 million lol.

I have no Idea, but military grade components must be much more expansive..Egypt bought just 10.. at $ 300 000 per piece..it can certainly be made locally for much less..it is a question of time now..