The MQ-9B: Cutting The Gordian Knot of Australian Carrier Aviation

The Australian defence debate has plenty of topics that are guaranteed to reveal strong opinions, but perhaps none moreso than the debate over whether Australia ought to regenerate the fixed wing carrier aviation capability it gave up decades ago with the retirement of HMAS Melbourne. This video examines a possible way of splitting the difference between the pro and anti camps, by proposing the STOL capable MQ-9B Sea Guardian as a middle ground - though far from perfect, the MQ-9B offers many of the capabilities we need, without the major costs associated with retooling the LHDs. As the global order feels like it's changing around us in real time, left-field ideas are going to be required to bring Australia's defensive capabilities up quickly. Perhaps the MQ-9B could be one of them. 5:31 Baseline Capabilities of the type 10:30 Downsides and Weaknesses 14:40 Potential Mission Sets 28:50 Operating Aboard the Canberras 34:05 Potential Alternatives 39:22 Operational Employment 45:27 Conclusions