- All set to empower battle field domination
By Sangeeta Saxena
Paris. 21 June 2023. It appears a strategic milestone which is all set to unleash unprecedented combat capabilities. MBDA in a media briefing at Paris Air show 2023 introduced it’s Expendable Remote Carrier which seems to be poised to transform FCAS Operations and make them more formidable.
Jean Judde de Lariviere, head of FCAS reiterated that the Expendable Remote Carrier (ERC), MBDA is developing will be a new effector for the ERC requirement of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Weighing 400 kg, 4mt long and stealthy with a play time of one hour, ERCs are scheduled to enter service in mid-2040s. French, German, Spanish and the just entered into the programme Belgium are the expected initial users. The subprogram is still in the design phase, which should last three years. 2029 is the expected year of the first flight of an MBDA ERC.
Let us understand what an ERC is? In MBDA’a words the Expendable Remote Carriers (ERC) are a compact unmanned collaborative combat aircraft, which are being developed with the goal of enabling the next generation air-combat systems to fully operate in highly contested environment. Within NGWS, MBDA is developing a full-scale airborne ERC demonstrator, and leading the ERC operational concepts selection in the international forum (FR/DE/ES).
Jean said MBDA was designing the ERC to operate in collaborative groups which, on release, would work together to achieve the mission commander’s desired effects on a given target. MBDA said the ERC would have a modular payload that would comprise of warheads and different sensors, and that can act in unison. The ERC will provide sufficient mass to neutralise future high-end integrated air-defence networks. He added that the ERC would feature a degree of autonomy allowing it to prioritise certain tasks.
The ERC’s small size enables fighter planes to carry them with ease. For the ERC, MBDA is looking into different sizes that would let a fighter carry it in either the weapons bay or on a hardpoint. The RRC of Airbus will be able to use the ERC as well.
The other official at the briefing Gregoire Faron stated ,“we lose them as soon as we use them.” Meaning that unlike Collaborative Combat Aircraft the ERC will be a once-shot ‘disposable’ item. He also informed that as ERCs were designed to be subsonic with a large speed range, they will be fitted with datalink and other collaborative functions including AI to allow them to hunt in packs.
Jean called the ERCs “fighter’s best buddy” and both FCAS and GCAP will be able to use them. But the most interesting fact is that it is designed in a way that it can be launched from ships, submarines and tanks, armoured vehicles too.
In missile defense, RRC (Reusable Remote Carrier) and ERC (Expendable Remote Carrier) refer to two different types of platforms used for various purposes with key differences between the two being reusability vs. expendability. As the names suggest, the primary difference lies in their usage lifespan. An RRC is designed to be reusable, meaning it can be deployed multiple times for various missions. On the other hand, an ERC is expendable, intended for one-time use and typically discarded after completing its mission. Due to their reusability, RRCs may face a higher risk of being targeted and destroyed by adversaries, as they are likely to be present in multiple missions. ERCs, on the other hand, being expendable, carry a lower risk in terms of losing valuable assets in case of mission failure or enemy interception.
Does this difference between the two relate to the cost and logistics? Due to their reusability, RRCs generally require more investment upfront in terms of development, manufacturing, and maintenance. However, over time, they may offer cost savings compared to constantly producing new expendable platforms like ERCs. ERCs, being disposable, may require a more frequent supply of replacements and have associated costs with their manufacturing and disposal. But these are logical speculations and the factual position will be known as the project nears an end.
As far as mission flexibility is concerned RRCs provide flexibility in terms of mission customization and adaptability. They can be reconfigured or outfitted with different payloads, sensors, or equipment based on specific mission requirements. This flexibility allows for versatility in different operational scenarios. ERCs, being single-use platforms, are typically designed for specific mission objectives and have limited adaptability. But for all we know single kill could be the answer to future warfare.
It’s important to note that the specific capabilities, features, and usage of RRCs and ERCs can vary depending on the context, missile defense system, and the organizations or countries employing them. These terms can also have different interpretations and implementations across different defense systems and scenarios. But with growing geo-political disturbances globally and specially in Europe, both will have their own roles to play in future combat and could be a part of the joint inventory of nations.
