Royal Brunei Air Force Strengthens Infrastructure for Its US Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack Drone.

On August 23, 2024, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) held a foundation-laying ceremony at Rimba Air Force Base for the new building dedicated to its Unmanned Aerial System Squadron. This event marks an important step in enhancing the operational capabilities of the RBAirF. The ceremony was officiated by Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Sharif Bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Commander of the RBAirF, and attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the RBAirF, including the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and the Acting Director of Development and Work Services.
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The new facility will play a crucial role in supporting the operations of the Unmanned Aerial System Squadron, which includes the use of five Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack drones for maritime security and surveillance missions. (Picture source: RBAirF)

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Doa Selamat by Captain Muhammad Wafiy bin Haji Mahdini from the Religious Directorate of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (JAMA'AT), followed by a briefing on the project. The new building, with a total floor area of 2,272 square meters, will include various facilities such as offices, a conference room, simulator rooms, seminar rooms, storerooms, and working spaces. The structure will be located near the existing RBAirF Fire Station at Rimba Air Force Base.

Construction of the project began on January 17, 2024, as part of the 12th National Development Plan and is expected to be completed by March 2025. The main contractor for the project is AL-C Sdn Bhd. The new facility will play a crucial role in supporting the operations of the Unmanned Aerial System Squadron, which includes the use of five Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack drones for maritime security and surveillance missions.

The Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack, developed by Boeing Insitu, is an American unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to meet the U.S. Navy's requirements for a small tactical unmanned air system (STUAS). Its first flight took place on July 28, 2012, and it was introduced in April 2014. The Blackjack is a twin-boom, single-engine monoplane designed as a supplement to the Boeing ScanEagle. It is primarily used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, with other users including the Australian Army. By 2017, approximately 109 systems, each consisting of five air vehicles, had been built.

The RQ-21A Blackjack is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, capable of carrying various payloads, including day/night cameras, infrared markers, and laser range finders. It has a wingspan of 4.9 meters and can carry an 18 kg payload, with a maximum endurance of 16 to 24 hours depending on modifications. The UAV can be launched and recovered using a pneumatic launcher and a Skyhook system, allowing for flexible operations on land and at sea. Despite some initial operational challenges, the RQ-21 achieved full operational capability in 2019.

The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) is the air branch of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, responsible for the country's air defense and support for military operations. Primarily based at Rimba Air Force Base, it operates a diverse fleet that includes transport aircraft such as the CN-235, as well as transport and search-and-rescue helicopters, notably the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk and the Bell 212. The RBAirF focuses on maritime security missions, border surveillance, and logistical support for ground forces.