Showing results 1 - 10 of 30 for the search terms: UCAS.
Results for "UCAS"
MQ-9 Reaper: The First Operational UCAV?
12-Nov-2009 12:35 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Central, BAE, Britain/U.K., Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Intent, Contracts - Modifications, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, General Atomics, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, R&D - Contracted, Raytheon, Support & Maintenance, Transformation, UAVs, Warfare - Trends
Reaper, ready…
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The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator. Until you look at the tail. Or its size. Or its weapons. It’s called “Reaper” for a reason – while it packs the same surveillance gear, it’s much more of a hunter-killer design. The Reaper is 36 feet long, with a 66 foot wingspan. Its maximum gross takeoff weight is a whopping 10,500 pounds, carrying up to 4,000 pounds of fuel, 850 pounds of internal/ sensor payload, and another 3,000 pounds on its wings. Its 6 pylons can carry GPS-guided JDAM family bombs, Paveway laser-guided bombs, Sidewinder missiles for air-air self defense, and other MIL STD 1760 compatible weapons, in addition to the Hellfire anti-armor missiles carried by the Predator. When loaded up with laser-guided Hydra rockets, the Reaper becomes the equivalent of a close air support fighter with less situational awareness, lower speed, and less survivability if seen – but much, much longer on-station time. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV).
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. The Reaper UCAV will play a significant role in the future USAF, even though capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators, whose price benefits from less advanced design and volume production orders. Given these high-end capabilities, and expenses, one might not have expected the MQ-9 to enjoy better export success than its famous cousin. Nevertheless, that’s what appears to be happening. MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who have both used it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy. Other countries are also expressing interest, and international deployments are accelerating.
As a convenience to readers, new material is indicated in green type. The latest additions include reports of “phone home” problems, Germany going in another direction for UAVs, and the basing of MQ-9s in the Seychelles for anti-piracy missions…
Carrier UCAVs: The Return of UCAS
04-Nov-2009 09:04 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, GE, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, R&D - Contracted, Transformation, UAVs
UCAS-D concept
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In January 2006, DID noted the uncertain future of the J-UCAS program, which aimed to create Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) for the USAF and Navy that could approach the capabilities of an F-117 stealth fighter. Boeing’s X-45C was set to face off against Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Pegasus, the program had demonstrated successful tests that included dropping bombs, and aerial refueling tests were envisioned.
J-UCAS was eventually canceled, but the technologies have survived, and the US Navy remains interested. In May 2007, “CSBA on Future US Naval Aviation: Unmanned, Too?” highlighted a non-partisan report that discussed at the lengthening reach of ship-killers. Meanwhile, the US Navy’s carrier fleet sees its strike range shrinking to 1950s distances, and prepares for a future with 11 operational carriers – but just 10 carrier air wings. Could UCAV/UCAS vehicles with longer ranges, and indefinite flight time limits via aerial refueling, solve these problems?
Some people in the Navy seem to think that they might. Hence UCAS-D, whose aerial refueling and carrier landing programs are picking up steam. Recent additions include remarks by CNO Adm. Gary Roughead, and full carrier landing gear delivery…
- The UCAS-D Program [updated]
- The X-47B
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings
Continue reading…
Land-Based SM-3s for Israel - and Others
28-Oct-2009 14:42 EDT |
Related Stories: ABM, Americas - USA, Europe - Other, Middle East - Israel, Middle East - Other, Raytheon, Rumours
Land-based SM-3 concept
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In July 2008, Aviation Week reported that the US Missile Defense Agency was considering a land-based variant of the SM-3 Standard missile – largely due to specific requests from Israel.
Israel currently fields the medium range Arrow-2 land-based ABM system, supplemented by Patriot missiles for point defense. The Arrow has performed well in tests, however, and an order for more was placed as recently as February 2008. What could Israel’s rationale be?
DID discusses some possible rationales, and also discusses developments. Which includes a big role for land-based SM-3s in the USA’s future missile defense architecture…
- The SM-3 Option [NEW]
- Israel’s Possible Rationales [updated]
- Updates and Developments [updated]
Continue reading…
Boeing in Flight on Production of (Re)New H-47 Chinooks
21-Sep-2009 11:18 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Avionics, BAE, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Europe - France, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Forces - Special Ops, Helicopters & Rotary, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Protective Systems - Aircraft
CH-47Fs take off
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DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. The CH-47 Chinook’s distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030, and the history and structure of that effort is detailed here.
The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win has been nullified by the program’s termination, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. Orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands, with more countries expected to follow.
The latest news involves a minor refurbshment contract for special operations helicopters, delays to Australia’s buy, and rising interest from Turkey…
Ride on the Ray: Boeing’s X-45 UCAVs
18-May-2009 16:07 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Lobbying, New Systems Tech, R&D - Contracted, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation, UAVs
X-45C, F/A18F, F-15E
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In 1998, Boeing began a revolutionary development program: create an unmanned aircraft that was about the size of the USAF’s F-117 stealth fighter, with similar performance, better stealth, and better range. DARPA’s J-UCAS program launched Boeing’s X-45A and Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs), which went on to perform tests that included multiple UCAV flights, bomb drops, and other aviation firsts.
J-UCAS was effectively killed in 2006, though it went on to spawn the Navy’s UCAS-D competition. NGC’s X-47B Pegasus won that competition, but in April 2009, Secretary of Defense Gates announced the death of the USAF’s Next-Generation Bomber program. That creates a big opening for UCAVs, which aren’t limited by pilot endurance issues. Not so coincidentally, Boeing is using company funds to put its X-45C back on track, as the “Phantom Ray”...
Kicking it Up a Notch: Poseidon’s Unmanned BAMS Companion
28-Apr-2009 15:56 EDT |
Related Stories: Air Reconnaissance, Americas - USA, Boeing, C4ISR, FOCUS Articles, General Atomics, Issues - International, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, RFPs, Raytheon, Rolls Royce, Transformation, UAVs
BAMS Operation Concept
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The world’s P-3 Orion fleets have served for a long time, and many are reaching the end of their lifespans. In the USA, and possibly beyond, the new P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft will take up the P-3’s role. While the P-8’s base 737-based airframe offers strong service & maintenance arguments in its favor, the airframe is expensive enough that the P-3s cannot be replaced on a 1:1 basis.
In order to extend the P-8 fleet’s reach, and provide additional capabilities, the Poseidon is expected to work with at least one companion platform under the BAMS (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance) and/or PUMAS (Persistent Unmanned Aerial Surveillance) programs. The BAMS UAV competition included Northrop Grumman’s high-flying, jet-powered RQ-4 Global Hawk, General Atomics’ turboprop-powered Mariner (a cousin of its MQ-9 Reaper); and an optionally unmanned G550 business jet from Boeing.
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This DID FOCUS Article explains the BAMS concept, the program’s key requirements, and its international angle. We’ll also cover ongoing contracts and key events related to the program, which chose Northrop Grumman’s navalized RQ-4N Gloal Hawk.
The latest news involves additional funds for tests of the RQ-4N UAV…
USA: A 21st Century Maritime Posture for an Uncertain Future
23-Mar-2009 17:01 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Coastal & Littoral, Force Structure, Industry & Trends, Issues - Political, Submarines, Surface Ships - Combat, Surface Ships - Other, Think Tanks
By The Heritage Foundation’s Mackenzie Eaglen and Eric Sayers
USN Fleet plan, 2009
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House Armed Services Committee Chairman Representative Ike Skelton [D-MO] recently expressed his concern about the state of the United States Navy, noting that since the Cold War ended, the U.S. ”...forgot that we are a maritime nation. We forgot that lesson of history that only the nations with powerful navies are able to exert power and influence, and when a navy disappears so does that nation’s power.”
In The Heritage Foundation’s Jan 28/09 publication “Quadrennial Defense Review: Building Blocks for National Defense,” we argued that:
“The U.S. has 11 aircraft carriers, and that number should increase to 13 over the longer term. The number of cruisers and destroyers should increase from a projected 88 to 100, and the number of attack submarines should rise from 48 to at least 60. This should be facilitated, in part, by reducing the projected number of littoral combat ships from 55 to 20. Further, the QDR should at least consider recommending that the Navy proceed with DDG-1000 procurement instead of extending the construction of DDG-51 Arleigh Burke destroyers by ensuring that the DDG-1000s will have both air and ballistic missile defense capabilities.”
This article is set within the context of Heritage’s overall QDR recommendations, which were necessarily brief. It expands on the strategic, tactical, and industrial rationales behind the choices that we believe a secure America will require, within the context of Heritage’s belief that America needs consistent defense budgets around 4% of national GDP.
- A Maritime Nation
- An Inherently Uncertain Future
- A Navy for Force Projection
- Building A Global Maritime Constabulary Force
- A Coast Guard for Constabulary Missions
- Maintaining a Viable Shipbuilding Industrial Base
- Additional Readings
Continue reading…
Warrior ER/MP: An Enhanced Predator for the Army
02-Mar-2009 14:44 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Budgets, C4ISR, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Delivery & Task Orders, Electronics - General, FOCUS Articles, Forces - Air, Forces - Land, General Atomics, Issues - Political, Lobbying, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Transformation, UAVs
MQ-1C Sky Warrior
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In August 2005, “Team Warrior” leader General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, CA won a $214.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of the Extended Range/ Multi Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (ER/MP UAS). The Warrior was designed to fill both surveillance and attack roles, and the MQ-1C Sky Warrior derived from General Atomics’ famous MQ-1 Predator beat the Hunter II system offered by Northrop Grumman, Aurora Flight Systems, and IAI.
The Sky Warrior ER/MP program is part of the US Army’s reinvestment of dollars from the canceled RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program, and directly supports the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan. ER/MP could be a $1 billion effort, and recently strengthened its position when a 2007 program restructuring cut the Future Combat Systems Class III UAV competition. Now, in FY 2008, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior ER/MP prepares to move into production – as the first big “Key West” battle of the 21st century between the USAF and US Army reaches a resolution. But the Sky Warrior and Predator will be merging into a single program. What does that mean, exactly? DID asked. Meanwhile, our readers asked us to explain the differences between the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and MQ-9 Reaper. DID is happy to oblige.
Recent news includes deferral of radar capability, in order to get the UAVs into theater quicker, followed by an emergency buy…
nEUROn UCAV Project Rolling Down the Runway
21-Jan-2009 11:56 EST |
Related Stories: Budgets, Contracts - Awards, EADS, Europe - France, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Finmeccanica, Issues - International, Issues - Political, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Project Methodologies, R&D - Contracted, Testing & Evaluation, UAVs
Saab concept
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DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. In November 2005, DID noted a Forecast International report on the future UAV market that forecast trouble for the proposed six-nation nEUROn Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) project. In the end, however, Sweden signed on and the project got rolling, with committed funding of EUR 535 million and counting. The French DGA procurement agency is acting as program executive.
The Neuron project joins Britain’s Taranis UCAV, Russia’s MiG SKAT, and the US Navy’s X-47 UCAS-D program as UCAV projects with fighter-substitution potential. The Neuron program’s goals are threefold, and DID also offers details concerning the envisioned platform, the program structure, and its schedule. Dassault Aviation has recently issued a program update….
Blackwater Subsidiary’s Transport Contracts for the Central Asian Front
22-Dec-2008 14:35 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Contracts - Awards, Delivery & Task Orders, Logistics, Security Contractor, Spotlight articles, Transport & Utility
C-212, hot & high
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Blackwater USA’s “brother subsidiary” Presidential Airways, Inc. of Moyock, NC uses the EADS-CASA 212 transport aircraft for its work, which is short-haul supply flights in and out of remote locations – including combat zones. Both firms are owned by Prince Group in North Carolina.
Hopefully, Presidential will be able to address some of the issues US combat commanders have raised re: the need for transport aircraft that can use smaller runways, and land closer to zones of operations.
The firm has received several contracts from the US government for these services, covering a number of Central Asian countries. The latest additions include substantial contracts that add helicopters and Dash 8 aircraft to the long-term mix in Afghanistan…
Continue reading…
