Test Results Validate Performance Of Aircraft for U.S. Navy
UCLASS Program
Key wind tunnel test on a model of the Sea Avenger UAS have been
completed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI),
the company said Tuesday. Sea Avenger supports the Unmanned
Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program
by providing a long-endurance, survivable, carrier-based UAS for
the U.S. Navy.
Sea Avenger Artist's Rendering
The wind tunnel test validated the
low-speed characteristics of a new wing, resulting in higher
endurance and lower approach speeds. The new wing is also
designed to increase aircraft dash speeds, decreasing the time to
respond to potential threats. "GA-ASI is committed to providing the
Navy with swift delivery of a robust and versatile aircraft
carrier-based UAS that meets or exceeds known requirements,
provides measurable manpower savings, and assures best value," said
Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc. "Reducing risk is a key component of
this process, and our company has repeatedly designed and delivered
low-cost, high-quality UAS, in part, because of our recurring
commitment to invest in early development, as evidenced by this
recent wind tunnel test."
The 90-hour, eight-day test was conducted at the San Diego Air
& Space Technology Center. The goal of the test, which was
completed ahead of schedule, was to validate the low-speed
characteristics of an updated wing in the approach, launch, and
cruise configurations. The advanced design utilizes
proprietary wing technology that enables high-speed flight, while
also supporting excellent low-speed handling qualities desired for
aircraft carrier landings.
The testing enabled GA-ASI to evaluate a specific set of
configuration changes both quickly and economically. Wind
tunnel testing also helps reduce program risk by providing
empirical data to complement computational analyses. In
addition, it provides the opportunity to correlate key performance
data to analytical tools, such as computational fluid dynamics, and
to validate various analytical methods.
Designed for fully autonomous launch and recovery from both USS
Nimitz and USS Ford class carriers, Sea Avenger provides unmanned,
autonomous, and long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities responsive to the multi-mission
requirements of carrier-based aircraft. The aircraft will
provide for planning, control, tasking, collection, processing,
analysis, and dissemination of actionable information in support of
Navy missions.