Wed, Apr 16, 2003
Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector just
unveiled its operational system concept for a naval unmanned combat
air vehicle (UCAV-N) designed to fly surveillance, strike and
suppression-of-enemy-air-defense missions from an aircraft
carrier.
The concept represents Northrop Grumman's participation in an
emerging government competition to develop and demonstrate UCAVs
that could perform U.S. Navy and Air Force missions. The
development work will take place in the El Segundo (CA) Air Combat
Systems business area of the company's Integrated Systems
sector.
The concept combines the "kite" aerodynamic shape successfully
demonstrated by the company's tailless X-47A Pegasus experimental
unmanned vehicle (above) with a 'Northrop-trademark' "flying wing"
shape. The kite design enables efficient integration of propulsion
and weapons, while the wing extensions provide aerodynamic
efficiency. The air vehicle design (below) also provides long
endurance, high survivability; and the low-speed, aerodynamic
flying qualities and precision landing capabilities required for
autonomous launch and recovery operations from a carrier.
Northrop Grumman is currently conducting technology and
risk-reduction studies under Phase IIA of the UCAV-N program
managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the
Navy. "This operational UCAV-N concept meets all naval UCAV
requirements while leveraging the company's unmatched experience in
unmanned systems, precision strike, electronic warfare and low
observable or stealth technologies," said Randy Secor, Northrop
Grumman's UCAV-N program manager. "Our design also has the
flexibility to meet Air Force requirements in the government's
emerging joint UCAV
program."
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