Manufacturer assesses market for scaled-up unmanned combat air vehicle
Alenia Aeronautica is exploring the potential launch of a full-scale unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) development programme in the second half of 2007, as a successor to its Sky-X demonstrator.
Initial studies are evaluating lessons from the Sky-X trials programme over the past year and assessing the likely market potential for a full-scale system, says Alenia's unmanned air vehicle and UCAV programme manager Piero Antonio Fantino.
Alenia's indicative tailless Sky-X configuration |
"We have to decide if we are to continue to maintain the system like it is, or make an evolution to take into account new configurations," Fantino told IQPC's UCAV conference in London on 29 November. A new design would be much larger and be heavier, he adds.
Indicative schedule data for the full-scale system suggest design and prototyping work could run between mid-2007 and late 2014, with series production possible from late 2016. A system development phase would run from the end of 2013 to late 2017.
The sole Sky-X demonstrator has performed more than 20 flights since May 2005, and recently completed qualification testing of an Alenia-developed automatic take-off and landing system at Sweden's Vidsel test range. Fantino says the programme will enter its second phase early next year, with a focus on expanding the platform's autonomous mission management system capabilities and the integration and qualification of an initial electro-optical sensor suite and new tactical datalink.
Alenia also plans to reconfigure the Sky-X by removing its tail surfaces by mid-2008. The tailless configuration would be augmented by fitting a thrust vector control capability by late 2008, Fantino says. Flight testing of Alenia's developmental smart integrated weapons bay is expected to conclude by mid-2009.
Final Sky-X testing is currently planned to wind down in late 2013, but Fantino says this could be extended depending on decisions about the proposed full-scale UCAV development effort, and the outcome of the second phase trials.
Sky-X technologies will be made available for use in Alenia's recently unveiled Molynx medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV development programme, he adds. The Italian company is also co-operating with Russian aerospace companies on the development of UCAV demonstrators.
The project, designated Proryv (Breakthrough), is based on development of an unmanned strike version of Yakovlev's Yak-130 advanced jet trainer.
Source: Flight International
