Paul Lewis/ST LOUIS
Boeing has rolled out the X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) technology demonstrator, marking the first tangible step in a joint effort with the US Air Force and Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to deploy an operational system by the end of the decade.
The UCAV demonstrator system - the air vehicle, a mission control console and storage system - is due to be shipped shortly to Edwards AFB, California, ahead of a first flight planned for early next year. The main objective of the $131 million phase two programme is to prove the UCAV's technical feasibility.
DARPA has mapped out a two-block flight test programme, which will initially focus on validating single vehicle command and control, mission software and contingency handling. The Block 1 demonstration is scheduled to end late next year, when a second X-45 should be joining the test programme.
"In parallel with that, we'll be defining the requirements and working the software to go out for a second block of testing. This will focus on multi-vehicle co-ordinated flight, ending with a series of exercises to allow us to say we understand the technical feasibility to do a pre-emptive destructive mission," says Col Mike Leahy, DARPA UCAV project manager.
Flight testing will include co-ordinated multi-vehicle operations. One of the UCAVs will fly a suppression of enemy air defences mission, including detecting an emitter, transmitting a simulated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image of the target and once it has received operator approval, dropping an inert 115kg (250lb) GPS satellite navigation-guided bomb on the target.
Block 2 testing will include use of a laboratory to simulate the operation of up to 20 UCAVs and flying a Lockheed T-33 equipped with UCAV avionics to test airfield interoperability with other aircraft.
The yet-to-be funded phase-three effort will start in mid-2002 and focus on the UCAV's operational utility and value. The Block 3 demonstration will extend the multiple vehicle testing and introduce decision-making aids.
A third vehicle will join for Block 4 at the end of 2003, equipped with an SAR and DARPA's Advanced Tactical Targeting system. It may have low observability features.
Block 5 of phase three is due to conclude by 2005 with an ultimate demonstration of the system's operational capability. Graduation at this point will determine a final phase and the start of engineering and manufacturing development. "This will allow us to have a initial operational capability by 2010," says Leahy.
Source: Flight International
