Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have been awarded modest study contracts for the US Navy's multi-role endurance (MRE) unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The total value of the four risk assessment contracts, which are due to be completed next February, is $3 million.
The contractors will examine potential missions, payloads and command and control requirements of an organic, medium-altitude sea-based endurance UAV. Air vehicle and systems will be studied, as will warship basing issues (Flight International, 22-28 February).
The studies will support the drafting of an MRE UAV mission needs statement and the possible launch of a development and acquisition programme beginning in fiscal year 2002.
An analysis of alternatives (AoA) study to be completed by the end of FY2002 would lead to an operational requirements document establishing the type of air vehicle and the number of UAV systems to be acquired from 2006.
The USN considered the US Air Force General Atomics Predator, but decided it would be too expensive, complex and heavy. The AoA could recommend options including joint use of the USAF's Predator fleet, USN acquisition of a new medium-altitude endurance UAV, or establishment of a new joint UAV programme.
• The US Air Force's Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance UAV is to be deployed later this month from Edwards AFB, California, to Eglin AFB, Florida for one month, to support a joint task force exercise along the US East Coast. The RQ-4A will also undergo a non-stop, round-trip mission to Portugal from Eglin to participate in NATO's Linked Seas 2000 exercise.
Source: Flight International
