Agency plans to "re-vector" agreements with Boeing and Northrop Grumman by mid-July
Metal is being cut for the next Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) demonstrators even as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) reshapes the US Air Force/Navy programme, now described as a capability, and not technology, demonstration. The focus is on an operational assessment (OA) to begin in 2007, that could continue beyond 2010.
DARPA expects to have "re-vectored" its agreements with J-UCAS prime contractors Boeing and Northrop Grumman by mid-July. The two teams, meanwhile, are continuing work on their rival unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrators. Boeing is cutting metal on the first X-45C and will load the first assembly jig within two months, says programme manager Darryl Davis. Roll-out at St Louis, Missouri is planned for August 2005 and first flight at Edwards AFB, California early in the second quarter of 2006. First flight of Northrop Grumman's X-47B is scheduled for late in the third quarter of 2006, says programme manager Scott Winship.
Both companies are working under existing agreements to build Spiral 1 risk-reduction vehicles, but DARPA J-UCAS programme manager Michael Francis says acceleration of the OA to start in 2007 means Spiral 1 and 2 have been amalgamated. "The luxury of a Spiral 1 risk-reduction is gone," he says. Boeing planned to build two X-45Cs, and Northrop Grumman three X-47Bs, for Spiral 1, but Francis says the teams will be asked how many vehicles they each think are needed to complete the operational assessment.
The initial focus of the OA will be on the US Air Force's suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) and electronic attack (EA) missions. Assessment of the US Navy's persistent surveillance mission has been pushed out, and while the demonstrators will fly naval missions there are no plans for simulated carrier deck operations. Although the assessment is planned to continue for several years, there will be "many off ramps", says Francis. "If they want an aircraft to do the SEAD/strike/EA mission early on, they can make a decision in the 2008-9 timeframe."
The initial air force X-45C has passed its mid-term design review. The navy variant is running 10-11 months behind and will undergo its review in December, and fly in late 2006/early 2007, says Davis. The navy X-45C has the same planform as the air force variant, but a deeper body to house additional fuel and sensors. Under the original plan, the first X-45C was to be used for survivability testing and the second for carrier suitability demonstrations.
The X-45C weighs 16,300-16,800kg (36,000-37,000lb), compared with 19,000kg for the larger X-47B. The first X-47B will be a navy variant, but with wings locked and lightweight landing gear, and will be used for flying qualities evaluation, says Winship. If required, the vehicle can be modified for simulated carrier operations, he says. Under current plans the next two X-47Bs will be air force variants with full low-observability features. "The X-45C and X-47B are the starting points," says Francis.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
