Northrop Grumman expects revenues from its unmanned systems operations to grow to more than $400 million by 2005, nearly two and a half times the $175 million generated in 1999, as it capitalises on its Ryan Aeronautical acquisition.
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems Sector president Ralph Crosby, speaking at the opening of the company's $35 million Advanced Systems Development Center (ASDC) in El Segundo, California, says unmanned systems will grow in importance as part of this overall strategy. Much of this will be focused on further improvement of the RQ-4A Global Hawk, which is moving towards full development after a successful Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) review in February, and the naval unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV-N), with which Northrop Grumman is competing with Boeing.
Northrop Grumman, which rolled out a mock-up of the Pegasus UCAV concept demonstrator as part of the ASDC opening, begins a new UCAV-N risk-reduction phase next month. This will pave the way towards construction of a dedicated UCAV-N demonstrator early next year. Pegasus, meanwhile, is set to undertake a 12-flight demonstration at China Lake Naval Weapons Center, California, in the fourth quarter of this year.
Northrop Grumman is also developing a naval vertical take-off tactical UAV, which is under test at China Lake and is based on a modified Schweizer 330 helicopter. Crosby attributes the company's success in winning this $94 million contract to the Ryan connection.
"Ryan has added so much to our ability, as a combined entity, to turn competitions into programme wins. Instead of just responding to the request for proposals, we spent money on a demonstrator. We went out and bought a Schweizer with our money, and developed the flight control system to demonstrate vertical take-offs and landings, says Cosby" Northrop Grumman has also been awarded one of the UK Ministry of Defence's four Watchkeeper UAV study contracts, while the MALD (Miniature Air Launched Decoy) is close to an order.
Northrop Grumman is also working on a US Air Force study to evaluate SensorCraft, a next generation airborne reconnaissance system for entry into service in 2015-20. It will be capable of 48h loiter at 65,000ft (19,800m) and is set to have a 3,150km-5,550km (1,700-3,000nm) operational radius with a 180kg (400lb) payload, though these last characteristics are under review.
The company plans by the end of this year to select a preferred concept, with the two leading candidates a low-observable, high-aspect ratio design with a diamond shaped body, and a more radical flying wing configuration with sensor-carrying outriggers.
Source: Flight International
