At least two teams declare intention to compete, but timetable may effectively rule out Boeing's A160 Hummingbird
The US Army was expected to launch its $900 million extended-range multi-purpose unmanned air vehicle competition as Flight International went to press last week.
At least two declared teams are positioning for the requirement, with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announcing it is teaming with AAI and Sparta for a bid to be known as Team Warrior.
Boeing is considering bidding with its A160 Hummingbird unmanned helicopter, but requirements for a competitive fly-off late this year are expected to effectively prevent the company from competing. Northrop Grumman, meanwhile, has teamed with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Aurora Flight Sciences to offer the Strike Heron version of the IAI Heron family. The Strike Heron air vehicle is visually similar to the IAI/EADS Eagle 1 UAV, including a forward fuselage satellite communications array.
GA-ASI says it has still to decide which UAV it will offer for the programme, with its choice between the I-Gnat or Predator A depending on the request for information (RFI) capability specification. GA-ASI says a hybrid system could possibly be put forward, including the option of equipping an I-Gnat with the Predator A wing. I-Gnat has never been armed, but Predator A has an extensive history of carrying weapons.
GA-ASI says its teaming arrangement with AAI is intended to leverage that firm's existing relationship with the US Army as prime contractor for its ongoing RQ-7 Shadow programme.
Col John Burke, programme manager, US Army UAV systems project office, announced that an RFI would be released by 6 August. The competitive fly-off is planned for November-December, and selection is expected by March next year
Burke says the project will proceed in two stages, with 60 air vehicles required. The initial purchase would equip four companies with 12 UAVs each, expanding to 18 in the second increment. Initial operational capability is planned for 2009, though this could be brought forward. The contest will seek air vehicles and ground infrastructure, with sensor payloads, communication systems and weapons to be supplied by the army as government furnished equipment.
Source: Flight International
