The US Air Force is exploring the possibility of developing an extremely long-range armed unmanned air vehicle for deployment within three years. The USAf will borrow heavily from available technology, writes Stephen Trimble.
A list of ambitious capabilities for the low-cost Hunter-Killer Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA) are outlined in a request for information (RFI) released on 22 July. The air force had not previously disclosed an interest in such a vehicle.
USAF officials are seeking a UAV that can reach 35,000-50,000ft (10,700-15,200m), operate for 16-30h and carry at least four externally mounted 225kg (500lb)GPS- or laser-guided bombs. It should also carry a range of sensors, including perhaps ground moving target indicator, synthetic aperture radar, forward-looking infrared, electro-optical sensor, laser rangefinder and other multi-spectral sensors, and be able to communicate globally. Total payload should be no more than 1,360kg.
"The proposed capability must be deployable for worldwide operations, capable of launch and recovery from a bare base, and include appropriate command and control links to operate a deployed aircraft from a fixed site," says the RFI, which was issued by the USAF Aeronautical Systems Center'scapability planning division. "Desired attributes for the Hunter/Killer Remotely Operated Aircraft are persistence, lethality, connectivity and affordability."
Total flyaway cost for the airframe should not exceed $10 million, with a complete system, comprising two UAVs, one ground station, one launch and recovery system and support equipment - capped at $30 million.
The USAF is requesting 15-page responses to the RFIfrom bidders by 22 August.
Source: Flight International
