Plans to demonstrate an unmanned combat air-vehicle (UCAV) capable of air-defence suppression and mobile-target attack have been unveiled by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This is the first major programme to be launched involving UCAVs.
A $125 million advanced-technology demonstration is planned by DARPA and the US Air Force, leading to flight tests of two air vehicles in 2001-2. Multiple preliminary design contracts are to be awarded later this year, with one or more companies being chosen a year later to continue work leading to selection of a single contractor to design, fabricate and test two air-vehicles. The first flight is scheduled for the first quarter of 2001. A real-time targeting and weapons-delivery demonstration is planned for 2002.
DARPA has elected to pursue the concept of a UCAV able to provide "persistent vigilance and lethal strike against integrated air-defences and mobile targets". The aim is to demonstrate technologies for an affordable UCAV system which could become operational around 2010.
The UCAV demonstrators are expected to be about 60% smaller than an equivalent manned fighter, and will be shaped for low-observability, but will not incorporate radar-absorbent materials or treatments. Flight-testing will begin with full pilot-in-the-loop control, and progress to semi-autonomous operations.
DARPA plans to demonstrate "robust and secure" command, control and communications, a key requirement for the successful operation of UCAVs.
Unmanned combat-aircraft are attracting interest because of the potential to reduce substantially procurement and operating costs. Compared to the Lockheed Martin F-16, DARPA estimates, an all-new UCAV could reduce operating and support costs by more than 80%, through reduced flight hours and personnel requirements.
Lockheed Martin is defining three notional uninhabited naval strike-aircraft under a six-month US Navy contract. These include short take-off and vertical landing and vertical-attitude take-off and landing (VATOL) UCAV concepts suitable for surface-ship launch and recovery.
The third concept is a VATOL UCAV which would be launched from the ballistic-missile tubes of submarines and recovered on land or surface ships.
Source: Flight International
