The US Navy and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are considering flying both the Boeing X-46 and Northrop Grumman X-47B naval unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV-N) to overcome the continuing impasse over downselecting to a single demonstrator, which is threatening to sink the programme.
A request for proposals for the Phase 2B flight demonstration, due in March, has been delayed. Original plans called for a contractor to be chosen to demonstrate the ability of a tailless, low-observable unmanned vehicle to operate automatically on and off a simulated aircraft-carrier deck, before development in 2007 of an operational UCAV-N for deployment in 2015.
"The navy has insufficient funds in Phase 2B for two demonstrations, but there is a fear of an inadvertent downselect to one contractor that may make it unassailable in a future competition. The counter-argument is that Phase 2B is a demonstration and not a prototype, with a narrow look at integrating a vehicle on a ship," says Cdr Ralph Alderson, UCAV-N requirements officer, OPNAV air warfare.
Unlike the US Air Force/DARPA Boeing X-45 UCAV programme and the US Army/DARPA unmanned combat armed rotorcraft, UCAV-N is not intended to move into an acquisition phase. The USN plans to launch a competition in 2004 for an operational system. USN officials meanwhile are refusing to approve Phase 2B until concerns over maintaining a competitive industrial base are met.
It is believed one solution may be to allow both contractors to proceed to flight demonstration, but this would require a big increase in the $100 million budget for the 30- month Phase 2B. "Money is very hard to come by," says Alderson.
Officials say the Boeing and Northrop Grumman teams risk break-up if delays persist. The situation is particularly critical for Northrop Grumman, which unlike Boeing does not have another UCAV development.
Source: Flight International
