From the Landings web site:
"X-45A-first-flight.
The X-45A Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle technology demonstration aircraft completed its first flight at Edwards AFB in California's Mojave desert May 22.
The X-45A flew at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, reaching an airspeed of 195 knots and an altitude of 7,500 feet, performing one loop.
"This first flight successfully demonstrated the UCAV's flight characteristics and the basic aspects of aircraft operations, particularly the command and control link between the aircraft and the mission-control station," a spokesman said.
"This flight represents a steep jump in our quest to mature the technologies, processes and system attributes required to integrate UCAVs into the future Air Force," said Col. Michael Leahy, DARPA's UCAV program manager. "UCAVs will effectively and affordably perform extremely hazardous missions, such as suppressing enemy air defense, while greatly reducing the risk our aircrews have to face."
The demonstration aircraft is a combined effort involving the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Air Force and lead government contractor, Boeing, who received a three year $191 million contract to build it. UCAV's are not only unmanned but are pre-programmed and not (necessarily) controlled by anyone on the ground.
The Air Force envisions sending them into harm's way in flights of four, carrying 250 lb bombs (which have the explosive force of today's 2,000 lb bombs) to suppress enemy radar or armaments before manned aircraft arrive.
Later this year, a second X-45A will begin flying, leading to the start of a multi-aircraft flight-test demonstrations next year. The coordinated flight tests are the technical heart of the program and the key to unlocking the transformational potential of the weapon system, said program officials.
Further testing will continue to explore the boundaries of intelligent unmanned combat operations, culminating in 2006 with UCAVs and manned aircraft operating together during an exercise.
The next step is the X-45B, which is currently being designed. According to program officials, the X-45B will be larger and more capable than its predecessor and will incorporate low-observable technologies. The X-45B will be a fieldable prototype aircraft that will lay the foundation for an initial operational system toward the end of the decade. "
As much as I hate to say it, I think that the F-22 and, if we're lucky, the JSF, will be the last manned fighters ever produced by the US.
Hard to imagine the comraderie of a bunch of silicon chips doing shots of Weed at roll call...
F-15 vs. F-16? He!!, how about fighter pilots vs. computers?
"X-45A-first-flight.
The X-45A Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle technology demonstration aircraft completed its first flight at Edwards AFB in California's Mojave desert May 22.
The X-45A flew at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, reaching an airspeed of 195 knots and an altitude of 7,500 feet, performing one loop.
"This first flight successfully demonstrated the UCAV's flight characteristics and the basic aspects of aircraft operations, particularly the command and control link between the aircraft and the mission-control station," a spokesman said.
"This flight represents a steep jump in our quest to mature the technologies, processes and system attributes required to integrate UCAVs into the future Air Force," said Col. Michael Leahy, DARPA's UCAV program manager. "UCAVs will effectively and affordably perform extremely hazardous missions, such as suppressing enemy air defense, while greatly reducing the risk our aircrews have to face."
The demonstration aircraft is a combined effort involving the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Air Force and lead government contractor, Boeing, who received a three year $191 million contract to build it. UCAV's are not only unmanned but are pre-programmed and not (necessarily) controlled by anyone on the ground.
The Air Force envisions sending them into harm's way in flights of four, carrying 250 lb bombs (which have the explosive force of today's 2,000 lb bombs) to suppress enemy radar or armaments before manned aircraft arrive.
Later this year, a second X-45A will begin flying, leading to the start of a multi-aircraft flight-test demonstrations next year. The coordinated flight tests are the technical heart of the program and the key to unlocking the transformational potential of the weapon system, said program officials.
Further testing will continue to explore the boundaries of intelligent unmanned combat operations, culminating in 2006 with UCAVs and manned aircraft operating together during an exercise.
The next step is the X-45B, which is currently being designed. According to program officials, the X-45B will be larger and more capable than its predecessor and will incorporate low-observable technologies. The X-45B will be a fieldable prototype aircraft that will lay the foundation for an initial operational system toward the end of the decade. "
As much as I hate to say it, I think that the F-22 and, if we're lucky, the JSF, will be the last manned fighters ever produced by the US.
Hard to imagine the comraderie of a bunch of silicon chips doing shots of Weed at roll call...
F-15 vs. F-16? He!!, how about fighter pilots vs. computers?