US UAV and UCAV Technology

[Rhinocrates]

Supersonic might be too obvious?

Stealthy Persistent Drone for Remote Strike & Reconnaissance? SPDRSR

"Strong with the DoD speak, this one is."

One day someone's going to summon Cthulhu.

 

[Grey Havoc]

He who must not be named!!!!

 

[Grey Havoc]

Skydio poised to supply first tranche of short-range recon drones to US Army

Skydio has been picked to continue into a final prototyping phase for the Army's Short-Range Reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Helix88]

Supersonic might be too obvious?

Stealthy Persistent Drone for Remote Strike & Reconnaissance? SPDRSR

"Strong with the DoD speak, this one is."

One day someone's going to summon Cthulhu.

I have it on good authority that to get the f-117 to fly, a prayer to Cthulhu was included in the Fly by Wire coding

 

[Flyaway]

Secretive New Skunk works UAS Set For Ground Testing Soon | Aviation Week Network

A secretive new unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed by the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is poised to enter ground testing “imminently,” a Lockheed Martin

aviationweek.com

I’ve seen people online speculate this related to the big new hanger at Plant 42.

 

[dark sidius]

What type Speed Racer could be ? it seem to have very little engine, taking the way more for a missile size UAV

 

[bring_it_on]

Skunk Works Reveals Speed Racer Configuration | Aviation Week Network

Digital manufacturing trend yields new experimental, air-launched UAS at Lockheed’s rapid prototyping house.

aviationweek.com

 

[Josh_TN]

So this looks like an effort to develop a low cost cruise missile where the development software and process is as much the demonstration as the final product's performance. That sounds a lot like NGAD's demonstrator - demonstrating the development process speed, not focusing on product performance. I'm skeptical, but the progress of the B-21 in this regard bodes well for these time and cost cutting modes of design.

 

[bring_it_on]

Is there any statement, from anyone in the USAF, that would lead one to believe that NGAD demonstrator was not focusing on product performance? One would think that any demonstrator would be focused at retiring major areas of risk associated with the overall vision. Sure, a new design and production process may be one such thing, but it likely wouldn't be the only thing they would have liked to focus on.

 

[TomcatViP]

@Josh_TN :
Wait wait.
There is no lifting body effect
There is a lower keel
The Wing sweep angle is acute.

This design smells speed all over it (low alpha cruise, fairly small governs, axis symmetrical body (or somewhat), high sweep). This is not our usual subsonic suspect.

 

[Josh_TN]

Is there any statement, from anyone in the USAF, that would lead one to believe that NGAD demonstrator was not focusing on product performance? One would think that any demonstrator would be focused at retiring major areas of risk associated with the overall vision. Sure, a new design and production process may be one such thing, but it likely wouldn't be the only thing they would have liked to focus on.

Nothing confirmed, but there was a lot of speculation that a lot of the records that were supposedly broken producing the demonstrator (whatever form it took) were related to production and not performance. It would be in keeping with the digital century series mantra the program is pushing. But no, nothing is known in open source.

 

[Josh_TN]

@Josh_TN :
Wait wait.
There is no lifting body effect
There is a lower keel
The Wing sweep angle is acute.

This design smells speed all over it (low alpha cruise, fairly small governs, axis symmetrical body (or somewhat), high sweep). This is not our usual subsonic suspect.

I assume the wings were folded for carriage. Isn't the engine class this thing uses no where near what would be required to be super sonic?

 

[bring_it_on]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1365361155309506563

View: https://twitter.com/TheDEWLine/status/1365361155309506563

 

[AeroFranz]

Engines are a couple of TDI's small turbojets, either J85s (200 lbf) or J7 (70lbf). That's not a lot of thrust.
The unusual number of engines may be simply due to the fact that there are so few small turbojets that in order to get your right amount of thrust you need more than one. For example, i don't think there is much available between 200 and 600 lbf, so if you need 400 lbf, voila, you use two J85s.
Also, as pointed out, i don't see any attempt at area ruling. I think this is firmly subsonic.

 

[red admiral]

Also, as pointed out, i don't see any attempt at area ruling. I think this is firmly subsonic.

Pretty low fineness ratio unless there's a rocket in its ass. Although the folding lugs are nice.

Difficult to see what the point of this is apart from some pretty niche missions

 

[Grey Havoc]

DoD innovation arm delivers much-needed secure drones to the federal government

It's the first time the Defense Innovation Unit made a program available to the whole federal government.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1365378921605328896

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/TheDEWLine/status/1365378921605328896

 

[TomcatViP]

Nobody to connect Speed Racer with its Jap anim counterpart (look at the paint sheme)?

 

[Grey Havoc]

That was actually the first thing I thought of when I saw the name.

 

[TomcatViP]

Probably that this means that speed racer is inhabited by a brain enhanced Skunk?!

 

[TomcatViP]

General Atomics releases new image of its next-generation combat drone

General Atomics’ Aeronautical Systems division, or GS-ASI, has released a new rendering of its stealthy, next-generation unmanned aircraft system. The GA-ASI released a new rendering of the new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike unmanned air vehicle (UAV)’s design on...

defence-blog.com

 

[bobbymike]

Here's Everything We Know About Skunk Works' Secretive 'Speed Racer' Program

The design is primarily intended to validate new digital engineering tools and techniques, but that could be just the beginning.

www.thedrive.com

 

[TomcatViP]

The LM video source of the discussion:

View: https://youtu.be/VVH71Cqh_Ew

 

[Flyaway]

Original tweet regarding the above:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1365403028346597376

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/GenAtomics_ASI/status/1365403028346597376

 

[AeroFranz]

"Our robust digital engineering and advanced manufacturing practices deliver affordable dominant weapon systems to the #warfighter with the speed and lethality required to maintain overmatch."

*Rolling eyes* It sounds like something an AI software would generate trying to make the shortest grammatically correct sentence that uses ALL the buzzwords. Why does everyone in the industry feel the need to write this way? And then the buzzwords are on rotation, like fads.

Sorry, end of rant.

 

[bobbymike]

"Our robust digital engineering and advanced manufacturing practices deliver affordable dominant weapon systems to the #warfighter with the speed and lethality required to maintain overmatch."

*Rolling eyes* It sounds like something an AI software would generate trying to make the shortest grammatically correct sentence that uses ALL the buzzwords. Why does everyone in the industry feel the need to write this way? And then the buzzwords are on rotation, like fads.

Sorry, end of rant.

I have 1980s video tapes, one called Guided Missiles, IIRC that uses pretty much the exact language describing weapon systems. The more thing change the more they stay the same.

 

[Grey Havoc]

DoD innovation arm delivers much-needed secure drones to the federal government

It's the first time the Defense Innovation Unit made a program available to the whole federal government.

www.c4isrnet.com

US drone firm Skydio valued at $1 billion as government freezes out Chinese competition

Clear skies for US drone companies

www.theverge.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Regarding speed racer, I am wondering if that is not a very low nap of the earth high speed vehicle that could be released at very low alt.
See the ventral keel, the high wing loading wing, the ejected part after launch to garentee the optimal placement and perfect calibration of governs as adding stability by aft high drag index, the attention to horizontal aspect stealth (side fuselage geometry)...

 

[Grey Havoc]

Is it designed to go after drone control sites and vehicles, I wonder.

 

[aonestudio]

LiquidPiston Wins Air Force Contract To Overcome Shortcomings Of Batteries in eVTOL and UAS Propulsion

LiquidPiston's X-Engine is being evaluated as an enabling technology to power the UAS or orb through a hybrid-electric propulsion system.

www.businesswire.com

LiquidPiston to develop its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for US Army UAVs

LiquidPiston, Inc. announced it received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the U.S. Army for the development of its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for UAVs.

www.airrecognition.com

 

[TomcatViP]

An illustrative concept of a future unmanned aircraft that might field capabilities of the type that the USAF is now seeking for its Next-Generation Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System Family of Systems requirement. (Lockheed Martin)

USAF seeks Next Gen Multirole UAS capabilities

The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for information (RFI) for its Next-Generation Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Family of Systems (FoS) requirement.

www.janes.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Tri-servive acquisition of MQ-9 for $3Bn rumored in India

Navy, Army and the Air Force will finally jointly procure 30 armed versions of the American unmanned aerial system in what could be a $3 billion deal, ThePrint has learnt.

Navy, Army and IAF finally agree to procure armed drones from US in $3 bn deal

The Navy, Army, and IAF's decision comes just days before US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to India later this month.

theprint.in

 

[shin_getter]

Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper Drone Replacement Requirements Now Include Air-To-Air Combat Capability

The Reaper’s successor should be able to defend both high-value manned aircraft and itself, in a high-end battlespace, according to the Air Force.

www.thedrive.com

View attachment 652228

An illustrative concept of a future unmanned aircraft that might field capabilities of the type that the USAF is now seeking for its Next-Generation Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System Family of Systems requirement. (Lockheed Martin)

USAF seeks Next Gen Multirole UAS capabilities

The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for information (RFI) for its Next-Generation Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Family of Systems (FoS) requirement.

www.janes.com

I must say, I was just thinking about the design requirements for survivable loitering drones and this picture pretty much hits it head on.

 

[Josh_TN]

The time frame is suspiciously close to the B-21 IOC. Given the secondary emphasis on more endurance and survivability, I wonder if they don't envision B-21's with A2A drone escorts operating well outside the range of tac air. This would make a lot of sense in the Pacific Theater where distances are vast and local bases are few compared to the Chinese mainland.

 

[Flyaway]

The time frame is suspiciously close to the B-21 IOC. Given the secondary emphasis on more endurance and survivability, I wonder if they don't envision B-21's with A2A drone escorts operating well outside the range of tac air. This would make a lot of sense in the Pacific Theater where distances are vast and local bases are few compared to the Chinese mainland.

Well if you want to believe the rumours the B-21 already has a drone ‘associate’ in the alleged RQ-180.

 

[bobbymike]

Northrop Grumman Reveals Sky Viper Chain Gun And New Suicide Drone For Future Helicopters

Swarming loitering munitions, fast-firing cannons, and other new capabilities are core components of the Army's Future Vertical Lift initiative.

www.thedrive.com

 

[sferrin]

"Our robust digital engineering and advanced manufacturing practices deliver affordable dominant weapon systems to the #warfighter with the speed and lethality required to maintain overmatch."

*Rolling eyes* It sounds like something an AI software would generate trying to make the shortest grammatically correct sentence that uses ALL the buzzwords. Why does everyone in the industry feel the need to write this way? And then the buzzwords are on rotation, like fads.

Sorry, end of rant.

What's disturbing is hearing somebody speak like that in person. Eyes rolling all over the place.

 

[trose213]

The time frame is suspiciously close to the B-21 IOC. Given the secondary emphasis on more endurance and survivability, I wonder if they don't envision B-21's with A2A drone escorts operating well outside the range of tac air. This would make a lot of sense in the Pacific Theater where distances are vast and local bases are few compared to the Chinese mainland.

I'd imagine the B-21 will be carrying its own escorts.

 

[Grey Havoc]

US Army uses GA-ASI’s SC2 to control Gray Eagle Extended Range UAS

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and the US Army have conducted the first production Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) flights of a Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

www.army-technology.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Working as part of a layered approach to counter-drone defense, MORFIUS units will be launched at hostile drones, or drone swarms, and then disable them in close proximity, with potentially a gigawatt of microwave power — or, as Lockheed put it, a million times the power of a standard 1,000-watt microwave oven.

Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill Swarms – Breaking Defense