The Defense Department’s “Unmanned Systems Roadmap 2005–2030″ is a pretty cold-eyed document, detailing in no uncertain terms what the pilotless planes of the world can and cannot do. But there is a part of the Roadmap where the Pentagon’s planners let their imagination run wild, where they consider the flying robotic equivalent to concept cars. Here are a few models
DP-5X
length: 11 ft. weight: 475 lbs. endurance: 5.5 hrs. 0 delivered/TBD planned
The DP-5X is planned to be a VTOL [vertical take off and landing] UA [unmanned aircraft]. The program has successfully completed development and test milestones and is planning to enter initial flight demonstrations. The vehicle is modular and will facilitate reconfigurations to include or remove subsystem components. The modular design allows the aircraft to be separated into distinct modules that are man-transportable. The DP-5X has an ample payload capacity and is designed to fit into a common HMMWV system. The unique construction allows it to be rapidly launched by two operators. The vehicle can serve as a tactical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and Communication Relay platform to the Army small unit commanders at the Battalion and below level.
Long Gun
length: 12 ft. weight: 720 lbs. endurance: 30+ hrs. 0 delivered/TBD planned
The DARPA Long Gun program will evaluate and develop a re-useable, long endurance, low cost, joint, unmanned/armed missile system combined with a tri-mode long wave infrared/near infrared/visible (LWIR/NIR/VIS) sensor with laser spot targeting. Ducted fan propulsion will provide efficient thrust for long endurance. The missile will be launched from a canister carried on a sea or ground vehicle, will fly to a specified target area, and use a tri-mode sensor operating at visible, long, and near-infrared wavelengths to search for targets. If a qualified target is found, the missile will attack the target with a self-contained munition. If no targets are found, the missile could be commanded to return to base. The missile will include a data link back to a human controller/ operator to confirm target characteristics, approve engagement, and perform battle damage assessment.
A-160 Hummingbird
length: 35 ft. weight: 4300 lbs. endurance: 18 hrs. 4 delivered/10 planned
The A160 Hummingbird is designed to demonstrate the capability for marked improvements in performance (range, endurance, and controllability), as compared to conventional helicopters, through the use of a rigid rotor with variable RPM, lightweight rotor and fuselage structures, a high efficiency internal combustion engine, large fuel fraction, and an advanced semi-autonomous flight control/flight management system. The patented Optimum Speed Rotor (OSR) system allows the rotor to operate over a wide band of RPM and enables the A160 rotor blades to operate at the best lift/drag ratio over the full spectrum of flight conditions. First flight occurred in January 2002. In flight testing, using a 4-cylinder racing car engine, the A160 has achieved 135 knots speed, 7.3 hour endurance on an 18% fuel load, 7,000 ft altitude, and wide variation in rotor RPM. Autonomous flight achieved for take-off, waypoint flight, landing, and lost-link return to base. Current plans are to test with a 6-cylinder engine, then migrate to a turboshaft engine, and ultimately to a diesel engine, to achieve high endurance (24+ hours) and high altitude (30,000 feet). The DARPA contract ends in 2007.
X-50 Dragonfly Canard Rotor/Wing (CRW)
length: 17.7 ft. weight: 1485 lbs. endurance: 30 mins. 2 delivered/2 planned
The CRW concept combines the VTOL capability of a helicopter with the high-subsonic cruise speed (as high as 400 knots) of a fixed-wing aircraft. CRW intends to achieve this by stopping and locking the rotor and using it as a wing to achieve high speed forward flight; the canard and tail provide additional lifting and control surfaces. For both rotary and fixed-wing flight modes, the CRW is powered by a conventional turbofan engine. The X– 50 is a technology demonstrator designed to assess and validate the CRW concept. Hover tests were conducted in December 2003 and March 2004, but a hard landing resulted in significant damage to the first air vehicle. The second X-50 is now being readied to continue the flight testing, planned for summer 2005.
Cormorant
Length: 19 ft. weight: 9000 lbs. endurance: 3 hrs
The Cormorant project is currently conducting a series of risk reduction demonstrations for a multi-purpose UA that is immersible and capable of launch, recovery, and re-launch from a submerged SSGN [guided missile] submarine or a surface ship. Such an UA could provide all– weather ISR&T, BDA [battle damage assessment], armed reconnaissance, or SOF and specialized mission support. In particular, the combination of a stealthy SSGN submarine and a survivable air vehicle could introduce a disruptive capability to support future joint operations. If the current demonstrations are successful, follow-on efforts could involve building an immersible and flyable demonstrator UA.
It’s interesting to see, too, what’s not on the Roadmap’s list. For example, Future Combat Systems, the Army’s gazillion dollar modernization program, is supposed to have at least four new kinds of flying drones by 2008, from backpack to mini-helicopter sized. But, according to the Roadmap, two of those four robo-planes will be ones that G.I.s are already flying. Instead of the UFO-buttplug hybrid that the Pentagon had originally been pushing to put in soldiers’ packs, the model airplane-esque Raven will get the nod, at least initially. Although there are hopes for the DP-5X to become the Army’s two-man portable drone of the future, the rail-launched Shadow 200, which first flew in 1991, will be drone of choice, for now.
THERE’S MORE: Aviation Week looks at the Roadmap and notes that UA missions “will be quickly expanding into the more exotic areas of electronic jamming, communications interception, pulling imagery from obscure portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and the measurement of faint signals that could betray enemy activity.”
The Roadmap has several chronological buckets for the appearance of specific capabilities. In 2005-10, some UAVs are to be inaudible from 1,000 ft. or less, detect targets under trees, distinguish facial features from 4 naut. mi., and automatically recognize target vehicles. By 2010–15, UAVs are to be capable of automated aerial refueling and employing a 100-band hyperspectral imagery sensor. Capabilities added in 2015–20 are to be the ability to map sea mines in real time and increased endurance (of 40%) without an increase in fuel load. The period 2025–30 is to produce 1,000-band hyperspectral imagery and human-equivalent processor speed and memory in a computer small enough for airborne use…
One big obstacle to expansion, particularly among the most sophisticated of these aircraft, appears to be the recruitment and training of qualified pilots and sensor operators to fly and fight them. Possibly the most sought-after and overworked units are the U.S. Air Force’s three Predator squadrons stationed at Nellis AFB and Creech AFB in Nevada; only the aircraft and small launch and recovery teams operate in Afghanistan and Iraq. Crews flying the overseas missions are actually operating from “cockpits” at Nellis.
For example, the Predator training squadron flying from Creech will produce only 15 pilots and 15 sensor operators per class during the next year, and perhaps double that in the following year, say USAF officials. There are plans to establish a second flight training unit, possibly operated by the Air National Guard. But demands of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq will make it a slow process.
This has “Skynet” written all over it. Eek.
long gun = step towards “brilliant” from smart weapons smart weapons hit the target brillant weapons can pick the highest value target.
Does seem to asking for increased fractide
I just love these articles about the limitations of “UAV’s” and autonomous weapon systems in general.
This is just more fear and lothing out of the folks that want to build big deck 100ton. Aircraft Carriers forthe F/35 (CV 77 the George H.W. Bush will be the last carrier to cone in under $10 Billion, maybe?) and sink another $150 Billion in to amphabious warfare ships to accomodate the VC-22 and to build aircraft with out any known mission the F/A-22.
Let’s face it the F/A-22’s have broken the $200 Million a copy barrier, the VC-22 who knows, but surely it has passed the $150 Million mark and the F-35, which is still in development has passed $100 per airplane, average.
While UAV’s are still struggling to with add on’s hit $10 Millionper airframe. It doesn’t take a U.S. Congressman to figure out what the defense industry wants to make.
And I don’t think it’s by pure chance these same Aero Space Companies are now in ship building business.
Can anyone see a simularity here, Northrup Grumman after buying out Litton Industries who make LPD’s for the U.S. Navy have bumped up the price from $835 Million to $1.8 Billion. Of course the new San Antiono class is needed to support the VC-22. Next the VC-22 will need a new LHA’s, the LHA ®. The twelve barely used LHD’sand LHA’s in the fleet are unsuited for the VC-22 and AV-35’s, surprise!
Chig ching, another $100 Billion bucks.
UAV’s are the future, I just hope we can aford to get there.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
Not so sure LHDs and LHAs are “barely used.” It may seem so to the laymen but they are quite busy.
Also, the LHA® seems unlikely due to its complete lack of surface amphibious capability. I would have to agree that it seems like an added expense that we could probably do without. However, it doesn’t solve the fact that LHA/Ds lack the space for the extra maintenance and logistical supplies required for the MV-22 and JSF.
However, can’t argue with the complaint about acquisitions. It’s business as usual to go over budget.
And consolidation with aerospace companies was inevitable with all the crossover in technology. Take a look at how much overlap there is in aerospace companies making equipment for land weapons. That doesn’t take any detective work.
Good Morning Yveny,
I’m not so sure about your perdiction on thr LHA®‘s. Yesterday President Bush selected Donald C. Winter to replace Gordon R. English as Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Winter is currently President of Northrop Grumman Millile Systems in Los Angeles.
It seemsbusiness as usual at the Pentagon.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
> This has “Skynet” written all over it.
Yes it certainly does:
http://deoxy.org/meme/RobotArmy
Good Evening “organic”,
Never heard of “Skynet”, please educate me.
Everything I post is my “Own” opinion. I even use my “Real Name”, no some cute lttle handle.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
This links explains the reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet
An interesting coincidence:
http://www.space-technology.com/projects/skynet/
how much will is cost a person