Drones / UAV

Rappel du premier message :

Drone Kamikaze Israélien, d'une portée de 500Km..
Il vole en territoire ennemie, et cherche constamment les émissions radar une fois un signal reçu le compare a sa base de donnée, et s'en occupe selon l'ordre de priorité..en fonçant vers elle à la vertical et explosant juste au dessus pour faire le plus de dégât possible.





http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/harpy/HARPY.html

Citation :

DATE:19/07/10
SOURCE:Flight Daily News
FARNBOROUGH: Selex Galileo makes second Falco sale
By Luca Peruzzi

Selex Galileo's (outdoor exhibits 1/2) Falco unmanned air system will be delivered to a second customer this year. The Pakistan air force, which has never been officially identified by Selex Galileo, received the first system in 2007, and is successfully operating it as a tactical medium altitude unmanned platform.

"The Falco UAS capabilities have already been operationally demonstrated to the new customer, located in the Middle East region," says Antonello Mangogna, Selex Galileo vice-president, UAS and simulators.

"To be delivered before the end of 2010, this will be the first system which could feature Selex Galileo's complete sensor suite, together with operator training," Mangogna adds.

Developed to accept a wide range of Selex Galileo and other companies' payloads, the Falco is attracting interest from a number of potential customers, being able to accommodate up to a 70kg [155lb] payload and offering an endurance of 14h.

"Selex Galileo has already completed the preliminary study activities for the enhanced Falco Evo version, with larger wings, airframe and up-rated engine, which offers longer endurance with higher mission payload capabilities at a comparable price of a tactical UAS," says Mangogna.

"Optimised configurations for both current and Falco Evo baselines will offer a reduced operational and logistics footprint, allowing a complete 4-UAV system to be transported and deployed with one C-130 flight. We are currently looking for a launch customer to start the development and testing phase of the EVO, with further capability enhancements to be introduced at a later stage," he adds.

Falco UAV

Fremo a écrit:

Mantis

Citation :

BAE Systems and the UK Ministry of Defense signed at Farnborough2008 a jointly funded, first phase advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) program to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK’s future UAS capability. The new platform called Mantis will be used to evaluate and test persistent, autonomous Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) as well as unmanned ground attack capabilities. (more...)
According to BAE Systems, the twin-engine Mantis platform and associated ground control infrastructure is already underway, with ground testing planned for later this year, leading to first flight early 2009. The aircraft will be able to carry weapons on six under-wing stores. Possible weapons load Include up to six Paveway size guided weapons, or 12 brimstone missiles, in addition to two Electro-optical (EO) payloads and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). It will be capable of operations extending over 24 hours. Although BAE Systems did not elaborate on specific performance, it is assumed that the Mantis is designed for medium and high altitude operations from 25,000 to 50,000 ft, supporting the warfighter through a range of direct support roles, among them persistent ISR and attack of “short lived” time critical targets.
The powerplant used for the first aircraft is the Rolls Royce RR250B-17 but, according to Kane, final decision on te specific type and maker of the engine to be used in serial aircraft will be made later in Spiral I. current According to BAE Systems, the development will be based on several steps ('spirals') which contribute to an accelerated development cycle. "We plan develop the Mantis from a blank page into a flying unmanned aircraft in 15 months" said Mark Kane. The initial phase will be focusing on persistent ISTAR applications, 'Spiral' II on multi-sensor applications while weapons capabilities performed in Spiral III.
“The rapid development of Mantis will provide indicators of how we can improve the acquisition process to deliver capability swiftly into the changing military environments” said Air Vice Marshal Simon Bollom, Dir. General Combat Air. “We expect to see positive early results before deciding about further investments in a longer term program’ he cautioned.
The current development phase includes an industry team headed by BAE Systems, including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, Selex Galileo and Meggitt. The Mantis program benefit from earlier investment made by BAE Systems and MOD in unmanned systems, particularly in flight autonomy.

Citation :

Farnborough, UK - BAE Systems has successfully flown the largest fully autonomous unmanned aircraft ever to be built in the UK. The next generation autonomous system, MANTIS, completed its maiden flight in Woomera, South Australia.
During subsequent flights, MANTIS successfully completed a series of trials demonstrating the capability of the system and the potential of large unmanned systems to support future UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) operational needs. The MANTIS programme is jointly funded by UK MOD and UK Industry.

Cette photo 'est pas celle d'un MANTIS, mais plutot d'un global hawk, et c'est en visitant ce sujet pour voir si vous avez traité de ce dernier que je suis tombé dessus, mais franchement ce qui m'a impressioné sont les photos de ce drone anglais,le MANTIS, un bel engin je trouve !!

EADS pourrait arrêter des drones

Citation :

EADS interrompra le développement du programme de drone Talarion, évalué à trois milliards de dollars, si les Etats ne s'engagent pas à passer des commandes, a déclaré Stefan Zoller, le directeur général de la division Défense et Sécurité du groupe.

"Nous ne poursuivrons le développement que s'il y a un engagement d'achat", a-t-il dit lundi soir. Ses propos étaient sous embargo jusqu'à mardi.
Le groupe avait déclaré le mois dernier qu'il était prêt à continuer d'investir dans le projet jusqu'à la fin de l'année, alors que l'Allemagne, la France et l'Espagne ont engagé une revue de leurs projets en matière de défense.

Stefan Zoller a ajouté que la division Défense d'EADS devait se développer dans les pays émergents pour compenser la lenteur de la croissance en Europe.
Il a expliqué que la consolidation du secteur en Europe ne générait que de faibles synergies.

Reuters

Citation :

Eye Over Kabul



Posted 7/27/2010
The Persistent Surveillance System at Bala Hissar is a floating aerostat (or blimp) with high-tech camera equipment designed to better protect the people of Kabul and enhance Afghan National Security Forces security operations in the Afghan capital. Photo by Capt. Anthony Deiss

Cherokee a écrit:

EADS pourrait arrêter des drones

Citation :

EADS interrompra le développement du programme de drone Talarion, évalué à trois milliards de dollars, si les Etats ne s'engagent pas à passer des commandes, a déclaré Stefan Zoller, le directeur général de la division Défense et Sécurité du groupe.

"Nous ne poursuivrons le développement que s'il y a un engagement d'achat", a-t-il dit lundi soir. Ses propos étaient sous embargo jusqu'à mardi.
Le groupe avait déclaré le mois dernier qu'il était prêt à continuer d'investir dans le projet jusqu'à la fin de l'année, alors que l'Allemagne, la France et l'Espagne ont engagé une revue de leurs projets en matière de défense.

Stefan Zoller a ajouté que la division Défense d'EADS devait se développer dans les pays émergents pour compenser la lenteur de la croissance en Europe.
Il a expliqué que la consolidation du secteur en Europe ne générait que de faibles synergies.

Reuters

Mais qu'il arréte le programme et tant mieux..... .
Depuis le temps qu'ils se font ,passer moi l'expression ,des couilles en or sur le dos du contribuable ça leur fait du bien,j'éspère de tous coeur que la France commandera des predators au lieu de leur "truc" pas au point qui coute les yeux de la tete pour un resultat qui sera (il nous ont habituer depuis) moins bon que le predator.

Citation :

TALARION UAS Programme: A Strategic Decision



Interview with Bernhard Gerwert, CEO Military Air Systems EADS DS

07:29 GMT, August 26, 2010 Under the name of Talarion, European aerospace-giant EADS is developing the next generation of a European unmanned aerial system (UAS) for Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (ISTAR) tasks of the partner countries Germany, France and Spain. Revealed during last year’s Paris Air Show, the development of Talarion is now proceeding as a pre-financed programme of EADS and is awaiting orders by customers that need to meet ISTAR requirements of today’s demanding military operations in a networked environment. Bernhard Gerwert, CEO Military Air Systems EADS Defence & Security, assessed the programme in details, industrial participation and negotiations with Turkey for Defence Turkey (DT), a media partner of defpro.com.


DT: Could you please describe the new Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) programme dubbed Talarion?

Gerwert: Talarion is the new European UAS programme to fulfil the operational requirements of Germany, France and Spain for future Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. Due to its specific design Talarion is able to operate over its broad flight envelope spectrum, thereby establishing persistent surveillance, precise adversary identification, localisation and real-time intelligence.

Main design drivers for Talarion are the requirements to get a full certification, allowing flying in non-segregated airspace, operational superiority providing large coverage at long distances, mission modularity adaptable to the operational scenarios and autonomy.

Heart of the Talarion UAS is its modular payload concept, thereby providing the possibility to extend the system’s capability in many directions. The internal payload and sensor integration guarantees Talarion’s operational readiness for simultaneous ground and maritime surveillance missions. The fuselage diameter allows the installation of a large SATCOM to cope with the high data rate demand and a retractable electro-optical infra-red laser designator turret to improve flight performance.

Finally, being a European development, Talarion provides all rights and possibilities for today's unlimited operational use and secures flexibility for future enhancements to always provide operational capabilities according to the needs of our customers.


DT: What is timeline of the Talarion programme?

Gerwert: In 2007, France, Germany and Spain shared their operational requirements for an Unmanned Aerial System such as Talarion. In 2009, EADS Defence & Security and partners reduced the risk of the programme with appropriate technical demonstrations and simulations. The Risk Reduction Study has been concluded with the delivery of a binding proposal covering the development and production of 15 systems. Since one system comprises three air vehicles, there is a total interest for 45 air vehicles. We will continue to pre-finance Talarion in order to secure first deliveries in 2016.

Let me also point out that we invested already more than €500 million in the development of all our unmanned aerial systems over the recent years. This investment underlines our commitment to be Europe's leading UAS provider. We have proven our technological capabilities many times, for instance with the successful operation of the Harfang by the French Air Force in Afghanistan, the first flight of the Barracuda technology demonstrator in Canada and our contributions to the EuroHawk which will be operated by the German Air Force.


DT: Can you comment on the industrial framework of this UAV programme?

Gerwert: EADS Defence & Security has all the development know-how and manufacturing skills for UAS based on the experiences of the different programmes in Germany, France and Spain. Initially, we started Talarion as a tri-national programme, however, the door for other partners such as Turkey is open.

Talarion would secure and create more than 10,000 jobs in the high technology aerospace and defence industry in Europe. And finally, being the next generation UAS to fly in civil airspace, Talarion would create significant export opportunities for the aerospace industry.

All these facts demonstrate that this unique capitalisation of operational and industrial experience build up around the Talarion programme has good chances of continued progress. In any case, it would strongly position the involved nations in the strategic competence sector of UAS, embedded in European and international cooperation.


DT: What is the status of your negotiations with the Defence Authorities in Turkey? What about a Turkish participation in this programme?

Gerwert: The Turkish Defence Authorities expressed a high interest to join this programme. We are currently assessing together with Turkish authorities and industry the possibility of Turkey entering the core development programme for Talarion. We would welcome Turkey as a new partner, knowing the technological know-how of the Turkish industry.

This programme would definitely anchor Turkey in the European aerospace industry, offering unique opportunities to participate in other major programmes. We would involve the Turkish defence industry in the development and production sector, thus generating huge increases in terms of expertise and jobs.


DT: What are your expectations for the future of Talarion?

Gerwert: There is an urgent need for independent ISTAR capabilities and the assessment of crisis situations in the European Armed Forces which will enable rapid political decision-making of its governments.

Our flexibility remains a determining key factor for the success of the Talarion programme and we are absolutely committed to realise every possible effort to satisfy the expectations of our customers.

Therefore, I expect the involved nations to decide for Talarion as the future ISTAR system for Europe. We will continue with the development because we are convinced that it is the right product with a long-term market potential.

http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/645/

Citation :

Elbit Systems and Sagem to establish a joint venture for tactical UAS
September 15, 2010
Elbit Systems Ltd. and Sagem Defense Securite S.A. (Safran group) announced the signature of a MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) regarding the intended establishment, by early 2011, of an equally owned joint venture for the tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market for France and designated international markets, in which existing initiatives will continue through the JV.
The intended joint venture will be a French corporation, located in Eragny and Montluçon (France). It will be formed by the equal contributions of assets from the two parent companies.
The new company's portfolio will comprise newly developed products, as well as current and derivative products, from Sagem and Elbit Systems.

The new company will be able to offer a wide range of products for the tactical UAS market.
Concurrently, Elbit Systems is fully committed to the continued growth of U-Tacs (UAV Tactical Systems Ltd.), its joint UK company with Thales and to the successful execution of the Watchkeeper program, including the support of Thales offer to supply Watchkeeper systems to France.
Source: Elbit Systems

Citation :

Competitition starts to demonstrate close air support by UAVs
By Stephen Trimble

A $47 million contract now in competition will challenge defence companies to prove that even unmanned air vehicles can be trusted to strike targets close to friendly troops.
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has issued a request for proposals for the persistent close air support (PCAS) project, which could lead to a live-fire demonstration in four years.
Two companies could be selected after bids are due on 2 November to submit a preliminary design for adapting the Fairchild A-10C into an optionally piloted vehicle and delivering a kit for the aircraft to be controlled and fire on targets from the ground.
The results of the demonstration could influence the next generation of UAVs. Close air support is one of the missions envisioned by the US Air Force for the MQ-X, a UAV that could replace its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at the end of this decade.

he trick for performing close air support by UAVs is ensuring that the ground controller is attacking the right target, especially with friendly troops so close to the enemy.
DARPA wants the PCAS contractor to demonstrate that the autonomous A-10 can fire on a target within a 55km (30nm) radius less than 6min after receiving a digital request from a human on the ground.
The live-fire demonstration will include accurate strafing with the A-10's GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon, a salvo of 70mm (2.75in) guided or unguided rockets, a laser-guided Raytheon AGM-65E Maverick and a 226kg (500lb) GBU-38 joint direct attack munition.
The A-10 also will be equipped with two targeting pods in order to strike multiple targets simultaneously.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/23/347692/competitition-starts-to-demonstrate-close-air-support-by.html

BlueBird makes UAV sale to African army

Citation :

An African army has signed a contract to purchase the fuel cell-powered Boomerang unmanned air vehicle manufactured by BlueBird in Israel.

The company declines to name the country concerned, but says that it previously operated a larger tactical UAV system before concluding that it was "costly and complicated to operate".

BlueBird president Ronen Nadir claims that the Boomerang is the only fuel cell-powered UAV capable of delivering an endurance of over 10h while also simultaneously carrying day and night payloads weighing a combined 1.3kg (2.8lb). "We developed the payloads that fit the airframe," he adds.


Nadir says the aircraft's lightweight, compact fuel cell energy system enables the UAV to achieve "outstanding flight duration and altitude".

The latest version of the Boomerang is equipped with winglets, plus canards on its forward fuselage and can reach an altitude of 15,000ft (4,570m).

"The new version will be able to reach a 15h endurance if the hydrogen in the fuel cell system is stored in high pressure," Nadir says. Some users limit this pressure for safety considerations if the UAV is to be flown over civilian areas.

Negotiations are also under way with another country that wants to use the Boomerang. "We hope to sign the contract soon," says Nadir.

Flight International

merci mais ya des drone plus agressive et orrrribles

thef16 a écrit:

merci mais ya des drone plus agressive et orrrribles

sinon tu doit te presenter ici
https://far-maroc.forumpro.fr/salon-membres-f12/presentation-t2859-975.htm

AeroVironment details possible future for Global Observer

Citation :

The AeroVironment Global Observer hybrid-electric unmanned aircraft system could be extended beyond the current $120 million demonstration effort, and become a programme of record within the US government between 2012 and 2014.

The US Special Operations Command is "working" to find more funding for Global Observer, an aircraft designed to remain airborne for five to seven days above 55,000ft (16,800m), chief executive Timothy Conver told analysts in December.

AeroVironment also has revealed options for extending Global Observer beyond the demonstration phase. The military could either buy small quantities of new systems to meet urgent needs, or convert the demonstration aircraft into operational systems, Conver says. "This is a revolutionary aircraft that employs technologies never before used in such a manner," he adds.

The stakes of Global Observer's success for AeroVironment are enormous. If the UAS is accepted as a programme of record, it will generate more revenue annually than the nearly $250 million overall sales total reported in fiscal year 2009, Conver says.

The UAS has been expected to enter formal flight testing by the end of company's fiscal third quarter, which is 31 January, but could stretch to the end of April. Conver says the Global Observer should enter flight tests in the second half of the company's fiscal year, which ends on 30 April.

The Global Observer programme completed an initial, two-month flight-test phase last September. More recently, AeroVironment finished running systems on aircraft number one for 12 continuous hours, Conver says.

Flight International

X-47B UCAS First Flight Music Video

Citation :

Landmark Flight Brings Program One Step Closer to Demonstrating Autonomous Aerial Refueling Between Two Unmanned Aircraft

SAN DIEGO, March 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Jan. 21, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center took a major step toward demonstrating autonomous aerial refueling between two unmanned, high altitude aircraft, an operation never before performed. Photos and video accompanying this release are available at: [url=http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=215774]http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=215774[/url] In a key risk reduction flight test, Northrop Grumman's Proteus test aircraft and a NASA Global Hawk flew as close as 40 feet apart at an altitude of 45,000 feet, an industry-setting record. The flight test was conducted in the challenging high altitude environment required for refueling of high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Wake turbulence between the two aircraft as well as engine performance and flight control responsiveness in the stratosphere were evaluated. Simulated breakaway maneuvers were also conducted. The January flight was key to reducing risks as the program prepares for autonomous aerial refueling of two Global Hawks in the spring of 2012. "Demonstrating close formation flight of two high altitude aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, is a notable accomplishment," said Geoffrey Sommer, KQ-X program manager at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "When you add autonomous flight of both aircraft into the mix, as we will do later in the KQ-X program, you gain a capability that has mission applications far beyond just aerial refueling." The $33 million DARPA KQ-X program will demonstrate autonomous fuel transfer between two Global Hawks, enabling flights of up to one week endurance. KQ-X is a follow-on to a 2006 DARPA Autonomous Aerial Refueling Demonstration (AARD), in joint effort with NASA Dryden, which used an F-18 fighter jet as a surrogate unmanned aircraft to autonomously refuel through a probe and drogue from a 707 tanker. Northrop Grumman supports the operation of the two Global Hawks used in the KQ-X program under the terms of a Space Act Agreement with its NASA Dryden partner and is responsible for all engineering design, as well as modification of both aircraft.

/www.irconnect.com

Citation :

Seven-day flight proposed for Global Hawk

Northrop Grumman has revealed an internal goal to perform a seven-day, non-stop flight by the RQ-4 Global Hawk after completing in the second quarter next year an autonomous, high-altitude refuelling (AHR) demonstration.
The proposed endurance flight is aimed at proving that adding in-flight refuelling to a currently 30hr-endurance RQ-4 will beat a new class of potential rivals powered by liquid hydrogen fuel, such as the AeroVironment Global Observer and the Boeing Phantom Ray.
"That is the goal," says Jeff Summers, Northrop's programme manager for the AHR demonstration. "That's one of the strategic imperatives here is to demonstrate a reliably low-risk and low-cost approach to extending the range of a high-altitude [unmanned air vehicles]."
Summers described propulsion systems relying on advanced fuels as inherently risky compared to achieving ultra-endurance using autonomous, high-altitude refuelling technology.
"We see this as an alternative that builds upon existing technologies," Summers says.
The seven-day flight by the Global Hawk is not yet funded under the DARPA $33 million AHR programme, which was awarded to Northrop last July.
But the Global Hawk will be capable of performing the flight at the end of the funded programme, awaiting only DARPA's go-ahead and funding to launch the seven-day flight demonstration, Simmers adds.
For the AHR demonstration, Northrop is modifying two NASA-owned Global Hawks -- AV-1 and AV-6 - to serve as a tanker and a receiver. The AV-1 tanker will be equipped with a hose reel in the nose radome, with AV-6 equipped with a probe.
The two aircraft will rendevous with a Sierra Nevada guidance system using differential GPS and an optical tracker to guide AV-1's drogue into the AV-6 probe. The concept uses a reverse flow refuelling system, so the AV-1 tanker pushes fuel into the AV-6 flying up to 15m in front. Using this method requires Northrop to modify only a few tankers to manoeuvre in close formation with another unmanned system, Summers says.
Northrop plans to complete a series of autonomous dry engagements by the end of this year using the AV-1 and AV-2 Global Hawks. In the wet engagement flights next year, the AV-1 will offload 1,361kg (3,000lb), wait 3hr, then offload another 1,361kg, Summers says.
On 21 January, Northrop completed a flight simulating refuelling distances between the unmanned AV-6 Global Hawk receiver and the manned Scaled Composites Proteus operating as a tanker.

flightglobal

Citation :

BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation sign MoU to develop UAS proposal


BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate exclusively on the preparation and submission of a joint proposal to the UK and French Ministries of Defence for the design, development, production and support of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The MoU will enable the two companies to establish a framework under which they may jointly pursue this long term business opportunity.

This signature follows the United Kingdom and French Governments agreement at the Anglo-French Summit in November 2010 to collaborate on the next generation MALE UAS to meet the requirements of both countries.

BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation have already completed a joint MALE UAS feasibility study for the United Kingdom and French Governments. This study has given both companies the confidence to move to the next stage of developing a joint proposal that will harness the considerable UAS capabilities of both BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation.

Kevin Taylor, Managing Director Military Air & Information at BAE Systems said: “A successful BAE Systems/Dassault Aviation solution will ensure that the UK and France maintain their status as leading providers of aerospace capability. It will also ensure that both countries get the best return on the investment they have made in state-of-the-art technologies and UASs. We have a strong team in place that is ready to develop the future frontline UAS capability required by both the UK and France.”

Eric Trappier, Executive Vice President International at Dassault Aviation also commented: “BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation's joint experience and proven capabilities, together with an efficient co-operation process, allow us to offer a MALE UAS that will provide the UK and France with a cost-effective intelligent autonomous exploitation system to meet both countries’ military requirements to schedule and within the budgetary constraints under which both governments will operate in future. We look forward to a swift development go-ahead decision from the two governments soon.”

defpro

Citation :

Northrop Grumman Completes Structural Proof Testing of Second X-47B Aircraft Tests Prove That Tailless, Unmanned Jet Can Operate Safely in All Planned Flight Test Environments

PALMDALE, Calif., March 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Navy's second X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) will be able to withstand all of the structural stresses and strains associated with takeoff, flight and landing – including those uniquely linked with landing or taking off from the moving, pitching deck of an aircraft carrier. That's the conclusion of an analysis by a Navy/Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) test team following a rigorous, five-week series of structural proof tests of the jet's airframe. A photo showing the airframe in its dynamic proof test fixture is available at [url=http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=8867]http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=8867[/url]. The tests on X-47B air vehicle 2 (AV-2), conducted at Northrop Grumman's X-47B assembly and test facility in Palmdale, were completed Jan. 24, one week ahead of schedule. Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the Unmanned Combat Air System – Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. "The proof tests validate the structural design of the aircraft, and give us confidence that we can operate this plane safely and reliably in all anticipated carrier environments," said Janis Pamiljans, vice president of the Navy UCAS program for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "In particular, we now know that AV-2 can handle the stresses, strains and dynamic loads associated with catapult launches and arrested landings on the carrier deck, and air-to-air refueling." AV-2 is identical to the first X-47B UCAS demonstration aircraft (AV-1) – which successfully completed its historic 29-minute first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on Feb. 4 – except that it will be equipped with aerial refueling equipment. Northrop Grumman plans to use AV-2 to demonstrate unmanned air-to-air refueling – using both the U.S. Air Force's boom/receptacle approach and the Navy's probe and drogue approach – in 2014 as part of a technology demonstration related to the current UCAS-D contract. The proof testing performed on AV-2 simulated eight design conditions, such as a 3-G symmetrical pull up and a 2.4G rolling pullout; and five conditions expected to occur on the ground, including takeoff and landing, said Sarah Beaudin, Northrop Grumman's AV-2 manager. One of the ground tests included pulling on the nose gear (to simulate a catapult launch) and the tail hook (to simulate an arrested landing on the carrier deck) at the same time to provide a special combined load case for test with the required margins. One of the flight conditions simulated the forces produced by turbulence that could occur during air-to-air refueling, a more demanding requirement than that used to proof test AV-1 in 2009. "To perform the testing, we bonded pads to 200 points on the airframe surface, and then pushed and pulled on those pads using hydraulic jacks to simulate various static and dynamic load conditions," explained Beaudin. "By measuring the stresses and strains experienced by the airframe in this test environment, we'll also be able to measure and interpret more accurately the stresses and strains experienced during flight." Proof testing is one of the last few tests that AV-2 will undergo in Palmdale before its transition later this spring to Edwards Air Force Base for more system tests, taxi tests and first flight. Before that move occurs, the test team plans to test and calibrate the aircraft's fuel system, and paint the aircraft. Under a UCAS-D contract awarded in 2007, Northrop Grumman has designed, developed and produced two X-47B aircraft. In 2013, these aircraft will be used to demonstrate the first carrier-based launches and recoveries by an autonomous, strike-fighter sized unmanned aircraft. The UCAS-D program will also be used to mature relevant carrier landing and integration technologies, and to demonstrate autonomous aerial refueling by the X-47B aircraft. Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes GKN Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Eaton, GE, Hamilton Sundstrand, Dell, Honeywell, Goodrich, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Title: X-47B UCAS Air Vehicle 2 Proof Testing Format: JPEG Dimensions: 3000 (w) x 1996 (h) File Size: 2.06 MB Source: Northrop Grumman Corp. [ Download Hi Res ] Caption: The second X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System produced by Northrop Grumman has successfully completed a series of structural proof tests of the jet's airframe at the company's aircraft assembly facility in Palmdale, Calif. In the photo, technicians verify that the hydraulic jacks that push and pull on the airframe surfaces to simulate static and dynamic loads are installed properly. The tests prove that the tailless aircraft can withstand the structural stresses and strains associated with landing and taking off from the moving, pitching deck of an aircraft carrier. Please visit [url=http://www.northropgrumman.com/]www.northropgrumman.com[/url] for more information.

quel avenir , à long terme , pour les pilotes dans un monde dominé par les drones

les piloter,comme avec les pilotes de F16 USAF retirés.

Citation :

Euro Hawk Undergoes Testing At Edwards AFB

The Euro Hawk is an unmanned aircraft that has been authorized by U.S. officials for direct commercial sales to representatives of allied countries.

Engineers with the 772nd Test Squadron facilitated electromagnetic interference testing on a Euro Hawk unmanned aircraft at the Benefield Anechoic Facility here March 10 and 11.
They teamed with representatives of Northrop Grumman Corporation and the German government to complete the testing.
The Euro Hawk is similar to the Air Force's operational RQ-4 Global Hawk, and although EMI testing already has been conducted on the Global Hawk, the Euro Hawk has never been flown in the unique radio frequency environment of Europe.
"There are radars and radio stations. Our civilization is filled with electromagnetic sources," said Daniel Suh, NGC Euro Hawk System engineering manager. "In highly populated areas there are more emitters so there's risk associated in flying an unmanned aircraft in those environments.
"The BAF provided some unique testing to reduce that risk," he said.
Because of the BAF's design, it allows testers to evaluate the aircraft's radio emissions and absorptions in an environment that is sanitized of outside radio frequencies. This prevents those sources from interfering and compromising the tests.
Suh said interference could have an effect on the avionics of any aircraft with electronic equipment. Communications and navigation systems are a few examples of electronic equipment that could potentially face detrimental EMI effects, including failure.
The BAF is capable of simulating different electromagnetic interference and Maj. Corey Beaverson, the 772nd TS operations director, said the test team subjected the Euro Hawk to EMI environments they believe the aircraft will encounter in Europe.
"We know there are certain environments that the Euro Hawk is going to be subjected to across the ocean and while operating in its intended role," Beaverson said.
"Are those environments going to be safe from an electromagnetic interference and compatibility perspective? Partnering with the Global Vigilance Combined Test Force, Northrop Grumman and our German allies, we've developed a series of tests to see how the aircraft reacts to some known electromagnetic fields."
"What the BAF is doing is providing a clean (radio frequency) environment and we are subjecting the Euro Hawk to electric fields at a variety of frequencies that are representative of what we understand the electromagnetic environment to be in Europe," he said.
"We adjusted different frequency ranges," Suh said. "There are specific frequencies that we look at using the antennas within the BAF, as well as adjusting energy levels."
The Euro Hawk is an unmanned aircraft that has been authorized by U.S. officials for direct commercial sales to representatives of allied countries.
Suh said German Ministry of Defence officials specifically wanted the Euro Hawk tested at the BAF because of the facility's unique capabilities.
This is one part of the Euro Hawk's comprehensive testing at Edwards AFB that has been a collaborative effort between the U.S. military, private industry and a foreign ally.
"I think it's a great team," Suh said.
"We rolled into the BAF at the end of January. Previously, we coordinated with the Combined Test Force as well as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, (Ohio), in going through our detailed test plan ... making sure our test objectives were achievable before coming to the BAF. It's been a great experience."
The Euro Hawk has been undergoing flight testing at Edwards AFB since last year and is expected to complete its visit to the high desert during the summer.

spacewar

Citation :

Northrop Grumman Begins Testing of New Multi-Function Active Sensor Developed for Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Applications


April 25, 2011 by Rob Vogelaar · Comments Off

NORWALK, Conn., April 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced the start of system tests of a new Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) being developed here for use by the U.S. Navy onboard the MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS).
The MFAS is a 360-degree field-of-regard active electronically scanned array radar designed for maritime surveillance. The X-Band two-dimensional sensor features a combination of electronic scanning and a mechanical rotation, allowing the radar to spotlight a geographic area of interest for longer periods to increase detection capabilities of smaller targets, particularly in sea clutter.
“BAMS will provide the Navy with a very capable persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system to provide a capability to detect, track, classify, and identify maritime and littoral targets,” said Capt. Bob Dishman, the Navy’s BAMS UAS program manager.
“With our successful Critical Design Review behind us and sensor testing underway, our customer-industry team is rapidly pulling the components together that will result in first MQ-4C flight next year,” said Steve Enewold, Northrop Grumman vice president for the BAMS program.
The MFAS tests are being conducted in a laboratory environment at Northrop Grumman and are expected to continue over the next several months in parallel with ongoing radar software mode development and hardware synchronization and integration activities.
The first MFAS sensor is scheduled for delivery to Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector facility in San Diego, Calif., in June with a second sensor slated for delivery in September. Risk reduction flight tests of the MFAS are planned for later this year onboard the company’s Gulfstream II test-bed aircraft.
“This is a very significant first step toward providing the U.S. Navy warfighter with a new and powerful ISR capability,” said Paul “Buz” Kalafos, vice president of Surveillance Systems at Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector.
The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C BAMS UAS is a versatile maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft system that will perform maritime missions independently or in direct collaboration with fleet assets. BAMS UAS will play a key role in providing fleet commanders with a persistent, reliable picture of maritime surface contacts, covering vast areas of open ocean and littoral regions in a highly efficient manner.
The BAMS UAS program is managed by the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons’ Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262), located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
The BAMS UAS is the latest addition to a growing family of unmanned systems developed by Northrop Grumman. The BAMS UAS system builds on the company’s more than 60 years experience with unmanned aircraft and autonomous flight control, including thousands of flight hours by the combat-proven RQ-4 Global Hawk, the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial system (VTUAV)—the first completely autonomous VTUAV aircraft to land aboard a Navy vessel underway—and the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System—the first unmanned air vehicle scheduled to perform carrier landings.
Source and photo: Northrop Grumman

Citation :

Unmanned airborne system reaches 7,500 feet, 178 knots


ST. LOUIS, May 3, 2011 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system (UAS) successfully completed its first flight April 27 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The 17-minute flight took place following a series of high-speed taxi tests in March that validated ground guidance, navigation and control and verified mission planning, pilot interface and operational procedures. Phantom Ray flew to 7,500 feet and reached a speed of 178 knots.
"This day has been two-and-a-half years in the making," said Darryl Davis, president, Boeing Phantom Works. "It's the beginning of providing our customers with a test bed to develop future unmanned systems technology, and a testament to the capabilities resident within Boeing. Just as follow-on tests will expand Phantom Ray's flight envelope, they also will help Boeing expand its presence in the unmanned systems market."
The flight demonstrated Phantom Ray's basic airworthiness, setting the stage for additional flights in the next few weeks. These company-funded flights will prepare Phantom Ray to support potential missions that may include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack; strike; and autonomous air refueling.
"The first flight moves us farther into the next phase of unmanned aircraft," said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager for Boeing. "Autonomous, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft are real, and the UAS bar has been raised. Now I’m eager to see how high that bar will go."
Phantom Ray is one of several programs in Phantom Works, including Phantom Eye, that is part of a rapid prototyping initiative to design, develop and build advanced aircraft and then demonstrate their capabilities. Boeing's portfolio of UAS solutions also includes the A160T Hummingbird, Integrator, ScanEagle and SolarEagle.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 66,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

some stealth UCAVs:

dassault nEUROn

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British BAE Taranis

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American X-47A/B Pegasus

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there is no doubt that the future of air combat will depend on UCAVs especialy the 3 above .
dassault is actualy working on the integration of an air-to-air missile system into "nEUROn" and if they succeed they will take aerial warfare into a whole new dimension , an USAF.col meant that the weakest element in a fighter jet is the pilot because its made of flesh, blood & bones and overcoming that problem will give those planes the flexibility to do drills that no one can even imagine.

i suggest you to read this document, its a thesis presented from a Major in the Air university Alabama :

UCAV – THE NEXT GENERATION AIR-SUPERIORITY FIGHTER?

Citation :

Adam Stock, lead pilot for 29 Palms Unmanned Aerial Systems, pilots a Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle over Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., May 19, 2011, in support of Global Medic 2011 and Warrior 91 11-01. Global Medic is a joint Reserve field training exercise for theater aeromedical evacuation system and ground medical components designed to replicate all aspects of combat medical service support.