UAVs and UCAVs

Enquirer

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
3,567
Likes
9,357
............................................
When I suggested that the unmanned Tejas (under-development) could possibly be used as a refueling buddy/mule, one moron on this forum made fun of the idea!

Unmanned Tejas refueler with bare bones avionics (no radar, no SPJ, no RWR, no MAWS, no pilot survival gear) can be cheaply produced; and can carry nearly 5 tonnes of fuel (other than fuel for it's own self) that can refuel any aircraft.
 

G10

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Messages
461
Likes
621
Country flag
When I suggested that the unmanned Tejas (under-development) could possibly be used as a refueling buddy/mule, one moron on this forum made fun of the idea!

Unmanned Tejas refueler with bare bones avionics (no radar, no SPJ, no RWR, no MAWS, no pilot survival gear) can be cheaply produced; and can carry nearly 5 tonnes of fuel (other than fuel for it's own self) that can refuel any aircraft.
Why waste turbi jets where turbo fans are needed? Bad Idea indeed. Firstly amount of fuel carried will be less and on top of it it will consume more fuel as compared to turbo prop. There is a thing called economics of war. Forces and their machines need to be lean and mean.
 

Enquirer

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
3,567
Likes
9,357
Why waste turbi jets where turbo fans are needed? Bad Idea indeed. Firstly amount of fuel carried will be less and on top of it it will consume more fuel as compared to turbo prop. There is a thing called economics of war. Forces and their machines need to be lean and mean.
Yeah, right!!
Your gonna design/develop a brand new aircraft (take 15-20 years) to save few liters of kerosene!!!

Also, I wrote extensively earlier on why smaller/unmanned refuelers are much better than a large flying tanker (that can only refuel at the max 2 fighters at a time.....).

If you're so stuck up on fuel economy then think this:
Large tankers just 'loiter' and waste fuel; and not to mention the fuel wasted by the fighters 'lined up' Small/unmanned refueler will go to fighters on their sortie route and help refuel.
 

blackhawk_80

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2018
Messages
33
Likes
16
The Bayraktar UAV System, developed in accordance with the concept of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance class UAV, is equipped with national and orogonal fully automatic flight control features, a three back-up control system achitecture, and unique navigation and sensor fusion applications. The Bayraktar TB2 has a cruising speed of 70 knots with an operational flight altitude of 24,000 feet, 24 hours of flight time and a communication range of 150 km and has a 12-m wing span, 650-kg maximum take-off weight and a 55-kg payload capacity. The Bayraktar TB2 is used by the Turkish Armed Forces and is able to employ MAM and MAM-L ammunitions and UMTAS missiles.



 

Jaguar_1432

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Messages
24
Likes
19
Industry teams led by Blue Star Bear Systems Research, Boeing Defence UK, and Callen-Lenz have been awarded contracts by the UK Royal Air Force to complete the preliminary design of a low cost-unmanned combat aircraft that can operate alongside manned fast jets as part of future air power mix.
 

asianobserve

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
12,846
Likes
8,556
Country flag
Boeing accelerates ‘Loyal Wingman’ drone program


Boeing is advancing efforts to introduce new digital engineering capabilities as it prepares for the first flight of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Loyal Wingman prototype in 2020.

“Our aircraft and mission system is well advanced in our rigorous design and test program, bolstered by Boeing’s adoption of digital engineering,” said Dr. Shane Arnott, director of Boeing’s Phantom Works International. “As a result, we have a live digital copy of the entire aircraft design that we’ve been able to “fly” thousands of times under different scenarios to test aircraft performance and the mission system.”

https://defence-blog.com/army/boeing-accelerates-loyal-wingman-drone-program.html
https://defence-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Boeing-Loyal-Wingman-Drone-0-Hero-1087x725.jpg
 

bhramos

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
25,625
Likes
37,233
Country flag
#ComethTheSwarm!!! #DARPA has begun accepting proposals for its 4th #swarm #UAV sprint in OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program. Similar #DistributedIntelligence based, #AutonomousSwarm architecture development is also happening in #India Gud Luck Guys

#MakeInIndia

 

Jaguar_1432

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Messages
24
Likes
19


AeroVironment (AV) showcased two new rotary-winged vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs at the DSEI 2019 exhibition in London. On 10 September, a company representative said, that the US Department of Defense already fielding the Vapor 35 and larger Vapor 55 UASs. DSEI 2019 was the first time the company had promoted the platforms to the wider international market. The all-electric UASs are named after their respective gross weights, with the Vapor 35 having a gross weight of 35 lb and the Vapor 55 - 55 lb. Originally developed by Pulse Aerospace before that company was acquired by AV earlier in 2019, the Vapor-series differ primarily from other rotary-winged VTOL UASs on the market in that they both can caryy a range of interchangeable payloads for intellicence, surveillance and reconnaisance and other missions, and the larger platforms has a payload-drop capability for troop-in-contact resupply, blood drops, and the like.
 

bhramos

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
25,625
Likes
37,233
Country flag
Chinese Stealth Drones
Dark Sword drone or Sharp Sword drone I guess
 

asianobserve

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
12,846
Likes
8,556
Country flag
Payload tests for XQ-58A set for early 2020

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions expects to be on a contract before the end of September 2019 to integrate communications and autonomy payloads into its XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned air vehicle (UAV).

“We know the airplane works. Now, put some sensors and systems on it that are configured in the way that you would ultimately use the airplane,” says Fendley. “We'll be integrating things into the weapons bay and there are two major payload bays on the forward section of the airplane – we will be integrating in all those areas.”

The Valkyrie has a modular nose cone and front midsection, as well as plug and play interfaces, to allow sensor hardware to be quickly swapped in and out, he adds.

Speaking hypothetically about future capabilities, Fendley also says the recently unveiled Raytheon Peregrine, a half-sized, medium-range, air-to-air missile, could be carried in the XQ-58A’s weapons bay. The Lockheed Martin Cuda might be another air-to-air missile candidate, he says.

The UAV’s weapons bay is sized to carry four small diameter bombs, but could fit at least two Peregrine-sized air-to-air missiles, says Fendley. Adding air-to-air missiles to the XQ-58A would help fulfill one of its envisioned roles as an escort wingman for manned aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II or Boeing Super Hornet F/A-18E/F.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/payload-tests-for-xq-58a-set-for-early-2020-460947/


 

asianobserve

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
12,846
Likes
8,556
Country flag
Bell showcases Vigilant tiltrotor unmanned aerial vehicle during Modern Day Marine Expo


The Bell V-247 is combining the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The revolutionary UAS is designed to provide unmatched long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance capability and lethal reach, as well as runway independence to operate successfully in maritime environments and locations without secure runway availability.

The Bell V-247 Vigilant is designed to combine unparalleled capability with unprecedented flexibility to execute a wide array of mission sets, including electronic warfare, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), escort, C4 (Command, Control, Communications, and Computers), persistent fire missions and tactical distribution. The UAS is expected to accomplish all of this with the benefits of extended endurance through plug-and-play mission packages.

The Bell V-247 Vigilant offers a dynamic profile that is uniquely suited to complete highly versatile operations and support missions. It is designed to provide extended range flying from land or ship, matchless expeditionary capabilities and to remain on-station with heightened loiter times for extended periods. With its signature blade fold wing stow design, it will fit inside a DDG hangar space, and two can be loaded on a C-17 aircraft. The open architecture of the modular payload system enhances flexibility for aircraft customization by mission type.

The bays on the Bell V-247 Vigilant are designed to carry high definition sensors, fuel, sonar buoys, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) modules, 360-degree surface radar modules, an MK-50 torpedo or Hellfire or JAGM missiles optimally. Regardless of the need, the Bell V-247 Vigilant easily integrates into priority mission sets to complete multiple airborne requirements.

https://defence-blog.com/news/bell-...al-vehicle-during-modern-day-marine-expo.html

TERMINATOR is coming... :scared2:
 

Deathstar

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
2,333
Likes
7,357
Country flag
Bell showcases Vigilant tiltrotor unmanned aerial vehicle during Modern Day Marine Expo


The Bell V-247 is combining the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The revolutionary UAS is designed to provide unmatched long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance capability and lethal reach, as well as runway independence to operate successfully in maritime environments and locations without secure runway availability.

The Bell V-247 Vigilant is designed to combine unparalleled capability with unprecedented flexibility to execute a wide array of mission sets, including electronic warfare, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), escort, C4 (Command, Control, Communications, and Computers), persistent fire missions and tactical distribution. The UAS is expected to accomplish all of this with the benefits of extended endurance through plug-and-play mission packages.

The Bell V-247 Vigilant offers a dynamic profile that is uniquely suited to complete highly versatile operations and support missions. It is designed to provide extended range flying from land or ship, matchless expeditionary capabilities and to remain on-station with heightened loiter times for extended periods. With its signature blade fold wing stow design, it will fit inside a DDG hangar space, and two can be loaded on a C-17 aircraft. The open architecture of the modular payload system enhances flexibility for aircraft customization by mission type.

The bays on the Bell V-247 Vigilant are designed to carry high definition sensors, fuel, sonar buoys, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) modules, 360-degree surface radar modules, an MK-50 torpedo or Hellfire or JAGM missiles optimally. Regardless of the need, the Bell V-247 Vigilant easily integrates into priority mission sets to complete multiple airborne requirements.

https://defence-blog.com/news/bell-...al-vehicle-during-modern-day-marine-expo.html

TERMINATOR is coming... :scared2:
Unmanned ospreys wow superb......
 

Global Defence

Articles

Top