The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has revealed plans for a next-generation, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that could replace the U-2 and Global Hawk from 2025. The company has launched an internally-funded study of a stealthy jet designated the TR-X that might also carry alternative payloads such as a high-energy laser, or for electronic warfare. Lockheed Martin (LM) believes that a U.S. requirement for the TR-X could emerge within the next 18 months.
In a media briefing on the U-2 in Palmdale, CA last month, LM officials made passing reference to the project, labeling it the RQ-X, suggesting an unmanned, purely ISR platform. They have since changed the designation to TR-X for ‘tactical reconnaissance’, reflecting the potential multi-mission capability, and optional manning. However, an LM official told AIN that, “we’re leaning away from optional manning, since by the time the TR-X is available, the FAA should have resolved the current issues on the airspace integration of UAVs. Incidentally, the U-2 was re-designated TR-1 in the 1980s, but this cosmetic re-branding was subsequently dropped.
The TR-X would feature some key characteristics of today’s U-2, such as modular payloads, a high-power (45 Kva) generator, networked communications, and rapid deploy-ability. The study will have to determine whether a new powerplant is necessary, or whether to use the U-2’s General Electric F118engine, which has proved to be very reliable and economic. The TR-X would also have open missions systems (OMS) architecture, similar to the one that was recently test-flown on a U-2. A company official said that the platform would not be completely autonomous, because that would reduce operational flexibility. Adaptability must be a key characteristic to take account of as-yet unknown future needs, he added.
Lockheed Martin program officials declined to answer questions from AIN on the status of the highly-classified Penetrating-ISR (P-ISR) high-altitude platform that Northrop Grumman (NG) has built and probably test-flown at Groom Lake, Nev. But two other persons with some knowledge of the program suggested to AIN that NG had missed the opportunity to get it right. At a briefing for the Air Force Association (AFA) in Washington, D.C., earlier this year, the U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff forISR, Lt Gen Bob Otto, said that it was a challenge to develop something that could operate on Day Zero of a conflict in denied airspace, yet also be a cost-effective ISR platform for Phases Two and Three. Otto said that the Air Force was evaluating the right balance between these missions,and making decisions on investment right now.
Source: AIN Online