Officials at West 2011, an annual defence industry conference in San Diego hosted by AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute, revealed that the US Navy is accelerating the development of a carrier-based combat UAS, reports National Defense Magazine. Navy Undersecretary Robert Work said that the department is planning to add $800 million to the budget for the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft programme.
That will increase the total number of VTUAV robotic systems to 60 aircraft from 22. There are five Fire Scouts deployed: two aboard the USS Halyburton (FFG-40), and three en route to Afghanistan as part of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance task force. The Navy also is investing $1 billion in the medium-range UAS, a vertical launch unmanned system scheduled to enter service in 2019. It is seen as a replacement or upgrade for the Fire Scout. The aircraft will have greater lift capability and will have a range of 300 miles.
An unmanned intelligence-collection aircraft that would fly off carrier decks also is being pursued. The Navy last year added $2 billion to the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System, or U-CLASS, program. Several companies, including Boeing, General Atomics and Northrop Grumman, have developed systems that could ultimately compete for a contract. The Navy has solicited preliminary information from industry. In this year’s budget, the service is adding $500 million to the programme to continue development of the technology.
The UCLASS is based on an earlier programme known as unmanned combat aircraft system, which was a joint effort with the Air Force until that service dropped out suddenly in 2006. The Navy carried on with Northrop Grumman’s X-47B demonstrator aircraft, which recently completed low- and medium-speed taxi tests in California. High speed taxi tests are scheduled for next year.
The first flight of the UCAS aircraft is scheduled for next month. Carrier-based tests could happen in 2012 or 2013. Initial operating capability is scheduled for 2018.
For more details, read the full story in the National Defense Magazine blog.