Boeing X-46 UCAS
On 30 June 2000 DARPA and the U.S. Navy awarded two contracts for the first phase of the Naval Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV-N) Advanced Technology Program (ATP). Boeing and Northrop Grumman will each receive $2 million for the initial 15-month trade study, analyses, and preliminary design phase.
The goal of the joint DARPA/Navy project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility for a Naval UCAV system to effectively and affordably conduct sea-based suppression of enemy air defenses, strike, and surveillance missions. At the conclusion of the15-month preliminary design phase, DoD will decide whether to proceed with the second phase. DoD would select one or both contractors for the second phase to complete the development and demonstration of critical UCAV-N system technologies.
The Boeing X-46 UCAV-N program takes advantage of the work carried out under the DARPA/USAF UCAV program. However, the naval program adds surveillance to the mission set, and will include a significant focus on issues of naval shipboard integration. Initially, the program will emphasize a vehicle that can be launched from existing aircraft carriers using the standard catapult, and recovered using the existing arresting system. Other techniques may be investigated later during the program.
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| Boeing X-46 UCAS |
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