UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

16 Jul 07. Decision Looms on UCAS-D. A decision could come as early as July 19 on which of two competitors will continue to develop a new carrier-based strike UAV for the U.S. Navy. The competition for the Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) is between Boeing’s X-45N and Northrop Grumman’s X-47B test aircraft. One of those companies will be chosen as the prime contractor to build and fly the new UAV. The program is intended to develop the first UAVs specifically designed for combat operations from aircraft carriers, with characteristics that will give the Navy a major new long-range strike capability, program proponents say. The UCAS-D aircraft — also known as UCAS-N, for Navy — “will be the arm of a global strike network,” said Bob Work, a naval analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, during a July 11 briefing at the U.S. Capitol. Work said the long-range aircraft “can add a margin of range, stealth and persistence not seen in past carrier air wings.” Both single-engine jet competitors were part of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program, which was dissolved in early 2006. Intended to provide a UAV for both the Navy and Air Force, it was dropped in the Quadrennial Defense Review, which favored concentrating development on a long-range carrier-based strike aircraft. Boeing’s X-45 was first developed as a land-based aircraft, while Northrop’s X-47 was designed from the outset as a carrier plane — an aspect Northrop feels gives it a leg up on the contest. (Source: Defense News)
Jul 07. Emmen Aerospace unveils new versions of the Condor VUASCharleston, SC. Emmen aerospace unveiled today its new versions of the successful CONDOR A electric unmanned helicopter. To join the family is the Condor B, a gas powered helicopter that is 1 foot longer than the Condor A. It can carry 5 Lbs of payload with an endurance of 6 hours, or carry up to 25 Lbs of payload. It has an operational radius of 40miles and can fly at speeds of 70 mph. Like the earlier version it is fully automatic from takeoff to landing. The Condor T “Interceptor” is equipped with a heavy fuel turbine engine. It can fly at a speed of 90mph, for 2 hours with 5 Lbs of payload or carry up to 25Lbs of payload. The Condor C, is a larger gas powered version, capable of carrying 16 Lbs of payload for 3.5 Hours, or carrying up to 50 Lbs of payload. (Source: Shephard)