UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE
09 Apr 09. US Air Force speeds JDAM integration on Reaper. The US Air Force (USAF) plans to transform its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into all-weather strike platforms by integrating GPS satellite-guided weapons. According to senior USAF officers involved in UAV operations, the plan will come to fruition this year. Colonel John Montgomery, vice commander of the USAF’S 432rd Wing, told Jane’s that the service was “moving quickly” to add the 500 lb Boeing GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) to weapons available for use on the Reaper. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)
20 Apr 09. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced the introduction of its next generation aircraft in the extremely successful Predator® UAS series, Predator C Avenger®. The first flight of the new multi-mission jet-powered Avenger occurred on April 4 at the company’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., with the aircraft landing without any discrepancies and ready to fly again once refueled. Subsequent flights were successfully executed on April 13 and April 14, with the test program now ongoing. Avenger was designed and developed with the intent of making a UAS that was more survivable in higher threat environments and to provide the U.S. Air Force and other potential customers with an expanded quick-response armed reconnaissance capability. The aircraft will have higher operational and transit speeds than current Predator-series aircraft, resulting in fast response and rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability. Wide-area surveillance, armed reconnaissance, border surveillance, time-sensitive strike, and quick response capability missions for use against conventional and asymmetric threats (e.g., terrorists, pirates) are among its key missions.
21 Apr 09. The Air Force is awarding a fixed price incentive firm contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for $21,600,000. This contract will provide advance procurement of LRIP Lot nine selected long lead items required to meet the production schedule of two Global Hawk Block 30 and three Global Hawk Block 40 Air Vehicles as well as the selected long lead items for the ASIP sensors. At this time, $21,600,000 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-09-C-4001).