Comment Boeing Phantom Works Project (Score 1) 753
For those of you who want to a know a little about the next-gen unmanned aerial combat vehicles try Boeing's X-45.
Length: 27ft
Wingspan: 34ft
Weight: 8,000lbs (empty)
Payload: 3,000lbs
Acquisition Cost: 65% Less than Manned Fighter Aircraft
Maintenance Cost: 75% Less than Current Systems
Timeframe to Deployment: 2007-2010
Unique Qualities: stealth aircraft; wings can be removed; vehicle can be containerized for shipment or storage.
Typical Mission: a typical mission scenario, multiple UCAVs will be equipped with preprogrammed objectives and preliminary targeting information from ground-based mission planners. Operations can then be carried out autonomously, but can also be managed interactively or revised en route by UCAV controllers should new objectives or targeting information dictate.
X-45 Stats:
Primary Mission: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)Length: 27ft
Wingspan: 34ft
Weight: 8,000lbs (empty)
Payload: 3,000lbs
Acquisition Cost: 65% Less than Manned Fighter Aircraft
Maintenance Cost: 75% Less than Current Systems
Timeframe to Deployment: 2007-2010
Unique Qualities: stealth aircraft; wings can be removed; vehicle can be containerized for shipment or storage.
Typical Mission: a typical mission scenario, multiple UCAVs will be equipped with preprogrammed objectives and preliminary targeting information from ground-based mission planners. Operations can then be carried out autonomously, but can also be managed interactively or revised en route by UCAV controllers should new objectives or targeting information dictate.
