WT Forums

<i>Boeing Unmanned Combat Aircraft Makes Aviation History Boeing Unmanned Combat Aircraft Makes Aviation History



ST. LOUIS, April 18, 2004 – Target confirmation, arm and release consent. With those three commands from its human operator, a Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-45A unmanned combat aircraft made aviation history by releasing an inert (non-explosive) Global Positioning System-guided Small Smart Bomb and hitting a ground target today at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Range, China Lake, Calif.

“For the first time, an unmanned combat system has demonstrated that it can successfully deliver precision weapons on target,” said Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “Unmanned systems like the X-45 are well suited for high-risk missions like the suppression of enemy air defense and precision strike. Once fully developed, these systems will provide commanders with effective and affordable solutions that compliment and support warfighters on the ground, in the air, or at sea.”

During the test an operator authorized release, and when the aircraft determined it was within range the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) X-45A technology demonstrator dropped the guided 250-pound weapon from its internal weapons bay at 35,000 ft. and 0.67 Mach (approximately 442 mph). The aircraft autonomously performed all maneuvers, bay door operations, and weapon-away release sequences under human operator supervision.

The next major milestone for the X-45 J-UCAS program will be the demonstration of multiple-vehicle coordinated flight. That event will take place following a series of single-vehicle checkout operations and coordinated flights between an X-45A and a manned T-33.

The X-45C, a much larger version of the A model, is being built by Boeing IDS in St. Louis, with its first flight scheduled for mid-2006. The J-UCAS X-45 program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy/Boeing effort to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of an unmanned air combat system for both the Air Force and the Navy.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.


</i>

"“For the first time, an unmanned combat system has demonstrated that it can successfully deliver precision weapons on target,”"

Erm, what about Predator???

"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."

Kipling-

<shrugs>
I think Boeing didn't count the Predator because they thought it was an "ad-hoc" type of thing.

I have a pic of a BGM34C target drone with a Maverick mounted under a wing, the book is from 1988. I dont know if it ever flew, but the pic IS there just the same.

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us". George Orwell

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
<img src="http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/atengun2X.GIF" border=0>

_________________
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

I think they say the first time because everything was programmed, no human "pilot" like a predator....not sure though...

<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/70th.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/Mav_shot.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/25.jpg" border=0>

_________________

The differnce is that the X-45 navigated to a predetermined point. and dropped a " guided free fall inget" onto a "Fixed" Target under autonomous Conditions.

IT utilised a GPS guided weapon. It calculated the release point by taking in Course, Speed, Deck referance and "Bomb Tables" The impact point was known, All it needed to do was make those very same calculations that is allready done in Auto or CCRP of a Modern Fighter and maintain its course to prevent the "Course line drift error" that would signify a difference between a hit and a errant bomb.

The simple course release error is the one factor where a pilot can turn a "Guided free fall bomb" into a stupid off course bomb. It happens, Ive done it and many others have. It is very critical to be careful of how and when you release the bomb within that Course to the target.

A laser designated weapon in the 2000lb class has farther and longer to fall, and has its own unique WEZ that is just as easy to screw up. this is what brought us into the GPS munition age. Their are some other factors that I wont go into.

When you are taking a 60,000lb fighter deep into enemy territory, and your Rown the boat avoiding all the shit the Ground forces are throwing at you. It can be very stressfull to find the correct target, and know the exact time to release and when to "Guide" the weapon, while at the same time not trying to get your ass waxed in the process. This is why we have the F18E/F15E/F14A-D. So that the WSO can concentrate on the Target activities and the pilot takes care of the Steer and Threat Avoidance. Its one hell of a workload in a High Threat enviroment.

This is the purpose of the X-45. To do this same Mission profile to Hit the Static Targets. And allow the othe assets to go after the static targets.

Personally i think it takes away from the adventure of being a Tactical Aviator.....

The predator uses a laser Designated missile under remote operator DESIGNATION.

Again differnt weapon and differnt criteria.

The predator has dropped GPS type weapons in concept but not in the Class and weight that the X-45 does.

"The power to Destroy the planet, is insignifigant to the power of the Air Force----Mudd Vader