Scaled Composites Model 432 "Silver Fox" UAS

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A recent NASA document has two entries pertaining to a Scaled Composites Unmanned Aircraft System named the Silver Fox.
Of course, there has been a UAS by the same name, which was a successful ACR/Raytheon/BAE Systems product.
However, this clearly states that the Scaled UAS type is to undergo "flight testing", so we are obviously in the presence of a new type:

Domestic Space Act Agreements Signed After July 31, 2017
Citing NASA’s “Other Transactions Authority” under the Space Act (51 U.S.C. § 20113(e))
(report as of December 31, 2024)

https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ntaa-domestic-12-31-2024-xls.pdf
ROW NO.: 10​
PAM ID NO.: 38928​
PARTNER NAME: Scaled Composites​
TITLE/PURPOSE: Scaled Composites Silver Fox UAS Flight Testing​
SIGNATURE DATE: 6/6/2024​
EXPIRATION DATE: 6/6/2025​
TYPE OF AGREEMENT: Reimbursable​
TOTAL EST. DOLLAR VALUE: $312,628.56​
CENTER: AFRC​
EXPECTED AGENCY BENEFIT(S): Aeronautics​
ROW NO.: 11​
PAM ID NO.: 38925​
PARTNER NAME: Scaled Composites​
TITLE/PURPOSE: Scaled Composites Silver Fox UAS Flight Testing​
SIGNATURE DATE: 5/30/2024​
EXPIRATION DATE: 5/30/2025​
TYPE OF AGREEMENT: Reimbursable​
TOTAL EST. DOLLAR VALUE: $0.00​
CENTER: AFRC​
EXPECTED AGENCY BENEFIT(S): Aeronautics​
The linked document on Row #11 gives a description of the Silver Fox as follows:
Silver Fox is a low-cost, unmanned, 160lbs, 46-inch span, air-dropped research platform. Assessment of Silver Fox flight testing support includes EAFB airspace coordination and scheduling, mission planning with range safety, ground checks for Silver Fox vehicle at AFRC, control room for flight monitoring with IADS support, range safety officer, and two positions for partner test conductor and guidance, navigation, and control.
The linked document on Row #10 describes the flight test mission as follows:
This Annex shall be for the purpose of demonstrating essential functionality of the Silver Fox vehicle by performing a glide test of the Silver Fox vehicle. Silver Fox will be air-dropped from a Northrop Grumman Defense Systems owned Cessna 208 Caravan at 10K-20K AGL. The C-208 will take off from KMHV Airport, enter R-2515, and proceed directly to drop point. Five Silver Fox tests are designed to reduce risk for future powered flights. This Annex’s objectives include: 1) deployment of wings and fins post separation within a threshold 2) stabilization and control of the vehicle post wing and fin deployment within a threshold 3) system identification through execution of flight test maneuvers during glide 4) characterization of vehicle aero performance 5) evaluate suitability of EAFB for future powered flights.
Onboard parachute recovery system will deploy at a preconfigured altitude. Vehicle is expected to incur damage upon ground contact, even if parachute system functions as intended. Assessment of Silver Fox flight testing support includes EAFB airspace coordination and scheduling, mission planning with range safety, ground checks for Silver Fox vehicle at AFRC, control room for flight monitoring with IADS support, range safety officer, and two positions for partner test conductor and guidance, navigation, and control. Real time aircraft location data will be streamed to the control room and recorded. NASA equipment includes telemetry antenna and receiver that takes in the ethernet telemetry from Silver Fox. Scaled will use NASA antenna and receiver for the flight termination system. The NASA team will support ground retrieval of Silver Fox after each flight.
As you can see in the title, I've described Silver Fox as Scaled's Model 432.
How did I reach that conclusion?
Well, the Silver Fox UAS is to perform "glide tests".
Also, we know that a glider type was registered by Scaled Composites with the registration N432SF.
From these elements, it's easy to infer that "432" is the Model Number, while "SF" is short for Silver Fox.

Here is what the FAA database tells us about N432SF:
  • Serial Number 003
  • Status Valid
    Manufacturer Name SCALED COMPOSITES LLC
  • Certificate Issue Date 08/13/2024
  • Model N432SF
  • Expiration Date 08/31/2031
  • Type Aircraft Glider
  • Type Engine None

So now we know quite a bit about Scaled's new UAS, except... what it looks like! However, given the timeframe for the Flight Testing, we should be hearing about it some time soon... hopefully!
 

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