US UAV and UCAV Technology

[Stargazer]

a student project.

Still a zillion times better than what Iran could attain in 10 years!

 

[hesham]

a student project.

Still a zillion times better than what Iran could attain in 10 years!

That's right Stargazer,and I think Iran is still in its beginning steps.

 

[bobbymike]

I, Recon Robot

Northrop Grumman is developing new technology to allow intelligence systems to learn patterns and predict, rather than detect, threats, said Patrick Antkowiak, vice president of the company's advanced concepts and technologies division. "Some of the best chess players in the world now are computers. What's going on there is that this idea of machine learning," or enabling a computer to predict an opponent's move with greater accuracy based on past data, explained Antkowiak in a briefing Wednesday in Washington D.C. "Think of what happens when we combine that ability with our sensing technology" on battlefield surveillance platforms such as JSTARS or Global Hawk, he added. "We get sensor architectures that can learn…and don't just forensically give us a view of where we've been, but start to predict where we need to be," noted Antkowiak. "We go from response, to anticipatory sort of systems." Though the concept is still in the research and development stage, it could theoretically be retrofitted to many existing systems, he said.

 

[Grey Havoc]

The TERN program seems to be moving ahead, be interesting to see what, if anything comes out of it:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded contracts to five defense firms to develop ideas for new unmanned aerial systems that will serve the U.S. Navy’s newest combat ships.

The contracts went to Aurora Flight Sciences in Manassas, Va., Carter Aviation in Wichita Falls, Texas, Maritime Applied Physics Corp., in Baltimore, Md., AeroEnvironment in Monrovia, Calif., and Northrup Grumman in Falls Church, Va. Each of the contracts is valued at less than $3 million, and will be used by each company to develop concepts for DARPA’s Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node, or TERN, program, according to a recent press release.

The new UAS will be expected to provide video and other reconnaissance data for both peaceful and battle operations, and the aircraft will need to be launched from a variety of Navy ships, including the new Littoral Combat Ship. Many of these ships have little room for a landing strip, so the TERN UASs must be capable of very short take offs and landings.

To meet this short take-off and landing requirement, Carter Aviation plans to offer its Slowed Rotor/Compound technology that uses a slowly turning rotor to act as a fixed wing for efficient level flight, but can spin up the rotor for vertical take-offs, the release states. The other vendors will all have their own concepts to meet the terms of the DARPA contract.

DARPA has announced that there will be follow-on contracts once the initial concepts have been developed and reviewed.


Read more: http://defensetech.org/2013/12/19/darpa-taps-firms-for-new-uas-effort/#ixzz2piktm2Zp
Defense.org

 

[bobbymike]

Tangentially related;

http://defensetech.org/2014/05/21/darpa-unveils-hack-proof-drone/

 

[Jemiba]

... Carter Aviation plans to offer its Slowed Rotor/Compound technology that uses a slowly turning rotor to act as a fixed wing for efficient level flight, but can spin up the rotor for vertical take-offs, ...

Seems to be principally very similar to the Boeing X-50 Dragonfly, which obviously
was a more problematic concept, than at first thought.
Was there already an aircraft using a rotor wing succesfully ? I mean, apart from
the Whispercraft, of course ?

 

[quellish]

Seems to be principally very similar to the Boeing X-50 Dragonfly, which obviously
was a more problematic concept, than at first thought.
Was there already an aircraft using a rotor wing succesfully ? I mean, apart from
the Whispercraft, of course ?

I believe this is more closely related to an autogiro than X-50.

 

[Jemiba]

Yes, maybe, that principle worked for the designs by Gerald Herrick, but without execption
those were biplanes once in cruising flight, with the second (fixed) wing helping during
transition. But if the picture is at least somewhat related to the actual thing, we have
only the rotor wing here.

 

[donnage99]

Bye Aerospace

 

[bring_it_on]

Thank you dear flateric,

The Boeing UCAV version of its X-36 and Lockheed manned
and unmanned UCAV.


http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1998/1998%20-%201390.pdf

The second picture appears to be the saber warrior. A sort of A2A/A2G mule for the F-22, the only UCAV i am aware of that offered an afterburner option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAq3UMYkvlI

 

[Dragon029]

The second picture appears to be the saber warrior.

This was answered 7 years ago by flateric...

 

[bring_it_on]

Forgot to look at the dates on the posts

 

[bobbymike]

http://defensetech.org/2014/06/19/air-force-plans-next-generation-drone-fleet/

 

[GeorgeA]

Today's Air Force Magazine Daily Report contains what may be an oblique reference to a new USAF MALE type in service in Africa:


The 2014 National Defense Appropriations Authorization bill, includes language referencing a "medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle with flexible multi-intelligence sensor and communications relay capabilities," which is currently being flight tested by the Air Force for use by US Africa Command forces. Personnel both in Congress and in the Air Force remain tight-lipped about the aircraft's development and functionality, but the NDAA "encourages" the Air Force Secretary "to adopt a plan for these assets that would preserve their ability to be deployed if AFRICOM or any other combatant command" identifies a need.

 

[Ian33]

Today's Air Force Magazine Daily Report contains what may be an oblique reference to a new USAF MALE type in service in Africa:


The 2014 National Defense Appropriations Authorization bill, includes language referencing a "medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle with flexible multi-intelligence sensor and communications relay capabilities," which is currently being flight tested by the Air Force for use by US Africa Command forces. Personnel both in Congress and in the Air Force remain tight-lipped about the aircraft's development and functionality, but the NDAA "encourages" the Air Force Secretary "to adopt a plan for these assets that would preserve their ability to be deployed if AFRICOM or any other combatant command" identifies a need.

Was this not the Aurora Flight Science 'Orion' - 120 hours on station, 20 thousand foot ceiling, loads of weird payload pods and comms relay kit?

 

[donnage99]

Or Lockheed's MPLE that was revealed not too long ago.

 

[quellish]

Or Lockheed's MPLE that was revealed not too long ago.

Could also be GA Avenger, which was just turned over to USAF

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://theweek.com/article/index/264769/this-laser-armed-drone-could-blow-fighter-jets-out-of-the-sky

http://www.au.af.mil/au/afri/aspj/digital/pdf/articles/2014-May-Jun/F-Byrnes.pdf?source=GovD

Byrnes focuses on famed fighter pilot John Boyd's classic observe-orient-decide-act decision cycle — the "OODA loop" — which predicts that victory in combat belongs to the warrior who can assess and respond to conditions fastest.

Like a fighter pilot trying to out-turn his opponent in a dogfight, the trick to OODA is quickly making the right decisions while your enemy is still trying to figure out what's going on.

It's a battle of wits in which computers are superior, according to Byrnes. "Every step in OODA that we can do, they will do better."

Byrnes envisions a drone designed from the start to utilize the full potential of an unmanned dogfighter. The FQ-X would be constructed of advanced, difficult-to-detect "metamaterials." It would have extremely powerful computers that could determine an enemy aircraft's position from even the scantest of sensor data.

"The principle of 'first look, first kill' belongs to the aircraft with the most processing power and the best software to leverage it," Byrnes writes.

The FQ-X would also have multispectral optics and computer vision software that would enable it to distinguish friendly from enemy aircraft. The drone would pack a laser or a cannon firing armor-piercing incendiary rounds.

To sweeten the robot's victory, on-board machine-learning systems would analyze the encounter and transmit tips to other combat drones.

 

[hesham]

Hi,


here is the Lockheed Martin new Unmanned Rotor Vehicle VTOL concept;


http://www.aviationnews.eu/2012/08/06/lockheed-martin-procerus-technologies-unveils-new-unmanned-quad-rotor-vertical-take-off-and-landing-system/

 

[hesham]

Hi,

a very good site;

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_drones.html

Again the DARPA Loiter UAV.


http://books.google.com.eg/books?id=69IDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28&dq=popular+mechanics+pulse-jet&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QwEDVOHlBJGVas_OgJgI&ved=0CD0Q6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=popular%20mechanics%20pulse-jet&f=false

 

[hesham]

Hi,


a six different old UAV designs,page 15;


http://books.google.ca/books?id=seMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19&dq=popular+mechanics+1992&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2soJVKvqOIntaNfHgcgD&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Stargazer]

Ha ha, I was on this very page only yesterday. There's just too much in Popular Mechanics to share, really. Thanks for doing it, anyway...

 

[hesham]

Thank you my dear Skyblazer.

 

[Stargazer]

Again the DARPA Loiter UAV.
http://books.google.com.eg/books?id=69IDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28&dq=popular+mechanics+pulse-jet&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QwEDVOHlBJGVas_OgJgI&ved=0CD0Q6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=popular%20mechanics%20pulse-jet&f=false

To claim that this is a "DARPA Loiter UAV" is RIDICULOUS! This is a Popular Mechanics design which was created in response to DARPA's specifications for a UAV to be called the Peregrine. "Loiter" and "Attack" are two modes of operations (the UAV can loiter or it can attack) described in the images. It's ALL IN THERE!!! At the URL you provided yourself!!

If you don't understand an article very well because it's not your language, that's understandable, but PLEASE do not assert things like that, it can lead to a lot of confusion! Ask someone who speaks the language properly so they can explain it to you. I've said it many times before, but this is a reference source to many people, we can't afford to be vague, evasive or erroneous!

 

[hesham]

My dear Skyblazer,


I explained that in reply # 20,it was two UAV concepts,and and of course I did't mean it in
second displaying.

 

[Triton]

Model of Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk proposal for Canada found on eBay manufactured by Toys & Models Corporation.

Source:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northrop-Grumman-RQ-4B-Global-Hawk-Canada-Desk-Display-1-78-Model-Aircraft-/191460946832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item2c93f63390

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.popsci.com/darpa-wants-drones-hunt-packs

Like the "6th generation" attack aircraft artwork though don't know how realistic it is

http://www.defense.gov/pubs/DOD-USRM-2013.pdf

 

[flateric]

This one is really nothing more than artist's concept.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Regarding the Predator XP: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/congress/2015/02/05/hunter-to-obama-send-jordan-the-predator-xp/22934783/

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.onr.navy.mil/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2015/LOCUST-low-cost-UAV-swarm-ONR.aspx

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2015

By David Smalley, Office of Naval Research

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — A new era in autonomy and unmanned systems for naval operations is on the horizon, as officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced today recent technology demonstrations of swarming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — part of the Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program.

LOCUST can launch swarming UAVs to autonomously overwhelm an adversary. The deployment of UAV swarms will provide Sailors and Marines a decisive tactical advantage. (Watch: LOCUST video on YouTube)

“The recent demonstrations are an important step on the way to the 2016 ship-based demonstration of 30 rapidly launched autonomous, swarming UAVs,” said ONR program manager Lee Mastroianni.

The LOCUST program includes a tube-based launcher that can send UAVs into the air in rapid succession. The breakthrough technology then utilizes information-sharing between the UAVs, enabling autonomous collaborative behavior in either defensive or offensive missions.

Since the launcher and the UAVs themselves have a small footprint, the technology enables swarms of compact UAVs to take off from ships, tactical vehicles, aircraft or other unmanned platforms.

The ONR demonstrations, which took place over the last month in multiple locations, included the launch of Coyote UAVs capable of carrying varying payloads for different missions. Another technology demonstration of nine UAVs accomplished completely autonomous UAV synchronization and formation flight.

ONR officials note that while the LOCUST autonomy is cutting edge compared to remote-controlled UAVs, there will always be a human monitoring the mission, able to step in and take control as desired.

“This level of autonomous swarming flight has never been done before,” said Mastroianni. “UAVs that are expendable and reconfigurable will free manned aircraft and traditional weapon systems to do more, and essentially multiply combat power at decreased risk to the warfighter.”

UAVs reduce hazards and free personnel to perform more complex tasks, as well as requiring fewer people to do multiple missions.

Lowering costs is a major benefit of UAVs as well. Even hundreds of small autonomous UAVs cost less than a single tactical aircraft — and, officials note, having this capability will force adversaries to focus on UAV swarm response.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert’s Sailing Directions to the fleet note that over the next 10 to 15 years, the Navy will evolve and remain the preeminent maritime force. It directs: “Unmanned systems in the air and water will employ greater autonomy and be fully integrated with their manned counterparts.”

David Smalley is a contractor with the Office of Naval Research


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyguXoum3rk&feature=youtu.be

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2015/04/marines-testing-piggyback-hunter-drones/110671/

Can think of a few interesting concepts of operations. UAV launched from a UGV loaded with Griffins or Javelins or JAGMs flies off finds and lases back target coordinates to UGV........

 

[bobbymike]

NASA GL10 Greased Lightning UAV

http://www.popsci.com/watch-nasas-tiltwing-greased-lightning-take-off-like-summer-fling?dom=fb&src=SOC

 

[bobbymike]

Autonomous Horizons

—John A. Tirpak5/21/2015

The Air Force is a few weeks away from releasing “Autonomous Horizons,” a new technology forecast focused on how USAF will expand its use of systems that “require less human interaction” to perform missions, outgoing USAF chief scientist Mica Endsley said Wednesday. She told reporters at the Pentagon there are “no plans” to remove human beings from functions involving the release of weapons, but that humans will need automation help to assimilate the overwhelming amounts of data now being generated by machines, such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and diagnostic devices. Among many applications, the report will address how unmanned platforms could fly escort for manned combat aircraft, carrying additional weapons that the human flight leader could target with his own jet’s sensors. While that’s “not a program of record, yet,” Endsley said such a capability is five to 10 years away, and is “being explored by [the] Air Force Research Lab.” Nearer-term​ autonomy is needed so that remotely piloted aircraft can continue their missions if communications links to ground-based operators are severed, she said. Autonomous systems hold promise for tasks ranging from runway repair to protecting satellites, which currently have little in the way of defensive systems, she also noted. The big tech push will be to expand “manned/unmanned teaming.”
-----------------------------------
see bolded keep your eyes peeled for this report

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2015/05/us-special-forces-are-experimenting-bug-drones/113947/?oref=d-river

 

[bobbymike]

New CNAS study with downloadable report at the link

http://www.cnas.org/world-of-proliferated-drones-technology-primer#.VXjyFWd0ysd

 

[bobbymike]

http://warontherocks.com/2015/08/yes-unmanned-combat-aircraft-are-the-future/

 

[bobbymike]

Counter commentary to previous;

http://warontherocks.com/2015/08/why-the-next-fighter-will-be-manned-and-the-one-after-that/

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.popsci.com/watch-navys-amphibious-drone-land-sea

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://www.wired.com/2015/09/new-qualcomm-tech-lead-ultimate-drone/

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28173-watch-50-drones-controlled-at-once-in-a-record-breaking-swarm/