US Navy opens UCAS-D contest

Published: Feb 26, 2007
Source: Flight Global



Boeing and Northrop both submit systems developed under J-UCAS for service's combat air system competition

Boeing and Northrop Grumman are responding to a US Navy request for proposals (RFP) for the $1.9 billion unmanned combat air system carrier demonstration (UCAS-D). Award of a contract for the six-year technology demonstration effort is expected in the third quarter of this year.

Boeing will offer the X-45N naval derivative of its X-45C demonstrator, the first of which was completed but never flown after the US Air Force/Navy Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) programme was cancelled in February 2006. Northrop will offer the 19,000kg (42,000lb) gross-weight X-47B, which was also under construction for J-UCAS.continue..