New Concepts Have Emerged for USAF Unmanned Hunter-Killer Aircraft

Posted on: Sep. 21st, 2004 || Source: aviationnow.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

The U.S. Air Force is probing the aerospace industry for its concepts for a new class of armed, long-endurance unmanned aircraft, called Hunter-Killer.

But most of the aerospace industry's responses--from Northrop Grumman, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Aurora Flight Sciences and Lockheed Martin--remain shrouded in mystery.

Roughly, it appears five concepts are being offered. Northrop Grumman aggressively spun up two designs, an unmanned version of Scaled Composites' Proteus research aircraft and a smaller, Global Hawk look-alike. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is suggesting its new turboprop-powered Predator B for the role. The aircraft is already flying, costs well under $10 million per copy with sensors, has at least 24-hr. endurance and can carry six 500-lb. weapons. Moreover, the company is expected to roll out a twin-jet Predator C early next year that also could fit into the category.

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