Northrop Grumman UCAS Update

Flight International has an update on the UCAS-N, including an update for 2008 and a bit of insight for the schedule.

With a length of 11.6m (38.2ft) and wing span of 18.9m, the X-47B is 6.74m shorter than a F/A-18E/F, with span 0.6m less than a Grumman F-14 with its wing unswept. Folded, the X-47B's span is 9.4m, just 0.1m more than the F/A-18E/F. One change from the J-UCAS configuration is the "clipping" of the wing tips to increase clearance when folded on the maintenance hangar deck.

Maximum launch weight is 20,190kg (44,500lb) and maximum carrier landing weight 10,670kg. Mission requirements for the demonstrator include a 90min loiter time within the carrier control area at 280km (150nm) radius, and the endurance to perform eight bad-weather carrier approaches.

AV-1 is to be completed and ready for proof-load testing by mid-2008, beginning an extended period of ground testing leading up to a first flight in November 2009. "It's a pretty slow pace compared to what we could do," says Winship. Paced by funding, assembly of AV-2, the second demonstrator, will begin after AV-1 taxis. "We will use all of our 2008 funding for ship 1," he says.

Northrop Grumman X-47B Video

First trap scheduled for November of 2009 highlights the patience in regards to the program. Should be interesting, there is a lot of potential here, but anyone who thinks the UCAS-N is going to replace the fighter pilot for interceptor roles anytime soon is mistaken. The AI is not there yet for the intercept role, and it will only take one battlefield mistake for the autonomous role for strike to be seriously examined.

In the meantime, the F-35 will still be needed, but ultimately may be the last major manned carrier aircraft purchased in significant numbers as it fills the several decade gap that will be required to get Artificial Intelligence to where it needs to be to support all warfighter roles.