Declassified video of flight tests of US Air Force drones "Gremlin"

In November 2019, flight tests of the X-61A multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Dynetics took place. One of five such devices crashed due to problems with the parachute and crashed, but the rest are in working condition and continue to participate in the tests. These UAVs were called "Gremlins" in honor of the heroes of the American film.

Although the tests were carried out last year, a video where one of them leaves the transport plane and performs maneuvers for an hour and a half was not published on January 17 due to security reasons.

The principle of operation of the Gremlins is as follows. They are released from the carrier carrier aircraft outside the enemy air defense coverage area, and after the mission is completed, they are caught in the air and returned to the transporter. Devices operate as a group. Already on the ground they are restored within XNUMX hours, after which they are again ready for use.

Declassified Test Video:

In the first tests, the C130A Hercules transport aircraft was used as a platform. It is capable of emitting UAVs at an altitude of up to 12 meters. The discharge and capture system, as claimed, is not difficult to transfer to other types of aircraft. The following tests are scheduled for this spring.

X61A is able to reach a speed of Mach 0,8. It can be in the air for up to 3 hours, and its maximum flight range is up to 926 kilometers. In this case, the UAV can carry up to 68 kilograms of additional load.

Comments

[aszzz888]

They are released from the carrier carrier aircraft outside the enemy air defense coverage area, and after the mission is completed, they are caught in the air and returned to the carrier.

????? and the meaning of all these events ????? (By the way, in the course of not cheap!) Or another dough cut?

[aszzz888]

bessmertniy (Victor) Today, 10: 30 NEW
0
If the carrier gets covered, then all the Gremlins will thunder - they will not return. what

This is one of the options ... take a closer look

[Shurik70]

There are no air intakes.
Campaign, purely reactive. Like a rocket. Surely liquid-reactive.
A lot of soot when starting the engine is a high-carbon fuel. Not hydrogen, not methane-ethane, and not alcohol. Perhaps aviation kerosene.

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: Shurik70

There are no air intakes.
Campaign, purely reactive. Like a rocket. Surely liquid reactive

No, it seems. Turbojet. Air intake from below. The neckline is so cunning, on a flat belly ...
But the soot at start-up can be assumed different ... Since the engine needs to be untwisted quickly.
The last frames ...

[Shurik70]

This one, or what?
If it’s an air intake, then it’s very strange. There are no protruding parts, does air flow by gravity into a narrow slot? Yes, but very close to the nozzle, the turbine is very small.
But from the point of view of economics and ease of operation, yes. The air intake is much more convenient and cheaper.

[krot]

and the meaning of all these events ????? request (by the way, in the course of not cheap!) Or another dough cut?

I agree with you that it is not cheap at all and it looks like a cut! Well, well, this is another kamikaze drone, it seems to be of enhanced power. I think, too, that it is very expensive, and will only suit against the "banana" republics.

[Dikson]

In the last seconds of the video, the product makes a U-turn - there is definitely an air intake there. Right in front of your circle is a triangular cutout in the fuselage .. you can even see it in your freeze frame ..

[Shurik70]

Really.
It already looks like an air intake.

[vargo]

I think this niche was meant

[Vasily Ponomarev]

as I understand it, any test for you is the dough cut? well, apparently our Defense Ministry also thinks when it is postponing the delivery of new weapons, stability, otherwise the boat will begin to swing

[aszzz888]

Vasily Ponomarev (Vasily Ponomarev) Today, 10: 36 NEW
+1
as I understandany tests for you it drank dough?

I’m talking about the tests of the Gremlins, and don’t have to drag flies and cutlets into a bunch.

[donavi49]

Why? They build on their needs.

For example, you need to hit the country / persons outside the coverage of friendly bases. And there is no time to deploy infrastructure.

Hercule or someone else with refueling can fly from anywhere in the world. Lower the Gremlins and go into the waiting area. When done, the remnants of the pack return home, are picked up by Herculus and taken away for service.

Bottom line = the liquidation of the next Suleymani / who Trump will not like for the minimum money from taxpayers. Minimum risk of technology leakage or reputation damage (we shot down many of the latest American missiles, only a few erupted and the presentation of debris).

[Muvka]

Quote: donavi49

Why? They build on their needs.

For example, you need to hit the country / persons outside the coverage of friendly bases. And there is no time to deploy infrastructure.

Hercule or someone else with refueling can fly from anywhere in the world. Lower the Gremlins and go into the waiting area. When done, the remnants of the pack return home, are picked up by Herculus and taken away for service.

Bottom line = the liquidation of the next Suleymani / who Trump will not like for the minimum money from taxpayers. Minimum risk of technology leakage or reputation damage (we shot down many of the latest American missiles, only a few erupted and the presentation of debris).

And what kind of weapon can weigh 68kg? I mean, with which you can eliminate someone.

[Saxahorse]

Quote: Muvka

And what kind of weapon can weigh 68kg? I mean, with which you can eliminate someone.

To eliminate the tank, an ATGM of 11 kg in weight is enough. Cornet for example.

[UAZ 452]

The correct answer is practically any, except for the nuclear kernel and anti-bunker bomb. Few targets are so protected that there is not enough ammunition weighing 68 kilos.

[sabakina]

donavi49, do not tell me. how are they picked up by herculus? Nothing comes to my mind other than a fishing landing ...

[Kettle]

They plan to pick up not by landing net, but by fishing rod, with a leash, and then with a hook.
Gremlin flies up to Hercules from behind, from below, and a fin with a horizontal pin releases from the back. Hercules with an open rear ramp lowers a small catcher cap on the cable, followed by a beam with grips on a rigid coupling.
It seems that the exact Gremlins parameters have not yet been determined. Probably, different versions of devices are being investigated in the framework of one program, hence the illogical performance characteristics.
Judging by the video, the length of the Gremlins from the tests is about 5 meters (in comparison with the known size of the Hercules wing in this place). Given his plump carcass, he can weigh about like a Tomahawk, the one is longer but thinner, i.e. about 1-1,5 tons
Initially, 20 pieces of Gremlins were planned on Hercules, and it’s probably good if they take a dozen.
Well, then other TTX weapons are possible.

And the program itself is interesting.
Conventional screw reconnaissance / strike UAVs of 1 ton class and higher, due to the low specific take-off power (fuel and missiles to the eyeballs) and service features, require the runway of a normal airfield and its hangars and equipment on it. There are few such Americans near potential hot spots / zones.
A screw UAV with a speed of about 200 km / h drops from them to the target for a very long time. Plus, this speed and its large size (Riper's wingspan is 20 m) make it very vulnerable even to mild air defense.
If you do not need a long patrol over the target, but need quick reconnaissance / strike, then a swarm of such Gremlins will arrive very quickly (Hercules 500 km / h and your own 900 km / h), and even 1 Gremlin will be more difficult to destroy than 1 Riper, and their there is already a pack.

[sabakina]

Sergey, and due to what will Gremlin maintain 500 km / h of Hercules after leaving the wing of this? So what about 1400 km / h you turned down ...

[Kettle]

Of course, I meant that part of the route will pass at the speed of Gremlino, partly at the speed of Gremlin. On average, it will be somewhere around 600 km / h, 3 times faster than the standard Ripper.
Although you can add speed, mathematics allows ... Physics, contagion, against.

[sabakina]

Sergey, that's physics. As my father did not disperse my lisped, teaching me, for some reason he constantly stopped ... Gremlin's speed at the time of turning on his own engine would be 200, maximum 250 km / h. Then it will fly at a speed that provides its own dvigun.

[missuris]

But what is the difficulty of knocking them down? plain hot UAV

[Thrifty]

The smoke from the engine can be visually noticed at a great distance. ...

[eklmn]

“.... (by the way, along the way are not cheap!) Or another cut dough?”
do not compare with the price of such a product in a country close to you - it is done using 3D printing. They are really cheap - that was the main goal
For the curious:
original article here
“The Gremlins program completed the first flight tests of the X-61A”
The program aims to launch and search for low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles with an emphasis on safety, reliability and availability
https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2020-01-17
“DARPA Gremlins has completed the first flight tests of its X-61A. At the end of November, at the test site of the US Army in Utah, there was one mission for captive transportation on board a C-130A aircraft, as well as an air launch and free flight lasting a little over an hour and a half.
The goal of this third phase of the Gremlins program is to complete the full-fledged technology demonstration series, which will talk about the restoration of several inexpensive reusable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or Gremlins in the air. Safety, reliability and accessibility are key objectives for a system that will launch UAS teams from several types of military aircraft, while being outside the range of the enemy’s defense. As soon as the Gremlins complete their mission, a transport plane will take them into the air and take them home, where ground crews will prepare them for next use within 24 hours. ”
By launching dozens of such devices, you can score enemy locators, you can send each Gremlin to his goal. There are many options ...

[thanks]

Quote: Military Review * News

... The principle of operation of the Gremlins is as follows. They are released from the carrier carrier aircraft outside the enemy air defense coverage area, and after the mission is completed, they are caught in the air and returned to the transporter. The devices operate in a group ... X61A is able to reach Mach 0,8. It can be in the air for up to 3 hours, and its maximum flight range is up to 926 kilometers. In this case, the UAV can carry up to 68 kilograms of additional load.

The tactics of using a reusable swarm of drones are being developed in the USA ...

[bessmertniy]

If the carrier gets covered, then all the Gremlins will thunder - they will not return.

[Piramidon]

Quote: bessmertniy

If the carrier gets covered, then all the Gremlins will thunder - they will not return.

Apparently they also have parachutes in case of problems with the carrier

One of five such devices crashed due to problems with parachute and crashed

[aszzz888]

Piramidon (Stepan. Russia) Today, 10:36 AM NEW
+1
Quote: bessmertniy
If the carrier gets covered, then all the Gremlins will thunder - they will not return. what

Apparently they also have parachutes in case of problems with the carrier
One of five such devices crashed due to problems with a parachute and crashed

Of course it should be. But where, and who will collect them, for example, on the adjacent side, in the mountains, in the jungle, in the sea, etc.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: bessmertniy

If the carrier gets covered, then all the Gremlins will thunder - they will not return.

Duc, it was clearly stated that the launch of the "gremlins" was out of the enemy air defense zone! It is possible that as a last resort (if you "cheat" ... ) "orphaned" "gremlins" will be accepted by other devices!

[rocket757]

Almost any experiment makes sense .... different, which is also true.
They are developing a technology that can be used in the future.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: rocket757

They are developing a technology that can be used in the future.

Most likely, exactly so! Here you can do more than one "shenanigation" (!): 1. "thinking over" the tactics of drone actions in the "swarm"; 2. training of swarm management; 3.economy of launched weapons, in case of "early" mission completion or failure to detect some targets ...

[rocket757]

They work out in real life "hardware", mechanics and of course software.
On a large product, this is easier to do.
Then the excess will be cut off and reduced, reduced ... a bunch / swarm of small, nimble, smart, drones, this is a real problem for any opponent!
In this topic, who did not have time, he can have many problems in the future.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: rocket757

They work out in real life "hardware", mechanics and of course software.

And this too ... but not only! It is necessary to work out tactics of application, control in various conditions ... the use of drone weapons, the choice of weapons ... the organization of "subdivisions" of drones, operators ...

[rocket757]

All together, in a complex.

[Krasnodar]

In my opinion - disinformation. Suicide drones to destroy air defense - and they don’t have any parachutes, and return back - well, if the goals are already destroyed - and that is unlikely

[aszzz888]

Krasnodar Today, 10: 40 NEW
0
In my opinion - disinformation. Suicide drones to destroy air defense -

But isn’t it more reliable to launch a missile (missiles) to defeat air defense?

[Krasnodar]

I do not know. In my opinion - such garbage is a guided missile. By and large. And it will be applied en masse, from the Hercules, to the entrance to the air defense zone.

[aszzz888]

Krasnodar Today, 10: 47 NEW
0
I do not know. In my opinion - such garbage is a guided missile. By and large

Believe the speed of this UAV like a rocket? Something I deeply doubt it.

[Krasnodar]

In a dive on a target? )))
In flight - of course not.

[aszzz888]

Krasnodar Today, 10: 50 NEW
0
In a dive on a target? )))
In flight - of course not.

You still have to reach the target, and not be shot down.

[Krasnodar]

So there are crowds of them)) Yes, and they will go after false real and false virtual ones. Probably. Or with them

[alexmach]

In my opinion - such garbage is a guided missile

rather, barrage of ammunition, with delivery anywhere.

[Krasnodar]

Quote: alexmach

In my opinion - such garbage is a guided missile

rather, barrage of ammunition, with delivery anywhere.

I agree.

[destiny20]

Why not? enough drones-shells. But there weren’t such people to catch after the mission
What for? it is banal to increase the "working" time due to the "approach" of the airfield to the front line. 1e what comes to mind

[Krasnodar]

Version too

[Kerensky]

Characteristics are so-so. Yes, it seems like an intermediate stage for developing certain technologies.

[Piramidon]

Quote: Kerensky

Characteristics are so-so. Yes, it seems like an intermediate stage for developing certain technologies.

I wonder what kind of engine was installed on it? It looks like a rocket (no air intakes visible). What then is the difference from the CD? The same "Caliber" can be programmed to fly along a certain route and return. Install a camera instead of BG

[voyaka uh]

The whole chip is in the return. They are going to be caught by the net. He flew up - flopped down with a network - he was pulled upstairs.
This can only be done with a small, light cruise missile.
And the difference with the Kyrgyz Republic is its own weapon.
VZ light rockets against radars, antennas, command posts.
But in which case, Gremlin can be programmed as an ordinary CD. That is - "kamikaze".

[Yaro Polk]

"At the same time, the UAV can carry up to 68 kilograms of additional load."
Two 32 KG weights ---- this is ridiculous.

[voyaka uh]

Please note: the same company Kratos, which made the larger Valkyrie jet drone, which will work in conjunction with the F-35.

[Errr]

Conceptually (with an X-shaped tail unit) the Gremlin glider resembles the idea of ​​the Lockheed Model L-200 Convoy Fighter,

as well as its predecessor Lockheed XFV-1 “Salmon” and the earlier German project Focke-Wulf Triebflügel.At the same time, the work of the rudders is greatly simplified during maneuvering, but the glider’s remarkable visibility is gained on enemy radars due to the fact that the X-shaped rudders are essentially an almost ideal corner reflector.

[Piramidon]

Quote: Herrr

reminiscent of the Lockheed Model L-200 Convoy Fighter

This idea is for a device with a vertical take-off.

[Errr]

I'm not talking about vertical take-off, but, actually, about a corner reflector.

[Alexey G]

Thanks! Very informative! Especially about Tribflugel! All the same, the Germans must be respected! Kurt Tank could do science fiction!

[krops777]

I will make an assumption, a kamikaze drone in case of a task and with the possibility of return if the task is canceled.

[spectr]

While a niche is incomprehensible. In combat conditions, the transporter will be able to safely operate in an area where for some reason the enemy’s air defense system does not work. Well, or two possible options:
1. In the future they are going to be dragged by F-22, F-35, F-117, B-2 spirit or something else like that.
2. The bourgeoisie are going to develop an inconspicuous transporter.

[loki565]

More like a cruise missile

[garri-lin]

Outwardly ordinary CD. I think the essence of the software. Work out / work out, experience, statistics. Ways of development are looking for. The idea of ​​returning the intermediate stage. I think in the future they will develop the possibility of multiple uncoupling / return for the flight of the carrier. For heavy scouts will be relevant.

[fa2998]

Quote: Shurik70

Campaign, purely reactive. Like a rocket. Surely liquid-reactive.

Do you know how much oxidizer you need for 3 hours of flight? All such devices (German, USSR, etc.) flew with the engine on for no more than 10 minutes.
And another 900 km in 3 hours, at a speed of 0,8 M, something does not fit together. I think it will be for 2 thousand km.

[Kerensky]

All such devices (German, USSR, etc.) flew with the engine on for no more than 10 minutes.

Andrey, pay attention:

Already on their land during the day restore

There is something to ponder over ...

[Dimly]

We are not afraid .. And it's funny!

[Amateur]

This is what happens. Hercules arrives somewhere, releases these Gremlins, then hangs out in the waiting area for 3 hours, then performs maneuvers to select drones and only then does he fly to the base? And the "enemies" look at the Hercules "hanging out" for 3 hours in the same zone and think: "Is this a cloud or is it Winnie the Pooh?"

[alexmach]

And the "enemies" look at the Hercules "hanging out" for 3 hours in the same zone and think: "Is this a cloud or is it Winnie the Pooh?"

Well, let’s say that he arrives not somewhere somewhere but in Poland, releases gremlins and ... Further explain?

[Amateur]

Well, let’s say that he flies in somewhere on the territory of Poland, releases gremlins and ... More explain?

It can be in the air for up to 3 hours, and its maximum flight range is up to 926

Explain.
From Poland it can fly somewhere over ~ 450 km. For example, in the Kaliningrad region. Drop a bomb there. And fly back. And air defense of Kaliningrad

will look at the Hercules "hanging out" for 3 hours in the same zone and think: "Is this a cloud or is it Winnie the Pooh?"

So what?

[alexmach]

From Poland it can fly somewhere over ~ 450 km. For example, in the Kaliningrad region. Drop a bomb there. And fly back. And air defense of Kaliningrad

They are created including for overloading the air defense system. They fly in a flock to Kaliningrad, air defense systems are fired at them, while in the sky there are all kinds of self-propelled guns and drones DRLO and F-35. And while anti-aircraft defense is fired at Gremlins, other means are fired at anti-aircraft defense, gremlins themselves also do not have to drop something, they can spike on the same detected anti-aircraft defense. And back when breaking through the Fortified Air Defense Region, they also do not have to, their job is to clear the way for the rest.

will look at the Hercules "hanging out" for 3 hours in the same zone and think: "Is this a cloud or is it Winnie the Pooh?"

So what?

I explain.
1. You will not do anything to Hercules in the sky of Poland. Nothing at all.
2. And how in your picture of the world Hercules must hang out at the point of discharge? Is he nailed to the sky or something? He released the gremlins, dropped the height, turned around and went back, after another 3 hours he could pick up another plane at another point.

[Amateur]

You will not do anything to Hercules in the sky of Poland. Nothing at all.

The plane "in the sky of Poland" commits an act of aggression on the territory of Russia. And about him

think: "Is it a cloud or is it Winnie the Pooh?"

Funny.

[alexmach]

What are you really throwing hats? You will understand for now that he did commit an act of aggression; he will already go beyond the reach of any air defense and you will only have Gremlinov.

[gbal tak]

Quote: Amateur

3 hours hanging out in the waiting area

And who else can’t collect? He let him go further on his own business, and who else will pick it up.

[slipped]

which he crashed on landing during landing, the parachute didn’t open

[Dikson]

This gizmo can be a good help in the work of the anti-submarine ... expand the search area .. I went into the working square, launched the gremlins and bloodhounds in different directions ... returned a couple of hours later and collected them ..

[notingem]

Looks like a defective dildo

[Nitarius]

and why so kaptit)) as if it is our diesel fuel)))