An unusual plane is preparing for flight in the USA - a simulator of 5th generation fighters

In the United States, ground tests of a promising 5GAT (5th Generation Aerial Target) air target simulating fifth-generation aircraft have been successfully completed; the drone is ready to start flight tests. This unusual UAV is the first of its kind in the world.

The American company Sierra Technical Services, which has been developing 5GAT since 2006, conducted ground tests of an air target at the US Army Michael training ground in Utah. The tests were carried out in September this year. According to the company, the preparation of the target for the first flight, which is scheduled for late October 2020, has now begun.

During ground tests, the operation of all onboard 5GAT systems was checked, after which the drone completed 24 runs around the airfield, including nine at a speed close to the takeoff speed.

The developers are planning flight tests, which will take place in several stages. So, at the first stage, the flight characteristics will be confirmed, as well as the operation of the automatic takeoff and landing systems. Then, at the second stage, tests of speed and altitude characteristics, as well as maneuvering with overloads, will be carried out.

The 5GAT aerial target is designed as a twin-engine aircraft with jet propulsion systems. The aircraft received a diamond-shaped wing in plan and two keels deflected to the sides. The target airframe is 95 percent made of composite materials. Length - 12,2 meters, wingspan - 7,3 meters. Max. takeoff weight - 4,4 tons. Max. flight altitude - 13,7 thousand meters, speed - up to 0,95 Mach numbers. The flight duration is 1,5 hours.

The US Air Force plans to use 5GAT to train fighter pilots and air defense crews.

Comments

[VoroncoV]

Will they draw red stars later?
And I also read that after the collapse of the USSR and the annexation of the GDR to the FRG .. Former pilots of the GDR were first expelled from the Army without benefits, etc. But then the United States attracted them as training targets (for a moment29) and training their pilots ..
The Germans were pro, which surprised NATO

[Aaron Zawi]

Quote: VoroncoV

Will they draw red stars later?
And I also read that after the collapse of the USSR and the annexation of the GDR to the FRG .. Former pilots of the GDR were first expelled from the Army without benefits, etc. But then the United States attracted them as training targets (for a moment29) and training their pilots ..
The Germans were pro, which surprised NATO

You would have read until what year in Germany they were in the ranks of the MiG-29.

[The leader of the Redskins]

I even wonder who will get into the troops earlier - their imitator, or our Su 57? ..

[ZEMCH]

Quote: Aron Zaavi

Would you still read up to what year in Germany they were in the ranks of the MiG-29

They were then sold to Poland, after the FRG. GDR pilots on MiGs smeared NATO pilots on exercises)))

[rocket757]

The best option. They are preparing as they should.

[Shurik70]

If it is planned to be used as a target, then it is by definition a cheap product (relatively, of course)
It turns out that they have a cheap carrier, close in performance characteristics to the aircraft of the 5th generation, capable of covering one and a half thousand kilometers.

[rocket757]

So they guys are not poor, but how exactly they will use this object, we can only guess.
It's stronger than a small, slow-moving drone anyway.
We also made targets simulators of missiles and aircraft,
on which the entire airspace control system was checked. The ultimate goal is to detect and shoot down in time.

[poquello]

Quote: Shurik70

If it is planned to be used as a target, then it is by definition a cheap product (relatively, of course)
It turns out that they have a cheap carrier, close in performance characteristics to the aircraft of the 5th generation, capable of covering one and a half thousand kilometers.

nothing works there, there are some shovels on the wings to simulate SWT

[OgnennyiKotik]

Sierra Technical Services are also applying for the Loyal wingman competition. Can do well. 5GAT uses some of the parts from F5 and F / A18, so it will be relatively cheap to manufacture and operate. But in any case, it needs to be redone under the Loyal wingman.

[comradChe]

Well done, they will not throw "hats". How are we there? Have you sent an order for "Cartoon" ?! Well done!

[poquello]

Quote: comradChe

Well done, they will not throw "hats". How are we there? Have you sent an order for "Cartoon" ?! Well done!

sent, sent, see soon "ships ply interplanetary spaces"

[Region-25.rus]

Quote: rocket757

The best option. They are preparing as they should.

they are yes ... but we have -

[OgnennyiKotik]

Great channel. I watch them all the time.
Who cares about the song from the splash screen:

[sedoj]

they are yes ... but we have -

This weirdo is as much a GRU sniper as I am a Formula 1 driver. During the whole conversation, constant nervous twitching - shoulders, head, facial muscles. With such nervousness there is nothing to do in snipers. From the word at all. All the more so in the GRU.

[Herman 4223]

If every American pilot was given to shoot down at least one such target, how much would it cost?

[Region-25.rus]

there most likely not to shoot down in fact, but to detect at a given distance, aim, and perform a training launch

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Region-25.rus

detect at a given distance, target, and perform a training launch

Yes, the plane is reusable. He will be able to conduct a maneuverable battle. Holds overload + 7 / -2 g

[Herman 4223]

So it can be worked out with conventional aircraft. Another thing is to carry out a real missile launch at a target, to shoot it down.

[OgnennyiKotik]

There are more risks, we recall the story of the Su30 / 35. If you need to make real launches, it is better to test on the BQM-167A and analogs. By the way, on its basis, a UTAP-22 UAV was made for the Loyal Wingman project.

[Herman 4223]

I do not agree that it is better, a new project is made with low-visibility technology. It will be possible to check the failure of the missile guidance, for example.

[avg]

This target is more likely for missilemen and various powerful radars, and then for fighters.

[Tuzik]

I think he will not only have the role of a target, as they say, dual-use.

[voyaka uh]

Yes. It will not be difficult to turn it into an attack drone

[OgnennyiKotik]

There are no compartments for weapons, short flight duration (according to the data from the news). But it's easy to go to supersonic speed. In fact, this is another reincarnation of the F5.
Relatively minor modifications could turn it into a 5th generation supersonic unmanned fighter. Moreover, it is relatively cheap.

[voyaka uh]

Before supersonic - hardly ...
I guess there are simple engines without afterburner.
But hang extra. fuel tanks and a few rockets under the wings - easy.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: voyaka uh

Before supersonic - hardly ...
I guess there are simple engines without afterburner.

Yeah, there are no afterburners General Electric J85.
But the manufacturer claims that the glider can withstand supersonic flight. 5GAT is based on the T-38 (F5).
What I am talking about (supersonic, bays for weapons, enlarged fuel tanks) require improvements, and are not included in the TOR of this particular project. But if they enter the Loyal Wingman program (or similar) they can get money for it and work on it. The base allows.

[poquello]

Quote: voyaka uh

Yes. It will not be difficult to turn it into an attack drone

yes, any bucket can be turned into an attack drone

[Real Pilot]

Quote: rocket757

The best option. They are preparing as they should.

I was only confused by the twin-engine line-up!
Why so increase the price of the TARGET? In my opinion, this is a bit overkill.

You can add powder (solid fuel) boosters to one engine for acceleration, and then if you need to shoot down supersonic. Of course, IR visibility is higher, but they can also be reset after burnout.
It will be cheaper and easier. The target is a disposable thing ...

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: RealPilot

I was only confused by the twin-engine line-up

Took a ready base from the T-38 (F-5) partly from the F-18

Quote: RealPilot

The target is a disposable piece ...

5GAT is not disposable, the target does not have to be shot down to the end. The same training missiles can self-destruct shortly before the plane is hit.

[Thrifty]

Could have used the first F35 for this purpose! All the same, some of the cars of the first batch will be decommissioned, or converted into drones.

[DAQ]

A good drone fighter will come out of it, however.
Add 4/6 stingers in stealth containers, + detection tools.
Or something new to destroy small UAVs / barrage munitions.

Here is a stealth fighter against an uav. And there you look more ...

[The eye of the crying]

Quote: Nasdaq

A good drone fighter will come out of it, however.

And what makes it good?

Quote: Nasdaq

Add 4/6 stingers in stealth containers, + detection tools.

Why stealth containers for a drone destroyer?

[Prisoner]

And what did the imitator of the 5th generation F-35 fighter do not please? Expensive?