Advanced heavy UAV from General Atomics can carry 16 missiles
Modern serial UAV MQ-9C Gray Eagle
The American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has proactively developed a new heavy reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle. It is distinguished by its increased size and weight, which also made it possible to increase technical and combat characteristics. To date, the project has been successfully brought to flight tests, but its prospects remain in question.
According to unofficial data
The development of a new project was reported on November 14 by the American publication Breaking Defense. Information about the existence of the project, its current status and technical features was obtained from two unnamed industry representatives familiar with the topic. At the same time, General Atomics does not comment on such messages in any way.
The project is being developed on an initiative basis and in an atmosphere of secrecy. However, an official presentation is expected soon. According to sources, in December, the development company intends to present a new UAV, as well as disclose its name and main tactical and technical characteristics.
By now, the project has progressed far enough. Major design work has been completed and the first prototype was built earlier this year. Flight tests began in the summer at the Desert Horizon airfield in the Mojave Desert. What progress was made in the following months is not reported.
Sources claim that when creating a new UAV, the developments on previous projects of General Atomics were used, as well as new solutions were introduced. Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the main technical and combat characteristics while maintaining favorable operational parameters. In particular, the requirements for airfields have been reduced and the combat load has been sharply increased.
Place in the market
A promising UAV was developed on the initiative of General Atomics and according to its own terms of reference. When forming the latter, the requirements for equipment from the latest Pentagon programs were taken into account. In particular, one of the "sources of inspiration" was the current program of the Special Operations Command Armed Overwatch.
The US Armed Forces are considered as the main customer for the new equipment. At the same time, the development company has not yet discussed a new project with the Pentagon and has not presented it with a ready-made prototype. In addition, the military department has not yet launched new contests and programs in which there would be a place for a new UAV. As a result, its prospects in the context of the rearmament of the American army are still questionable, but the developer company hopes for the best.
According to sources, the new project takes into account the interests of potential customers from third countries. In particular, for this very purpose, General Atomics tried to improve the takeoff and landing characteristics and reduce the basing requirements. However, it is too early to talk about real orders.
Estimated appearance
Sources say that the promising heavy UAV is similar in design to the serial MQ-1C Gray Eagle. At the same time, the growth of the main characteristics, among other things, is ensured by an increase in the size of the airframe. This means that the length and span of the new wing drone exceeded 8,5 and 17 m respectively. Accordingly, the takeoff weight must be significantly greater than the 1633 kg unmanned MQ-1C.
The serial MQ-1C is powered by a Thielert Centurion 1.7 piston engine with 165 hp. The type and characteristics of the power plant for the new UAV is unknown. Apparently, a more powerful piston engine is used that can compensate for the increase in take-off weight. The exact level of flight performance has not been reported, but it can be assumed that they remained at the level of the previous UAV.
Due to its successful aerodynamics, a sufficiently powerful engine and a solid chassis, the drone obtains high takeoff and landing characteristics. It requires a runway no more than 800 feet (less than 250) m long. It can be used on unpaved airfields and highways, on aircraft carriers, etc.
Avionics and general aircraft systems for a promising UAV, with some changes, are borrowed from existing samples. Thanks to this, the drone can automatically take off and land, go through a given route, etc. The capabilities of automation in the context of combat use are not specified.
UAV MQ-9B SkyGuardian
The new UAV is distinguished by an increased combat load. It can simultaneously carry up to 16 AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles with a total weight of approx. 800 kg. This is twice the maximum load of the MQ-1C or four times the ammunition load of the older MQ-1. Apparently, like its predecessors, a promising drone will be able to carry not only Hellfire missiles, but also another controlled weapon for work on ground and air targets.
Sources note that the increase in ammunition was obtained at the cost of some losses. Thus, the possible duration of the flight was reduced, as well as the volumes and carrying capacity to accommodate another load decreased. However, such shortcomings are not considered fatal and are proposed to be overcome by proper planning of combat missions.
Development without breakthroughs
Breaking Defense and its sources have so far disclosed only the most general information about the new heavy UAV from General Atomics. However, it also allows us to draw some conclusions about the conceptual and technical features of the project. It also becomes possible to assess the commercial prospects of the new drone.
It is argued that the new UAV was created on the basis of the existing model and inherits a number of systems and functions, and the differences are mainly related to the size and ammunition. This means that the promising project from General Atomics is only an option for the further development of existing structures. There are no fundamental innovations, and therefore the project does not claim to be a breakthrough one.
The main goal of the project, apparently, was the maximum increase in ammunition and an increase in overall combat qualities. On the whole, they coped with this technical task, and the UAV with 16 air-to-surface missiles on board is quite capable of attracting potential customers. However, they will reportedly have to put up with the disadvantages of increased take-off weight and shorter flight times.
Thus, in fact, we are talking about the creation of a new UAV within the existing line of technology produced by General Atomics. With its help, such a line is expanded towards an increase in key technical, combat and operational characteristics. Thanks to this, a potential buyer has a wider choice, and the development company has an increased chance of receiving another order.
A promising heavy UAV was developed without an order from specific structures and according to its own technical specifications. This circumstance may limit its commercial prospects, both in the United States and abroad. At the same time, the project is not bound by the requirements of a specific customer, which gives developers a certain freedom of action and allows them to take into account the potential requests of different buyers.
On the eve of the premiere
General Atomics has extensive experience in the field of medium and heavy reconnaissance and strike UAVs, and a number of its developments of this kind have been adopted by several countries. The emergence of a new drone of this class was actually only a matter of time. And according to the latter news, the company was really engaged in the development of such a project.
It is reported that the official presentation of the new UAV will take place in the coming weeks. The developer will reveal the appearance, characteristics and capabilities of the new unmanned complex, and this will clarify the already established picture. In addition, the first information about participation in various tenders and even about negotiations on future contracts may appear.
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