USN still pursuing unmanned strike aircraft

Key Points

• The US navy still intends to pursue unmanned maritime strike with knowledge from its UCLASS successor
• A UCLASS solicitation was delayed for more than a year while various factions fought over options for a long-range strike aircraft and a smaller ISR aircraft

The US Navy (USN) earlier this year transformed its developmental Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) unmanned aircraft programme into a ship-based aerial refuelling tanker with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, but the service has not abandoned plans for an unmanned strike aircraft, a senior official said on 22 March.

The X-47B successfully completes an autonomous aerial refuelling demonstration over Chesapeake Bay on 22 April 2015. Officials said the navy has not abandoned plans for an unmanned maritime strike platform despite its stated intention to build a new unmanned tanker with ISR capability. (USN)

Now known as the Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS), the new platform will begin life as a tanker with ISR capability, USN air warfare director Rear Admiral Michael Manazir said at an Air Force Association briefing.

IHS Jane’s 360: IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly – Digital, Online and Print Magazine

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from DefenseNewz.com http://ift.tt/1RnxK4R
via Defense News