It has been said that the current generation of piloted fighter aircraft, the 5th generation, will be the last and future aircraft will be fully autonomous unmanned aerial combat vehicles or UCAVs. Nowadays we know these kind of aircraft as drones and they have already impacted the defence world, being actively used by several countries across the globe.
All of the new generation of UCAV aircraft are specifically designed to carry out their intended functions by themselves, known as fully autonomous and present a massive technological challenge. Here are a look at just a few of the more advanced concepts that are scheduled to replace the current manned aircraft.
United States of America
Northrop Grumman X47-B
The X47-B is a US navy project which is specifically designed for aircraft carrier takeoff and recovery. At this stage in the development cycle, it has successfully took off, by catapult assistance, from the deck of the USS George HW Bush in May 2013, but is yet to land aboard a carrier at sea. The project is the most high profile of the advanced UCAV systems at present with the US Navy posting regular updates and media about the aircraft's development.
X47-B is designed as a technology demonstrator, but, the conceptualised role of the vehicle is to perform reconnaissance and strike targets with guided bombs and stand off missiles. The eventual production model will have a weapons bay capable of carrying 2000 Kg (4,409.25 lbs) of ordnance and have a range of 3000 Km+ with an endurance of about 5-7 hours. X47-B operates only at subsonic speeds and is not expected to take on an air to air fighter type role at this point.
Boeing Phantom Ray
Phantom Ray is a US airforce reconnaissance and strike drone that was developed around the same time as the X47 and takes on much of the same role, although not originally designed for carrier operation. Phantom Ray will have a payload of about 2000 Kg and a range of about 1,500 miles (2,414 Km). Again, the aircraft will operate at subsonic speeds and deliver bombs and missile ordnance as well as performing stealthy reconnaissance missions.
Russia
Mikoyan Skat (Manta Ray)
Skat is officially cancelled but offered a tantalising look at the vehicle’s potential war fighting capabilities, often being pictured alongside its potential load out of missiles and bombs. Being one of the first of the international UCAV designs to be ‘outed’, Skat showed that Russian design and thinking is still strong and radical. Skat was designed to carry 2000 Kg of ordnance 2000 Km (1,243 miles) at about 800 Km/h (500 mph).
France
Dassault nEUROn
The nEUROn is designed to operate as a strike and reconnaissance aircraft and comes from the manufacturer that gave the world the Mirage and Rafale. The project itself is international in nature, being supported by Sweden, Spain, Greece, Switzerland and Italy, but France leads the consortium. The nEUROn is primarily a technology demonstrator and flying testbed of various UCAV technologies and the design will, of course, lead to production models that have similar looks and capabilities.
In its current configuration the nEUROn will fly at around 900 -1000 Km/h (600 Mph) to most likely around 2500 Km (1,500 Miles) and carry 500 - 1000 Kg of ordnance.
Spain and Germany
EADS Barracuda
Barracuda is a joint venture between Germany and Spain and is a different design from the rest of the aircraft featured in this report but again shares a similar role, one of fully autonomous reconnaissance and strike. Barracuda is also different from the other designs in that it is constructed mainly from existing components, hence, lessening the cost of development. Barracuda is slightly smaller than the competition and has a projected ordnance capability of about 300 Kg (661 lbs), it can fly at approximately 1041 Km/h (647 mph) and probably a range of about 1000 - 1500 Km (776 miles)
United Kingdom
BAE Taranis
Named after the celtic god of thunder, this concept promises to be very exciting as it is the only aircraft from the ones listed here that can boast projected supersonic capabilities. Taranis is also intended to be a fighter interceptor as well as possessing strike ability with many analysts suggesting it will have intercontinental range performance. Designed to be a ‘semi autonomous’ system, human input can be utilised as and when required.
The Taranis UCAV’s specifications are largely speculation, but, there is no doubt that it will perform at a similar level to the competition mentioned above. Taranis will fly supersonic probably at about Mach 1.5 to about 4000 Km (2,500 miles appx) and carry 2000 kg (4409 lbs) of ordnance, fully autonomous for the ferrying parts of the flight and then using human input for precision ground support or air interdiction.
Setting this UCAV apart from all of the others mentioned above is the fact that the intended concept fulfillment is one of replacing the traditional role of conventional multi role combat aircraft. Taranis is the future robot warrior that has been dreamed about in science fiction for years but it is here, right now.
A number of other countries are developing similar UCAV projects such as China and India and they will be covered in future posts as their details become available.
