Northrop Grumman’s X-47B
With the aim to develop a carrier-based Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for its Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has issued Preliminary Design Review (PDR) contracts worth $15 million to four of the leading global aerospace majors Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
“The PDRs are intended to inform the Navy of technical risk, cost and design maturity of the Air Segment and allows the industry teams to better understand the program’s requirements across the entire UCLASS system to expeditiously deliver the unmanned carrier-based system to the fleet,” said Charlie Nava, Program Manager, UCLASS program. The carrier-based UAS is required to provide enhanced capabilities of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for maritime operations.
In May this year, NAVAIR completed the first carrier launch of Northrop Grumman’s X-47B, followed by the first arrested landing in July. The four Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are competing to provide the best design for the sea-based UAS. NAVAIR plans to issue a final Request for Proposals (RFP) early next year, followed by award of final contract. The Navy has indicated that its first carrier-based UAS could be operational by 2018.
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