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The US Navy (USN) is moving ahead with plans to field an unmanned aircraft capable of carrier operations.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), Northrop Grumman and Boeing have all shown an interest in the navy's request for information (RfI) for a new Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system.
UCLASS aims to develop four to six low-observable, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions in contested airspace. These UAVs would perform carrier landings on a regular basis.
The UCLASS vehicles, which the RfI says would be available for limited operational use by the end of 2018, would be able to fly for 11-14 hours without refuelling.
Industry is expecting the navy to release a request for proposal (RfP) for UCLASS in January 2011, according to Boeing spokesman Chris Haddox.
GA-ASI's UCLASS bid, the jet-powered Sea Avenger, is based on the company's Predator C Avenger aircraft, which does not yet have a customer. However, it is envisioned by the company as a candidate for the US Air Force's MQ-X competition, which calls for a next-generation, medium-altitude ISR/strike-capable unmanned aircraft that can penetrate moderately contested airspace.
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