U.S. tests large flying wing-type UAV in Afghanistan
Hazy photographs emerged of a large flying-wing UAV — or, rather, UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle) —on a runway in a military base in Afghanistan; the shape and assumed capabilities indicate growing role of unmanned system in attack missions
It appears that the United is using the UAV war over Pakistan and Afghanistan to test a new, advanced but as yet undisclosed UCAV program. Darren Lake, editor of Unmanned Vehicles magazine (UV), writes that pictures shown to his magazine and taken at an airbase in Afghanistan show a large flying wing-type design, adopted by unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) designers, but not yet seen on an operational type.
The image available is an artist’s impression drawn directly from the photograph but none of the experts consulted by UV had any concrete idea of what the system might be. The image shown to UV was taken from a long distance, as the aircraft taxied in on a hazy day, but the image was clear enough to show that this UAV’s design is like no other UAV in current operational service. Among the distinctive features of the type is the “fat” wing chord, and a large central fuselage fairing. The aircraft engine nozzle is the same half moon shape as the Lockheed P175 Pole Cat, but the wing is not cranked on its trailing edge like the Pole Cat is.
Lake writes that the fuselage fairing could support a large squared off intake, but is more likely to house a large satellite communications and sensor mix. Two large blisters either side of the central fairing are likely to the intakes for a single turbofan engine. These features probably won’t help the aircraft’s radar cross-section, although this probably is not important considering the theater of operations in which it is flying.
The large doors inboard of the main landing gear may be bomb bay doors, indicating a strike capability for the type.
There are clearly the technological capabilities to build something like this inside Northrop Grumman, Boeing, or Lockheed Martin. Looking at the shaping, UV’s analyst said he would be inclined to think this comes from either Northrop or Lockheed. The shaping is also suggestive of UCAV concepts around the start of the 2000s.There is a whole raft of wing design work that has gone on since 2002 in terms of how the X-47B has evolved, and the sorts of designs that Boeing was working with prior to the ending of that effort.
