[Dawes]

Curious to see pictures of this thing:



New Predator C Unmanned Aircraft Hints at Stealth, Weaponry


AWIN First Apr 15 , 2009
David A. Fulghum davef@aviationweek.com
Washington

Bill Sweetman william_sweetman@aviationweek.com



General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has quietly rolled out its new Avenger unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) - formerly known as the Predator C - and completed its first three flights on April 4, 13 and 14.

While company officials are not calling it a stealthy aircraft, they will admit to a reduced radar signature. The 20-hour-endurance UCAV’s undeniably low-observable design offers clues about how it could be employed.

A weapons bay allows internal carriage of 500-pound bombs with GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions with GPS navigation and laser guidance kits attached. Given the aircraft’s 34-feet length - which will increase by at least two feet in the second test aircraft - the weapons bay appears to be 10-feet long.

The bay doors can be removed to allow installation of a semi-submerged, wide-area surveillance pod. The aircraft is designed to carry about 3,000 pounds of weapons and sensors. For an additional two hours of flying time, fuel tanks also can be installed in the weapons bay.

A long, featureless underside further provides an ideal location for a sensor such as an all-weather, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The wide-area surveillance system – to be provided by the U.S. Air Force – has yet to be defined. It would be carried by a specialized all-reconnaissance version of the Avenger.

The V-tail both deflects radar and shields infrared signature of the aircraft’s 4,800-pound thrust Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B turbofan. Each tail surface has two rudders for flight-control redundancy.

The hump-backed design of the aircraft offers room enough for a serpentine exhaust to prevent radar observation of the turbine. Pratt has been developing an S-shaped exhaust system that both offers protection from radar and cooling to reduce the infrared signature. The engine is expected to provide an airspeed of at least 400 knots, but company officials say envelope expansion tests may prove the speed to be “considerably greater”. The UCAV’s operational altitude would be up to 60,000 feet.

The Avenger’s 17-degree sweep, 68-ft. span wing and tail are all aligned in plan view with one or other of the leading edges. This is the same shaping discipline used on classic stealth designs like the F-22 and B-2.

The cranked trailing edge provides the aerodynamic and structural benefits of a tapered wing and helps shield the engine inlet from radar. Other design elements, from nose to tail, help avoid radar cross-section hot spots that would be caused by a curved side.

The aircraft was designed from its inception so that the wing could be folded at the point where it cranks for storage in hangars or for aircraft carrier operations. The UCAV also comes with a tailhook, which suggests that carrier-related trials are planned.

The inner section of the cranked wing is deep, providing structural strength for carrier landings and generous fuel volume while maintaining a dry, folding outer wing.

[Luke Y]

I would've thought the ventral vertical control surfaces would've increased RCS rather than reduced it?

[Kenneth P. Katz]

Can somebody remind me why the F-35 is being developed?

[Doug Kibbey]

Kenneth P. Katz, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 0043, said:

Can somebody remind me why the F-35 is being developed?

Economic Stimulus Package?

[Luke Y]

Kenneth P. Katz, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 1013, said:

Can somebody remind me why the F-35 is being developed?

To shoot down all the funky R/C models on steroids? :P

[Gunguy]

Doug Kibbey, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 0112, said:

Economic Stimulus Package?

I just about spit coffee all over my laptop!!! :P :P :P

[Lampshade111]

I still think it is far too early to think about UCAVs replacing manned designs in most roles. Although aircraft like the X-45C, X-47B, and the Predator family can certainly be useful in working with our manned fleet and providing extra capability.

This post has been edited by Lampshade111: 17 April 2009 - 1020 AM

[BP]

Kenneth P. Katz, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 0043, said:

Can somebody remind me why the F-35 is being developed?

Did you ever try and tie a silk scarf around a joystick?

(wait, scratch that. . . )

[Paul in Qatar]

So we got:
Avenger,
Predator
Reaper


Darn cool names.

[sunday]

Paul in Qatar, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 1810, said:

So we got:
Avenger,
Predator
Reaper
Darn cool names.

Heh! Wait for the QF-22B Raptor II. Cockpitless fighter jocks losing their reason to live, mass suicides, the works... :P

[Paul in Qatar]

(I was just at Wikipedia. I had no idea we had a tiny little drone cargo plane. I wonder what that is for.)

[Mote]

Given that it is going to be carrier compatible, perhaps it would be a good replacement for the S-3/ES-3?

[TomasCTT]

Shouldn't it be called Avenger II?

[Mote]

TomasCTT, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 1429, said:

Shouldn't it be called Avenger II?

Technically it would be Avenger III. The USN had a failed VLO attack plane project in the 1980s and early 1990s called the A-12 Avenger II.

This post has been edited by Mote: 17 April 2009 - 1414 PM

[T19]

We are looking at getting some to patrol the arctic instead of P3s

Think armed ones would be good, to keep the wolves at bay

Andrew

[jakec]

Imagery at...
http://www.aviationw...fe-50a1413a668b

[Josh]

Wow. General Atomics is cocking its gun and taking aim at JSF.

What say the forum, does JSF bring anything to the table that a combination of F-22, legacy, and Avenger wouldn't?

[AETiglathPZ]

jua, on Fri 17 Apr 2009 1442, said:

Wow. General Atomics is cocking its gun and taking aim at JSF.

What say the forum, does JSF bring anything to the table that a combination of F-22, legacy, and Avenger wouldn't?

Nope. Super size it like how the RQ-9 is over the RQ-1 then a Predator D might be a nice candidate for the 2018 bomber.

Maybe "Cock Meat Sandwich***" might be a proper name for a Predator D.

***-Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanomo reference.

Edit: Dammit, got my reference wrong

This post has been edited by AETiglathPZ: 18 April 2009 - 1105 AM

[Dawes]

The A-10's GAU-8 cannon is (or was, at least) called the "Avenger" also.