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Boeing X-45C The Perfect Cover Story
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A glimpse into the future was unveiled
today when the Boeing [NYSE: BA] Joint
Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS)
X-45C full-scale model made its debut at
the Farnborough International Air Show.
The model represents what the X-45C will
look like when completed at the company’
s St. Louis manufacturing facility in 2006.
Assembly of this revolutionary aircraft
began in June and it is scheduled to make
its first flight in 2007. Boeing previously
built two X-45A vehicles, now being flight-
tested at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
{ It is our true belief that these craft and
press releases are a cover for highly
evolved alien, and alien back tech
spacecraft flying in our skies everyday. }
FRJ
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Two X-45A air vehicles were built by Boeing. First flight was in May 2002. Each vehicle has one working weapons
bay, with an avionics pallet located in the other bay. The X-45A is all electric, except for the nose wheel steering
and hiking system. The engine is fed through a serpentine inlet and uses a yaw thrust vectoring system. The two
X-45As have demonstrated the basic functionality of the command and control, and communications and
navigation systems, as well as the aerodynamic envelope required for future demonstrations. Characteristics of the
X-45A are shown below:
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The X-47A, built by Northrop Grumman, demonstrated low-speed handling qualities, air vehicle performance and
navigation performance collection. It also simulated a tailhook arrestment point on a carrier flight deck by landing
near a predesignated touchdown point and utilized the shipboard-relative global positioning satellite (SRGPS)
system as the primary navigation source for increased landing precision. First flight was in February 2003.
Characteristics of the X-47A are shown below:
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More advanced demonstrators are now under development as part of the J-UCAS program: the X-45C and X-47B
are the next step in the evolution of an affordable operational J-UCAS. The larger air vehicles will more closely
represent the envisioned operational systems, to include two full weapons bays and incorporation of low
observable (LO) technologies. External views of the two air vehicle concepts are provided below
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The network centric nature of the J-UCAS, along with the need for collaboration and synchronization coupled with
the demanding mission timelines, drives the need for a Common Operating System. A major factor motivating the
development of the Common Operating System is the level of integration and interoperability implied by the J-UCAS
concept. J-UCAS is not a single ground station and a single platform, but a collection of platforms, as well as
multiple control elements all linked together with the infrastructure and support systems to provide a single,
seamless integrated capability. The system should be versatile in performing its various mission functions. The
J-UCAS elements therefore, have to be intra-operable as well as inter-operable with outside elements of the
system. Another motivating factor for the Common Operating System is the level of autonomy versus
human-in-the-loop operation needed during the operation of the J-UCAS. This balance between the two at any
given point in the mission is dictated by the actual mission itself. A Common Operating System is needed to
manage this balance. This Common Operating System is being designed so that it can, in effect, host a number of
other configurations that might be required to pursue missions of a similar type as we move into the future and the
requirements for the existing platforms change.
Program Management
The J-UCAS program is led by DARPA. The J-UCAS Office, under DARPA leadership -- with support from the
Services -- was formally stood-up in October 2003, and is focused on planning and executing a demonstration
program that supports both Navy and Air Force emerging requirements. This demonstration program will be
followed by robust Operational Assessments (OAs) beginning in FY07. The OAs are expected to provide the
Services with several program options in the FY07-09 timeframe.
The development and evolution of requirements is a critical part of the J-UCAS program. The results of the OAs will
be key to making decisions about desired capabilities and expectations for follow-on systems development. A joint
requirements group, comprised of the Joint Staff, Air Force and Navy, will coordinate with Joint Forces Command
and other combatant commanders, to develop and validate J-UCAS requirements. This group will be accountable to
the warfighter communities, but provide input directly to the J-UCAS Director.
To keep abreast of this program click on the J-UCAS banner below to go directly to DARPA
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X-45 J-UCAS
Capabilities
This versatile, multi-mission aircraft can:
Cruise at 0.85 Mach speed.
Carry a 4,500--lb. payload.
Fly 40,000 feet with a mission radius of 1,200 nautical
miles.
Be refueled by Air-to-Air Refueling
Transport eight 250-lb. Small Diameter Bombs.
Carry auxiliary fuel tanks and other payloads.
Hit a ground target with a 250-lb. inert
near-precision-guided weapon.
Operate independently, fully integrate with manned
aircraft operations or execute multi-vehicle
coordinated operations.
Be deployed from one location and controlled by
another.
Avionics Overview
Incorporates stealth technology.
Is controlled via satellite communications.
Employs precision-guided weapons using two internal
weapons bays.
Can independently perform all maneuvers, bay door
operations and weapon-away release sequences
under human supervision.
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The X-45C is an unmanned, autonomous combat air
vehicle that flies high-risk operational missions and
delivers precision weapons on target. Controlled via either
line-of-sight or satellite communications, the X-45C is
highly adaptable to changing battle conditions and can
provide 24/7 electronic attack, reconnaissance,
surveillance and intelligence gathering as well as engage
in deep strikes to complement manned fighter and bomber
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Eyepod.Org Front Page
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The X-45C is 39 feet long with a 49-foot wingspan and cruises at 0.80 Mach. It will carry eight Small Diameter
Bombs (SDBs), Boeing’s newest near-precision, 250-pound weapon, or the full range of Boeing’s Joint Direct
Attack Munitions(JDAMs).
The J-UCAS X-45 program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy/Boeing
effort to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of an unmanned air combat
system for both the Air Force and the Navy. Operational missions for the services may include suppression of
enemy air defenses; strike; electronic attack; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
More from DARPA... Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems0
J-UCAS Overview
The Joint Unmanned Combat Air
Systems (J-UCAS) program is a
joint DARPA/Air Force/Navy effort
to demonstrate the technical
feasibility, military utility and
operational value for a networked
system of high performance,
weaponized unmanned air vehicles
to effectively and affordably
prosecute 21st century combat
missions, including Suppression of
Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD),
surveillance, and precision strike
within the emerging global
command and control architecture.
"J-UCAS is a key transformational program within the Department of Defense’s portfolio. The capabilities offered
by this family of systems can have profound implications on the Department’s future warfighting capability and force
structure." {A lot is being held back here, but the information is an interesting read.}
– Mr. Michael W. Wynne, USD(AT&L) (Acting), 23 June 2003
J-UCAS Objective System (J-UOS)
The J-UCAS vision is to develop a weapon system that expands tactical mission options and provides revolutionary
new air power and penetrating surveillance capability. The J-UCAS weapon system will exploit the design and
operational flexibility of an uninhabited vehicle to enable a new paradigm in warfighting while maintaining the
judgment and moral imperative of the human operator. The J-UCAS is designed for minimal maintenance to reduce
cost. It will be capable of dynamic mission replanning with varying levels of autonomy. The J-UCAS has the
potential to fully exploit the emerging information revolution and provide advanced airpower with increased tactical
deterrence at a fraction of the total life cycle costs of current manned systems.
The J-UCAS weapon system will enable a new affordability paradigm by reducing both acquisition, and operation
and support (O&S) costs. Removing the pilot from the vehicle eliminates man-rating requirements, pilot systems,
and interfaces. New design philosophies can be used to optimize the design for aerodynamics, signature, reduced
maintenance and low cost manufacturing processes. Advances in small smart munitions will allow these smaller
vehicles to attack multiple targets during a single mission and reduce the cost per target killed, while minimizing the
prospects for geolocation errors and fratricide. Improvements in sensor technologies also allow significant
advances in surveillance and reconnaissance over high threat areas. The J-UCAS will be highly effective with a
significant reduction in life cycle costs over current systems.
J-UCAS will use a Common Operating System to facilitate the integration of subsystems such as sensors, weapons,
and communications while minimizing the impact from platform constraints. In addition, J-UCAS will have a system
architecture that ensures intra-operability between the internal components of J-UCAS and inter-operability with
external elements such as manned aircraft, command and control centers, and space assets. For initial
demonstrations, a single suite of sensors accompanied by common mission avionics, and software applications will
be developed. One architecture, one sensor suite, and a Common Operating System will lead to the reduction of
costs, the lowering of barriers to the entry of new technology into J-UCAS, as well as the acceleration of a network
centric war fighting capability.
Objectives and Concepts of Operation
The J-UCAS program combines the efforts that were previously conducted under the DARPA/Air Force Unmanned
Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) program and the DARPA/Navy Naval UCAV (UCAV-N) program. Although these efforts
were specifically targeted towards their service-specific needs, the Defense Department recognized the potential
for significant synergy by combining the programs. This includes the following common performance objectives for
the demonstrators:
Radius: 1300 nm
Persistence: 1000 nm with 2 hrs loiter
Payload: 4500 lb
The primary technical challenges for both the Navy and Air Force missions are likewise highly common. These
include developing an affordable, lethal, low observable air vehicle capable of dynamic distributed control using
advanced cognitive aids and advanced targeting processes. The J-UCAS will also be interoperable with other
manned and unmanned systems for the military services. It will have secure, robust communications and be
capable of adaptive, highly autonomous operations, conducting coordinated multi-vehicle flight. The system will
utilize significant improvements in the reliability and maintainability of subsystems and low observables materials,
robust prognostics and health management systems, and reduced manpower needed to operate and maintain the
vehicles. These features will facilitate a rapid sortie generation rate with a minimum turn time.
The initial operational role for the J-UCAS desired for the Air Force is as a “first day of the war” force enabler that
will complement a strike package by performing the SEAD mission, via lethal and non-lethal means. In this role, J-
UCAS would accomplish preemptive destruction and electronic suppression of sophisticated enemy integrated air
defense systems (IADS) in support of manned strike packages. Throughout the rest of the campaign, J-UCAS
would provide continuous vigilance with an immediate lethal strike capability to prosecute high value and time
critical targets. After the conflict, the J-UCAS could fly peacekeeping mission, such as enforcing “no-fly” zones;
these typically entail flying long hours of patrols (so called “dull” missions).
The initial operational role for the Navy’s J-UCAS is to provide carrier based, survivable, and persistent
surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting to complement manned assets and long range precisions strike
weapons. But to fully exploit its potential and “buy its way” onto the carrier, SEAD and Strike capabilities will be
designed in from the outset and fully developed in future spirals. The system will be seamlessly integrated with
manned aircraft missions, carrier air traffic control, and deck operations, as well as with the carrier’s C4ISR
architecture.
J-UCAS Demonstration Program
The objective of the J-UCAS demonstration program is to design, develop, integrate, and demonstrate the
technologies, processes, and system attributes (TPSAs) pertaining to the J-UCAS Operational System.
The J-UCAS program is being conducted in multiple overlapping spirals of increasing capability toward the
objective system. Spiral 0 consists of two X-45A and one X-47A demonstrator aircraft and their associated
simulation, mission control and support systems. Spiral 0 for the X-45A also includes four increasingly capable
software blocks, demonstrated through flight. Spiral 1 includes improved air vehicle designs, the low observable X-
45C and X-47B demonstrators – allowing for significant payload, range and persistence – as well as improved
simulation, mission control and support systems. Future spirals will have greater operational utility, spiraling to the
J-UCAS Objective System (J-UOS).
