Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike
U.S. Navy program for an autonomous carrier-based unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
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The Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) was a United States Navy program to develop an autonomous carrier-based unmanned combat aerial vehicle. It was intended to provide an uncrewed intelligence and strike asset to the fleet. After debate over whether the UCLASS should primarily focus on stealthy bombing or scouting, the Pentagon changed the program entirely into the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS), which led to the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray.
Quick Facts
- Initial rfi issued
- 19 March 2010
- Jroc memorandum approving icd
- 9 June 2011
- Jroc requirement change memoranda
- 19 December 2012 (memoranda 086-12 and 196-12)
- Pdr contracts awarded
- 14 August 2013 (four contracts, $15 million each)
Facts from the source article.
Background
The UCLASS program had several competing designs: Northrop Grumman based its entry on the X-47B demonstrator; Lockheed Martin offered the Sea Ghost, derived from the RQ-170 Sentinel; Boeing based its design on the Phantom Ray; and General Atomics proposed the Sea Avenger, a naval version of the land-based MQ-20 Avenger. On 19 March 2010 the Navy issued a Request for Information for planning purposes. On 9 June 2011 the Joint Requirements Oversight Council approved the Initial Capabilities Document, which stated UCLASS was to be 'a persistent, survivable carrier-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and precision strike asset.' On 19 December 2012 the JROC published memoranda that significantly altered the requirements, heavily favoring permissive airspace ISR capabilities. The change appeared to be budget-driven; Dyke Weatherington, the Pentagon’s Director of Unmanned Warfare & ISR, said the reduction in strike capability was born of fiscal realities.
On 14 August 2013 the Navy awarded four $15 million Preliminary Design Review contracts to Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The period of performance was approximately nine months. The Navy planned to arm the UCLASS with weapons from the carrier air wing's inventory, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and hinted at using it as a 'flying missile magazine' for air-to-air engagements, remotely operated by an E-2D Hawkeye or F-35C flight leader.
Did You Know?
- The X-47B demonstrator launched from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush on May 14, 2013.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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