Boeing Unveils Low-Cost, Versatile 'Little Bird' That Can Fly Manned or as UAV
WASHINGTON, D.C. , Oct. 25, 2004 -- Flight testing of a unique aircraft combining the advantages of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a combat-proven manned rotorcraft helicopter is under way at The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz.
News of the innovative flight test program, which builds on the company's strengths in network-centric operations (NCO), was announced today by Boeing officials at the 2004 Association of the United States Army, or AUSA, exposition in Washington, D.C.
The proof-of-concept demonstrator, a modified MD 530F helicopter, has been flying since Sept. 8 and made its first autonomous take off and landing Oct. 16. The demonstrator is known as the "Unmanned Little Bird."
The Unmanned Little Bird has flown more than 20 hours as a fully operational UAV. An on-board test pilot monitors the aircraft's performance but does not actively fly the aircraft.
The prototype aircraft, which will continue to demonstrate unmanned capabilities over the next year, is already validating the autonomous flight control system that could easily and cost-effectively be added to a manned aircraft.
Boeing is funding research and development of the Unmanned Little Bird, which is demonstrating Level 5 UAV capabilities, indicating it can be flown autonomously while its payload or sensor is guided from a remote site. One candidate for such remote operating capability is the Boeing-produced AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopter, which has already demonstrated such capabilities during UAV test programs.
"The Unmanned Little Bird offers potential operators a low-cost, multi-purpose aircraft that will provide manned or unmanned options in combat, making it a versatile and easily deployable asset on future battlefields," said Waldo Carmona, director of Advanced Army Systems. "We are clearly demonstrating the unmatched advantages of combining a cost-effective, proven airframe with emerging manned-unmanned NCO technologies for the 21st century."
Flight testing has already shown the aircraft's ability to transport external cargo loads. Future testing will demonstrate a wide range of missions, including the aircraft's ability to perform surveillance communications relay.
"The Unmanned Little Bird would add a new dimension to the already-proven capabilities of Mission Enhanced Little Birds flown by the U.S. Army's Special Operations forces," Carmona said, noting that the aircraft could be configured to carry a variety of payloads and to launch weapons in combat.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis , Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
###
Contact Info:
Hal Klopper
480-891-5519
hal.g.klopper@boeing.com
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
